New Year’s message from Yarmouth’s mayor

We’ve arrived at 2018 and with each day the honour of serving this community grows deeper. We’ve come so far, together, and it’s exciting to walk into 2018 with you, knowing we are on the right track. As the economic centre of the region, the strength of the Town of Yarmouth is tremendously important to the future growth of the entire area.

I’m often asked what stands out most about the previous year. Without hesitation, for 2017 it is not only a statement I heard repeatedly, but a goal we desperately needed to accomplish: “The Town FEELS different.” Ponder that for a moment. The first time I heard those words it brought me to my knees, thankful that it’s all coming together.

We can all agree we look different; that’s the easy part: facades, bumpouts, greenery, paving, signage, vibrant colour and more. But when these factors change the feel of a town, the positive implications are huge: the “feel” instils pride and draws people and businesses here, in turn creating muchneeded jobs, adding to the tax base, and creating critical mass so others will follow suit. It’s growth.

None of this happened by accident, nor did it happen overnight. The previous council took an amazing, transforming plan from the shelf, dusted it off and we have been implementing the heck out of it for four years. It takes guts, patience and vision to work the plan. We’ve hit our stride and need to stay the course. Our once-nearly-dead

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B5A 4B1 downtown is now a living piece of real estate that invites all to come, sit, shop, enjoy.

It’s encouraged businesses to open. It’s an experience, a destination, and it’ll only get better. It is, you recall, what we were all hungering for a few short years ago.

There is much, much more to do, and if these small changes have made such a big difference, imagine what happens when we have the guts to take on the bigger pieces of the plan. If we don’t, if we stop now, we’ll never be all we can be. “We’re just small-town Yarmouth” doesn’t cut it. We aren’t “just” anything. We are a world-class town with the ability to be seen globally when we focus on what we can be and execute the plan. Let’s go for it!

There has been opposition to every step forward. As it should be. Let’s be thankful that we live in a democracy where our voices can be heard. While the outright abuse that some folks think is okay is neither acceptable nor welcome, we absolutely encourage differing opinions and challenges to decisions. Each voice is important.

While there is not a council member in existence who does not wish to give everyone everything they want, I respectfully submit the wants are not our job. Our job is to give the entire community what it needs to survive and thrive. Those are the most difficult decisions and while not everyone will agree with them, our decisions are based on what’s best for the town and indeed the region. My door is wide open to those who want to have respectful discussions on any community-related topic. Please stop by. I make a mean cup of coffee!

Council’s priorities for 2018? We’ve already begun. By the end of February we will have a conceptual plan for waterfront development and by early spring we will see the business case for the arts and culture facility. We will collaborate on an agreement with the YMCA and other partners we currently fund without a formal arrangement, and then look into a new aquatic centre, which we all agree we need, and we will continue to seek upgrades for the curling club.

Although many issues facing our region fall under provincial jurisdiction, including housing, community services and more, the town continues to work with the province to find solutions and do all we can on a local level. Next steps include a long-term capital plan for our priorities, development of a comprehensive downtown parking plan, taking a look at future plans for the Mariners Centre, and working on an accessibility plan and cannabis bylaws. Regardless of what’s on the list, I assure you this council is committed to continuing the work of revitalization and making things better for every citizen.

As I close this New Year’s message, I’m reminded of the All Hands On Deck initiative that together we embraced and that we inherently knew would bring positive changes. So many of you have shared the excitement over the changes thus far. There is no room for complacency, and I humbly say to you that this continued journey to being the best we can be is a covenant between you, your mayor and your council: we are our absolute best when we are in it together. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Happy New Year!

tina.comeau@tricountyvanguard.ca tricountyvanguard.ca 902-742-6527