County seeks public input on future

Residents of Annapolis County will get to have their say regarding the municipality’s future through a series of meetings planned over the next month.

The County has confirmed the locations, and residents are being invited to share their feelings regarding the County’s vision for the next 20 to 30 years. This is the first step in fulfilling the requirements of the Federal Gas Tax Agreement (GTA), which requires an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP). “The ICSP is intended to provide residents with the opportunity for input which they feel will enhance their communities. In order to complete this task, it is essential that our residents participate in the overall vision,” said Annapolis County Warden Peter Newton. “Therefore, we have endeavoured to provide locations throughout the County that are accessible to as many people as possible.”

The Plan will recognize the connection between environmental, social, cultural, and economic development within a community and at the regional level. It will focus on integrating these considerations to achieve 20 to 30 year (and beyond) vision of the Annapolis County communities and the region, and provide a strategic plan for the County that will align long-term community goals with strategic investments in community infrastructure. It will address the County’s future financial health, social, and cultural well-being, and natural resource use and environmental stewardship.

Over the next two months there will be a series of public meetings and consultations across the County. The following are public meeting locations that have been confirmed. The first was scheduled for the Springfield fire hall July 12. Following are subsequent locations: -- Port Lorne Fire Hall, Thursday, July 16, 7 to 9 p.m. -- Maitland Bridge Community Hall, Sunday, July 19, 1 to 4 p.m. -- Paradise Community Hall, Wednesday, July 22, 7 to 9 p.m. -- Milford Area Community Hall, Sunday, July 26, 1 to 4 p.m. -- Inglewood Community Hall, Thursday, Aug. 6, 7 to 9 p.m. -- Margaretsville Fire Hall, Sunday, Aug. 16, 1 to 4 p.m. -- Granville Ferry Community Hall, Thursday, July 23, 7 to 9 p.m.

The following location has been tentatively scheduled:

Hillsburn Community Hall Sunday, Aug. 9, 1 to 4 p.m.

Posters and notices will be posted within each community for confirmation.

Last month, three public meetings were conducted at the Nictaux & District Fire Hall, Annapolis Basin Conference Centre, and Lawrencetown Legion.

Residents who have inquiries regarding the public meetings may contact Laurie Emms, Municipal Services Director, at (902) 584-2188 or acps@ns.sympatico.ca.