Hats off to another group of volunteers

Political Speak - I recently attended the AGM of the Portland Estates and Hills Residents Association (PEHRA) in Dartmouth. What an impressive group of citizens contributing in so many ways to their neighbourhood. Residents associations provide an approach for neighbours to work together on community priorities. They often start in response to shared concerns but mature into longer term initiatives that make life better for all.

PEHRA has a core of 45 volunteers who serve on committees that protect the local environment, provide a trail system, maintain gardens at the major entrances, organize community events, produce a website (www.pehra.ca) and write a neighbourhood newsletter. Members and other residents are involved in the spring clean-up, Neighbourhood Watch, PACE Car program to slow traffic, regional development planning, regional watershed protection, and local school activities.

The group is very much focused on environmental issues.

Over the past seven years, PEHRA planned and developed a trail system on municipally-owned land through the centre of their community. It now includes nearly four km of main and side trails with a boardwalk, three lake viewing platforms on Morris and Russell Lakes and a trailhead on Baker Drive. People of all ages enjoy the trails for recreation, travel to work and shopping, and charity fundraising runs.

I encourage citizens in all parts of HRM to check into whether you have a local residents association or perhaps you can start or revive one. The more people who get involved, the less work for any one resident. Your collective voice is stronger and better-informed.

Congratulations and thanks to PEHRA.

weeklydartmouth@hfxnews.ca

MLA marilyn More

Dartmouth South-Portland Valley