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Janet O'Toole
I can't believe that I heard they want to change the downtown core. I mean really...widening sidewalks and closing down a major artery of the city. It's one person who thinks up this crap and wants the rest of us to follow. Yes I know some European countries have done this, but I thought I lived in one of the greatest cities in CANADA. I'll agree that maybe during summer months that Spring Garden could be closed to local traffic for a couple of hour on the weekend evenings for people to enjoy a stroll around the Gardens and the local area. Since they can make exceptions for Christmas shopping, Oh never mind were open all week now, except for any government or banks, (if those had to opened on Sundays, we'd be back to regular working weeks,) But making a major change to the area and business' is almost ridiculous.
The city have allowed Restaurants to take over sidewalk with decks, allowed closures of streets for parades, festivals and even chalk drawing. Don't get me wrong, I agree with these. But I know city council has been approached on a couple of things and said “NO” to money making ideas that would shut down a street or rent an area for other venues. I think it falls under, if they didn't think of it, it's not worth looking into.
I love Halifax just the way it is. I enjoy a stroll on the boardwalk down by the Harbour (depending on smell). I love to stroll the side streets and find interesting shops to lose myself for hours in. I enjoy the bustle of the streets, winding around people, children and animals. I enjoy sitting in the Public Gardens and watching people enjoy the beauty within it fences. Why is it, there is always one person who is not originally from Halifax deciding these things and thinking that we should just shut up and do it. I bet many business; will love it when it affect their deliveries, not to mention how screw up the metro transit would be for getting to and from work, and lets not even talk about the parking problems that we'll have, which already exist. Why would anyone think of turning a major artery into a narrow one way street? Our streets are screwed up enough in the city with work being done for pipelines, new buildings, new asphalt on a regular bases.
Myself, I would love to see the Old Halifax as it was 30 or 40 years ago, but it has gone the way of many other things do to progress. I still remember many of the shops that my Mother took me shopping in. Many are gone but my memories are still here. Leave it the way it is, and stop trying to turn it into another country. I live in HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA, and I am Damn proud of my city, just the way it is! I am from the "left" coast..well Vancouver Island really, and Saanich, a municipality of Victoria to be precise. On the rare occasion I do manage to get out there to visit family and friends, I am always disappointed by what they have done to the place. Way too many people trying to live in "California north", and they pretty much taken the small city feel out of it..it is now just all urban sprawl. I never had any intention of staying and living in Victoria, as it is mostly a service industry town catering to tourists and government. However If I had, I probably would have tilted my crooked old lance at the windmill of planners and developers, as many did, and are still doing. Change is inevitable, and all one can do it try and be part of it to ensure the majority of the denizens like what they see. To sit idle and complain does not hold much water with those determined to get it right. Throw your hat in the ring and tell them where they are going wrong, present your vision, and join in. I once loved city life, and if you had told me 20 years ago that I would be enjoying the best of both worlds from the country I would have had a hearty laugh for sure. Being that we now have digital high speed internet and HD TV, all the usual suspects as far as box stores and fine dining, I can't think for the life of me why I would move back. Each to his/her won, and I hope you do get involved...it would make for fine blogging indeed! The bakery isn't what it used to be! This something different that I will mention. I went to a bakery on Main Street in Dartmouth, and was surprised when I saw a sign up saying that if you wanted a bag you would be charged $.05 for the plastic bag.. Can you believe it, they make enough money from the endless amount of customers that shop at the bakery and they want you to pay also for a bag.. What the bakery makes from what is purchased there, should cover the cost of bags that they have for the store you would think... When I mentioned the cost to the clerk, she replied that bakeries in Ontario and elsewhere are doing it too. I think they are ripping off the public, no doubt about it.. When I purchased what I wanted from the business, I carried the goods out in my hands, I wasn't about to pay extra for a plastic bag too... City Girl's description of herself! I enjoy my everchanging surroundings?????? |
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The things you mention liking weren't always here: the boardwalk, the public gardens, the streets and shops, etc. They came about as a result of the residents at the time wanting to make Halifax a better place to be. Being proud of Halifax isn't about not changing a thing; it's about making a great thing better. It would be a great dis-respect to those that came before us if we didn't continue making the place better. Being stagnant will just hurt us all; and also destroy the great things our people have already built.