An optimist New Year for Mayor

He isn’t quite 100 per cent positive he will run again in the 2008 municipal elections, just 99 per cent.

“A number of people have been encouraging me to re-offer. My health is good and I’ve been talking it over with Nancy (Leefe). I think if I was a gambling man, the likelihood is I’ll be re-offering. I really enjoy serving the people of Queens and if people think I’m doing a good job they’ll keep me in there. If not, they’ll boot me out.”

He adds members of this council, of course, have disagreements, but they work well together for both their respective districts and the county as a whole.

He says 2007 was difficult emotionally for most Queens County residents because of troubles in the forestry industry.

However, he says, “We left 2007 with our (Brooklyn) paper mill still making paper and our paper mill employees still employed after some very difficult negotiations for the workers and the company, I’m sure. It’s taken us another step forward into the future and we must be optimistic.”

He says he was also heartened by the provincial government’s transition support in the form of a $2-million loan to Harry Freeman and Son Ltd. in Greenfield, adding the county’s family-run mills have gone through these periods before and thrived in the end.

Mayor Leefe adds his optimism is also fueled by the growth in the Region’s retail sector and he has high expectations the upcoming “very doable” $20-million recreation complex will become a “catalyst for further commercial development.”

He explains the Region is negotiating with potential investors and “hopes to attract one or more to the area.” Because these are business negotiations, he says he couldn’t provide more details at the moment.

The health and recreation benefits are obvious as well, he says. In addition, he says, the Region’s already thriving entertainment, arts and cultural industry will benefit because the ability to sit 2,500 to 2,600 people will attract major performers and “augment” what is already being done by the Astor Theatre and Hank Snow Country Music Centre, for example.

This, of course, he says will create opportunities for area businesses and provide revenue for the upcoming facility.

He does hear negative comments from residents about aspects of the county and plans for the future. He says he listens but can’t agree the future is dire.

“All I can say to the people who are always negative is move out of the way because there are a lot more positive people in the community and positive people will carry the day.”

Mayor Leefe says ongoing efforts to expand and improve water and sewage infrastructure provide health and economic benefits as well. In 2008, for example, he says the new water treatment plant in South Queens will open. He adds municipal taxpayers continue to benefit from in-house civil engineering expertise and the Public Works department.

“We save money because we don’t have to contract out and it also means we can employ local people 12 months of the year.”

He adds tourism is improving, the population decline seems to be leveling off and Liverpool’s call centre should surpass the 200-employee mark early this year.

He says the fishery, despite the possibility the lobster harvest might not be as profitable this year, is showing signs of long-term success as, for example, haddock start to return to Georges Bank and existing large fish processors and smaller family-run processors grow in size and number.

Mersey Seafood’s purchase of STENPRO’s former facilities is starting to pay dividends as well, he says, despite the words of naysayers at the time.

He said Hanleys garage is established at the site, fabrication work is being done, Mersey Seafoods has re-opened the foundry, and the railway is used for internal purposes, “all of which” bodes well for the future of the site.

“Bill Murphy (owner) has proven himself to be a tremendous business person and has a tremendous interest in the community.”

Mayor Leefe says he also looks forward to the probable expansion of Queens General Hospital, adding people should look at how many health care professionals have set up shop in this county. For example, he says the county can boast a low 1,100 patients per doctor ratio and five dentists in addition to numerous other professionals operating in the Region.

“A lot of it has to do with the leadership of our existing health professionals in attracting other professionals and a lot of it has to do with lifestyle.”

He says he has nothing but praise for Queens County’s teachers but that it is time for the provincial government to appoint a Royal Commission made up of respected unbiased individuals to overhaul the education system for the 21st century. As only one example, he said the per student funding formula should be changed to reflect the realities of rural Nova Scotia.

He says he has been lobbying for the commission with provincial leaders. “If I was leader of any of the three parties, I’d take this position.”

He adds residents should also pay attention to a South Shore School Board electoral option that would reduce the number of seats in Queens County from three to two. “If we have little influence with three, we’ll have significantly less with two.”

The board held a meeting 7 p.m. Jan. 7 in the Liverpool Regional High School cafeteria to discuss the issue.

He adds he is worried about school utilization plans as well, which will be discussed at board-sponsored meetings at Liverpool Regional High School on Jan. 15 and North Queens Schools on Feb. 7. Both begin 7 p.m.

The former teacher said, for example, he believes there are too many specialists and not enough teachers in the classroom and the size of the administration should be looked at.