SPRINGHILL, N.S. – Cumberland County currently has 13 councillors representing 13 districts but that number will be reduced before the Oct. 17, 2020 election.
Residents of Cumberland county are currently being asked for input on their preferred number of councillors and whether they should be represented by a warden, as is currently the case, or a mayor.
An open house recently held in Springhill was attended by councillors Maryanne Jackson and Doug Williams, whose districts encompass Springhill.
Both councillors believe eight would be a good number of councillors and districts for Cumberland County, plus a mayor to oversee the entire county.
“With my experience in council so far I believe a mayor with a smaller council would be better for decision-making purposes, and I think everybody should have a say in who their leader is, so that’s why I like the mayor system better,” said Jackson.
A warden is selected by the other councillors but a mayor is selected by all voters in Cumberland County.
“A mayor would have to be somebody who ran because they really want to be the leader, and it would have to be somebody who has strong leadership qualities,” said Jackson. “They’re not concentrating on one district, they’re working for the whole county, so it’s a lot more work and you’d have to be really committed and dedicated to that.”
Williams agrees.
“I like the mayor system better because every constituent from Malagash to Advocate has a choice to pick who they want to be their leader, and that person has to be strong because he or she is going to lead a smaller council, so they will have a lot of work in front of them.”
Springhill is currently split between councillors Jackson and Douglas.
“I think it would be great if we could maintain two councillors with, possibly, the current districts taking in more of the surrounding area,” said Jackson.
The open house’s started June 19 in Advocate Harbour and continue for the next three Wednesdays.
The next sessions are July 31, in Pugwash, River Hebert on Aug. 7, and then Parrsboro on Aug. 14.
Each public session runs from 3 to 4 p.m., and then from 5 to 6 p.m.
There is also an online survey which can be filled out at plancumberland.ca
The survey asks three questions; What defines your community of interest; your preferred number of councillors, between three and 12; and your preferred council leadership, warden or mayor?
Following the open house sessions, a report will be tabled for council and they will vote on the number of councillors and districts, and whether there will be a warden or a mayor.
Following that vote, a new electoral map will be drawn to represent the new districts, and that will need to be approved by council.
After the final decisions are made by council, it will then have to be approved by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
