THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
My thanks and gratitude to you all for my re-election to be your HRM District Councillor. I feel blessed and it will be an honour to serve you in this capacity. I will continue to provide this monthly newsletter and further expand my social media presence through more use of my web-pages, Twitter and Facebook sites.

I will also be insisting that HRM provides a permanent Councillor’s Office space within the area. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead. Hopefully my endeavours over the next 4 years will earn your respect and support again in the future. I want to acknowledge the campaign efforts by the other candidates: Laurie Cook, Gail McQuarrie, Will Gilligan, Jason Josey and Keith Leahy.

Your vote of confidence in me will reinvigorate my commitment to you all. I want to hear from you how we can improve our electoral process. What do you think of the Internet & Telephone Voting Options? Do you have any other suggestions on how we can improve voter participation?

Thank you once again.

TAX EXEMPTION FOR NON-PROFITS
HRM can help some non-profit organizations reduce their level of property tax through its Tax Exemption for Non-Profit Organizations Program. It is available only to actively registered non-profit & charitable organizations located within HRM. Registration under the Provincial Societies Act is a requirement. Deadline to apply is November 30th Go to this HRM web-page link for an application:   www.halifax.ca/boardscom/bccgrants/documents/TaxExemptNonProfitAppForm2013_ScrRes.pdf

SNOW REMOVAL FOR SENIORS
There is a snow removal referral program available to seniors (65 years of age or older) and persons with disabilities in HRM. The program is NOT available to landlords. You must reside in a single dwelling home that you own or rent. Its mandate is to provide a resource to clients for the removal of snow for safe access. The program is limited to those households with a combined total income not exceeding $30,000. To make more enquiries about this program, please call: 1-902-558-1049 (toll free) or 864 – 2165. Or go to this web-site for further details: www.halifax.ca/services/seniorssnow.html  Registration deadline is December 1st  or sooner depending upon the demand for applications.

14 DAYS IN DECEMBER – 20 YEARS
It has been two decades since the Peace in Our Communities – Gentle Ways Are Best campaign first started, www.14days.ca   There will be a celebration on Saturday, Dec. 1st at 630 PM at the Musquodoboit Harbour Railway Museum.

COMMUNITY HEALTH BOARD FUNDS
The Eastern Shore Musquodoboit Community Health Board has funding available for local groups and organizations working to improve the health of their communities. The fund is to support groups in addressing local health issues, creating local solutions, and building partnerships.. For more information about applying or to receive our new application form, please contact Anna Jacobs at 460-6888 or e-mail to anna.jacobs@cdha.nshealth.ca.  The deadline for applications is December 10th .2013
VOLUNTEER AWARD NOMINEES
Each year HRM recognize the extraordinary contributions of individuals and groups who volunteer their time and skills to provide services and programs in our communities. Nominations are now being accepted in three categories: adult, youth (ages 13-19) and community group. Successful nominees will be notified in March 2013 and will be invited to attend a ceremony and reception taking place on April 24th , 2013 when they will be officially presented with their award by the Mayor and District Councillor. The award ceremony coincides with and is in celebration of National Volunteer Week, April 21st-April 27th , 2013. The deadline for nominations for the 2013 awards is Friday, December 14th, To find out more information about the awards, nomination criteria and to nominate someone who’s made a difference in your community,  please visit this web-site at : www.halifax.ca/volunteerservices. or contact Bronwyn MacKinnon, HRM Volunteer Services, Regional Recreation & Culture Telephone # 490-4535 or by e-mail at : mackinnb@halifax.ca or by regular post at : PO Box 1749, Hfx, NS B3J 3A5.