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No See Segado

With the exception of Conservative candidate Rosemary Segado, candidates from each of the major parties running for the big prize in the October 14th federal election participated in two West Hants forums organized by local organizations recently. Segado cited a scheduling conflict for a broader-based debate sponsored by the Hants Journal held in Windsor. No reason was offered by Segado’s campaign team to the volunteer organizers of an environmental debate held in the Belmont Hall on October 6th. However, members of the local community reported they were called by an automated message as they were leaving for the event, inviting them to an unadvertised event the next day, October 7th, to meet Defence Minister MacKay with Ms. Segado in Noel. [To follow up, contact campaign@rosemarysegado.ca or call 1-877-798-5144.]

There were moments of political point scoring and some differences expressed among the participating candidates at the Belmont forum, but all agreed the greening of the economy is of paramount importance, something Green candidate Brendan MacNeill maintains has already started. “People are now getting training from our colleges in sustainable forestry practices,” he said. Liberal incumbent Scott Brison stated that while he supports the most thorough reviews possible, every environmental decision must also be respectful of jobs in the area. He later stated that Nova Scotia could be a leader in recycling gypsum as a possible solution to current project proposed for the Avon Peninsula towards fostering a sustainable local economy, a position which NDP candidate Carol Harris agreed with. Brison also supported with MacNeill’s position that government policy and decisions shouldn’t need to be triggered by community groups pressing governments, but that ample protection for human drinking water should be enough of a trigger to lead officials to make the right decisions for communities. Harris stated an NDP government will hold corporate tax levels at the same level as previous Liberal governments, but tax polluters and use that money to sure-up, “a social system where people can live in dignity, not poverty.” Brison, who has been the MP for Kings-Hants for 11 years, summed up the forum by stating that a respectful, thoughtful discussion among participating candidates took place. “At least each of us can disagree without being disagreeable.” [Source: Avondale Media]


Municipal Campaign Events


While the events with federal candidates come to a close, municipal voters with municipal questions and concerns still have a few open forums to meet with municipal candidates:


Wednesday, Oct. 8. Kings County, Area 12. Area 12 - Hants Border, Lockhartville, Avonport and points west. Hants Border Hall, 7 p.m. Dave Young chair.


Thursday, Oct. 9. West Hants, District 9, Mount Denson and Falmouth candidates.
West Hants Search & Rescue, 7 p.m. Anne Bishop chair.


NDP Caucus in Windsor

Ten members equaling half of the provincial NDP Caucus met with West Hants municipal, business and community leaders in Windsor recently. The aim of the meeting was to find out what issues are of most concern locally, regardless of political stripe, as the caucus prepares to hold the current government accountable in the upcoming Legislative session. All three municipal leaders spoke, including those not up for re-election or elected by acclamation: Windsor Mayor Anna Allen, West Hants Warden Richard Dauphinee, and Hantsport Mayor Wayne Folker – in addition to CAO’s Jeff Lawrence and Dwight Bennett, and West Hants councillors Randy Matheson and Shirley Pineo. Each Municipality expressed grave concerns about the provincial Capped Assessment Program (CAP) leading to struggles in maintaining residential taxes. Mayor Anna Allen’s remarks formally requested the NDP Caucus to re-evaluate the program in light of the fact in received all-party support. Allen said the cap on assessments is hard on the Town of Windsor’s budget. “The poor essentially are paying for the rich.” West Hants Warden Dauphinee agreed: “West Hants was able to hold our rate, but only by lots of hard work by staff and councillors and dipping into our reserves,” said Warden Dauphinee. “We can’t do that forever.” That was one of the few areas the municipalities agreed. While respectful of each other’s position, opposing comments were expressed in terms of funding each received based on population, including the financing two new fire stations in West Hants – one in Brooklyn and one in Windsor. Allen stated government funding for infrastructure is given to towns and municipalities based on population size. “Windsor is a small town, so it’s not getting much money for building a new sewer.” She went on to say that taxpayers end up paying more in a small town than in a bigger centre and it’s not fair because they need the same size sewer treatment plant.

 

Warden Richard Dauphinee disagreed with Anna Allen saying even bigger municipalities with larger populations aren’t getting enough infrastructure funding. He said the Municipality of West Hants has had to build its sewer treatment plant in phases because it can’t get enough funding through the government to do it all in one shot. Others raised the expansion of the Fundy Gypsum project, “It is not the official position of my municipality, but the protection of farmland on the Avon Peninsula is extremely important,” said Randy Matheson. “We need to support as much of our farm land, our farms and farmers,” he said. Matheson also suggested grocery chains ought to be mandated to stock local food. Hants RDA representative Pat Gould-Thorpe outlined the Authority’s priorities, including the deplorable road conditions have hampered tourism development along the Hants Shore – site of the world’s highest tides. She also presented the caucus with a brochure it helped develop with local food producers in East Hants. Sandra Milbury, Coordinator of the Community Health Board – which is soon extending into the Mount Uniacke area – underlined the importance of stable funding to help a growing number of community organizations relying on the funding and the increasing amount of decision-making and bureaucracy accompanying government funding, a position agreed on by other community members present, including West Hants CAO Dwight Bennett. “I have been employed by West Hants since I was 17 years old and worked my way up the ladder.” Bennett admitted there are days, “I still don’t feel qualified to handle the paperwork or make the decisions I am asked to make on a daily basis.” In an interesting twist, Pictou East MLA Clarrie MacKinnon asked each of the municipal representatives, given the challenges each face, whether amalgamation of West Hants, Windsor and Hantsport was in the cards. “I think my colleagues will agree there isn’t a movement to formally join together,” said Warden Dauphinee. “Certainly in areas where we can share responsibility, we do already,” echoed Hantsport CAO Jeff Lawrence. In his concluding remarks, NDP Leader Darrell Dexter expressed that he has also witnessed the downloading of bureaucracy onto communities while government continues to grow, “and that’s a problem.” The Provincial House of Assembly begins its Fall Session on October 30th. [Source: Avondale Media]


Whose Bright Idea…?

Some local retailers across Nova Scotia, including Windsor’s TIM-BR Mart, were a little burned out this week as their stores were overlooked by NS Power’s latest promotion on CF light bulbs across the province. “The small guys can be just as big players as the big players if we were given half a chance,” said Brian MacDonald of the Windsor store. “People always come to us looking for the deals or discounts, but when it comes to promotions that help our customers, we are always overlooked.” Last week, the regulated utility sent out a press release outlining a promotion to encourage Nova Scotians householders to expand their use of compact fluorescent lighting (CFLs) to help save on energy costs and reduce electricity demand. The discount, available October 2, 2008 until the end of the year, is available at more than 160 stores across the province including Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Home Hardware, Atlantic Superstore, Zellers, Kent, Rona and Wal-Mart – but at none of the 16 TIM-BR Marts across the province, or the wholly Nova Scotia-owned and operated Central stores. “Hardware retailing is such a competitive market, the oversight was very curious indeed,” said TIMB-BR Mart’s Marketing Development Manager in Atlantic Canada, Colleen Blackmore. “Especially considering we are the only hardware store located across Nova Scotia to have launched its own, in-house energy-efficient program for our customers,” she said. Called Ener-grade, the cross-Canada chain launched their program in early 2007. “Everything you need to upgrade the energy-efficiency of your home,” the program’s website promotion clearly states. Blackmore also referred to a similar light bulb campaign NB Power launched in New Brunswick last year, “and it was rolled out through every major retailer across that province automatically.”

 

In response to the oversight, NS Power spokesperson Barry Walker stated that the company did receive complaints about TIM-BR marts not being included and took immediate steps to rectify the situation. “We hired consultants to select the retailers. If Summerhill [the consultants hired] didn’t select them, they didn’t explain to us why.” The Summerhill Group is a Toronto agency that creates marketing strategies, “to help clients move the market toward better choices for consumers and the environment,” said a press release. Blackmore stated that while the situation resolved itself today with the inclusion of TIM-BR Marts across NS, “When I asked why we weren’t involved in the first place, she said that, being in Toronto, they didn’t know that TIM-BR MART dealers sold light bulbs.” She added that as a power consumer, perhaps rates might not be so high if the utility company didn’t hire out-of-province consultants to tell them how to roll out a small-business promotion in Nova Scotia. “Even when they try to do the right thing, why do they always appear to do the wrong thing?” The promotion will cost just under one million dollars, of the $13 million dollars allocated by the company’s regulator (the Utility and Review Board, aka UARB) for the utility’s energy conservation program. This cost does not include the small-business portion to refit some 2000 small businesses and non-profit organizations across the province who could not otherwise afford to do a refit. “Where these bulbs use a quarter of the energy regular incandescent bulbs use, this will represent a significant savings to small businesses who need to keep their lights on longer during their operating hours,” explains Walker. “Especially emergency exit signs which must be on 24/7.” Environmental organizations like Clean Nova Scotia support the campaign because it has the potential for huge reductions in greenhouse gas emissions throughout the province. Most businesses are expected to be chosen by Summerhill, but interested businesses can call the call centre, at 902-420-7944 to add your name to the list. The NSP promotion also entails expert sessions throughout this month where subject experts will be on hand to better explain how to use the new bulbs. None are being held in the Windsor area, but Home Hardware, Atlantic Superstore and TIM-BR Mart will carry the discounted CFL bulbs until after Christmas. For more information, visit here.
[Source: Avondale Media]


Chronicle Herald routes

The company responsible for distributing the Chronicle Herald has two openings for routes to deliver papers in Scotch Village and Falmouth. Each route would be for 7 days a week, approx 2.5 hours per day and pays between $525 - $575 bi-weekly. For more information, please contact John on 684-0247. The West Hants Chamber of Commerce also congratulates former editor of the Hants Journal, Glen Parker, as the latest addition to the paper’s Annapolis Valley bureau, effective immediately.

Who else is hiring?

Windsor and area

Kentville and area

New faces at CBDC Hants-Kings

There are some new additions to the team at CBDC Hants-Kings under Executive Director - Ken W. Crichton. To keep everyone on the same page, the complete team is as follows:

  • Economic Development Officer - Michael Campbell {working out of the Windsor office and primary contact for West Hants}

  • Economic Development Officer - Jeff Spinney {working out of the Kentville office and with Darren responsible for Kings County}

  • Economic Development Officer - Karl Jackson {working out of the Elmsdale office and primary contact for East Hants}

  • Economic Development Officer - Darren Sequeira {Kentville office and with Jeff responsible for Kings County}

  • Intern - Stephen Mastroianni {"new" and working out of the Windsor office to provide support to the above}

  • PT Small Business Counsellor - Bill Gregory {working out of the Windsor office, as well as on a mobile basis, to assist with the Hants County SEB program (note: will also be filling in for Bonnie while she is away)}

  • PT Small Business Counsellor - Henry Witter {working out of the Kentville office, as well as on a mobile basis, to assist with the Kings County SEB program}

  • BDC Admin Officer - Judy Newcomb {working out of the Windsor office}

  • SEB Admin Officer - Bonnie Wilcox {working out of the Windsor office}

  • PT Financial Officer - Laura Davison {"new" and working out of the Windsor office primarily}

CBDC Hants-Kings aims to promote and enhance the economic development of our rural communities through dedication to the development, growth, and success of business by demonstrating leadership through the provision of responsive personal service and fair and flexible financial support to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. Assistance can be sought through any of the three offices: Windsor 798-5717, Elmsdale 883-8879, and Kentville 679-6215. Their website is www.hantskingsbdc.ca


Regional and National Headlines

Immigration Audit – Part 2


Auditor General Jacques Lapointe released the second half of his department’s audit – and solicited the RCMP’s assistance - on the economic-stream of an immigration-incentive program members of the Provincial Cabinet continue to hail as a success. Mr. Lapointe said the report confirms previous findings that there were significant deficiencies in the management and implementation of the program. He also identified inappropriate activity and areas of concern with the roles of agents and
mentors and disbursements from the trust. The Auditor General said some issues identified require further work that goes beyond the scope of his audit, and he has referred these to the RCMP. At a meeting of the legislature's public accounts committee, Lapointe said oversight by the province's immigration department of the fees was "weak or insignificant." Lapointe released the first part of his report in June and found the program, which placed people in six-month work terms, failed to properly screen employers or keep track of millions of dollars in fees paid by immigrants. Under the nominee program, immigrants paid an entrance fee of $130,500, with $100,000 used to secure an internship with a business - in turn the nominee was to be paid at least $20,000. The committee passed an NDP motion to repay fees to immigrants who remain in the province, although several Conservatives, including West Hants MLA Chuck Porter, voted against the idea. Other streams of the Nominee Program have produced more successful results in West Hants, most notably those coming through the Hants RDA recently. [Source: The Chronicle Herald]


Premier Honours Government Employees

Nova Scotia's public servants will be recognized for their contributions during Provincial Public Service Week, Monday Oct. 6 to Sunday, Oct. 12. Premier Rodney MacDonald kicked-off the week by paying tribute to government employees. "Everyday, Nova Scotia's civil servants contribute to the prosperity of our province," said Premier MacDonald. "With more than 10,000 civil servants, from health care workers to highway workers, they provide high quality service to keep our families safe, our businesses growing, and our communities thriving every single day." The public service motto, Great People Doing Great Things, exemplifies the skill, dedication and work that public servants do each and every day. Nova Scotia's public servants are encouraged to take the time and reflect on the contributions they have made to the province over the last year. "During Provincial Public Service Week, we recognize our hardworking, resourceful, innovative, and dedicated civil servants," said Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission. "It is these men and women who plow our roads, provide our families with the support they need, develop programs for Nova Scotians, and work toward building new business opportunities. We should all be proud of their contributions to our province." For more information about Provincial Public Service Week visit the Public Service website at www.gov.ns.ca/psc/recognition.

They put it in writing

For the second straight year, the provincial Better Regulation Initiative claims it has slashed paperwork for Nova Scotia businesses by approximately 51,000 hours. Business operators now have 8.3 per cent less paperwork than they had two years ago, according to the initiative's progress report released at the end of September. The 8.3 per cent paperwork reduction includes a 5.8 per cent drop last year and 2.5 per cent the previous year. Business is also benefitting from a more predicable application process. 64 per cent of licences and permits are being turned around in 10 days or less. The 2010 commitment is for most licences and permits to meet the 10-day service standard where appropriate. “What's key is that the number is going down, not up, as it probably would have had government not put an emphasis on reducing the amount of paperwork that businesses endlessly fill out," said Leanne Hachey, vice-president Atlantic of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). "CFIB will give government three big cheers when they meet their goal of 20 per cent, which they are on the road to doing." E-News couldn’t find a statistic on the amount of emails businesses in NS receive or how much these statistics are impacted by the amount of transactions happening online, and if conducting business online actually increases productivity. [If you have something, please send it to: info@whcc.ca. Thanks!)

PEI Debt Clock

Starting today, Maritimers will be able to watch the PEI provincial debt grow as the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) unveiled the PEI Debt Clock.
“Our debt’s a ticking time bomb,” said Erin McGrath-Gaudet, CFIB’s PEI Policy Analyst, “it’s growing every second of every day and with every ‘tick’ it’s taking away opportunities for the future.” Currently the province’s debt is tracking almost $1.4 billion dollars. CFIB and its 1,100 Island members have long been calling on government to balance its books, highlighting that PEI remains the only province to run deficits. Most provinces even require balanced budgets by law. “There’s a reason every other province has rejected deficit spending: it simply isn’t sustainable,” McGrath-Gaudet said, “the clock serves as a reminder of this.” McGrath-Gaudet pointed out that the shortfall in government finances is not from a lack of revenue. Government revenues have consistently been growing much faster than inflation. The problem, she said, is that government spending is outpacing any growth. If this trend continues, government will never be in a position to balance its books. “It’s time we stopped the clock." The PEI Debt Clock can be viewed at www.cfib.ca/pei

Business Calendar of Events

When you schedule your business events, please also email them to info@whcc.ca.

Don’t forget to check out the federal and municipal election events under West Hants news!
Province-wide events

Thursday, October 9th - Technology Learning Series: Acadia Media Centre Facilities Tour and Demonstration 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Horton Hall, Acadia University, Wolfville
For more information, contact Marianne Gates at 670-4945

Until Oct 12th – Windsor/West Hants Pumpkin Festival Events
http://worldsbiggestpumpkins.com

Thursday, October 16th – Acadian Business Banquet
6:30 p.m. at the Fountain Commons, Acadia University, Wolfville
The keynote speaker will be Gordon Hicks, President, Brookfield Lepage Johnson Controls. To purchase tickets or receive further information, contact Hope Corkum, phone: 902-585-1140.

Friday, October 17th – “Thriving in Tough Times: Business strategies to weather the storm and come out smiling” discussion from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at NSCC Kingstec, Kentville For more information, contact Frances Schagen at 678-1607

Saturday, October 18th - Valley Women's Business Network Harvest Celebration of Small Business 6:30 p.m. at the Gaspereau Winery, Gaspereau


Saturday, October 18th DO YOU LIKE SPAM? Not the annoying junk in our inboxes but the glorious, illustrious, legendary...pressed meat in tin can? The Spitfire Arms is holding a "Monty Python-Athon" upstairs in the Flying Officers' Mess function room starting at 12:00PM celebrating all things PYTHON. Shown will be original BBC Flying Circus TV shows and a few spin off's. Prizes for best dressed Python, Upper Class Twit of the Year Award, Best Silly Walk, or maybe your Brain hurts Mr. Gumby! Rumour has it the kitchen will be serving up SPAM themed dishes, maybe an Albatross or two as well. (Did someone just say ALBATROSS? – Ed. Note)

Small Business Week, Oct 19 – 25th
Every year for the past 29 years, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has organized Small Business Week to pay tribute to Canadian entrepreneurs. Stay tuned for local and regional events.

Monday, October 20th, Power of Green Conference
Cunard Centre, Halifax. Featuring local, national, and international business and sustainable economy leaders sharing their knowledge and experience on sustainable business practices and exchange their ideas on improving the bottom line while positively impacting the environment.
Tel. 902 424 5157 info@thepowerofgreen.ca Various registration rates apply, click here

Special: HCH Foundation Events
Funds raised at the following events will go toward the purchase of new medical equipment:

"Beadles Jewellery" will be in the lobby on Thursday Oct 9th 9am to 2pm. This Business Lady makes and sells beautiful affordable jewerely. There is always a good turnout when she visits. A donation is made to the Foundation for the rental space of this event.

"Variety Show" The HCH Foundation will be hosting the #3 Variety Show on Sunday Oct 19th at 7pm at the Community Centre in Windsor, $5 per person, this is adult entertainment.

"Framed Prints" and "Artwork" is on display at the Hants Community Hospital in the waiting room adjacent to Lab and Physio and also on the main floor hallway to the elevator and also in the hallways on the second floor. A percentage of the cost of these go to the Foundation to assist with medical equipment purchases.

If you would like to rent a table in the lobby to sell or promote your business or hobby please contact the Foundation at 792-2131. They will discuss with you if your product is appropriate. The cost of a table is $25, which goes to the Foundation for medical equipment.

If your group or organization would like a representative to join you for an hour long presentation please do not hesitate to contact us at 792-2131 or email claudia.rafuse@cdha.nshealth.ca


Chuckles

How many politicians does it take to change a light bulb ?

- None. They’ll only promise change.


E-News info:

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families. Our next issue of WHCC E-News will be published on October 21st . Please submit your business news, event or announcement by October 18th. Every two weeks, E-News is distributed to - and read by - over 250 local business contacts throughout the Windsor-West Hants area. If your business has news or events you would like to share with our readers, please call our Newsletter Editor, Heather Desveaux on 790-4009 or email info@whcc.ca


Chamber Newsletter Contacts:

- Heather Desveaux, Newsletter Coordinator, (902) 790-4009

- Gordon Winstone, President, West Hants Chamber of Commerce, (902) 798- 5106

- Deadline every 2nd Friday at noon.