In response to a growing number of complaints regarding safety concerns along the Hammonds Plains Road from Kingswood to Westwood there will be a panel of representatives from HRM Traffic Authority, Metro Transit, HRM Planning and RCMP fielding questions and listening to our concerns. This is also an opportunity to comment on our transit service and ask HRM Planning about future development in our area and how it will affect Hammonds Plains Road, given that it has already exceeded a safe level of traffic loading. A rare opportunity has finally presented itself and public participation is strongly encouraged. Input from the younger generation is also extremely important, as Hammonds Plains residents will want to have bus access to the new 4 pad development in Bedford, as well as the proposed performing arts and cultural centre in Cobequid.

BACKGROUND FROM WHITE HILLS, MAPLEWOOD, GLEN ARBOUR MTG

Maplewood, white hills, and glen arbour had a meeting together – our major concern is the area from pockwock to just pass the glen arbour entrance – we want this area down to 50 km/hr and for it to have a “community” feel

BACKGROUND INFO FROM HIGHLAND PARK

Peter Lund’s secretary is organizing the large public meeting and is waiting to hear back from all parties regarding availability, but it looks like it will be in another 3 -4 weeks from now.
 
In the meantime I have managed to pressure the mayor into getting me a meeting with Ken Reashor from Traffic and Pat Soanes from Metro Transit on March 3 – just those folks, Lund, MLA Mat W and me. I have a lot of research and information to take with me to the meeting. The main reason for the meeting is to address the section of HPR between Pockwock and Westwood Blvd, so I’d be happy to bring up anything anyone has thoughts or concerns on regarding this section of road.  I will also bring up other areas of concern along HPR to Kingswood if anyone has anything to add.  I have been doing research regarding the whole length of the stretch from Westwood to Kingswood.
 
I need your input regarding Pockwock/HPR concerns, as well as any others with regards to the section of HPR between Pockwock and Kingswood,as I want to raise those issues when I meet with them too.

From what I can tell from this area, speed limit of 70km is outrageous given the amount of visual stuff there is going on up there and blind corner coming from my end of HPR turning the corner and coming up on the gas station, Bailey’s, school, strip mall, frie station etc., etc  Apparently there was a fatality several years ago, a woman was pulling into gas station and got hit badly as she did – died in hospital.
 
Traffic in the past refused to lower the speed limit here as there is a school zone which means of course that motorists must go 50km when children are present…but what about the other times and let’s face it – how many people actually even bother going 50km when kids are playing in the school ground?
 
Other things observed at this intersection are cars pulling around buses when they have stopped to pick up passengers…cars are taking a risk by doing this. Any other observations are welcomed.
 
Any other items or comments you would like me to add/investigate?
 
Point of interest – Lucasville Road doesn’t have the volume of vehicles per day as we do, has a lower speed limit, not as many business driveways abutting the main road, no bus stops, but it has street lights on EVERY power pole along that stretch of road, unlike ours, which has – at best – one on every other power pole.  In wintertime with lack of adequate street lighting, narrow road, crests and speed of 70km..we think it could be better.
 
I have not been able to find ONE other road in HRM which has people waiting for buses along it with speed limit of 80km posted, let alone 90km – that has no street lights (am referring to HPR between Pockwock and Tantallon).  The maximum speed limit I have seen where people wait for buses are in 70km speed limits, but these people have street lights and can be seen by motorists as they walk to the bus stop and wait.  HRM has just under $315,000 unspent in their street lighting budget.  They can use that towards servicing us out here.  Why should we be paying the same taxes and not getting the same primary level 2 services?  Not acceptable.  We just want what every other community in HRM has.
 
Anyway – sorry for the rant, just wanted to share some thoughts.
 
Let me know if there is anything else regarding concerns to raise with Traffic etc.

Good afternoon,
 
I invite you to help shape the future of our province. The Minister of Finance is holding public meetings in 16 communities across Nova Scotia to discuss how to get the province’s finances back to balance. I am very pleased that Minister Graham Steele will be in the area on Thursday, February 25 , 7:00-9:00 p.m.  Shining Waters Marine, 148 Nautical Way (Google maps link at the bottom of the email)

This facilitated dialogue will focus on getting your input on four main questions:
 
1.   What should the government do to increase revenues and reduce spending?
2.   What changes should be made to programs and services? Are there things government
      should do better, stop doing or do more of?
3.  What investments should be made today that will help to grow the economy in the long-term?
4.   How soon should government bring Nova Scotia’s finances back to balance?
 
If you are able to attend and have internet access, you may want to review the Back to Balance guide available in several formats at http://gov.ns.ca/finance/backtobalance. This document will also be available for all participants at the session.
 
Your input is important to me and the people of Hammonds Plains – Upper Sackville. Please do not hesitate to contact our office. All the best.

Mat
–
Mat Whynott, MLA
Hammonds Plains-Upper Sackville
1651 Sackville Drive
Middle Sackville, NS    B4E 3A9
p: 864-5310    f:864-8681
mat.mla@ns.sympatico.ca

Google Maps link: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Shining+Waters+Marine,+148+Nautical+Way&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=34.976756,93.076172&ie=UTF8&hq=Shining+Waters+Marine,+148+Nautical+Way&hnear=&ll=44.673292,-63.858204&spn=0.075075,0.181789&z=13&iwloc=A

Thursday, Nov 19th – 7 to 9pm

The Hammonds Plains Consolidated School’s Home and School association will be hosting a Community Business and Shopping Event. This event will showcase some of our area’s small businesses and is a great opportunity to start your Christmas shopping early, while supporting your community. Many area businesses and services will be on hand to display and sell their merchandise or to showcase their businesses services. This event will be held in the school gym and admission is free. There will be many door prize draws as well as a raffle draw and refreshments. For more information email hpcshsa@hotmail.com

Cathy Parker – Premiere Mortgage Specialist, 209-9151, cathy.parker@premieremortgage.ca

Falk & Nicole Herd, Water Technicians with Envirowater Technologies, 406-9048 perfectwater@eastlink.ca

Partylite – Carrie Hunter, 832-4873, clmhunter@hotmail.com

Shop-a-holix, Jewelery and Accessories, 752-0383, robyn@shopaholix.ca Mike

Usborne Books – Natasha Canning, 446-5459, kidsbooks@eastlink.ca Save 8% S&H on all orders placed at event

Investor’s Group – David Savoie, 468-3444, Financial Advisor, david,savoie@investorsgroup.com

Century 21 Admiral Cove Realty – Paulette Upshall, 877-8851, paulette.upshall@century21.ca, www.halifaxrealestateteam.org

Parker Automotive, 405-3858

Arbonne – Sylvia Ewing, ewingsbbt@aol.com

Little Explorers Preschool, 832-2153, littleexplorers@eastlink.ca

Scotia Massage, Laura Smith, 431-0131, scotiamassage@eastlink.ca

Stampin’ Up! – Christina Johnson, 406-0904, chrisnchris@eastlink.ca

Handmade Baby Items – Debbie Smith, 404-9433, djsmith72@eastlink.ca

The Annex, Used Books, 820-3700, TheAnnex@eastlink.ca

Monk Renovations& Painting, 497-0011, dan@monkreno.com

Fenny and Lola’s Tutus, Jocelyn Firth, 864-4107, jocelyn.firth@gmail.com

Stella and Dot – Gill Boutilier, 826-2502, gboutlier@hrsb.ns.ca

Royal LePage Atlantic – Ian Angus, 877-1661, iangus.rlpa@gmail.com

Scotiabank, Tantallon. – Debbie Edgar, 826-3214, debbie.edgar@scotiabank.ca

Creative Memories – Beth Thomander, 864-8877, bthomander@eastlink.ca

Tantallon Family Choi Kwang Do, 237-2484, admin@ckdcanada.com

One of a Kind handmade Jewelry –Hazel Whalen, 832-1303

Sticks‘n Strings – Music Supplies, 497-3547 sticksnstrings@ns.aliantzinc.ca

The Bay Ducks -

With our newest park, Salty dips being opened in September 2008, we will be getting a second sign to keep even more people informed.  The back of the sign is a bulletin board and is free for residents to use.  You are able to put up a notice about babysitting, lawn mowing, cake making, etc.  Also if you are running a business and live in Maplewood you can submit a business card to go on the back.  It is suggested that your submissions be laminated so sign remains readable despite the elements!

If you would like to put up a notice on the board please email Michele Boone at mmboone@eastlink.ca.