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Stephen Adams
- '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 represent a district that has rural, suburban and urban components. However, do not see a divide amongst residents. Amalgamation has offered many benefits to rural residents, such as sewer and water to Herring Cove residents, HRM policing vs. RCMP for the Sambro Loop and enhanced recreation facilities for all. If we were to divide the municipality into rural and urban, the rural areas would not have the tax base to survive.
- '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.
No. To revamp the present system makes sense theoretically; however, it would cause great hardship if implemented. For example, residents I represent could pay twice what they pay now. This would be devastating, as they couldn't afford such an increase. Further, it is difficult to ascertain certain costs to services. For example, how would fire, police and other services be costed on a per home basis? I would like to see the assessment system abolished, and the taxes paid per unit as the new base. This would then be utilized to determine future needs. An illustration may help. If a property owner pays $2000.00 per year in tax, and HRM needs a 3% increase, this home owner would pay an additional $60.00. This would make our system predictable, as there would be no extreme increases in assessment and HRM would get an extra 'lift' with new development.
- '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.
No. This amount could be in the vicinity of $6.0 to $8.5 million. We face infrastructure needs, such as recreation, road work, sewer and water and transit, on an ongoing basis. I could not justify this expense.
- '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.
No. We presently have staff who work on this, along with a committee of Council. Further, the question lacks the detail needed regarding costs and other criteria to make an informed decision.
- '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. This strategy in is place through the Greater Halifax Partnership. We should also implement a strategy to retain HRM citizens.
- '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.
No. Metro Transit has the mandate to do this.
- '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. Absolutely. Our processes can be lengthy, which could discourage developers. Added to that, the appeal processes, and subsequent delays are problematic.
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