News Release

Interim Board Operating New Dartmouth Business Commission

(Monday, July 15/2002)-- The next three or four months will be crucial for the new organization replacing the now-defunct Downtown Dartmouth Development Corporation, Councillor Bruce Hetherington said today.

Councillor Hetherington, who is the Interim President of the new Capital District East Business Commission, said the organization's first priority will be to maintain the momentum and high activity level that has been building in downtown Dartmouth in recent years.

The Councillor said "We will be working with the Capital District Task Force and the business community in downtown Dartmouth to ensure that things continue to improve there and that we continue to develop new opportunities for economic growth."

He said "We will be ensuring that businesses have input into the decisions made concerning downtown Dartmouth. The downtown areas of Dartmouth and Halifax are the Capital Districts of Nova Scotia and we want to ensure that our reputation continues."

Halifax Regional Council appointed the five Dartmouth Councillors as Interim Board Members on the new organization, following the demise of the former Downtown Dartmouth Development Corporation several weeks ago. A number of Board members of the former Corporation resigned, and its former President asked the municipality to step in and take over its operations.

The Capital District East Business Commission has re-hired Marion Currie, Executive-Director, and the support person employed by the former Commission and it has assumed responsibility for delivering the various programs in place for the downtown business district.

Councillor John Cunningham is the Vice-President of the new commission and Councillor Jim Smith is the Secretary-Treasurer. Other interim Board members include Councillors Brian Warshick and Condo Sarto.

-30-

Councillor Bruce Hetherington
(902) 488-4808

Marion Currie
Executive Director
(902) 466-2997