Newsletter: District Four Councillor: March 2009
Dear Residents of Weshtown and the Ohios,
With consultation from residents and discussion around the council table, community gardens came up several times as something that people would like to see in our districts of the Municipality of the District of Shelburne (MDS). It happens that last year, Danny and I offered our land to three neighbours and we established a community garden at our home (across the road) at 3351 Hwy 203.
Would you like to join us this growing season? If so, give us a call at 875-4197 and we’ll give you details.Last year, we harvested peas, beans, carrots, turnips, broccoli – we’re still eating frozen broccoli and beans – pumpkin and cucumber. Wire worms attacked the potatoes, but we’re told that’s common with newly-tilled soil.
The past six months have been spent getting to know how things work in the Municipality of the District of Shelburne (MDS), and learning how council and staff work together as a team. Several plans and goals have come out of consultation with our residents and out of council’s focus on goals and objectives.
Highway 103 is at the top of our list of goals, and the recent announcement by MP Gerald Keddy stating the Port Mouton bypass should be completed in four years time was a welcome one. As well, we have asked the Province to allocate more of the provincial budget to paving secondary roads, naming the Welshtown Road as one of those urgently requiring work.
Other goals identified by MDS are: more programs at Shelburne Campus of Nova Scotia Community College; physician recruitment (plans are underway to remodel the Shelburne Medical Clinic); a population strategy to attract more permanent residents to the area; a farmer’s market; the Black Loyalist Heritage Interpretive Centre; purchase and development of lands at the Shelburne Industrial Park.
I have chosen two projects which I believe are worthwhile and will make our communities a little stronger and healthier:
Communities in Bloom is a national and international competition among communities of like size. Shelburne competed last year and received four out of five blooms. This year, in a spirit of cooperation that members of both councils endorse, the Municipality has joined with the town and the Shelburne and Area Chamber of Commerce to work on various Communities in Bloom projects.
Increasing community pride and decreasing vandalism are just a couple of benefits of Communities in Bloom. If planting, tidying, slapping on a little paint helps to strengthen a positive, cooperative community spirit, it will be well worth the effort.
The second project I am focusing on this spring is to establish a farmer’s market in Shelburne. The first organizational meeting is April 16, when we hope to decide (a) if there is enough interest in holding a farmer’s market, (b) enough willing workers to make it happen and (c) where and when it will happen. The meeting – all are welcome – will be held April 16, 7 pm at Enterprise Square.
COOPERATION
The MDS has supported, in principle, the town of Shelburne’s effort to build an expansion of the Port of Shelburne. The town and MDS are partnering to hire AMG Inc. to audit buildings in the town and municipality, a partnership that has saved thousands of dollars.
POWER
When Service Nova Scotia Minister Richard Hurlbert met with MDS councilors and staff last January, I raised the issue of power to Indian Fields. Mr. Hurlbert agreed to speak with Department of Natural Resources Minister Carilyn Bolivar-Getson to ask again of the fee could be waived for placing power poles on crown land. We are following up to learn the results of that conversation.
Construction should begin this spring on the tower that will bring Highspeed Internet access to residents of Ohio and Welshtown, according to Steven Banks of East Link.
Nova Scotia Power Inc. told council that cutting back bushes and trees will be a priority this summer, to prevent future power outages. If you are aware of a problem with trees or limbs near wires, call Darrell Emberly at (902) 521-1510.
Do you have an idea for physical activity that you and a few others would like to pursue? There is funding available – up to $500 – for initiatives to create, expand or improve physical activity opportunities for residents. Applications are available at recreation offices at MDS and the Town of Shelburne and at the Community School coordinator’s office at SRHS.
Lastly, but not least, on May 21, there will be a two hour workshop for seniors at the Lower Ohio Hall, seeking your ideas on recreational, cultural or social programs that you would like to see take place in your community. Come out and participate at the Age Friendly Community Roadshow, May 21, 10 am to noon at the Lower Ohio Hall.
Have a safe and happy summer!
Sincerely,
Cathy Holmes,
Councillor, District 4
Questions? Comments?
Call me at 875-4197 or email cholmes@municipalityofshelburne.ca
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