Sheila Fougere's Campaign for Mayor

[Be the change]

This is from the Herald's coverage of the council vote on the project on March 22, 2006:

"One opponent was Mayor Peter Kelly, who earlier this week flew back to Halifax from the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, to attend the council meeting.

In a rare public address to his council colleagues, the mayor said his interpretation of the municipal planning strategy compelled him to vote against the development.

"For me, this location has many (negative) implications under the MPS," Mr. Kelly said. "I cannot support this project."

And from the DN of the same date:

"While Saberi was successful in capturing the bulk of council, he could not sway Mayor Peter Kelly, who voted against the proposal, a move that surprised Saberi.

"We wish we had his support," Saberi said.

"I did not expect (Kelly) to do that."

Kelly told council he felt the proposal violated the Municipal Planning Strategy for the downtown.

"After all is said and done - and after all my interpretation of the MPS - I can not support their project and I'm voting against," he said."

Here is the vote tally:

VOTING BREAKDOWN

• YEAS (15) : Steve Streatch, District 1; David Hendsbee, District 3; Harry McInroy, District 4; Andrew Younger, District 6; Bill Karsten, District 7; Becky Kent, District 8; Jim Smith, District 9; Mary Wile, District 10; Sue Uteck, District 13; Shelia Fougere, District 14; Debbie Hum, District 16; Brad Johns, District 19; Bob Harvey, District 20; Len Goucher, District 21; Reg Rankin, District 22.

• NAYS (5) : Mayor Peter Kelly; Krista Snow, District 2; Gloria McCluskey, District 5; Pat Murphy, District 11; Dawn Sloane, District 12.

• ABSENT : Russell Walker, District 15; Linda Mosher, District 17; Steve Adams, District 18.

• INELIGIBLE : Gary Meade, District 23 (missed public hearing).

Thanks KP

I happen to agree with the Mayor on this one.

So did you change your mind with the Mayor on this one too, MacDuff?

[Newperson]

MacDuff:   The point is, taking credit for the development, when voting against it.  Agree or not, it indicates, label it whatever you want.

[MacDuff]

MacDuff:   The point is, taking credit for the development, when voting against it.  Agree or not, it indicates, label it whatever you want.

Again, I have not seen the quote where he takes credit.

[Newperson]

He lists all of the economic development - increase in economic activity as to his credit - Chamber of Commerce State of the Municipality speeches, debates as well as other statements.

Hard to brag about economic activity when you voted to stop it.

Re. his quote "thought it was against the MDS".   Hmmm,  one would think the Director of Planning, HRM Solicitor and other experts would have made that decision before recommending approval of the project.  If he suspected otherwise, it would have been appropriate for him to challenge it at the staff level, or through aggressive debate in Council (as his his priviledge and responsibility),  rather than stand back and vote no after it had passed (Mayor votes last).

 

[longlonny]

You need a subscription to allnovascotia.com as it would tell you what PK said.  He did take credit for development, but I can't copy it here as ANS does not allow it.

[kp]

MacDuff:   The point is, taking credit for the development, when voting against it.  Agree or not, it indicates, label it whatever you want.

Again, I have not seen the quote where he takes credit.

This is a general summary of his statements during the CoC debate, from the Herald:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1081350.html

"Mr. Kelly’s opening remarks were geared mostly toward the business people who made up the majority of the audience at the debate, organized by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce in a studio at Neptune Theatre.

He talked about the city’s favourable bond rating, $4.5 billion in construction activity, the city’s success in reducing its debt and the investment in downtown development.

He also touched upon environmental achievements, climate change strategy and the five-year, multimillion-dollar transit plan."

In his May, 2008 State of the Municipality speech to the Chamber, he also included this nugget:

"We also hope to see movement this year on an impressive list of approved or pending developments, including the Salter Street Waterfront Development; United Gulf towers; Kings Wharf; Nova Centre; Historic Properties Waterside Centre; Halkirk Properties; the Crombie Triangle; the Village at Bayers Road expansion; and a planned redevelopment and refurbishment of a downtown commercial block. Together these projects would dervive over $1.25 billion of investment in our region. "

I know he voted against at least one of those (UG). It will be interesting to see where he stands on Waterside Center since he's already taking credit for it.

[MacDuff]

MacDuff:   The point is, taking credit for the development, when voting against it.  Agree or not, it indicates, label it whatever you want.

Again, I have not seen the quote where he takes credit.

This is a general summary of his statements during the CoC debate, from the Herald:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1081350.html

"Mr. Kelly’s opening remarks were geared mostly toward the business people who made up the majority of the audience at the debate, organized by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce in a studio at Neptune Theatre.

He talked about the city’s favourable bond rating, $4.5 billion in construction activity, the city’s success in reducing its debt and the investment in downtown development.

He also touched upon environmental achievements, climate change strategy and the five-year, multimillion-dollar transit plan."

In his May, 2008 State of the Municipality speech to the Chamber, he also included this nugget:

"We also hope to see movement this year on an impressive list of approved or pending developments, including the Salter Street Waterfront Development; United Gulf towers; Kings Wharf; Nova Centre; Historic Properties Waterside Centre; Halkirk Properties; the Crombie Triangle; the Village at Bayers Road expansion; and a planned redevelopment and refurbishment of a downtown commercial block. Together these projects would dervive over $1.25 billion of investment in our region. "

I know he voted against at least one of those (UG). It will be interesting to see where he stands on Waterside Center since he's already taking credit for it.

Again, it looks to me that you and the Fougere campaign are very quick to blame anything bad on the Mayor, but when good things happen like the bond rating he is not allowed to take the credit for that. Also, I do not see in the article where he claims that he did these wonderful things alone. He states that the "city" accomplished all of these wonderful things. From the article, he does not claim them as his own.

The city accomplished these things while he was Mayor, why should he not be proud of that? I believe he is giving more credit to the city staff and council (Fougere included) than he is taking for himself.

His statement about development says "We hope" that they will all go ahead. Obviously he saw something in the proposal for the twisted sisters that he did not like and voted accordingly. There were 5 others who also voted against for their own reasons. To answer a previous question. I was always against the twisted sister project. I believe that we need development, just not necessarily down town.

[Gravitas]

Obviously he saw something in the proposal for the twisted sisters that he did not like and voted accordingly. There were 5 others who also voted against for their own reasons. To answer a previous question. I was always against the twisted sister project. I believe that we need development, just not necessarily down town.

Your own personal and subjective view of the project (or downtown development) is irrelevant. When the project conforms to the MPS guidelines (which it does), and the economic fundamentals support the need for development in the downtown core, the mayor had a responsibility to support it.

Your use of this example as an affirmation of your support for Kelly is precisely the reason why he is justifiably accused of wishy-washiness. In one breath, he can take credit for development that occurred under his watch (appeasing the pro-development crowd), and also boast that he opposed a controversial development (thereby appeasing voters like you). He is nothing if not a master of populist politics.

[hfx_chris]

Also, I do not see in the article where he claims that he did these wonderful things alone. He states that the "city" accomplished all of these wonderful things. From the article, he does not claim them as his own.

Then why would he mention it in a mayoral debate?

[Be the change]

I found the Mayoral environment debate online, all three contenders for the job are included:
http://live.haligonia.ca/component/content/article/84-out-in-the-community/315-mayoral-debates-on-environment-replay.html

[Gravitas]

All three mayoral candidates are going to be at the Fusion event tonight at Pier 21.

[MacDuff]

I found the Mayoral environment debate online, all three contenders for the job are included:
http://live.haligonia.ca/component/content/article/84-out-in-the-community/315-mayoral-debates-on-environment-replay.html

I watched this debate and the two front runners did quite well at answering the questions put to them. The question of the fast ferry came up and Councillor Fougere did NOT say what her position is on her web page.:

Expand and Enhance Bus Service rather than Fast Ferries
Sheila Fougere DOES NOT support Peter Kelly’s unrelenting dream to invest $30 million on fast ferries to Bedford, an investment that will consume more than one quarter of HRM’s total 5 year capital budget for public transportation. Kelly’s plan doesn’t even help residents of Bedford, because the rush hour commuters (1,000 max.) would only save 3 – 7 minutes on their trip to work. Our citizens urgently need much broader and more effective solutions.

What she said was that she would wait until all the numbers are in and if it is beneficial she will vote according. Sounds like a flip flop to me. Her posted position is that she is against a fast ferry, but to the crowd of environmentalists, she will wait to look at the numbers and vote according. Huh.

[kp]

I found the Mayoral environment debate online, all three contenders for the job are included:
http://live.haligonia.ca/component/content/article/84-out-in-the-community/315-mayoral-debates-on-environment-replay.html

I never heard of this site before, but it looks like they swiped Will's old HalifaxLive logo.

Unless, of course, Will is running the site...

[Newperson]

The choices in voting no on the waterfront centre proposal.

1)  Allow the built heritage to continue to deteriorate

2) Fore go incremental taxes the new development would generate

3) Provide a subsidy to remove a couple of floors from the proposed development as offered by the developer.


I want to make a point - these building and this issue did not just appear yesterday.  Both PK and the Heritage Trust could have been working toward a solution long ago.  It is irresponsible to be against something when you have put no effort forth to provide a better solution.  Voting no, and then taking credit for the proposed development is just plain bad.

I will not support a susidy to remove a couple of floors.  That subsidy money could be used to buy new busses, fix roads, provide programs for youth to keep them off the streets - things of substance and priority.

Truth is, the development meets the MPS.  If it did not, staff would not have recommended it.  If PK thinks it does not, then he needs to re-calibrate his own staff lest we expend tax money on an appeal in court.  The developer would be justified in seeking remedy through legal action.

[GreyEyes]

I found the Mayoral environment debate online, all three contenders for the job are included:
http://live.haligonia.ca/component/content/article/84-out-in-the-community/315-mayoral-debates-on-environment-replay.html

I never heard of this site before, but it looks like they swiped Will's old HalifaxLive logo.

Unless, of course, Will is running the site...

Well, son of a bitch.