There are no winners in a strike

First of all, I would like to apologize to you for the inconvenience you have faced because of the transit strike. Please be aware that we never wanted it to come to this and I’m sure the employees didn’t, either. But having said that, it’s important to note that we did not walk away from the bargaining table.

February is African Heritage Month

February is African Heritage Month across Nova Scotia and this year’s theme is, “Unsung Heroes: Men Who Make a Difference.” You will find details as well as lists of all the events celebrating the important role that African Nova Scotians played, and continue to play, in the life of our province at www.gov.ns.ca/ansa or at www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/ or by phoning (902)-424-3482.

Public safety recommendations implemented

I’m sure you are as pleased as I am to learn that overwhelming majority of recommendations contained in the final report from the Mayor’s Roundtable on Public Safety are now operational. I regard the report as a living document, one which will continue to help guide our efforts to ensure public safety in our municipality.

Assessments and local taxes

If you are a property owner in HRM, by now you will have received your latest property assessment notice from the Property Valuation Services Corporation, the arm’s-length provincial Crown agency. Residential and commercial assessments are an important part of the formula used by HRM and other councils to determine their annual tax rate – speaking of which, I cannot see any good reason why HRM’s tax rate can’t be lowered this year, as I’ll explain in a moment.

How your local tax dollar is spent

As you read this, Council and I are in discussions to finalize the 2012 budget. As I have been saying publicly for several weeks now, there is no reason in my opinion why HRM cannot drop the tax rate by at least 4%, to offset this year’s provincial cap of $3.9% on assessments.

Happy Chinese New Year!

And finally, I welcome this opportunity to offer a (belated) happy New Year to all the members of the Chinese community in HRM. This is the Year of the Dragon, the only mythical member of the 12-year cycle of animals which make up the Chinese zodiac. The dragon is reputed to be the luckiest symbol of all, making 2012 the luckiest of years. May that be true for all of us!

Reach me here at City Hall (about anything) at kellyp[at]halifax.ca or by phoning 490-4010. I also invite you to join me at www.peterkelly.ca or on Twitter or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mayor-Peter-Kelly/134341733295393.