I waited until this morning to get the official results from Karrie at Hantsport town hall.
The people had their say.
Phil Zamora 256
Jeff Starratt 239
Bill Preston 92
When I asked about a recount, Karrie stated it was unlikely.
Voter turnout 65%
 |
| New Hantsport councillor Phil Zamora |
How to interpret the results?
Several people have commented on Facebook.
Some were simply gut reactions when the votes were counted.
Hantsport councillor and residents need to think.
Sober second thought is needed here.
What is best for the people?
The result need to be interpreted carefully.
They are similar to the ones in Scotland's Referendum. There, 60% voted to stay in the UK but 40% voted to leave.
A victory for one but a wakeup call too.
In Hantsport, the winning candidate's 256 supports Hantsport remaining as a town.
But adding the defeated candidates' support 321, more supported a type of dissolution.
How do you interpret the results?
Hantsport councillor and residents need to think.
Sober second thought is needed here.
What is best for the people?
The result need to be interpreted carefully.
They are similar to the ones in Scotland's Referendum. There, 60% voted to stay in the UK but 40% voted to leave.
A victory for one but a wakeup call too.
In Hantsport, the winning candidate's 256 supports Hantsport remaining as a town.
But adding the defeated candidates' support 321, more supported a type of dissolution.
How do you interpret the results?
Hi Heather,
ReplyDeleteThere is no dominant winner in this election. Yes Phil won and I congratulate him on winning. However, it is councils job to do what citizens want and as a result of Saturday's election the majority of citizens are still in favor of dissolution.
If citizens feel strongly that dissolution is the best route for citizens I encourage them to seek out details on how they have a voice in this process. If citizens want to call or email me I would be glad to explain their options. I for one believe dissolution is still the best for citizens and I plan on exercising my right to be heard.
Thanks
Jeff Starratt
My contact information is:
Phone 902-684-0064
Email starraj@nspes.ca
You write, "no dominant winner." If a basketball team wins by 67 to 66, is there no dominant winner. Is the word winner a relative word? Or is it an absolute word? Just asking.
Delete256 want to stay a town and work on solutions; 92 wanted the village scenario and 239 bought the West Hants saves the day scenario. The problem with West Hants and the Grant Thorton study was it was all based on assumptions and not agreed to by West Hants council, or any West Hants tax payers. With Friday's announcement by the Provincial Government that counties will now have to pay their share of schools, policing and roads, the same as towns do now, the $1.66 that had people hopefull is completely out of the picture. Yes, town residents need to become more involved in how the town manages it's affairs and this was the perfect wake up call to do that. I'm sorry to see that some feel the need to move out of town due to the election results, but those that stay will continue to enjoy all that we have and all that make Hantsport the wonderful little town we all (or some) call home.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how Jeff Starratt can say, as he does in his letter, that there was no dominant winner in Saturday's election, when indeed, there was; it's Phil Zamora. It may come as a revelation to Mr. Starratt, but that's how democracies work. No matter the result of any election, there are always disgruntled people, but everyone has the right to express their views, and Mr. Starratt has the privilege to exercise his right to be heard as he states. However, it's Mr. Zamora's voice that will be heard at Council.
ReplyDeleteToo many people, it seems, appear to base their choice on the Town's future solely on the concern whether taxes will go up. None of the options given to citizens come with a guarantee that they will, or won't. Perhaps the status quo is the best option for the time being.
Too much time . . . and money . . . have been wasted on the dissolution question. It would be wiser if the Mayor and Council devote their energy to attracting business to the Town. Does anyone ever wonder, as I do, why Windsor and Wolfville can attract businesses, while Hantsport sits in the doldrums? What are the reasons? How can they be overcome? That's what Council should be concerned about.
Heather
ReplyDeleteIt's curious that while Jeff Starrat is willing to put his name to his opinions, those attempting to refute them are permitted to do so anonymously. Is that fair?
Anonymous comments are posted at my discretion. The one I believe you refer to was a fair comment - not that I necessarily support it. Some people have tried to have their comments posted by using false names including Chip N. Dale. I did not post that. Some anonymous comments are rude and uncalled for. Those I don't post. Some comments with the writer's name are rude or too long. These I don't post.
DeleteA few years ago a woman living in the seniors complex wrote to me about the refrigerator trucks which parked at the rear of SAVE EASY at 4 AM and left their motors running in the summer until the store opened. She gave her name but requested anonymity. I agreed. She was an ordinary citizen whose complaint might have been ignored if her name were given. By signing it as anonymous, no one knew if it was a man or a woman, or if it was a senior or a person with profile in the town. I use my discretion in these cases.
From the count one can see that the total vote of Jeff and I was 331 which indicates that the majority that voted agree dissolution is the best for the town. The town council has to put this forward to the NSUARB strongly.. One has to think logically and do the best for the town.. The public still has a say regarding this process so we can't just sit back and throw our hands up.. we can still do something.
ReplyDeleteBill
It's also 348-239 in favor of NOT joining West Hants.
ReplyDelete