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Norman Duncan
- 'The division of the municipality into two units with smaller councils to better serve the rural and urban communities more effectively and efficiently.' Select 'Yes' if you support dividing the municipality in this manner, or 'No' if you oppose the division.
No. I believe that the seemingly disparate issues and priorities that split the urban and rural parts of HRM can be better dealt with through Community councils working together cooperatively. Nothing is going to be gained by recreating the past and establishing another bureaucracy to administer services and institutions that are shared by both rural and urban populations.
- 'Tax reform that more closely aligns taxes with the actual cost of services delivered.'Select 'Yes' if you support reforming taxes in this manner, or select 'No' if you oppose.
Yes. I answered yes to this question because i feel there is need for much greater accountability for the expenditure of tax dollars.
- 'More aggressive development of the Arts and Culture sector by committing a minimum of 1% of the annual municipal budget to this sector.' Select 'Yes' if you support committing a minimum of 1% of the annual municipal budget to the Arts and Culture sector, or 'No' if you oppose.
Yes. A strong arts and culture sector enriches the life of every citizen. It contributes to the economic well being of the city by attracting tourism and makes the city more appealing as a place to set up new business and relocate.
- 'The creation of the position of Chief Sustainability Officer with the necessary authority and budget to ensure Halifax becomes the most sustainable city in Canada by 2020.' Select 'Yes' if you support creating the position of Chief Sustainability Officer as described in this statement, or 'No' if you oppose.
Yes. The city must manage all its resources to remain livable and attractive to new growth. All of its resources must be balanced to ensure all segments benefit.
- 'The development of an integrated intercultural strategy to attract and retain immigrants and to better support disadvantaged groups within our community.' Select 'Yes' if you support developing an integrated intercultural strategy to attract and retain immigrants, and to better support disadvantaged groups within our community, or select 'No' if you oppose.
Yes. We must compete with other cities and regions to attract immigrants who will contribute to our growth and enrich our culture.
- 'The creation of a transportation authority to develop and implement a long-term comprehensive transportation strategy that integrates all modes of transportation.' Select 'Yes' if you support creating a transportation authority as described in this statement, or 'No' if you oppose.
Yes. Urban development has been permitted to sprawl and we have relied on private automobiles to enable this sprawl. Environmental concerns and the need to transport large numbers of workers to a relatively concentrated business core are challenges faced by HRM. Add to this the fact the business core is located on a peninsula with a limited access routes means we must integrate all modes of transportation to create a system that is environmentally friendly and cost effective.
- 'The adoption of a more transparent and streamlined development process as proposed by the HRM by Design initiative.' Do you support or oppose adopting a more transparent and streamlined development process in this manner?
Yes. We must provide a framework in which developers can build much needed office, commercial and residential space following a clear set of guidelines that will ensure speedy approval projects without having to repeatedly apply for approvals.
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