These are difficult and uncertain times for our communities, province, nation and planet. This COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic has us all on edge.  Together, we are facing a very serious crisis. The impacts are far-reaching, and we are all feeling personally challenged in different ways. But we all need to listen and act on the directions set out by Dr Robert Strang, NS Chief Medical Health Officer and our Public Health authorities. All of us should be familiar with the daily advisory messages. These must be taken very seriously:• Wash your hands often• Avoid touching your facE• Keep 2 metres separation from others, and• If you have travelled outside of Nova Scotia, you must self-isolate for 14 days upon your return. Remember that you, and others you see, may be a carrier of the virus, regardless of appearance or the lack of any symptoms. If you feel unwell, contact 811. Let’s be role models for our family, friends and neighbours. Treat those around you with kindness. Show you care by keeping your distance. And while it is important that we remain physically apart from one another, we’ve never been stronger together than we are now, at this moment. Social media can span Social distancing. Together, we can show compassion and protect those who are most vulnerable. Together, we will meet our collective responsibility to support and care for one another. I am very proud of the volunteers and helpers that have come forth to help others in their communities. Simply put, by doing your part, you will help save lives. If we all do our part, we will get through this – together. Take Care and Be Safe!

Each year HRM recognizes the extraordinary contributions of individuals and groups who volunteer their time and skills to provide services and programs in our communities. Since the Coronavirus pandemic canceled the annual Volunteer Awards Ceremony, they will all be recognized at a later date.

Here is a complete list of the eleven local honourees from our district for 2020:

YOUTH VOLUNTEERS:
Grace Robinson-Crawley – Lake Echo
Dylan MacKenzie – East Chezzetcook
Gwyn Osborne – Lake Charlotte
Leah Stienburg – Musquodoboit Harbour

ADULT VOLUNTEERS:
Brenda Brooks – East Preston
Kenny Dolomont – Porters Lake
Sha’onda Downey – North Preston
Rhonda Frank – Head of Chezzetcook*
Kent Smith – Musquodoboit Harbour
Gary Stronach – Mineville
Marilyn Smith – East Preston *+

*denotes Provincial Award recipients
+denotes Provincial Volunteer of the Year

Congratulations & Many Thanks to You All!

HRM Community Grants application deadline has been extended to May 15 ^th . On-line applications and program guidebooks are available at:  www.halifax.ca/business/doing-business-halifax/community-non-profit-resources/community-grants

As a response to the COVID 19 outbreak, the Province decided to declare a ban on all open fires in or with 1,000 feet of any wooden area until May 15th. The NS Department of Lands & Forestry will be reassessing this ban in April to determine if it should lifted or extended. For up to date information and further details, go to:  https://novascotia.ca/BurnSafe

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEKEmergency Preparedness (EP) Week is May 3rd–9 ^th . Everyone should be prepared and able to take care of themselves for a 72-hour period from any potential harm caused by a significant weather event or incident. However; this COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic has certainly taught us to be even more prepared than ever before. It’s important that we follow ALL Public Health Orders that are in place for our own good and protection. Our district is very fortunate to have two Joint Emergency Management (JEM) Teams: Eastern Shore JEM (Cole Harbour to Ship Harbour) and Sheet Harbour JEM (East Ship Harbour to Ecum Secum). Our JEM Teams are always looking for volunteers. For more details about them please go to:  www.halifax.ca/fire-police/fire/emergency-management/volunteer-during-emergency  . The fourteenth annual ‘JEM Jamboree’ was scheduled for Saturday May 9 ^th  at the Porters Lake Atlantic Superstore parking lot but had to be cancelled due to Social Distancing & Stay Home directives. So please continue listening to state of emergency procedures. Here are few more EP websites: www.getprepared.gc.ca www.publicsafety.gc.ca http://novascotia.ca/dma/emo  or on Twitter @nsemo www.halifax.ca/fire-police/fire/emergency-management/emergency-preparedness-checklists    or on Twitter:  @HRM_EMO

Operations at the HRM Household Special Waste (HSW) depot at 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive in the Bayers Lake Industrial Park have been suspended until further notice. Residential CFC removal service from old refrigerators and freezers has also been halted. These old appliances can not be collected for metal recycling while they contain CFC’s (Chlorofluorocarbon ‘freon’   gas). Residents are asked to hold onto these items until the program resumes. Furthermore, all scheduled Mobile HSW Depots have been cancelled until further notice too. In the meantime, please stockpile these HSW items safely. Impacts to HRM’s solid waste program are kept up to date online at  www.halifax.ca/coronavirus   Residents may also register for service alerts through the Halifax Recycles mobile app, or online at  www.Halifax.ca/whatgoeswhere  

The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) that were to be held July 12 ^th  – 18 ^th  in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Aldershot and Millbrook, have been postponed due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19. While there is still   much more planning ahead, it is their intent   to reschedule these Games to 2021.

The HRM Interim bill was mailed out in mid-March with an original due date of Thursday, April 30 ^th . It has now been extended to Monday, June 1 ^st . The final bill will still be due on October 31 ^st.  Instead of having two large payments, you can arrange a payment   plan to pay in smaller monthly amounts or apply for a deferral if necessary.  If you have any enquiries about your tax bill, please call the Halifax Contact Centre at 311 or go on-line to:  http://www.halifax.ca/taxes/index.php

During its April 2nd virtual meeting, Regional Council directed staff to prepare amendments to the HRM Solid Waste Bylaw to get tougher with bigger fines. The proposed amendments will reverse the onus when it comes to illegal dumping. Right now, the responsibility falls onto the property owner to clean up any mess. But if any type of identification can be found in amongst the debris, then that someone will bear the burden for cleaning up the dumped materials. Other municipalities in the Province have changed their solid waste bylaws to reverse the responsibility to hold more people accountable for their own trash no matter where it is found dumped illegally. Amendments will return to Council in the future. The report can be found here:  www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-  hall/regional-council/200402rc731.pdf