Waye Mason - Latest Comments

Re: Some speed data

Jason Morrison — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 17:06:29 -0000

Do you have data from this year? I'm interested to see data from Shirley street during rush hour. Unfortunately I think it was measured in the summer when traffic pressure are lower. During the school year it is often used as a speedway to bypass the frustration on quinpool and is dangerous for the many kids on the street.

Re: Statement on Cornwallis Park and Cornwallis Statue

Guest — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 19:59:18 -0000

When I walk a city, I want to know it's history, good and bad. I think this is an opportunity to educate people. Removing history does not educate. Providing a balance by adding someone representative of the First Nations of that time next to (or opposite) Cornwallis (with the same prominence) and creating a placard on each that gives us a mini history of what occurred I think would be more beneficial than removing the statue outright. Or, remove and create a new statue or art form in the park that represents that time period and provides a balanced view of how Halifax was created. Either way, we need to acknowledge historical fact, regardless if it makes us uncomfortable or sad or angry, and learn from it, become better people, a better society, to love and/or accept instead of hate and/or fear each other's differences and similarities. There is enough awfulness in the world right now.

Re: Statement on Cornwallis Park and Cornwallis Statue

Mal Fete — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 10:44:23 -0000

It's the Angus L MacDonald bridge. Not John A.

Re: Proposed Changes to Parking Fines

Darren Parks — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 07:58:28 -0000

Counselor Mason, Et al,

This change is the wrong approach to the problem of staying to long at a meter. If overstay is indeed the real reason for this fine increase it would be more effective to use Bylaw P-500 sec.11(1),(2).

Instruct the officers to "chalk" the vehicles to look for overstay parking.

If the unstated reason is to generate revenue, then increasing fines doesn't work that way. Increasing fines generates compliance, and in fact will reduce revenue. I have no objection to "road pricing" through the use of meters. Quite the opposite, I support user fees for using parking. There is demand for parking after 6pm and on weekends in Halifax. There is no reason not to extend parking meter hours into the times/days where there is demand for parking. This increases revenue, and maintains turnover. Business are served by encouraging parking availability. The City generates revenue to offset the cost to the tax payer for the maintenance of street parking. Also there is no reason not to increase parking meter rates at meters where demand is highest.

These tactics are all used by the the cities you want to emulate to regulate their parking. With all the tools at your disposal why would the city want to adopt only the increased fines idea?

Re: Proposed Changes to Parking Fines

Waye Mason — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 06:10:03 -0000

That is something that can be explored. It might be difficult to do, it might not be. Maybe a combination of both an increase to say 40, 30 in 7 days, and an additional ticket. That is why we need public consultation!

Re: Proposed Changes to Parking Fines

H Gillie — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 17:19:09 -0000

Would it be too much of a problem to do a two-tiered ticket system? A regular ticket at $20 if someone is a few minutes late for the meter, but an additional ticket of $30 if the car is still there after a predetermined amount of time? That way people who are legitimately late getting back to their car don't get penalized the same as someone who is just clearly using it as a cheap spot to park for the day.

Re: What’s in a name? The Dartmouth FAQ

Liz Campbell — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 21:21:17 -0000

Yes, agreed ... and it is a REGIONAL Municipal government; 'Regional' being the operative word that makes HRM work. When the 'brand' slid into the consciousness of HRM citizens, HRM residents were deceived by Regional Council, Municipal Staffers, and the other maker's of H/\LIF/\X concerning the depth of change the 'logo/brand' would bring to our municipality. Our mayor is now boldly calling HRM the 'City' of Halifax and refers to regional council as 'city council'. Neither exist. There are two communities in NS named 'Halifax' now; one is the community of Halifax (like the community of Dartmouth) and the other the Regional Municipality (H/\LIF/\X). How can there be two 'levels' of Halifax? It is very confusing to many, especially the all media. This is very divisive. All communities in HRM were considered equals at amalgamation, though it has become apparent the community of Halifax deems it 'special'. Dartmouth was considered a twin city to Halifax. Regardless of the efforts of the makers of H/\LIF/\X, Dartmouth will never be subordinate to Halifax.

Re: Update #1 – Canadian Martyrs, Young Ave, Centre Plan, Grammar School, Stormwater fee, and more…

The Insider — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 03:16:15 -0000

The worst thing I've ever done in my life was helping this moron get elected.

Re: What’s in a name? The Dartmouth FAQ

Waye Mason — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 15:43:24 -0000

I guess we will have to agree to disagree. As a Dartmouthian myself I think more community signs in Dartmouth is appropriate, but whether you like it or not, there is only one municipal government here now.

Re: What’s in a name? The Dartmouth FAQ

Liz Campbell — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 19:36:35 -0000

One yr later, Waye Mason... and your point is? In the Greater Toronto Area, there are 25 incorporated municipalities in either York Region, Halton Region, Peel Region, Durham Region or Toronto. The former cities you mention above amalgamated in 1998. While this maybe the case for Toronto, it does not make it ok for HRM. The forced amalgamation of all communities within Halifax County included all Incorporated cities, townships, villages. All were to keep their community identities. Quite frankly, Dartmouth is not willing to be assimilated to Halifax, though it appears to be the desire of the makers of H/\LIF/\X that this be the case.
Further, it is not only fool hardy to have two levels of 'Halifax' in our Municipality. If GTA works for the Greater Toronto area, the HRM can work for the Halifax Regional Municipality. The word 'Regional' keeps the Region intact. It is inclusive. H/\LIF/\X is only furthering the interests of the former city, now community, of Halifax. Many residents in the many communities on, in Savage's words, "the Mainland" are not in support of elevating the "Peninsula" at their expense. Despite the argument that "what's good for Halifax, is good for the Region", is erroneous and dismissive to many residents in HRM. It is a divisive logo/brand. My views are in no way intended to insult the people of Halifax community. I love the community of Halifax and its people, history and culture. However, I love my community, DARTMOUTH; I'm a Dartmouthian and not a Haligonian.

Re: Biggest turnout yet for District 7’s 4th annual participatory budgeting vote

Gabrielle Mills — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 21:40:40 -0000

Pleased to see the high turn out and the votes! But deeply disappointed to see the Walk and Roll traffic calming/place making project turned down - that intersection is part of my daily commute and SO dangerous. Let's think of new ways to address it!

Re: HRM tax and budget indicators 1995-2016

arandomuserfromsomewhere — Tue, 24 May 2016 13:52:09 -0000

What age ranges were that 20% growth in?

If they were all children, they certainly aren't contributing to the tax base. Conversely, unless they were all > 18, then yes the taxes per citizen did increase.

Re: Update #39 – Centre Plan, Development in the district, and lots of events and plans.

Truth > Fiction — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 21:03:23 -0000

Why are all these events being touted as Halifax. There may be meetings happening in the city of Dartmouth as well as Sackville Bedford and Halifax so why are they all listed as HALIFAX? ???

Re: Response to Premier McNeil’s statement on Cornwallis Park

Joanne — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 08:20:15 -0000

The park and statue are a part of Halifax history. Many landmarks in Halifax are offensive to one group or another. Should you tear them all down, and if not where do you draw the line.

Re: Response to Premier McNeil’s statement on Cornwallis Park

firepuncher — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 14:51:55 -0000

Hey Waye, I'd much rather see the park renamed, keep the statue and allow the native community to reinterpret the park with some heritage and educational displays. Even a pavilion educating people of the truth . Good balance

Re: Update #31 – Illegal backyard parking, more public meetings on downtown, Coburg/Seymour, Dal Fitness Centre

John Wimberly — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 17:32:57 -0000

The transit situation in the city is pretty bad. I'm not surprised that folks are more likely to still want to drive while they're on the peninsula. I use busses every weekday and they are so often late, creating conflicts in my day and those of so many other fellow citizens. Larger questions of transit is the root of this.
I hope we can make transit a real focus. At the moment, it's not being treated as "urgent", which I think would be the correct tone.

Re: Update #31 – Illegal backyard parking, more public meetings on downtown, Coburg/Seymour, Dal Fitness Centre

Samuel Rad — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 08:25:08 -0000

I am not sure what your point is when you mention Woodlawn or Upper Sackville, but are you comparing the neighbourhood's parking demands in an equal way? Are you telling me that there is no crazy need for parking and student housing in the South end? This is the attitude that had kept us here as long as it has and that is the behaviour that young, ready to go to work generation see from the city and their staff, and that is frankly why Halifax is falling behind almost every single city in Canada in growth and prosperity and winning sometimes the entire continent yet alone Canada in issues like high property taxes, mental health issues, depression, obesity, high average age, low income, etc, etc, etc. The only way to fix all these issue is to have the political will and to welcome change and to start looking at things from above and see the big picture. I bit you do not have to look for parking 8 am in the morning around Dal or you would never make a statement like this! Plus you are asking us to go to commercial lots, well first of all, there are not enough of them around and nobody can create land so you folks have to come up with ways to change the usage of properties around universities, 2nd of all they charge a fortune and students are dealing with enough expenses as tuitions, etc that adding another high parking fee on top of that is just unacceptable. Mr. Mason, one day this city will wake up and realize that things that happened here in this city was unfair to its citizens specially the young that is trying to make a living. Not all of us can have a salary of a councillor and need to something else and we all need jobs, money and prosperity in this city so please make that your number one priority. Thank you for your services!

Re: Update #31 – Illegal backyard parking, more public meetings on downtown, Coburg/Seymour, Dal Fitness Centre

Waye Mason — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 07:00:46 -0000

I am all for making downtown more accessible but there is NO difference between paving over a back yard in Woodlawn or Upper Sackville for commercial use and paving over a back yard in peninsula south. If it is a residential neighbourhood it is not allowed. The neighbours to these sites own their homes, raise their kids, etc and have the same rights to protection of their quality of life as any other resident. There is no exemption to this. If you want to operate a commercial enterprise, do it in a commercial zone.

Re: Update #31 – Illegal backyard parking, more public meetings on downtown, Coburg/Seymour, Dal Fitness Centre

Samuel Rad — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 17:00:57 -0000

I park in the south end area and my entire family either work there or goes to Dal and it is impossible to find a reasonable parking spot that it won't cost you a fortune. Maybe landlords realize that there is a huge lack of parking in South end and that is why they do it to make some $ and for us that need the parking, landlords are doing us a favour by providing reasonable parking for a fraction of the price of greedy parking owners including Dal themselves. Is it not about the time to look into re-zoning or allowing more relevant usage of the properties in different neighbourhoods of Halifax? Why the councillors and city staff of other cities in Canada and around the world act way more robust and listen to their citizens needs and wants and are not stuck in their ways for years and years like we are in Halifax? Isn't it about the time for the ones in the decision making positions to start implementing changes that actually help the working class in this old dysfunctional city that it feels like it is getting worst and all we can do is to scare young people off and away and instead keep the retired, old and sick satisfied and please them because they are getting more and more??? I am not trying to be rude against elderly or say that we do not need them, but instead I am saying that this old city should operate around the younger population and their wants and needs in order to keep them around for a better economy and a better support of elderly and their pensions. At times it feels like that nobody wants to work in this city any more and we live in a dead land!!! I love when elders are acting as the wise sound of the crowd helping the young to grow and not when they want to get rid of the young all together. CHANGE is what Halifax need now and that is the only way to give some prosperity to this beautiful province with such amazing and loyal people that all they want is a better life for themselves and their children.

Retired is retired and deserves to rest and enjoy life and young we do not want because they want to keep changing things and cause disturbance to the old!!! So is NS going to get older and older everyday until there is no young left?

Back to the subject line, please do not make life more difficult more than it is for young by shutting down parking lots that are providing reasonable rate parking options.

Re: What’s in a name? The Dartmouth FAQ

Truth > Fiction — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 08:20:24 -0000

It's obvious that you are a Haligonian as your continued justification makes it abundantly clear that is your priority. Someone else said it best...had this happened in the reverse and Halifax was under Dartmouth thumb you would be singing a different tune. So we willl have to agree to disagree because you will never understand how the people of Dartmouth feel as evidenced by your responses. But as a councilor for Halifax I'm sure they are happy with your performance. While the other cities screwed over by amalgamation continue to be amused by the continuing attitude of people such as yourself. Have a great day!

Re: What’s in a name? The Dartmouth FAQ

Waye Mason — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 06:54:14 -0000

Like Halifax there is nothing to stop someone from putting up a sign. For example, there are signs saying "Welcome to Armdale" on the roundabout, or "Welcome to Cole Harbour" at Cole Harbour Road and Caldwell. In Toronto, amalgamated 1998, the libraries in all the former cities are Toronto Public Libraries it is all Toronto Police, it is all Toronto Fire, and all the municipal services have the new Toronto logo and the Toronto flag. I suggest that Dartmouth area councillors should work with residents and business groups and get some signs up just like has been done for 20 years in the rest of the municipality.

Re: What’s in a name? The Dartmouth FAQ

Truth > Fiction — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 13:58:46 -0000

Also entering scarborough the signs simply say welcome to scarborough..so no I am not wrong but you are in trying to justify your position by misleading people

Re: What’s in a name? The Dartmouth FAQ

Truth > Fiction — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 13:53:39 -0000

Actually etobicoke sign says" welcome to Etobicoke the leading edge of metro"!

Re: What’s in a name? The Dartmouth FAQ

Waye Mason — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 13:48:45 -0000

On a per population basis the cash is spent pretty equally, but since the old city of Halifax has twice the population of Dartmouth it gets twice the stuff. Economic development investments are based on where the activity takes place and taxes come from, using those metrics of course Downtown Halifax and Burnside get more investment than Downtown Dartmouth, or Mainstreet, as former generate 10 times as much taxes and have 10 times the number of businesses. I don't buy this argument that old city of Halifax gets everything. Show me that math, not heresay.

Re: What’s in a name? The Dartmouth FAQ

Waye Mason — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 13:45:20 -0000

That is wrong. The cities that make up GTA are all cities with their own government. The former cities that make up Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke and York no longer have their own signs for flags, they all now have the Toronto logo.