2014 grade: C+
2013 grade: B
2012 grade: C-
2011 grade: C
2010 grade: C
2009 grade: C-
Cell: 478-2705
Lorelei Nicoll is a decent person. Lovely,
really. Polite to a T. The kind of person
you want as a next-door neighbour, to watch your cat when you’re away. She is never offensive or combative, always courteous. We haven’t been to her suburban living room, but we’re picturing white carpets and floral arrangements, something from the Orient on the mantel, Ms. Manners on a bookshelf.
All of which is to say she represents everything that is wrong with Halifax council. We don’t need cat-sitting nice people on council. We need the political equivalent of the belligerent novelist, the headstrong mountain-climber, the roller derby queen kicking ass.
Nicoll has one of the most effective political machines on council, which we saw her use to great effect during the UARB hearings a couple of years ago. But what good does it do anyone to have political power and use it only to be a council mouse? Stake out a position. Call someone an asshole already. Get pissed off, throw a chair. Be someone.
This article appears in Apr 3-9, 2014.
Nicoll’s what’s right with council – no, it’s not flashy, and journalists can’t write columns about the hard-nosed stuff she says, but the work gets done in the council locker rooms, not in public. She’s smart enough to not embarrass people when trying to get her agenda pushed.
Nicoll is representing her district great on city council. She takes the time to understand the issues and clearly communicates her position. She stakes her position and doesn’t have to be an ass to do so. Nice people can be effective. I find it amusing that Nicoll only gets a C+ and Hendsbee gets a C- when there is no comparison.
I think your review got it right. She got elected over potential hardworking councillors due to her niceness. On the few occasions I have approached her about issues she has merely given me a phone number if someone else to call or not responded to my email. We need much better representation than this.
Nicoll has been a very hardworking elective on council. She has been working to improve our community, especially for the youth, and I’m not sure everyone gets to see her contributions for what they are. Yes, she is definitely someone you’d want as a next-door-neighbour, but I find that a bonus as a councillor. I have met with her countless times over the past few years now to discuss events and upcoming things throughout our community. She’s always been receptive and eager to help in any way she can. That is something our communities need, effective people that truly care about what they’re doing – in my opinion, Nicoll is that. I am quite proud of her commitment to our community.