By the time you’re reading this, our municipality should be a step closer to knowing the future size and responsibilities of regional council.
Earlier this week, council discussed the recommendations which came from the first phase of the boundary review process, completed earlier this year.
As a point of compromise, one of the main recommendations is that we reduce the number of councillors from 23 to 20, plus mayor. Another is that we cut the number of community councils from six to four, each made up of five councillors.
Other recommendations have to do with the community councils, including the issue of how much more responsibility they should have, up to and including possible taxing powers for local improvements.
Personally, I support a reduction in regional council to 20 members – or even fewer.
One of the key questions we have to ask is: what should be the appropriate size of Council for it to still be able to conduct business in a responsible manner? Today, with 23 councillors representing 400,000 residents, each member on average is looking after the interests of about 17,300 people. If we were to drop to, say, 16 councillors, each would have to represent 25,000 people.
The final decisions on all these issues will be made by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, probably early in the New Year. Before then, however, there will be another round of consultations with you, the residents.
Remember the old saying about how you can never have enough of a good thing? Well, who in their right mind wouldn’t want extra opportunities to catch their elected municipal representatives in action?
HRM has sent out what’s called an Expression of Interest to Internet media providers, asking whether they’d be interested in live-streaming council meetings and Committee-of-the-Whole sessions.
At the moment, our sessions are covered by the mainstream media and by Eastlink, which broadcasts us regularly into many homes via its community channel.
Now, in the interest of government transparency, we’d like to reach even more of you by web-casting ourselves live-and-direct to your computers and laptops. Ah yes, technology. Got to love it!
And finally, on a personal note, I’d like to send big bouquets on your behalf to two very special women who call HRM home – Hollywood actress Ellen Page and marathon swimmer Kristin Roe.
Kristin recently conquered the formidable English Channel, a feat called the Everest of swimming, becoming the first Nova Scotian to do so. Plucky Kristin not only made the crossing but, being a very socially aware person, she raised funds for the Nova Scotia Gambia Association and the Stephen Lewis Foundation at the same time.
For her part, Ellen never misses an opportunity to proclaim the delights of Halifax in media interviews and on late-night U.S. talk shows. Wherever she goes, the popular actress tells the world what a fantastic place she comes from.
Thank you so much, Ellen and Kristin.
