Hantsport in right place at right time

BY JENNIFER HOEGG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

In his 30th year of municipal politics and 20th as mayor of Hantsport, Wayne Folker’s life is centered on community involvement.

His enjoyment of this work is obvious as he recounts highlights of the past year. He says, “2007 started with a levee on January 1, in cooperation with the fire department, which was very well attended. That started off 2007 on a good note.”

Remembrance Day 2007 was memorable also for the mayor. Folker is moved visibly when he recalls that the event enjoyed the “largest attendance in the last 20 years. The involvement of school kids and the attendance of more than 300 people is very encouraging.”

Folker is pleased with the continued strength of the town’s fire services, evident in 2007. A new Fire Chief came on board in January and an open house brought 22 new volunteers to the department’s roster.

A fountain dedicated to the memory of fallen firefighters and to current serving members was unveiled this past fall to kick off the department’s second century. Finally, to cap a good year, the department received more than $80,000 in funding from the province in December to help buy a new Zodiac, compression gear and a building to house equipment.

“We’re really in good shape,” Folker said, “due to the dedication of the new chief and officers.”

Cooperation with neighbouring municipalities - Windsor, West Hants and Kings County, as well as the Glooscap First Nation - are a large part of Hantsport’s operations. For Folker, the introduction of transit services through the Kings Transit trial is a definite highlight.

The hiring of a shared Information Technology Specialist with Windsor and West Hants in 2007 is also reassuring for Folker and his team.

“We lost our financial system two years ago - that won’t happen again, now,” Hantsport CAO Jeff Lawrence says.

Cooperation with both West Hants and Kings is “one of the advantages we have,” Folker adds, “and we hope we can continue cooperating in 2008.”

Anticipate developments, big and small

As of January, Hantsport Town Hall will be home to a new Emergency Operations Centre operated by Regional Emergency Management Operations (REMO). Albert Behri, REMO coordinator, says, with this new centre, “we’re trying to anticipate the next 20 years. Hantsport’s EOC is built for tomorrow.”

Folker is thrilled with the EOC, saying, “it’s bringing us into the future. And with the Valley Community Fibre Network coming through the Valley, we’ll be a connecting hub.”

As well, 2008 will bring the opening of the new recreation field off Foundry Road. Testament to community cooperation, the field is a shared project with the Soccer Association, Sport and Health Promotion, the town with in-kind and cash donations from numerous local businesses, including Fundy Gypsum, Minas Basin Pulp and Power, CKF Industries, Scotiabank and Hiltz and Seamone Co. Ltd Engineers.

Lawrence expects the “field will be open to play soccer in July. It will fit well into the Valley tournaments. Because both baseball and soccer have been growing, this should help alleviate crowding on the recreation fields.”

Recreation is a big part of community living in Hantsport and the town plans to enhance rec services for every citizen. The Town has developed a partnership with the existing Hantsport Memorial Community Centre (HMCC) association to support current volunteer efforts and to “show more support for community involvement,” Folker says.

However, 2008 will bring also the challenge of new provincial water standards. In preparation, Hantsport has formed a watershed protection committee to plan for protection and risk management. And, in partnership with the Glooscap First Nation, Hantsport has been able to upgrade its water treatment facilities.

One blip on the radar this year may be the rumoured application by Fundy Gypsum for a large expansion. Some nearby residents are concerned about potential environmental impacts.

“We’re very much in support,” Folker said. “They have been here for 60 years and have proven to be responsible corporate citizens. Hantsport is an industrial town; it’s our life.” However, he notes, “we’re listening very carefully to all the arguments.

Future is bright

From Folker’s perspective, Hantsport is poised for a bright future. “With our strong industrial base and proximity to development in Halifax and the Valley, we’re optimistic. With the twinning of the 101, the area will be even more attractive to business and residents.

“We’re doing positive things. We have new blood and new ideas. There have been challenges, but we have met them. If we can maintain what we have started, we’re on the right track,” he said.

When asked if he’ll seek another term as mayor in 2008, Folker was coy. “I’ll tell you in July,” he said. “I retired from the company I was with last month. I want to assess this job on its own before I decide.”