Nov 18, 2019 Bulletin

Speaker: Terry introduced our speaker for the day. Christine Blair is serving her first term as Mayor of Colchester County. She also served three terms as Councillor for District 1, representing Bible Hill and Valley from 1997 — 2000; Bible Hill and Brookside from 2008-2016.

 

Mayor Blair became an elected Commissioner for the Village of Bible Hill in 1992 and served in that position for 13 years, 3 as Chair. She is also the inaugural President for the Association of Nova Scotia Villages.

 

As Mayor, she is a member of all standing committees of the municipality. During her employment, Mayor Blair was Executive Assistant to a Nova Scotia Minister and MLA; Executive Assistant to the NS Commissioner of Forest Enhancement; Executive Assistant to the Deputy Minister of the NS Dept. of Natural Resources; Office Manager, NS Forest Products Association; Returning Officer for the NS Electoral District of Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River for 21 years and 7 provincial elections.

 

As a volunteer, Mayor Blair is a 24-year member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Truro; President, Bible Hill Cemetery Company; consultant to the Association of NS Villages. She is Official Board Chair and Past Session Chair, St. David’s United Church; Past President of the United Way of Colchester; Past Treasurer, NS Forestry Association; former tutor for adult literacy with FutureWorx; past board member Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce and CORDA.

 

Mayor Blair has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Mount Saint Vincent University and Business Administration certificate from Acadia. She is married to Bill Blair, has two sons and two grandchildren and enjoys watercolour painting.

 

Major Blair have an excellent update of the activities of the county. The Municipality has a new brand strategy with a new logo and tagline that highlights the central location of our community.  It speaks to our location as a great place to live and work with a lot of big city services without some of the big city costs and problems.

 

Christine also mentioned the new look of the countie's website and social media presence.  She mentioned updates to the Debert Business park and highlighted its importance to the economy of the area. Colchester enjoys one of the lowest tax rates in the province and yet the municipality has been able to support community groups and organizations with over $700 in grants over the past year.  

 

The County is also very active in battling climate change with the award winning Solar Colchester county program, improvements in efficiency with LED lighting and electrical motor controls on municipal infrastructure.

 

Christine is very hopeful for several cooperative projects with Cumberland county.  One with major potential is a pending UNESCO designation for the Fundy Geopark that would extend along the Fundy shore and would enhance our area's tourist potential.  She also updated the group on the developments at the Fundy Discovery Centre and the potential for a pedestrian bridge across the river to join the trail networks.

 

It is obvious that there are good things happening in Colchester County.

 

Christine was thanked by Anna Rutherford (left) and Terry Pook (right)

 

• Ken MacDonald reported that the financial statements for the 2018-19 Rotary year were ready and had been made available on the website.  Please review before the AGM.
• Brian reported that the Christmas Index office was open in the same place as last year and that donations and applications were already coming in.  We would hear more about this in coming weeks.
• Ken Banks reported that the Directors had approved the recommendation for the membership of Jordan Butler, Manager of the Truro Branch of TD Canada Trust.  Jordan is sponsored by Brian Matthews.  It is hoped to formally induct Jordan at the next meeting.
• Dave Mills reported that he would be making another Rotary clothing order in the near future.  An email would be going out, so let him know if you are interested.
• Dave also made note of the fact that last saturday was Lloyd Cody's 95th birthday. Congratulations Lloyd.
• Barbara reminded everyone of the Christmas Social that will be following the Directors meeting on Dec 3rd.  Please join us for a good time and start the holiday season right.
• Anna reported that the Christmas parade was going ahead with 12 Rotarians and Rotaractors indicating that they would be able to help.  We will be joining our friends at the Colchester Community Workshops to walk in the parade (no float) with a banner and candy to hand out.  The parade is Sunday, Nov 24th, starting at 4 pm. 

• President Lech reported that the DalAC has informed us that the winner of our international student Bursary is a BSc Business student from China. He has a spare ticket to the awards banquet this thursday (Nov 21st) if someone would like to accompany our secretary who is attending.  It's an opportunity to meet the student.  Let him know if you would like to go.
• Lech also reported on the Christmas Brunch and the results of the survey he had sent out.  Most members who had responded had been in favour of continuing the tradition.  It was now in the hands of the social committee.