City council's firing off a letter to the province in support of a review of residential street speed limits. The provincial review was prompted by a Cole Harbour grandfather after his young granddaughter was struck by a car. He feels the 50km/h limit on residential streets is too fast. Don Hill says he'd like to see it dropped to 40. There's no question everyone's in a hurray these days and it's not unusual to see cars speeding down residential streets. Councillor Linda Mosher thinks red light and speed cameras should be part of the city's tool to crackdown on speeders. She's also a member of the city's board of police commissioners and through it has asked the province for a report on those devices. She wants the city to make them a priority. I know red light cameras at intersections with traffic lights have had some success in other jurisdictions and if it means slowing folks down driving around the city, then bring it on.
The two opposition parties want the NDP government to put a stop to the Nova Scotia Liquor Corp's efforts to shut down 3 U-Vint operations, 3 small businesses that allow their customers to ferment wine or beer on their premises. The three are fighting an NSLC injunction ordering them to stop, saying they're in violation of the law. They say if they're forced to do so, it will drive them out of business. Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says instead we should be applauding the entrepreneurial spirit of these businesses. His party wants on-site brewing legalized and the Conservatives now appear to agree. Jamie Baillie even goes a step further to suggest perhaps it is time to allow beer and wine to be sold in convenience stores. Unfortunately Nova Scotia will remain stuck in the dark ages for the Dexter government is showing no interest.
He's been a voice on the city's political scene since 1994 when he was elected to Halifax city council. In 1998 he was elected to provincial office as the MLA for Halifax Chebucto. Yesterday Howard Epstein revealed he won't be running in the next provincial election joining several other veteran New Democrats who are calling it a day including Bill Estabrooks and Graham Steele. Howard's been a unique politician, a fellow known to stray from time to time from the party line. He's caused an uproar at times with some of his views like his call for the legalization of prostitution. I for one will miss that. But let's not shed a tear for Mr. Epstein. Thanks to a very generous pension plan, Howard will receive just over $61,000 a year on his retirement.
Efforts to help a tug boat crew from Central America stranded here in Halifax have raised about $5,000 so far toward the estimated $15,000 it will cost to send them back home. One couple even chipped in 90,000 air miles. The tug was detained because of safety deficiences after it pulled into Halifax Harbour a month ago to escape a storm. Since then, the crew has been unable to contact the tug's New Jersey-based owner and they're relying on the good graces of Mission to Seafarers and the generosity of city residents for their day to day needs. If you'd like to help contact Mission to Seafarers.
One of the last remaining survivors of the 1917 Halifax explosion has died. George Sim was 101 years old. He was 6 years old when the blast levelled most of north end Halifax and parts of Dartmouth. He was eating his breakfast at the time and recalls all the windows blowing in. He also remembered the very cold winter night that night as a bad storm struck the city. Sim's funeral will be held tomorrow at Cruikshank's Funeral Home on Windsor Street.
Have a great day. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
