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Aug. 1, 7:10 a.m. - Urban sprawl solutions vs. candidates knowledge During this election campaign, I have been asking candidates for their solutions for how HRM is sprawling outward; destroying wilderness and lakes, and causing the enormous traffic problems we see each workday. Invariably, I get a response that 'it's a municipal issue'. I am sorry, but it is not, and if these people wish to lead this province, they must realize the interelatedness of issues like traffic, housing, infrastructure investment like highways, and the future health of our communities. Whoever forms the next government must take a leadership role in leading this province towards sustainable,healthy communities. Medical studiesacross North America are linking rising obesity levels in our children to the fact our communities are built with the assumption that everyone will be driving to every destination. Given the growing awareness of the benefits to promoting a healthy lifestyle as a means to reduce future health costs, the province must pay closer attention to how our cities and towns are developing, and develop policies that encourage more compact, walkable and healthy neighbourhoods. They can begin by doing the following: Investinga significant portion ofgas taxes in alternative forms of transportation like bus service, while insisting first that municipalities have comprehensive and updated planning strategies that promote more compact communities with centrally located shops and services that can be accessed without a car. This investment must also be tied into efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions as part of the Kyoto accord. Restrict subdivision development outside the service boundary
around HRM. This would meanfewer of the large lot developments
with on-site services we have seen in recent years in areas like
Tantallon, or Lawrencetown. It is these types of development that
cannot be serviced by transit, and are spread out such that even
a trip to the store for milk and bread requires a 5-10 minute
car ride. To be fair, more housing would need to be permitted
closer to shops and employment; and designed to be transit On the whole, there is muchthat our provincial representatives can do.We, the electorate, must demand that action, not words, be the result. - David Aalders, Halifax
Aug. 1, 9:17 a.m. – Minority Government After watching the political panel on last night'sN.S. CBC news, Marilla's prediction left me with a numb feeling. I much prefer the prediction made by Ross! We need to have a minority government if the Conservatives get in. The fact that both Peter MacKay and Joe Clark were in Halifax yesterday means they are running scared in Halifax Citadel.Some say Peter Delefes will be successful but I thinkthat local ridings running a party leader that lives in their riding and not elsewhere (like Jane Purves) at least get a chance to see that leader in the House of Assembly. Give him a chance. And pray that, if the Conservatives get in, it is with a minority so the other parties have some control. - J Weekes , HRM
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