COUNCILLOR TIM OUTHIT’S SUMMER 2008 NEWSLETTER

Dear Bedford Residents,

It has been 90 days since you elected me as your representative on Regional Council. It has been an exciting and progressive time for Bedford and HRM. I have worked to deliver on my promise of strong leadership, prompt action, two-way communication, and more transparency. I have been extremely pleased with the co-operation and support that I have received from my fellow Councillors, Mayor Kelly, the HRM Executive Management Team, senior Halifax Regional Police & Fire officials, and HRM management and staff.

Strong Leadership-During my very first Council meeting, I put forth a motion to defer discussion regarding increased Bedford sewage demands until staff could prepare a full report. Staff prepared that report and Council voted to approve my motion to divert sewage to Halifax. This will free-up capacity in Bedford’s Mill Cove plant and allow further time to study the flushing of the Bedford Basin.

I was excited to support the adoption, in principle, of the Facility Master Plan for HRM. Included in the Plan is the investment of $5 million toward a four ice surface complex, which is likely to be located in (or very near) Bedford! I also supported electronic voting for the October 18 Municipal Election, the Mainland Common recreation facility for the 2011 Canada Games, support for the Farmers Market, and the issuing of an RFP for 4 new ice surfaces.

Residents of Bedford indicated that you were sick of the “cat debate”! I was happy to lend my support to a motion to revise the bylaw and make it a nuisance bylaw. I spoke strongly in Council and in the media on a motion to forego more public consultation on the subject of cats. Many of you also told me that we need to grow our downtown core, build new office space, and increase the population density on the peninsula. After carefully reviewing the data from Heritage Trust, reading shadow and wind tunnel reports, attending several public hearings, and touring the sites I was pleased to support several new developments in downtown Halifax and downtown Dartmouth. Rest assured I will not support development proposed at the expense of heritage buildings or the view from Citadel Hill!

Prompt Action-During the past 90 days I have initiated or overseen the following actions:

•Improved police presence in several Bedford summertime trouble spots

•Filled numerous potholes

•Planned installation of street lighting on Minshull Street

•Improved lighting on the waterfront boardwalk and DeWolfe Park

•Unveiled new signage for DeWolfe Park

•Repaved Madison Drive, much of Dartmouth Road and the Bedford Highway in Sunnyside

•Confirmed the repaving of Central Street and the sealing of Millrun Crescent for this year

•Ensure that Douglas Drive and Shoreview Drive are high priority for repaving next year

•Completed patching projects including High Street, Landsburg Road, Meadowbrook Drive, and Shoreview Drive

•Worked with staff and residents on storm water drainage and ditch improvements in areas including Perth Street, Fort Sackville Road, Cunningham Drive, DeWolfe Court, First Avenue and Sullivans Hill

•Initiated fencing on the pathway into Bedford South School from Oceanview Drive

•Increased traffic speed monitoring by police: Rocky Lake Drive, Dartmouth Road, Hammonds Plains Road, Ridgevale Drive, Moirs Mill Road, Southgate Drive, and Oceanview Drive

•Investigating traffic issues on: Wardour Street at Dartmouth Road, Golf Links Road at Dartmouth Road, Brookshire Court at Hammonds Plains Road, and Glenmont Avenue at the Bedford Highway

•Installed new park benches on Baha Court and in Oakmount playground.

•Arranged for the much appreciated sodding by the Annapolis Group of the beach access area (within Scott Saunders Memorial Playground) on Millrun Crescent

•Investigated a number of unsightly premises and bylaw violations throughout Bedford

•Expanded “No Parking” zones on Convoy Run, reducing congestion and improving emergency vehicle access

•Repairs to numerous parks, pathways, playgrounds, including the basketball court in Lions Club Park – with the pool area scheduled next year!

•Improvements including tree planting, grass replacement, ditch trimming, green space trimming, rodent control, and curb repairs throughout Bedford.

More Transparency – Capital and Discretionary Funds-Each HRM Regional Councillor receives a $65,000 per year capital fund and a $3,000 discretionary fund. I encourage you to contact me in writing should your non-profit group wish to apply for support. Below is an overview of how I have allocated my funds over the past 90 days, indicating the group or project that requested assistance.

Health & Recreation:

Basketball – court repairs in Lions Club Park NS U15 Girls

Lacrosse – NS Peewee Provincial NS Midget Team

Soccer – Bedford Titans U12A

Baseball – batting cage & dugout improvements for Bedford Minor Baseball NS Bantam Boys

Skating & Ringette – new shared room for Bedford Skating Club in Lebrun Centre

Sailing – Bedford Basin Yacht Club for ARK Regatta

Paddling – Maskwa Aquatic Club

Bedford Lions Club – kitchen upgrade

Bedford Lawn Bowls Club

Bedford Volunteer Awards Committee -website to connect volunteers & groups in Bedford

Girl Guides of Canada – shelter in HRM area camp

Playground Improvements – Oakmount Playground, Bedford South School, Fort Sackville School, and Waverley Road School

International Children’s Games

Culture & Community Development:

Fort Sackville Foundation

Bella Rose Theatre

Matthew LeMoine UN Award – Travel Fund

Tree planting behind Granville Road

Pick of the Litter Society (Bedford)

Sackville Rivers Association – River Rangers School Program

Safety:New traffic speed monitoring equipment for Bedford neighbourhoods

Lighting on Minshull Street and High Street

Lighting on the Bedford waterfront boardwalk

HRM 2008 Citizenship Awards-On June 17, Regional Council hosted this year’s HRM Citizenship Award winners at City Hall. Those receiving recognition from Bedford were: Jennifer Wadden – Armbrae Academy, Cora Leigh MacDonald – Bedford South School, and Heather Webster – Bedford Junior High. These students were recognized for their dedication and commitment to improving life in both their schools and community.

Straight Talk & Myth BustingResponses to Frequently Asked Questions:

Q – Are we getting a LINK service and Park’n’Ride in Bedford?

A – Yes, the 5 year transportation plan passed by Council includes a LINK service for Bedford and a Park’n Ride facility on the Hammonds Plains Road. The LINK service from Sackville has been extremely successful.

Q – Do you support the proposed Fast Ferry service for Bedford?

A – I think it should be thoroughly investigated. I am happy to support any proposal that is financially sound, and includes innovative ways to get commuters to the terminal without increasing gridlock in Bedford or turning our waterfront into a parking lot. I will keep you advised.

Q – Why doesn’t HRM simply buy more buses?

A – HRM is planning to purchase more buses. However, we cannot purchase many buses until the new satellite garage facility is built to house, repair and maintain the buses. This will take up to 2 years to complete.

Q – Why don’t we implement a commuter rail service?

A- I am a supporter of commuter rail and I used it during my time in Vancouver and Toronto. Recent studies indicate that a community must have a population of approximately one million plus to support a commuter rail service. Also the existing tracks are not suitable for commuter rail.

Q – Do you think our policing in Bedford has deteriorated since amalgamation?

A – No and Yes. Having service from a 700 person well-trained police force is advantageous for Bedford for dealing with major crime and when creating innovative programs. Bedford also benefits from having access to resources and outstanding personnel such as Cst David Li and Cst Matt MacGillivray to work with homeowners associations, school children, and groups at risk. Other benefits include focused playground and park patrols, specialty units, and rapid response teams. However, I believe that proactive neighbourhood policing and parking enforcement may have suffered since we lost our Town of Bedford Police. I am working closely with S/Sgt. Jim Perrin and senior police officials to improve proactive policing, and I have received tremendous support. I will also continue to work with police officials to ensure additional resources are deployed in Bedford.

Q – Do you think our fire protection has deteriorated in Bedford since amalgamation?

A – No. My research indicates that overall fire protection is better. We now have access to a 450 member, full-time, professional fire service 24 hours per day and seven days a week that also includes specially trained search and rescue teams. Over 50% of the time there are four personnel assigned to Bedford, the remaining time there are three. Bedford still has the added benefit of support from one of the best volunteer fire services. When Bedford was a town, there were four professional personnel on duty, but only during the day, with volunteer service at night. I intend to work with HRM staff and fire officials to secure funding for four professionals 100% of the time.

Q – What is happening with the Old Fire Hall facility?

A – HRM is currently conducting a telephone survey of Bedford residents and organizations to determine the community’s needs regarding this facility. There are at least 2 groups interested in purchasing the facility and restoring it. Both groups have indicated that they will make time available in the facility for community activities and groups. There are also several groups interested in leasing and repairing the facility for sports and recreation. HRM may also choose to retain and restore the facility. I will keep you advised on this matter.

Q – Are we ever going to get a new rink and other new recreational facilities in Bedford?

A – Yes, it certainly looks that way! I am working with the Rocky Lake Development Association, HRM staff, and Mayor Kelly to see if the temporary bubble facility (named after the late Councillor Gary Martin) can meet all safety code requirements and be approved for use this fall. While the Mayor and Councillors have no authority over the building permit approval process, we have brought the two sides together in meetings. We are confident that all applications will be dealt with quickly and fairly. The Association has been granted a Grade Permit and submitted a Building Permit Application on August 12. The goal is to have the temporary facility available for use by this fall!There are two possible permanent facilities proposed at the time of preparing this newsletter. One is the multi-purpose facility (including 3 ice surfaces, basketball courts, soccer pitches, and meeting areas) to be built in the Rocky Lake Common by the Rocky Lake Development Association. The second is a competition for an HRM and partners 4 ice surface rink likely to be built on the Hammonds Plains Road. The Rocky Lake permanent project could be ready by September 2009, while the HRM and partners project would be slated for opening in September 2010. HRM staff are now preparing a report for Council on how HRM might collaborate with the Field House facility proposed by the RLDA.Q – Is it true that the two Councillors from Sackville on the Northwest Community Council often vote against projects and programs that would benefit Bedford?A – No. Research of old meeting minutes and frank discussions with Councillors Harvey and Johns, revealed that this has happened only once in the past 4 -5 years and involved an issue dealing with a development application from an existing Bedford based business. It was not related to facilities or infrastructure projects for Bedford. During my 90 days, both Councillors have been extremely supportive. Q – What is the anticipated growth of Bedford over the next 20 years?A – It is forecasted that Bedford will grow by at least 20,000 people over the next 20 – 25 years. Given this, we need to monitor sewage treatment capacity closely as well as improved public transportation.

Q – Are we going to get an additional interchange to the 102 (Bi-Hi) and the Bedford Bypass?

A – All 3 levels of government are presently involved in encouraging negotiations. The interchange is critical as much of the proposed and approved new development in Bedford South and Bedford West will not take place until the interchange is underway.

Q – How are you enjoying your work as Bedford’s representative on Regional Council?

A – I knew I would enjoy being your representative, tying together my training and experience in business and economic development, with my history of community action, with politics. I particularly enjoy my constituency work, helping residents deal with problems in their neighbourhood or broader community

Bedford Days a Great Success! I have worked with volunteer groups from coast to coast, but never with a group any finer and any more efficient than our Bedford Days Executive Committee, comprised of volunteers from Bedford and HRM staff! This year was the 31st year of Bedford Days and it was dedicated to the memory of Gary Martin! I am told that this year’s Canada Day fireworks show generated record attendance. This year’s agenda included the addition of a multi cultural festival which celebrated music, dance, cuisine, crafts, and fashion from a number of the many cultures that enhance our community.Thanks and congratulations to Bedford Days Executive Committee members: Debra Taylor, Catherine MacKeigan, Quentin Hill, Mike Gillett, Marlene Kenley, Paul MacKenzie, Don Lowther, Ron Chaulk, Leanne Strathdee, Billy Joe McInnis, Diane Walker, and also to the many public and private sector sponsors!

Did You Know?

Regional Council has approved in principle $5M toward new ice surfaces in HRM.

HRM has issued an RFP for a proposed Four-Plex rink facility in or near Bedford.

HRM has issued an EOI (Expression of Interest) as part of an investigation into the cost and the viability of a Fast Ferry service between Bedford and downtown.

Swimming is once again permitted at Black Rock Beach and at the Dingle Beach. Bedford Basin could be next!

Matthew LeMoine from Bedford is traveling to New York to receive an all-round humanitarian award with a Certificate of High Distinction from the United Nations. Matthew is one of only 45 youth from throughout the world and one of only five being honoured from Canada. Congratulations to Matthew LeMoyne!!

HRM is spending $20M on road paving this season. To build or reconstruct a road costs approximately $1M per km! This is why HRM must microseal and use other innovative products and tactics to extend the life of our roads. HRM has 1700 kms of road, with approximately 800 kms in need of action! HRM engineers are working with its asphalt suppliers to create a product that lasts longer on high traffic urban streets.

Electronic voting will allow HRM residents to enjoy the convenience of voting from their own homes in the 2008 Municipal and School Board election. Halifax Regional Council has approved an internet/phone voting option in addition to the present system for advanced voting.

Community signs are coming to Bedford. These signs are designed to assist 911 responders with community boundaries (in order to avoid confusion caused by streets with the same name in the communities that comprise HRM), but they will also serve as a reminder of our proud community history!

Jake Gallagher from Bedford is captain of the Yale University cross-country team. Jake and the Yale track and field team were also recently honoured as the 2008 All-Academic team by the US Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association. Well done, Jake!

Good Neighbour Great Neighbourhoods

HRM recently launched a region-wide civic pride initiative called Good Neighbours, Great Neighbourhoods. It’s simple — it’s about each and every one of us making a personal commitment to create welcoming, safe, vibrant neighbourhoods where we live, work and play. More information about the project can be found at www.myhrm.ca or email myhrm@halifax.ca.

HRM Smart Trip

Are you looking for a way to reduce your commuting costs? HRM Smart Trip is a state of the art ride-matching system that allows commuters to quickly and securely find carpool partners. By registering on www.HRMSmartTrip.ca you can find people who are interested in carpooling to work, taking transit, biking or walking together. The system matches people based on proximity to origin and destination points and travel route, as well as similar working hours and compatible carpooling preferences. A match list is returned instantly when you search for carpool partners. No personal information is released to potential matches. Simply email the individuals on your match list and then it’s up to you to discuss the arrangements so that your new carpool will work for you! If you have any questions about the program, visit www.HRMSmartTrip.ca.

Pace Car Program

As you are likely aware, one of the single largest complaints of residents in HRM is traffic speeding through their neighbourhoods. In response to this problem Halifax Regional Police, Insurance Bureau of Canada, and the Ecology Action Centre, will be re-launching the Pace Car program in several HRM communities. The goal of the program is to reduce speeding and calm neighborhood traffic. Drivers sign the Pace Car pledge then display the Pace Car emblems on their car. By agreeing to drive the posted speed limit, cars become a “mobile speed bump”, slowing speeding traffic behind them. Drivers also agree to be more aware of and courteous to other road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists. Many Pace Cars can effectively calm traffic throughout your community. The more people who join, the better it works!

Contact Information

Please contact me with your questions and ideas at:

490-5679 (Home office)

229-6385 (cell)

Email: outhitt@halifax.ca

PO Box 1749 Halifax, NS B3J 3A5

Websites: www.halifax.ca