Mayor pumped, positive heading into New Year

BY JENNIFER HOEGG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

Mayor Anna Allen is raring to go and full of great ideas for the Town of Windsor as she looks ahead to 2008.

“I’m such a positive person, “ she says, so much so that she had a hard time naming challenges in 2007.

For Allen, 2007 was an excellent year in Windsor. The extensive, continued cooperation enjoyed by the Town with the Municipality of West Hants and the Town of Hantsport is a huge highlight. One example is the hiring of a full-time Shared Information Technology Specialist who works for all three municipalities. Another is the extension of Kings Transit service into Windsor, which included working with Kings County Council. “We worked long and hard to bring affordable public transport,” Allen said. “Now, it’s important that Windsor residents use the bus.”

The Town is working with Hantsport to develop a joint protocol agreement to set up further processes together, and collaboration with West Hants on a cost sharing agreement for a new fire station is well underway.

There are many other examples of cooperation with West Hants. Allen cited the development and debut of the Hants Aquatic Centre last summer,

“It was a huge hit,” she said, “well loved by the people.”

The decision by Orion Electronics Ltd. to stay in the area is another big win for Windsor and West Hants, as Orion has many employees.

“We have great leaders in our community,” Allen said, including: Mermaid Theatre’s Jim Morrow, who received an honorary doctorate from Acadia University this year; Scott Geddes of Cocoa Pesto Bistro, who hosted a gala for the Hospital Auxiliary; and Alan Lawley, General Manger of the new Super 8 Motel.

Lawley is “a wonderful addition to our community,” Allen said, and an example of how “when new businesses come to town, they bring additional human resources.”

However, 2007 wasn’t all rosy. The destruction of the Curling Club in September by arsonists was “devastating” and an example of the difficulties with a minority of youth in the Town, including those who vandalized Avon View High School in November.

2008, and the town has a lot to offer

The New Year will bring new opportunities for citizen engagement in Windsor’s affairs. A public Town Hall meeting, postponed from December, will be held in January.

A similar event in February 2007 generated many good ideas, Allen said. “Council gained a lot of knowledge” from the meeting and looks for public input on Downtown Waterfront Revitalization Planning, Youth Engagement and prioritization on addressing the needs of the Town’s aging infrastructure.

When it comes to development, Wentworth Road is “an area to watch” she says, “and Mill Island will happen.”

The Mayor knows her town has a lot to offer. One highlight for her is Kings-Edgehill School, which is a historic part of Windsor and a means to a more multicultural future for the town by drawing students, and sometimes their families, from around the world.

Another historic element that has present and future potential is Fort Edward. “It’s underutilized,” Allen said, “but there are efforts afoot to enhance it. (The fort) is a significant piece of history.”

Allen is keen to have Windsor’s Curling Club rebuilt on or near their former site downtown, noting, “we would like to see them in town. A lot of people walk and if they’re out of town, they may lose members.” Allen also hopes Club members will benefit from an up-to-date, modern rink.

Other recreational pursuits are a big part of Allen’s plans for Windsor. Watch for chances to play during Windsor’s Winter Carnival in February.

Allen expects as well to see Hockeyland finally come to town. “There are big hockey names involved, including endorsement from the Chairman of Hockey Canada,” she said. “I hope to see site selection happen in 2008.”

With a Municipal Election this year, Allen is excited about the change a new council can bring. She says she will definitely reoffer, but will an election be a distraction for Windsor Council’s busy plans for 2008?

“It usually is,” she said. “We’re only human, but for the most part councillors are there to do their best for the town.”