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David Hendsbee
- '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. TOO MUCH WORK HAS GONE INTO THE REFORMATTING OF LOCAL MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. GOING BACKWARDS IS NOT AN OPTION. RURAL ISSUES WILL HAVE A BEARING ON URBAN LIFE, FOR EXAMPLE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND ROAD CORRIDORS. A COLLECTIVE ANSWER IS NEEDED, THIS CAN NOT BE DONE IN ISOLATION, NOR BY TWO UNITS WITH DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES. THERE ARE A HOST OF ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED COLLECTIVELY. A DIVISION OF HRM WILL ONLY CAUSE MORE PAROCHIAL AND TERRITORIAL DEBATE.
- '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. TAXATION BY ASSESSMENT VALUE IS NO LONGER RELEVANT OR JUSTIFIABLE. AS A MEMBER OF THE TAX REFORM COMMITTEE I HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT IN DETERMING A TAXATION REGIME THAT IS FAIR AND REASONABLE.
- '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. HRM IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING FUNDING OPTIONS FOR THE ARTS & CULTURE COMPONENT IN OUR MUNICIPAL FIELD. IT SHOULD BE FUNDED FROM A MIXTURE OF RESOURCES, AND NOT ONLY ON THE GENERAL TAX RATE. HAVING IT AS A MANDATORY PART OF ANY NEW DEVELOPMENT WILL ENSURE IT BE EMBRACED AND INCORPORATED FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. ALSO IT CAN BE A PART OF THE PARKLAND DEVELOPMENT FEES TOO.
- '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. SUSTAINABILITY IS MORE THAN JUST AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN. IT SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY TOO.
- '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. AS THE COUNCILLOR OF A CULTURALLY DIVERSE DISTRICT, IT IS MORE TO HAVE AS MUCH INTEGRATION OF DIVERSITY. SHARING ONE'S UNIQUENESS IS A GIFT FOR ALL OF US.
- '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. THIS HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR YEARS. WE NEED A COLLECTIVE APPROACH THAT WILL HAVE THE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT FORM ALL THREE LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO ADVANCE THE VARIOUS MASS TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS THAT ARE NEEDED NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE. THERE IS TOO MUCH JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES AND LACK OF CONSISTENT LEADERSHIP BECAUSE FUNDS HAVE NOT BEEN COMMITTED TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON SUCH TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES.
- '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. I am supportive of HRM By Design. This initiative is to provide a definitive framework of updated and affirmed policies in regards to construction and development limitations within the Capital District of HRM - Peninsula Halifax and downtown core of Dartmouth. Therefore property owners and developers will know exactly how big, or how tall, or how elaborate any proposed development can be. This should eliminate any hostility and doubt towards any new proposals because everyone should be aware of the parameters in which they must operate and abide by. I am not opposed to development in the downtown as long as it respects the established Citadel Hill View-planes and our built heritage. Our Historic Properties, heritage buildings and waterfront are indeed assets that should be exalted but not exploited. I hope that more public spaces and public art will be incorporated into these new developments. I prefer to see more life and vitality on our downtown streetscapes.
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