I am delighted to have this opportunity to wish Coast readers a Happy New Year, and share some of my thoughts as we enter 2013. It is a privilege to be mayor of Halifax, and I am honoured to work with this council at this time in our history. We’ll be tested by big decisions in the coming months, and I believe this council will pass that test through open dialogue and honest exchange of ideas. Although it’s early, I believe we’ve already demonstrated that capacity. The recognition of HRM By Design as the guiding document for development in
the downtown core provided developers with the confidence to proceed with their plans for investment in our downtown. More significantly, it recognized and respected the many hours of work by citizens who participated in its creation.
Before addressing specific initiatives for the 2013-14 budget, council devoted several hours to a wide-ranging discussion of priorities that reflect both the common factors and the disparate needs of our large and diverse municipality. I will work with my council colleagues and our staff to find ways to open future budget processes to more citizen involvement.
I’ve spoken at length about the strengths of our community, and the need to leverage those strengths.
With strengths come challenges.
Economic activity and the creation of productive and rewarding jobs are the foundation of our success. With the shipbuilding contract, we have an opportunity to establish Halifax as an international centre of excellence for shipbuilding and marine technology. Our entrepreneurs and educational institutions have the skill and expertise to create that strong, sustainable economy— and I am determined to be a mayor who supports their efforts as marketer-in-chief.
A strong sustainable economy is inextricably linked with a healthy community, where citizens and visitors feel safe; where young people can make the best choices to achieve their potential; where we respect and protect our heritage and our environment while we embrace wise growth and where we ensure that people can move efficiently and comfortably.
I’ve spoken with many people over the past few months about our first steps toward a healthy community.
Public safety must be a big component of this strategy. Later this year, we’ll be revisiting the Mayor’s Task Force on Violence to assess its impact and update the recommendations. We’ll also consult public health professionals, students, business and citizens on an alcohol policy.
In the past couple of months, I’ve started conversations with community organizations about measures we can take to fight social exclusion, poverty and homelessness. While housing may be a provincial responsibility, municipal policies can support the development of more affordable housing, and we can work with the provincial and federal governments to capitalize on programs and funding.
I am convinced that municipal leadership in this area is not only possible, but critical.
One intersection of economic development and healthy community is arts and culture. Artists and performers enrich our city, and reflect the best of us in their work. They are also part of the attraction for talented individuals and businesses that consider locating here.
In 2013, we’ll be renewing and strengthening our relationship with our arts and culture community, to recognize their importance and demonstrate meaningful support.
As a community, let’s imagine what could be done with the Cogswell Interchange. I believe this is a unique opportunity to engage citizens and have a world leading development that will transform Halifax. I see this project as an ideal vehicle to have animated, provocative and thoughtful conversations about what may be possible, followed by a process to bring the best ideas in the world to Halifax.
We are on the verge of exciting things. Let’s think big and make them happen.
Mike Savage is the mayor of Halifax.
Send your essay ideas for consideration to voice@thecoast.ca
This article appears in Jan 10-16, 2013.
go Mike go!
I love your enthusiasm but you scare Smee at the same time. How about thinking REAL BIG and eliminate the municipal operating deficit and pay down the BIG municipal DEBT.
Now that’s BIG!!!
I love your enthusiasm but you scare Smee too. How about eliminating the municipal operating deficit and pay down the BIG municipal DEBT!
Now that’s thinking REAL BIG!!
“Consulting with public health professionals” on anything to do with alcohol is akin to consulting with vegans on how to cook a steak. Dr. Strang and his merry band of neo-prohibitionists have only one agenda, and that is to turn the downtown bar district into a series of boarded-up businesses. He was successful with banning smoking and now he wants to do the same with booze.
The solution is simple and broadly understood by those who work in the business. Tell your new police chief to start enforcing laws regarding gangs, guns, and drugs. Start showing a presence downtown and don’t be afraid to throw the bad guys in jail. Clean up the handful of bad bar operators who are a haven for these problems – everyone knows which ones they are and they end up “painting” all bars with the same ugly brush. But for god’s sake don’t let the Capital Health gang lead the discussion!
smee – HRM ran a surplus of almost $18,000,000 last year and projects a surplus of $13,000,000 this year which would give HRM the 3rd operating surplus in a row.
Clean water, please! Many cities across Canada, and worldwide, have stopped fluoridating their public water supplies. It may be beneficial for teeth, but that fluoridated water is distributed throughout our entire bodies where it can cause adverse effects. People want and deserve clean, chemical free drinking water. It is an obvious choice. I encourage people to look at the other cities, such as Moncton, who have stopped fluoridating their water, and understand why they have done so. Halifax should be leading the way for clean drinking water, rather than waiting, and following the trend later. The water supply is not the right place for medicating the public. Thanks Mike, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to express my opinion here. I hope some others will help work towards this goal for 2013. It can also save us some money, as fluoridating the water supply costs taxpayers quite a bit of money annually.
Clean water please! Many cities across Canada, and around the world, have stopped fluoridating their public water supplies. While fluoride may have certain oral benefits, the fluoridated water we consume is regulated throughout our entire bodies, where it can have adverse effects. Please look at other cities such as Moncton, and understand why they have stopped this practice. Clean, chemical free, drinking water is an obvious choice, and one that people deserve to have available to them. The water supply is not the appropriate place to be mass medicating the general public. I truly hope that Halifax will be a leader on this issue, instead of waiting several years, and then following the trend. Fluoridating the water costs tax payers quite a bit of money annually. I hope others will help Halifax work towards being a city that provide its people with clean drinking water in 2013. Good luck with everything Mayor Savage. I appreciate having the opportunity to voice my opinion here.
Sorry, I have posted the same thing twice, and I see others have as well. Not sure how to delete a comment here. Cheers!
Hey Joe……thanks for the numbers on the surpluses, I hope the surplus tax money went to pay down the debt. Why didn’t you mention the debt?
Do you suppose there is anything good to report there?