The recently tabled Roundtable on Violence and Public Safety has this as a recommendation. It was thoroughly discussed and all agreed it would be a proactive means of avoiding potential disturbances. I will be looking for the means to do this in the very near future.  

I will be pushing for a project which will recapture heat at our new wastewater treatment plants and distribute in the immediate vicinity. The heat and technology exist and it is the type of situation on which we must capitalize.  

In recent years through negotiations with the federal and provincial governments we have secured regular revenue sources in a share of the federal fuel tax and a rebate of the GST on municipal purchases. If we correctly leverage these revenue sources it will allow us to capitalize important projects which might otherwise not be done right away.  

The transit plan calls for some new services and and expansion of some familiar services. They are all necessary and all will work together to make commuting more comfortable and environmentally friendly. We will see additions to MetroLink, to rural transit service, to Park and Ride services, to regular routes in rapidly developing areas, a downtown shuttle service and possibly a fast ferry. As these services grow our ‘greenhouse gas footprint’ will shrink.  

The Roundtable Results will be put before Regional Coucnil on September 16th for their discussion and recommendations. It will then be placed with the police and the Province of Nova Scotia for follow up and further action. Already, through the extensive consultative process our whole community has been invited to become ‘part of the solution’. Participants, many who are leaders in the community all experessed commitment to see this through. Since Dr. Clairmont presented his report we have had meetings with federal and provincial officials on changes required in the administration of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Chief Beazley and I launched the Youth Advocate Program that will put a trained advocate in the community to ensure our youth find their way to positive, productive activities rather than gang activities. We continue to train and hire new police officers and enable officers in the field to keep up on the latest public safety techniques.  

If $7.00 is the fare required I would not support it. At that price it would not be affordable. The Fast Ferry option is to try to take advantage of the travel option nature has given us- our harbour. We have been doing this successfully with different technology for many years. The distance from Purcell's Cove or Bedford would require a fast vessel in order to compete with other commute options. It is certainly worth working up a well structured business plan for it. When all the infomation is available it will have to be affordable and a good transit option if it is to go ahead.  

In a competitive market for ‘big events’ we must be ready to offer some incentive for promoters to bring an event to our venue rather than one of the other possible sites. However, the pay back from the event should make it revenue neutral or produce a small benefit for recreational infrastructure. As long as the Common can be returned to good condition for its other uses, concerts should be a part of the overall mix.