Brown throws hat into District 6 ring

By Joanie Veitch - The Weekly News
While most people plan nothing more involved than a summer barbecue or trip to the beach during the dwindling days of summer, Phil Brown is gearing up a campaign to win the District 6 seat in the coming municipal byelection.
District 6 has been vacant since Andrew Younger was elected to represent Dartmouth East in the recent provincial election.
Brown, 42, lives in central Dartmouth with his wife Holly and two sons, eight-year-old Reid and five-year-old Lachlan. He was expected to declare his candidacy this week.
Although Brown is not a resident in the Dartmouth East-The Lakes district, he and his father co-own a seven-unit townhouse on Caledonia Road and Brown's parents both live in District 6.
"The district isn't just one place; it's a suburban area made up of several smaller neighbourhoods. All those neighbourhoods have different needs," Brown said.
As a Beaver leader with the First Dartmouth Scouts and an active member at St. James United Church on Portland Street, Brown is a committed community volunteer and says he views the leap into municipal politics as the next logical step.
"I like helping people and making communities better," Brown said. "Politics matters. The policies and actions of council affect people's everyday lives. I care about Dartmouth and making HRM a better place as a whole."
Brown is no newbie in the political realm. He ran against Scott Brison in the Kings-Hants riding in the 1997 federal election, worked as a constituency assistant for MLA Marilyn More for more than three years and has volunteered on numerous federal and provincial elections
His wife Holly also works in politics as NDP MP Peter Stoffer's communications and legislative assistant.
Having seen enough of the behind-the-scenes of political life, Brown is well aware of the huge commitment that comes along with political life.
"We've talked with the boys about what it would mean. Our family's been through lots of campaigns and know how hectic it can be. For example, if I get elected I won't be able to attend Reid's Cub night, and that's too bad. It's on Tuesdays, and council meets then," Brown said.
While he plans to meet as many of the 20,000 residents in the district over the coming weeks, Brown already has a few issues he's interested in taking to council, such as improving public transit and advocating denser development and more affordable housing. Promoting a fair taxation system based on property values is also on his agenda.
Other candidates are also expected to throw their hats in the ring before the August 18 nomination day.
Election day is Sept. 19.
jveitch@gmail.com