Friday the 13th; NOT an unlucky day for Hantsport! Several weeks ago, I wrote that "Villages are not toast in Nova Scotia." That was publicly confirmed yesterday by the Minister of Municipal Affairs, who announced that Nova Scotia's villages will NOT be forced to dissolve or amalgamate by the Province. Good! Now that we have that bit of silliness behind us, we can get on with the real issue: Should Hantsport become Nova Scotia's 23rd chartered Village? Opinions on that question will be heard at the Hearings later this month, and public submissions on the issue are being prepared. It is of interest that both of the accounting Reviews commissioned by the Utility Board to look over the Grant Thornton Report concluded that the costs of operating Hantsport Village would be less than the GT Report shows. We should remember that the Municipal Act does give the Board power, if it dissolves a Town, to arrange for that Town "to continue as a village." It is the Board, not the Town Council nor any County Council nor the Provincial Government, which will decide. Which is why the hearings which begin on March 23 are very important to the residents of Hantsport. Joe Foy
See The Chronicle Herald Friday March 13 page A 10. Province will not force municipalities to dissolve.
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Friday 13 March 2015
Villages will NOT be forced to dissolve or amalgamate.
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Joe,
ReplyDeleteOther than the Board's review of the GT report showing that costs could be less what evidence supports village? Can someone show what a projected cost would be for the citizens of Hantsport. I here that some individuals are interested in a 'limited village'. How many limited villages are in Nova Scotia? Can we pass on to the county the majority of the cost and only control certain items in the village? My vote would come down to COST. Can Hantsport stay competitive as a village if taxes have to increase substantially?
Although I don't live in Hantsport by living nearby in an alleged parasitic community I take an interest in it's woes. With a population of around 937 taxpayers it seems a crying shame that the 7 acclaimed "leaders" of the community cannot work together for the betterment of the Town. The decision to dissolve was made by a clear majority vote nearly 12 months ago but instead of supporting that decision a faction within the Council & a small group of activists have consistantly tried to undermine it supported by an organisation that continues to live in the apparent glorious past of Hantsport.
ReplyDeleteThe alleged "Haven of Hospitality" has been dismantled & evolved into a dichotomy full of disharmony where previous friends & nieghbours now openly hurl insults at each other whenever they meet. This sad disintegration of a small rural community leaves me happy that I choose to live where I do. If I lived in Hantsport I would be tearing out what's left of my hair when looking at the shenadigans over the last year.
Friends tried to warn me when we were looking for a new home & before we settled into where we are that Hantsport was very cliquey & so it has proved.
One question I would ask is just where did the tax revenue go back in the good ole' days? It certainly didn't go into the roads around the Town which must be the worst in Nova Scotia. Just like the Province, the Town of Hantsport has been poorly served by their successive governance.
The other questions I would ask is just how much better off will Hantsport be if it was to become a village? Where will it's funding come from? Who is going to mend their roads & sidewalks? I dunno but then.... I don't really care either.
The grief of Hantsport is their private grief & I do not wish to intrude.
I do care about the HMCC, the Hantsport Lions Club,the Hantsport Seniors / Elders club & the Historical Society but then again all of these organisations could not & would not exist with the participation of its' numerous members from outside the apparent toxic enviroment of Hantsport.
Another example of the discord of Hantsport is to be found with its churches.
If there is truly only the one God why does this small religous community have 4 different churches & all of which are struggling with declining congregations but then again I understand there are over 180 different religions worldwide.
Enough of this rant.....I have got it off my chest!
Fortunately, Jeff, all your questions are answered in the Submission we presented to the UARB this morning (16th) it will be publicly available once it has been officially "received."
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