Councillor’s Communiqué : OCTOBER 2004 - Issue # 83

MUNICIPAL ELECTION INFORMATION

Households throughout HRM will be receiving Voter Information in the mail related to the Municipal & School Board General Elections and the Provincial Plebiscite about Sunday Shopping that will be held on Saturday, October 16th from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The information cards will advise residents of their District number and where and when they can cast their ballot. 

The new District boundaries take effect on November 2, 2004. Maps and descriptions of the new District boundaries are available on the HRM website at www.halifax.ca (click on the Election icon) or call the HRM Election Office 476-8683 ( HRM-VOTE ) for more election information. 

Advance Polls for District 3 will be at the Porter's Lake Community Centre (#4693 - Hwy. # 7 ) on Saturday, October 9th and Tuesday, October 12th from 12 Noon to 8:00 PM. 

For those who maybe still undecided on the Sunday Shopping Issue and want to see more information about the Pro's and Con's of it can look at the following sites to help you make your decision: 

For Those in Favour : www.amatterofchoice.ca 

For Those Against : www.daretobedifferent.ca

It's for You to Decide... it's important...please Vote !

BEWARE OF U.X.O.'s

The Federal Department of National Defence (DND) will be conducting a beach sweep of the West Chezzetcook Air Weapons Range in Grand Desert in mid October for unexploded ordinance (UXO). Members of Maritime Forces Atlantic will carry out a clearance operation at the gun range from October 12th-15th, with most of the search activity occurring on Wednesday, October 13th. 

This is a periodic routine operation because environmental weather conditions will often expose rocket scrap metal. Though the rocket shells were fitted with concrete heads, it is possible that some scrap will contain unconsumed propellant, in which case an ordinance technician on site will decide whether the scrap can be moved or has to be blown up on the spot where it is found. If the latter case is the  situation, evacuation of the area, including civilian property outside the gun range, may be necessary as a precaution. 

HRM Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) Co-ordinator along with the RCMP and our Eastern Shore Local Disaster Planning Committee will be working closely with DND officials during this exercise to plan for such an occasion if it  should arise. 

So look out for UXO's !

BURNING SEASON ONCE AGAIN ?

As of October 16th, weather permitting of course, and whether or not the NS Forest Weather Index (FWI) is at a low to moderate reading, then Open-Air Burning outside the HRM Urban No-Burn Zone may once again be allowed to occur whereby Provincial Burning Permits will no longer be necessary to acquire. 

Under our Open-Air Burning Bylaw O-103: Sections 12 (i) & 13 (h), the burning of brush can be done 7 days a week from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM and all fires must be completely extinguished by 11:00 PM. HRM Fire Permits ( at no charge ) are still needed but the local fire departments still has the right to limit the number of municipal permits issued. This will be determined locally in order not to overwhelm their response capability. 

The NS Minister of Natural Resources still has the authority to extend the regular legislated Fire Season ( April 15th to October 15th ) if forest and weather conditions are considered to be too dry for safety sake. For the latest information on our FWI readings, go to: www.gov.ns.ca/natr/protection/wildfire/fwi/default.htm and check out the related links to keep yourself safe from the risks of wildfires. 

Careless debris burning has been the cause of many wildfires. If you must burn debris, do it safely. Municipal setback requirements are more stringent than Provincial guidelines for safe fire separation. Please use extreme caution when burning. Here's are some tips that you ought to follow: 

- Remove all vegetation within 3 metres of your fire pit. Your fire pit should be located well away from structures and vegetation. 

- Make sure there is little or no wind that can blow sparks or ash towards structures or vegetation. 

- Use a metal barrel that is good condition to burn small debris. Use steel rods or pipes to hold the burning material up from the bottom of the barrel. Ensure a metal mesh screen (with openings no larger than 5mm) has been placed over the barrel opening.  

- Keep fire fighting tools on hand; (a charged garden hose, shovel, rake, buckets). 

- Soak ashes well and let sit in a metal container for at least 24 hours before disposing them in a pit.

If you would like more information on how you can reduce the risk of losing your home to wildfire, check out these 2 web-sites: www.gov.ns.ca/natr/protection/wildfire/firesmart.htm www.gov.ns.ca/natr/protection/wildfire/safedebris.html 

Please Be Careful ...Be Fire-Wise  and Fire-Smart !

BENEFIT AUCTION FOR KAITLYN

There will be a Benefit Auction for 11 year-old Kaitlyn Mandziuk on Saturday, October 9th at 4:00 PM at the Porters Lake Pub. She's the little girl that was seriously injured when struck by a truck on the Myra Road, Porters Lake back on August 17th. She's the daughter of Lisa Doucet. 

Kaitlyn's recovery is a very slow process. Although she is now out of a coma, she must re-learn basic motor skills and language and the extent of her long term damage is still unknown. This will be a very  long and rigorous journey for this little girl and her family. It will be emotionally, physically and financially difficult for them, so this family needs our help as a community. 

All donations and any ideas for fund-raising are welcome. A bank account has been established at the Porters Lakes' Royal Bank as well donations can be made  through any other Royal Bank branch. If you or someone you know can donate auction items, please let the benefit organizers know as soon as possible. Please contact the  following persons; Tammy Gorrill 827-2868; Christine LaPierre 827-4015; Shawna Towill  827-4764 or Alex Handyside 827-5161. Thank you for your help and compassion!

Sincerely,

Councillor  David  Hendsbee  

# 3288 - # 7 Hwy, Lake Echo, NS, B3E 1C6  

Web-Site: www.hendsbee.ns.ca &  http://www.halifax.ca/ 
E-Mail: david@hendsbee.ns.ca  hendsbd@halifax.ca   

829-2465 (Office)
829-3620 (Fax)
483-0705 (Cell)
490-4050 (Halifax)