What is very obvious to virtually all of our District 2 residents is that we pay the taxes like they do in the urban city with a slight suburban & rural discount, but we get little or no services in return. Just a few examples:

• We all pay transit tax, the difference is that there are buses all over the urban area – virtually none out here.
• Most of the urban areas have both city water & sewer, maybe 20% of District Two gets either and we have to pay for the installation of it ourselves
• All Rec Centres & rinks in the urban areas are paid for by General Tax Rates (everyone pays), out here we pay Area rates (only we pay for them) etc etc

This is obviously brutally unfair, I support and have argued for a new tax system based on three components – those are the Assessed Value of a Home, Services provided, and Income. The problem with the whole issue of Tax Reform is that ultimately there are more Urban City Councillors than there are Suburban & Rural ones, so they will always hold the majority of votes. Last week, the six Dartmouth area Councillors voted against any kind of tax reform preferring the status quo. Ultimately they have voted against this because if we bring any kind of “Services Accountability” into the equation, taxes out here where there are so few services would have to go down; that automatically means taxes in the city where all the services are would go up and urban Councillors are not going to allow that to happen. We continue to work away at this issue to try to bring some fairness to the mix.

The Nova Scotia Home Builders Association had put forth a plan to the PC’s, the Liberals, and the now-reigning NDP party last spring before the provincial election was held. The association had suggested a tax break be made whereby newly constructed home buyers would be able to apply for a 50 per cent rebate on the harmonized sales tax – the provincial portion. With its approval, 1500 rebates will be available through the program, which was originally purposed as a way to generate work for tradespersons by encouraging economic activity.

Although the NDP had promised to implement the program by May 1, it has changed the date to Jan. 1, following the association’s suggestion. The Premier explained the start date was changed to allow for homes already being built between January and May to apply. He said approximately 600 permits had been issued between January and May.

The tax break is not available for income property or cottages. To apply, the rules are as follows: the home has to be the main residence of the owner; the municipal building permit must be dated between Jan 1, 2009, and April 1, 2010; construction of the home must be complete between Jan. 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010; the closing must be complete by March 31, 2010.

$7000 is the maximum tax break available, and applies to homes costing $175,000 or more.

For those interested in following how many applications are submitted for the rebate, they can visit www.getyourrebate.ca

“We have been paying transit tax since amalgamation,” said Dalrymple. “We have been paying to subsidize city transit since then. They buried the transit tax rate in the General rate.”

“People should know this is not a new transit tax that was passed,” Dalrymple said, “it isn’t. This is a new tax structure that will replace the old one.”

The councillor said when he realized the truth about the matter he went to other rural councillors with the information. “Hardly anyone knew it,” he said, “they knew in the city almost from day one.”

Dalrymple said rural residents had been paying the transit tax; it had been combined with the general rate and not many people knew the facts. People living in urban areas of the district were paying $168 based on an average home assessment of $181,000. Suburban residents were paying an average of $268, and people in rural areas were paying approximately $203.

“When I realized what was going on I was absolutely furious. I went to them (Council) and I said we wanted transit, we pay for it and we want it now,” said Dalrymple. “It’s time to get transit into rural areas. I went to HRM finance and told them to find ways and options to make rural transit expansion possible.”

The new transit tax structure has reduced the amount residents living in this district pay. “The vast majority of our residents out here will benefit,” said Dalrymple. “This is massive. There is now uniformed change across HRM; this paves the way for rural transit expansion.”

Under the original plan, when rural transit service comes to this area, any home within a three mile radius was to pay an extra area rate. Dalrymple was not impressed. “I said “no, three-miles is not acceptable, absolutely not. I brought it back and Council passed it,” he said. The new tax structure means residents will pay a fair bit less.

Now only homes within a one-mile radius of a bus stop will pay the extra tax, which is based upon a rate set at 10.8 cents per $100 assessed value. The regional transit tax is 2.2 cents per $100 of assessed value – or approximately $40 for suburban residents who live outside the one-mile radius and approximately $90 for residents living in rural areas.

The councillor said in communities already paying an extra charge, like Beaver Bank, that area tax rate comes off. “Right now, in this taxation year,” said Dalrymple. “Bussing stays.”

Rapid transit is in the works for commuters living in urban and rural areas. “A number of weeks ago, we walked property that HRM has picked to be the new Park & Ride location in Fall River,” said Dalrymple. “We can’t reveal that location at this time because we are in the process of purchasing the land. Special buses have been ordered for Rapid Transit and we are slated to be a go for fall, 2010. As far as local rural transit, we have made great strides.”

The Halifax International Airport is waiting for transit service as well. “Halifax Int’l Airport did its presentation last week and one of the biggest needs for the future is making the connection between the airport and the downtown,” said Dalrymple. “Park & Ride won’t be part of the local bus route; it will be part of the rural express service. Rapid Transit will make stops in Fall River and Elmsdale within a year or so.”

But tax reform is not going ahead without a few bumps in the road, and although the councillor has won the initial battle on transit tax, the war on tax reform is far from over. “The whole transit tax discussion,” said Dalrymple. “We have already begun the tax reform. It is going to be months and months of a year-long war. I am not kidding. City councillors do not want tax reform I think because they realize rural is subsidizing the transit in those areas. I think everyone is asking why we are subsidizing in those areas. For example, green bin collection – city folks get it weekly in the summer. Now they say they will give green bin services every week to us in Fall River, but not to Wellington, Grand Lake, or Beaver Bank. It says to me not only are we second-class citizens here, but Wellington and Beaver Bank are third class. Even when we get a little bit we can’t get it all.”

Dalrymple says it is obvious how lacking services are here in his district compared to the same services supplied to the city areas. “I hardly ever see lawn mowers out here. Last month I emailed one department after another constantly, asking them to mow something out here; they don’t, not the sports park, not sub-streets, ever,” said the Councillor. “I was driving over on Lacewood last week and there were six pieces of equipment mowing there. When was the last time you saw any of our streets being looked after like that, and looking like Lacewood? And when they build the new four-pad rink in the city, we will pay for that one with our general rate, but when we built the new Rec Centre here in Fall River it was not on the general rate, we pay it in an area rate. The Beaver Bank Kinsac Community Centre is area rated too, but any sports centre in the city is general rated.”

Dalrymple says big-blocks of city councillors vote and get things done, but “when rural want things done, it’s “pay for it yourselves,” he said. “Waterlines in the city – Spryfield and North End for instance. Did they charge those streets local area rates? Rivendale and Fall River Rd. have to pay our own area rate. These are all examples of tax reform. Currently in HRM taxes are based on the value of your home. It has nothing to do with the service you get or your income. I want taxes based a little on assessment, a little on income, and a lot on services rendered.”

The councillor says he thinks this will help the people who need and deserve it and be a much fairer scale for paying. “I want to help the seniors and lower income people but I want it based on municipal services,” he said, “and the city people need to pay their share.”

Dalrymple will soon be announcing a date for a public meeting, where people can come and listen and discuss transit expansion. “I want folks to know, if you’re interested you better be there and fight for it,” he said, “say your piece and see what’s going on.”

“The idea is a seed was planted today,” said Stoffer at a press conference held at his constituency office in Fall River; “we have let the general public know.” The MP said the matter is a federal responsibility assisted by the province.

Stoffer and Leslie were joined by Tom Watters, who is with the Walter Callow Wheelchair Busses for Veterans; Veteran Bill McGuire, a Peer Support Worker with Occupational Stress Injury Social Services (OSISS); Dave Shaw representing Army, Navy and Airforce veterans, and veteran care specialist Dr. Heather MacKinnon. Anne James, director of Human Resources for Commissionaires Nova Scotia, and Amy Jeans, also with Commissionaires Nova Scotia were in attendance as well.

Stoffer and Leslie called for the government to begin planning for a new facility to house all veterans and retired members of the RCMP who have served their country, along with their spouses. Presently, only veterans of WWII and the Korean War are accepted at Camp Hill – and their spouses are not. “There is a strict requirement to get in,” Stoffer said. The MP wants to see a larger and more efficient care facility constructed which will be able to take in all veterans and their husbands or wives who need care. It would also be a place where veterans could receive the support needed to be able to deal with their injuries and illnesses. The new facility could take ten years to happen. “It’s time to initiate these plans and ideas now,” said Stoffer. “It will take many years to plan, design and co-ordinate.”

“We want to be proactive, not reactive,” said Stoffer. “We want to have proactive discussions about a long-term care facility for veterans and their spouses.” There is presently no hospital that allows veterans and spouses to stay together at the end of their lives. Stoffer cited the case of a couple married 60 years; both were in the final stages of life. The husband was in Camp Hill Hospital and his spouse was not allowed to stay with him. Sadly, they died separately.

“Between now and the time we go to bed tonight, 80 to 90 world war vets will pass on; if we include retired RCMP, there are 170 to 180 every day,” Stoffer said. “There is only one World War I veteran left, and he is 109 years of age.

There are thousands of veterans, and Stoffer says the government needs to be very inclusive, of both military and RCMP members. Lieutenant Colonel retired Dr. Heather MacKinnon works with veterans and said 80 to 90% of her patients are ex-military or ex-RCMP. She said some have severe illnesses and need permanent care but they don’t qualify for Camp Hill; “they will not qualify for the same level of care,” said MacKinnon. The doctor advocates transitional services to help the veterans with things like paperwork, while treating both the physical and psychological needs of each. “They have served their country and we should give them the care they deserve,” she said.

Murray Brown has spent 36 years as a member of the RCMP and hopes the new plan and facility will include retired RCMP members. “We are the “lost cousin” in the eyes of Veteran Affairs,” he said. “We are trying to educate them; this is not acceptable and unprofessional. We are asking to be integrated into the programs that have been put in place (for veterans).”

Veteran Bill Maguire says Veterans Affairs must understand the needs of the veterans to be able to properly help them. Maguire enlisted in the military at the age of 15 and served 37 years; he now suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.) Maguire does not qualify to get into the Camp Hill Hospital for care. He, like many other veterans, will go on a waiting list for placement in a nursing home if and when he requires that level of care. “We need people out there who know where we are coming from; to have these people trained would be a giant leap,” said Maguire, who is a peer support worker with the Operational Stress Service Injury Support Centre in Halifax. He spoke of the care needed by veterans living with painful injuries, such as having no knees left, or damaged backs from carrying 150 lb. packs around, all the results of performing years of service to this country. “One man has chronic pain, he can’t dress himself, can’t walk or drive, but he has been denied VIP,” said Maguire. “Another fellow tried to commit suicide; it goes on and on.”

Maguire also wants to see a support system in place to assist the husbands and wives of veterans. “We need to have a program for the spouses; we need someone to make contact with them and to give him or her guidance,” he said. “We have to get somewhere we can go, and put our trust in this system. All we want is to be treated fairly and with dignity.”

Stoffer said he appreciates the care Staff at the Camp Hill Hospital gives to the veterans. “On behalf of all of us, we thank the staff at Camp Hill Hospital for the service they have done. We would like to include them in a new facility,” he said.

Despite his problems Maguire said he would do it the same again if he had to. “I’d enlist again, I’d do it again,” he said. “I would, I just do not want to be looked at as a 2nd or 3rd class citizen.”

Stoffer said it’s to include men like Maguire that a new facility is required. “The new facility should be for people 20 to 100 years old, and should be able to accommodate the needs of these vets,” he said. “If we work with the province and the municipalities, we will then see a tremendous bright light open up for these veterans.”

“With the rapid passing of WWII and Korean veterans we know that the future of Camp Hill hospital is up for debate. It’s time to open discussions about the need for a new facility to address the needs of our other veterans and their families,” said Stoffer.

“This discussion needs to happen right across the country,” said Leslie. “Camp Hill is just one of the veterans’ care facilities facing an uncertain future, and we need to make sure our veterans across the country can access quality care,” she added.

“It’s wonderful to say “We Support the Troops”, said Stoffer, “but what happens after the uniform comes off?” he asked. “We want the support in place now. We in government have the ultimate responsibility to meet their needs, all the way to the gravestone.”

MP Leslie presented veteran Dave Shaw, Murray Brown, and Dr. Heather MacKinnon with memorial Vimy Medals.

Paris spent election night with his family and the people at his campaign office. “Usually on election night I don’t watch T.V.” he said in a recent interview. “I knew someone would come out and tell me whether I won or lost, so I spent my time outside talking to people. My daughter was the first person to come out and tell me I had won.”

Paris said he stayed and celebrated for a couple of hours with supporters who gathered at his campaign office, and then got in his car and went to town to take in the celebrations there. “I spoke briefly with the Premier-Elect, and we thanked and congratulated one another for campaigns we individually ran,” he said.

The MLA is equally pleased with the results of the election locally and province-wide. “I feel the excitement in Nova Scotia; I think people are looking for change, I certainly hope we deliver.” he said. “This election, for me personally, was more gratifying than the earlier election three years ago. Being re-elected re-affirms and validates you by the electors for the good things you think you’ve done. It says “keep doing what you’ve been doing”.”

No doubt the newly appointed Minister has much on his agenda; there is a great deal to do as Paris gets settled into his new positions. He will be overseeing Economic and Rural Development; the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage; Nova Scotia Business Inc.; and African – Nova Scotian Affairs.

“My appointments are equally exciting and individual challenges,” said Paris. “This period we area in, this recession; these are challenging times for Nova Scotians, like all of Canada, but these are exciting times too. This is time for opportunity. I see it as the glass being half-full, not half empty. This is the opportunity for new direction; for the issues of today to align with the priorities of tomorrow.”

Paris says he is very pleased to be part of a majority government. “Nova Scotia is very uniquely positioned,” he said. People want to live here, and to come back here to live. This creates ample opportunity to do bigger and better things for the good of the whole.”

The new premier has already named his cabinet, and it is smaller than the cabinets of previous governments, a move that, if those named can handle the added responsibilities of more than one portfolio, could save hundreds of thousands of dollars for the government.

“There is such diversity and strength among those appointed as Ministers,” said Paris. “There is a selection of skill-sets.”

Premier Dexter has not ruled out expanding his cabinet if need be to better disperse the responsibilities of individual Ministers if it proves to be too overwhelming and more hands are needed to properly govern the various offices.

Paris wants residents to know it’s business as usual at his office in Windsor Junction, where his assistant Laura will be maintaining the operations while Paris is going through the initial transition period as he is brought up to date on his new positions and all of the responsibilities they will include.

“I’m very happy to be at the Executive Table; it’s a huge responsibility and a welcome responsibility,” he said. “Admittedly, there will be a transition period, for all of us. My availability will decrease somewhat initially as I will be away, but I have great confidence in the staff here and it’s business as usual. I really want to re-iterate that. There are impacts for any MLA, regardless of their political stripes, but being at the Executive Table, being there gives me more direct interaction with decision making, and that’s a good thing.”

Paris did not forget to pay respects to those who came before him in his party. “I have to give credit where credit is due,” he said. “I have to give credit to those who represented us in days gone by, people like Robert Chisholm and Alexa McDonough. They helped pave the way for those of us to come, for the people running for office today.”

The MLA said he is excited about the future and is looking forward to the next four years. “Again, I want to re-iterate to the electorate, I want to say “thank-you”. The public can rest assured I will try to remain as accessible as I have in the past. I will try to make the riding of Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank proud they re-elected me as their representative.”

PC candidate Gary Hines and Liberal candidate Bill Horne also took a moment to express their thoughts on the election, and to thank those who supported their efforts as well.

While Mr. Hines and his wife Brenda opted to stay at home and relax, and to view the election results with Hines’ mother and sister earlier in the evening before going to Hines PC Headquarters and mingling with supporters and friends, Mr. Horne spent the evening with his family, friends and supporters at his home in Wellington. Both gentlemen joined their election campaign workers afterwards and graciously thanked all of the people who helped them.

“As we watched the election results it was obvious the tide (orange) was coming in and regardless of the great campaign that our team ran, we were not going to be successful,” said Hines. “I am so proud of our team that was comprised of individuals from our communities who gave of themselves unselfishly working against a contingent of out of province workers.”

Hines offered his congratulations to Mr. Paris and the New Democratic Party. “I personally wish the New NDP government well, because when they govern successfully our residents are the winners,” he said.

The former PC candidate says he hopes the newly elected government will continue to push forward with many of the projects supported by the former government. He says he plans to continue working on a number of projects he has been involved with.

“My plans for the future are undecided,” said Hines, “however I will be supporting Councillor Dalrymple with his baseball field in the McDonald sports park and will be pushing the new government to get up to speed in a hurry to provide funding that was already planned by the out-going government. I will also be looking for the NDP and Liberal MLA’S for the Waverley, Fall River area to get up to speed on the Rocky Lake project and continue the record of support for the Rocky Lake project that we enjoyed from the McDonald government.”

“I have always said that governments are voted out when the people want change, which they deliver at the polls,” Hines said. “I admit that I can’t understand why a government with successive balanced budgets, a positive growth record and a plan for economic stimulus and job creation, would be replaced by a socialist government with no plan.” Hines said he is interested in seeing what unfolds provincially during the next few years, under the newly elected government.

“I would like to congratulate Bill Horne on a great campaign run by local people,” said Hines. “Bill and I went in as friends, ran campaigns that were friendly, and remain friends today. I congratulate the NDP on their win despite the cloud that hangs over their campaign funding that I suspect will never be made transparent in the days ahead. I look forward to the balanced budget that they campaigned on, and to a record of continued balanced budgets that are required by law in this province.”

Hines said he is appreciative of all the support he had during his campaign. “I would like to thank all those who got out and voted to assure our democracy lives. In particular I would like to thank those who cast ballots for me personally and last but not least I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY TEAM WHO FELT THE LOSS TO THE SAME DEGREE THAT Brenda and I did,” said Hines. “I have talked to almost all of them and the dedication they demonstrated in the past month has already been expressed by plans to build and fight another day.”

Bill Horne said he was not prepared for the huge win of the NDP. “I was quite surprised, as I think most Nova Scotians were,” he said. “I didn’t expect the “orange crush”. As for my own personal loss, I was quite disappointed. I feel if I had got in another month earlier I would have done a little bit better. I could have gotten out more to meet the people, to visit people door to door and talk with them. Unfortunately I came up a little short.”

As for the future, Horne has not ruled anything out just yet. “I have collected all my signs and have put them all neatly away,” he said. “Four years is a long way away, but I have put them away in case I do run again in the future. There is a lot more work at the provincial level than there is at the municipal level when you are running for politics; there is a lot more paperwork.” Horne chuckled. “I had a good man beside me, my campaign manager Bill Munden, he made it easier to handle.”

Horne was gracious and offered his congratulations both of his opponents. “I’d like to congratulate Percy on his win,” he said. “And I’d like to congratulate Gary for running a nice, clean campaign.”

Horne also offered his thanks to his supporters and to his family. “I was quite pleased with the volunteers who came forward; they did a wonderful job with the signs, and the phones, and they had all the polls covered. And I must not forget the people who donated money to help with my campaign, and to my family for their support. Thank you to everyone.”

Horne and his campaign team met at his campaign headquarters, located in the new Fall River Family Dentistry building, on the corner or the Fall River Rd. and Arnold Drive recently, before setting out on the campaign trail once again.

Horne also held a number of Meet & Greets throughout the communities, including at the Grand Lake Community Hall where he had the opportunity to speak with interested residents. He also held a M&G at the LWF Community Hall in Fall River, where approximately 50 people turned out to say “Hi”.

Later in the week, and between what he says was a large number of door-to-door introductions, Horne and his team, along witha few enthusiastic children, took to the sidewalk along the Beaver Bank Road to wave and greet residents as they passed by on their drive home from work.

“It’s been very busy,” said Horne, between waves. “I have been trying to visit as many people as possible. It’s hectic, but I’m feeling pretty good about things right now. You never know, but I feel positive.”

The Larsen’s have a three and a half year old daughter, Gracie. Brent runs their company, Steep Hill Solutions, which distributes the popular Omega Crunch shelled flax product, while his wife is kept busy as a stay-at-home mom. The family has lived in Beaver Bank for four years.

The premier spoke candidly about taxes, a topic which is not only a concern of the Larsen’s, but of most Nova Scotians. If re-elected MacDonald said his government will continue to lower taxes for the next four years.

As a small business owner, Brent says lowering taxes is a very important issue. “We launched our product at the Farmers Market in Halifax and it went really well,” he said. “Since then we’ve grown. For us, lower taxes means more investment money will be available for us to use. We can filter it back into the economy and in my opinion that is better for everyone.”

Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank Progressive Conservative candidate Gary Hines was at the Larsen’s home with the premier. “I am proud of the governments’ record of cutting taxes,” said Hines. “The premier understands the pressures young families like the Larsen’s are facing.”

The 2006 budget introduced measures to reduce the personal income tax burden over four years. Starting January 1, 2007, Nova Scotia’s basic personal amount increased by $250 to $7,481. The basic personal amount will increase by another $250 a year until it reaches $8,231 by 2010 – an increase of $1000 over 2006. “We made a commitment and we stood by our commitment, and Nova Scotians are better off today for it,” MacDonald said.

The premier has promised to extend his tax program for another four years, meaning another $1000, for a total of $9,231 that Nova Scotians will earn before they pay provincial tax.

“I am a firm believer people should have the opportunity to decide where they want to put their money,” said Macdonald.

The premier said he thinks the plan is one Nova Scotians like. “It puts more money back in the hands of individuals,” he said. It is also something he thinks tax payers will remember when it comes time to vote. “I believe Nova Scotians will make the right choice.”

In addition, under the Tory plan, personal non-refundable credits are set to increase by 3.457 percent annually or 13.83 percent over this period. The estimated 4-year cost of these measures is $113 million in personal tax revenues foregone.

The four year plan to increase the amount will be faster than projected
inflation over this period.

Additional credits will also be increased in line with the basic personal exemption-including the spousal, dependent, pension, disability, and caregiver amounts. Over four years, this will save Nova Scotians an estimated $113 million in provincial income taxes.

“I think to be competitive, our taxes have to be lower to attract new business to the province,” said Brent, adding he is open to all tax cuts. “I like the idea of more money in my pocket instead of in the government’s pocket, and them spending my money. There should be taxes of course, but they should be competitive with the other provinces. I don’t have all the facts, but I heard New Brunswick is talking about being the lowest in North America, and they are right next door.”

Hines is pleased with the premier’s plan. “It was a pleasure to join Premier MacDonald at the Larsen home in Beaver Bank to roll out a commitment to reduce taxes for Nova Scotia families,” Hines said. “The premier is very familiar with the costs of raising a young family and we as a party will continue to recognize the need for disposable income in the hands of Nova Scotians that can help in today’s economy. The Larsens – Brent, Jill, and Gracie – were very gracious hosts and when the invitation by Gracie to try the trampoline was accepted by the premier, even the media were amazed by a stellar performance.”

MacDonald quickly accepted Gracie’s impromptu invitation to try out her backyard trampoline. He kicked off his shoes and bounced high into the air, much to the delight of both Gracie and the media who were present. The wet weather soon discouraged Gracie and she climbed down, but MacDonald, a former gym teacher, stayed on a while longer, letting out the occasional “whoop” here and there before disembarking.

Hines spoke to little Gracie. “Isn’t he a funny man?” he said of MacDonald’s amusing antics.

Before continuing on his way, the premier thanked the Larsen’s for allowing him the opportunity to stop by their home and listen to the issues they say are important to them. And he didn’t forget to include their daughter when expressing his appreciation; MacDonald extended his hand to give the little girl a high five. He thanked her for the invitation to try out her trampoline. “Thank you for allowing us to take over your yard Gracie,” said the premier.