From: Debbie Hum, Councillor - District 16 Rockingham-Wentworth
Dear Residents;
As you may have heard, a recent NS UARB decision to reduce number of districts from 23 to 16 plus mayor has significant implications, one of which is need to redraw existing district boundaries.
That process is currently underway. Staff have prepared two possible scenarios for the proposed 16 district boundaries.
These may change, be tweeked, or redrawn based on citizens' input in a varied number of ways!
While our greater community - esp existing District 16 Rockingham Wentworth and District 21 Bedford, has and will continue to experience significant growth for a number of years ahead, under the HRM proposed two scenarios my existing district will see just as significant boundary changes which will be implemented in time for October 2012 municipal election. (the snowball effect from other district boundary changes).
Public input will be in a number of ways.
Also, since the original information link on District Boundary Review proposed 2 scenarios was posted on HRM website www.halifax.ca Additional maps and info have been posted.
It is important to hear from you on the proposed scenarios, fill out the survey and provide any additional comments/feedback. Please feel free to contact me and send me your thoughts and Clerks office
(www.clerks@halifax.ca) on District Boundary Review process and
recommended scenarios.
Please see below links.
Thank you for taking the time to provide input and feedback!
Kindest regards,
Debbie
Debbie Hum
Councillor-District 16
Rockingham-Wentworth
HRM Seeks Input on Proposed Changes to Polling Districts
(Monday, August 22, 2011) - On July 27th 2011, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review board (NSUARB) announced its decision to reduce the number of districts and Councillors from 23 to 16 plus the Mayor for the Municipal election in 2012. The decision requires HRM to submit a recommendation on the proposed boundary changes for review by the Board. HRM would like to hear from the public prior to making its recommendation. As a first step in consultation, an online survey, presenting options for boundary changes and seeking residents feedback is now available on HRMs website at: www.halifax.ca/boundaryreview.
We want to hear from as many residents as possible, says Chief Administrative Officer Richard Butts. The feedback we receive will help us determine appropriate boundaries for 16 polling districts that will provide equitable representation at the Council table.
Final boundary decisions will be made based on public feedback and in keeping with the legislative requirements set out by the NSUARB such as:
The number of voters in each district
That the number of voters in each district is about the same (+ or - 10%)
In certain cases the NSUARB allows for voter variance to be up to 25%
Communities of interest
Whether it is primarily an urban, suburban or rural district
The geographic size of the district.
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board will be holding public hearings on the proposed district boundaries. The dates for the Utility Board hearings have been set for early November.
For more information on NSUARBs decision or to read the full report, please visit:
http://www.halifax.ca/BoundaryReview
