Sam Austin

My overdue blog from Council's last two meetings. Assessment Cap, Forum, Argyle Street, and community gardens. Done just in time to have to write another one on Wednesday after tomorrow's meeting :) samaustin.ca/council-upda...

Today: Working on my overdue Council blog, prep for Regional Council, and meeting with staff regarding the bike network alternatives report coming before us tomorrow. I will not support the Banook - Shubie alternative. Rest I'm still figuring out pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/filestream.a...

First outing of a new park stewardship group in District 5. Coffee, homemade muffins, and community with the Friends of Birch Cove this morning as we worked to clear out a patch of multiflora rose

Today: CEO’s Climate Summit this morning with several colleagues. This afternoon, possibly some family stuff, but otherwise emails and blog

Halifax Examiner reporters thrown out of EverWind data centre announcement in Point Tupper By @joanbaxter.bsky.social and @dartjenhen.bsky.social

This is NOT normal. I cannot think of anything like it in the 40 years I reported. (Including 30 covering NS politics). No Nova Scotia should be ok with this.

Councillor Coffee Drop-In tomorrow, Friday, 16 October, Glitter Bean Cafe, 5896 Spring Garden Road, 10 am to noon. 15 or 10 minute convos if there is a line up! Hope to see you soon.

Construction trucks leaving Bloor and Islington area after being successfully deterred from starting work on removing bike lanes in Toronto by a large protest.

Local autonomy is a vital check on centralized political power. The province may have the legal authority to overrule municipalities, but legal power is not a democratic mandate. My initial thoughts on the Province’s recent directive ordering the City to reverse course on our land use bylaw.

Photo radar works. In cities where it was removed, speeds went up. Police can't be everywhere. I would rather they focus on stuff that really needs a human. Allowing cameras is the most significant road safety measure the Province could do... too bad there is no will www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Today: Started with Open Hour at Cafe Good Luck and then an afternoon tour of HRMs Sign Shop. All the signs on the roads and on municipal property are made in house. The big truck in the pictures is the line painter for streets

If you're still using twitter just why at this point? www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/art...

Today: Boys and Girls Club Breakfast with a few colleagues and Bruce Rannie as MC. No other scheduled appointments so working on my Council blog and emails

Today: Quick peak at Maybank work on the way back from dropping my wife off (infields are rising in the distance!). NS Federation of Municipalities nomination committee meeting, and meeting with National Council of Canadian Muslims

Today: Started with a chat with Wendy Luther of the Halifax Partnership. Canal Commission tonight.

Today: No scheduled appointments so it's a catch-up on the inbox kind of day.

Today: Harbour East Community Council getting underway this evening. Meetings earlier today with Bird Canada, HRM right-of-way staff, and with police and Downtown Dartmouth businesses

Today: It's a Council day. Agenda here pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...

Today: An inside sort of day on the ferry. Meeting with HRM’s Public Safety team, Port Community Liaison Committee, prep for tomorrow’s Council meeting, and possibly buzzing out to Fall River for the all weather field celebration (if time permits)

My Council update from last week's meeting: Wanderers Proposal, Victoria Road redesign, and Horizon Court planning process begins. Read it here: samaustin.ca/council-upda...

A reminder that I'll be at Port City Coffee at Alderney Landing from 10:00 - 11:00 tomorrow morning for Open Hour.

Today: A sunny but windwhipped trip for this board and committees day. Sportsplex board, Alderney, Transportation Standing Committee, and North Woodside Community Centre

Today: Dentist appointment. Working on my Council blog and emails with the rest

Today: Chat with planning staff re King's Wharf, and with Park's staff regarding upcoming capital budget. I was out of the office most of last week so working on my overdue Council blog with the rest.

Today: A busy one. Started with a meeting with Reachability, Chamber of Commerce luncheon with Bank of Canada Governor, chat with Forum Association, and an interview with Global. Tonight Acorn tenant forum

Since the Forum is back in the news, I'm reposting my write up. As of yet, no one has presented Council with any actual alternative proposals or sites, it's been all vibes and options that were previously studied and rejected. It won't get cheaper with yet more delays samaustin.ca/council-upda...

Everyone on the ferry knows the bluenose in the sun! Unexpected show on the ferry ride over to City Hall this morning. Council agenda here pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...

25 years ago, on a clear September morning, an otherwise ordinary day became one of history’s darkest. Through the darkness, we also saw the best of humanity.

The sun hasn’t burst out yet but it’s always sunny in the heart at Sullivan’s Pond. Afternoon of tunes underway

A colourful walking fundraiser to support youth programming for the North Woodside Community Centre and City of Lakes Boxing

It's official, the student transit pass program will continue this year.

Goodbye rotten boards. New concrete pad incoming, with a decorative compass rose pressed into it. Ferry and Ferry Terminal Park are still open during construction

My August e-news. Trees, playgrounds, traffic calming, road changes, what's happening at Maybank, Yellow Floating Heart and more. Read it here samaustin.ca/e-news-augus...

"you see, Canada is clearly overreacting and should simply make the deal that's available, like other countries have"

My Council Update from Tuesday. Pickleball in Dartmouth, a potential sixth ferry, and the Affordable Housing Strategy. Read it here samaustin.ca/council-upda...

Raise your hand if you could survive on $410 a month www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/art...

For over a year, Canada has worked intensively and in good faith with the United States to negotiate a new comprehensive trade deal. We have been pragmatic, patient, and persistent. Our goal has always been to get the best deal for Canadians, never a deal at any price or on any time frame.

Not sure whose quote this is but Canada has two settings: sorry and you’ll be sorry… today the PM isn’t sounding very sorry! Elbows up www.youtube.com/live/Dx9Exdj...

Time to start running trumps favourite commercial again youtu.be/XWQRuRIxMBI

Morning commute on a bike lane that Doug Ford wants to rip out. 21 bikes and 4 cars clearing an intersection in 23 seconds. Which mode fights congestion?

One of these two candidates for UK public office is a complete joke. The other has a bin for a face.

Some heroes do in fact wear capes! youtu.be/ujHphnnDaGg?...

They haven't all lost their minds down there youtu.be/atMQTW71xig?...

Hoping this story can be updated, this was absolutely not HRM that removed her camp. HRM provides notice, and doesn't throw out people's stuff. We're not perfect, but have come a long way over the last few years and try to treat people with empathy and dignity

Today: Meeting with a resident around creating a Maynard Lake community group, Downtown Dartmouth regarding the Alderney wharf, interview with Global on transit, and catching up with Halifax MP Shannon Miedema