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John Stoddard
- '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. If the municipality was functioning properly and the tax payer was getting value for their taxes, we would not need this question. I believe that this can be made to work. It cost a lot of money to amalgamate and it would cost us a lot to divide again. In the future, as Councillor, I am of the opinion that things are not better, I would consider this option, depending on the will of the people I represent.
- '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. The idea of taxation is to pool resources to deliver services in a cost effective manner. If you do not receive a service, you should not have to pay for it-bottom line. The cost of delivering the service should also be taken into consideration.
- '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. The diverse cultures in our great City are an asset and should be supported. Arts are a great way to express our feelings, our beliefs, our passions and differences. Look at the production of DRUM. It makes you proud to be a Nova Scotian.
- '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. Do we really want more government? An effective council should be able to set the agenda for sustainability.
- '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 need to attract immigrants and we need to keep them here. Helping the disadvantaged only strengthens us all.
- '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. I believe the problem stems from a lack of direction from Council. As a municipal employee, I have seen first hand that integrating services does not necessarily make it more efficient.
- '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. Part of the reason people have a problem with development is the lack of coherence and transparency. We could all live by them if we all knew the rules.
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