District 3 special election candidates have been announced.

Municipal Council called a special election to be held on January 28, 2023, to fill a vacancy in District 3 which was created when former Warden, Alan Parish, resigned in the fall of 2022.

The District 3 candidates are:

• Dustin Enslow
• R Wayne Fowler
• Susan Robinson-Burnie
• Cameron Stiff

Residents in District 3 will have the option to vote electronically via website/phone, as well as in person.

Constituents on the current list of electors in District 3 will receive a Voter Information Letter that will contain a private PIN to access voting via website and phone.

The electronic voting (website/phone) option will take place from January 15^th to 28^th.

The in person paper ballot option to vote will be available as shown below. Both advance polls and the regular Election Day will be held at the Bridgetown Fire Hall (31 Bay Rd.).

Advance Polls:

1^st Advance Poll – Saturday, January 21, 2023, Noon to 8:00 pm

2^nd Advance Poll – Tuesday, January 24^th, Noon to 8:00 pm

Regular Election Day:

The poll will be open on Saturday, January 28, 2023, from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Residents in District 3 who do not receive a Voter Information Letter in the mail, and are eligible voters, may have their name added to the electors list on any polling day or by calling the Help Desk during regular business hours (902) 532-1445, starting on January 16th.

To be added to the list, you must: be 18 years or older; be a Canadian citizen; be ordinarily resident in the Province for a period of six months; be ordinarily resident in the municipality or in an area annexed to the municipality since immediately before the first advance polling day (January 14, 2023); and reside in District 3.

For more information regarding the upcoming Special Election, please contact Returning Officer Carolyn Young at (902) 532-3136.

ANNAPOLIS COUNTY, DECEMBER 2, 2022 – Public and delegates gathered in the community of

Bridgetown for a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate an early Christmas present; a $1.8 million

Queen Street makeover.

The renovation project, which received federal, provincial and municipal funding, commenced in the

spring and was carried out between the intersection of Queen Street/Granville Street and

Queen Street/Centennial Drive at a length of 172 meters. The funding breakdown:

• Federal (Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) - $200,000
• Provincial Letter of Intent (Bridgetown Dissolution) - $671,079
• County of Annapolis (Municipal Reserves) - $1,011,812

“Safe and reliable roadways are essential to keep residents moving around our community. The upgrades we celebrate today will help Bridgetown continue to be a safe and inclusive place to live, work and do business,” said Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings—Hants, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country’s economy, increasing the resiliency of our communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.”

“Cities and towns know best what their communities need, where the gaps are and how best to resolve them. Investments from the Canada Community Building Fund allow municipalities to invest in public infrastructure that addresses local priorities.” -The Honourable John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

“This project truly demonstrates how community success can be achieved when all levels of government work together," said Annapolis County Warden Alex Morrison. “This partnership, along with all the support of local stakeholders, has provided the Bridgetown community a street that offers enhanced function, accessibility and a beautiful appearance. It is a wonderful depiction of the County’s future endeavours to create more inclusive communities. Everyone is to be congratulated for this tremendous accomplishment."

The project entailed:

• Replaced and upgraded the water system
• Improved fire protection through fire hydrants along Queen St.
• Replaced the old combined sewage collection system with a separate sewage and storm water system to improve the wastewater treatment plant operation
• Removed an unexpected source of contamination from the street (old fuel tank) and remediated area
• Replaced sidewalks to meet accessibility standards
• Added six additional street lights to improve visibility and safety
• Installed advertising banner brackets for community usage and promotion of community events

The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on December 2nd as part of Bridgetown Chamber of

Commerce’s holiday kick-off.



From left: Warden Alex Morrison, Councillor Bruce Prout, former Warden Alan Parish, Councillor David Hudson, and Minister John Lohr

Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal – Municipal Council proudly recognized County staff member Debra Ryan, Community Outreach and Tourism Manager, as one of only 15 Annapolis County recipients of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal.  

Bear River Water Assessment – Municipal Council approved the reallocation of a maximum of $50,000 from the County Water Reserves to fund an assessment and detailed design for a residential water system in Bear River.

 Municipal Council the following Community Grants:

• Port Royal Lighthouse Society - $5,000

 Remuneration increase for Councillors – Municipal Council approved a cost of living increase of 1.7% for Councillors commencing January 1, 2023.

Agreement with Western Woodlot Services Coop - The Municipality entered in an Agreement with Western Woodlot Services Cooperative to ecologically harvest the County’s land in Greywood with the proceeds from the ecological forestry activity to be put in a separate fund to be used for further ecological practices. 

 Accessibility Advisory Committee Letter of Thanks - Municipal Council thanked the Accessibility Advisory Committee for its work, and for the Committee to be assured that Council will bear its recommendations in mind for future deliberations.

 Annapolis REMO Agreement to Use NSCC Annapolis Valley Campus - Municipal Council approved the “Agreement to use the NSCC Annapolis Valley Campus for an Emergency Shelter, Coordination, Comfort and/or Reception Centre” as recommended to all Annapolis County REMO councils by the Annapolis REMO Advisory Committee.

 Development Agreement Application Amendment (MacBeth’s Grooming and Kennel Boarding) – Municipal Council gave first reading of its intent to support the Development Agreement amendment application to amend the MacBeth’s Grooming and Kennel Boarding Development Agreement by permitting the future expansion of the business, and set a Public Hearing for this matter on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.

Letter of Thanks - Municipal Council will send letters of thanks to no-longer-serving citizen members of the following committees - Accessibility Advisory, Audit, Bridgetown Source Water Protection Advisory, Heritage Advisory, Lake Cady Source Water Protection Advisory, Lake Cady Water Supply Area Advisory, Margaretsville Source Water Protection Advisory and Planning Advisory.

Letter to NS Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal - Municipal Council will send a letter to Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal asking for their department to give some cooperation to fire departments during fatalities on their highways.

Citizen Appointments:

 Accessibility Advisory Committee - Municipal Council extended the citizen appointments of Timothy Atkins, Lester Bartson, Christine Garde, Tina Hiltz, Brenda MacDonald Lona, and John Smith to the Accessibility Advisory Committee to November 30, 2024.

 Lawrencetown Water Supply Area Advisory Committee - Municipal Council waived by resolution the restriction regarding consecutive appointments, and extended the citizen appointments of Lynette Gilks and Phil Milo to the Lawrencetown Water Supply Area Advisory Committee to November 30, 2024.

Municipal Council appointed Brian Reid as a citizen member of the Lawrencetown Water Supply Area Advisory Committee for a two-year term ending November 30, 2024.

Margaretsville Water Supply Area Advisory Committee – Municipal Council waived by resolution the restriction regarding consecutive appointments, and extended the citizen appointments of Harold Baker and William Street to the Margaretsville Water Supply Area Advisory Committee to November 30, 2024.

Municipal Council appointed Heber Janes as a citizen member of the Margaretsville Water Supply Area Advisory Committee for a two-year term ending November 30, 2024.

Audit Committee - That Municipal Council appointed Erich Beifuss as the citizen member of the Audit Committee for a one-year term ending November 30, 2023.

Bridgetown Source Water Protection Advisory Committee –  The Councillor of District 7 will seek and encourage applications from citizens in the Bridgetown Water Supply Area, and failing receipt of applications by January 6, 2023, Municipal Council will re-advertise to fill vacancies on the Committee. Staff has been directed to advertise Bridgetown Source Water Protection Advisory Committee vacancies on the community electronic sign at the Bridgetown Sports Hub.

Granville Ferry Source Water Protection Advisory Committee – The Councillors of Districts 4 and 5 will seek and encourage applications from citizens in the Granville Ferry Water Supply Area, and failing receipt of additional applications by January 6th, 2023, Municipal Council will re-advertise to fill vacancies on the Committee. Staff has been directed to advertise Granville Ferry Source Water Protection Advisory Committee vacancies on the community electronic sign at the Bridgetown Sports Hub.

Heritage Advisory Committee - That Municipal Council appointed Elaine Bergen, Jerry Alan Dick, and Anna Roch as citizen members of the Heritage Advisory Committee for a two-year term ending November 30, 2024.

Lake Cady Source Water Protection Advisory Committee - That Municipal Council appointed Gail Longmire as a citizen member of the Lake Cady Source Water Protection Advisory Committee for a two-year term ending November 30, 2024.

The Councillors of Districts 6 and 8 will seek and encourage applications from citizens in the Lake Cady Water Supply Area, and failing receipt of additional applications by January 6th, 2023, Municipal Council will re-advertise to fill vacancies on the Committee. Staff has been directed to advertise Lake Cady Source Water Protection Advisory Committee vacancies on the community electronic sign at the Bridgetown Sports Hub.

Margaretsville Source Water Protection Advisory Committee - Municipal Council waived by resolution the restriction regarding consecutive appointments, and appointed Harold Baker as a citizen member of the Margaretsville Source Water Protection Advisory Committee for an additional two-year term ending November 30, 2024.

The Councillor of District 2 will seek and encourage applications from citizens in the Margaretsville Water Supply Area, and failing receipt of additional applications by January 6th, 2023, Municipal Council will re-advertise to fill vacancies on Committee. Staff has been directed to advertise Margaretsville Source Water Protection Advisory Committee vacancies on the community electronic sign at the Bridgetown Sports Hub.

Planning Advisory Committee - Municipal Council waived by resolution the restriction regarding consecutive appointments, and appointed Carolyn Hubble and Rachel Humphreys as citizen members of the Planning Advisory Committee for an additional two-year term ending November 30, 2024.

Municipal Council appointed Raymond Edward Johnson Jr. as a citizen member of the Planning Advisory Committee for a two-year term ending November 30, 2024.

Cornwallis Park & Area Asset Review Committee (Adhoc) - Municipal Council dissolved the Adhoc Cornwallis Park & Area Asset Review Committee.

Police Advisory Board - Municipal Council waived by resolution the restriction regarding consecutive appointments, and appointed Dane Berringer as a citizen member of the Police Advisory Board for an additional two-year term ending November 30, 2024.

Municipal Council appointed Paula Montgomery Pettit as a citizen member of the Police Advisory Board for a two-year term ending November 30, 2024.

Councillor Appointments to Committees of Council, Advisory Boards and Committees, and Joint, Regional or Community Organizations

Municipal Council approved the 2022-2024 Councillor appointments as detailed for a two-year term ending November 30, 2024.

District #1 Councillor Prout - Forestry Advisory, Police Advisory Board, Annapolis Valley Regional Library Board, and Trans County Transportation Society

District #2 Councillor Brian Connell - Fences Arbitration, Fire Services, and Heritage Advisory  

District #3 Vacant (Special Election January) - Fences Arbitration, (alt) Heritage Advisory

District #4 Councillor Clyde Barteaux - Economic Development Committee, Forestry Advisory, and Physician Recruitment & Retention

District #5 – Councillor Lynn Longmire – CAO Review Committee, Physician Recruitment & Retention, and REMO Advisory Committee

District #6 Warden Alex Morrison – He is ex-officio to any committee of council to which he was not appointed; has a voice but no vote.

District #7 Councillor David Hudson - Fire Services and Forestry Advisory

District #8 – Councillor Michael Gunn - Forestry Advisory, Physician Recruitment & Retention, and Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve

District #9 – Councillor Wendy Sheridan - CAO Review Committee, Economic Development Committee, and Soldiers Memorial Hospital Foundation

District #10 – Deputy Warden Brad Redden - Economic Development Committee, Annapolis Valley Exhibition Society, and Lawrencetown Source Water Protection Advisory Committee

District #11 Councillor Diane LeBlanc - Heritage Advisory Committee, Physician Recruitment & Retention, and Police Advisory Board  

As we celebrate Municipal Awareness Week here in Nova Scotia, it is good to reflect on certain aspects of the interactions between citizens and their municipal governments. Together with the other orders of government in Canada: provincial and federal, municipalities work in a caring and compassionate way to improve the lives of citizens. Residents of Annapolis County turn to us for services, information, and assurances. We do our best to provide each in a meaningful and productive manner. As members of County Council and staff are well aware, we are depended on by citizens to advise them on provincial and federal matters and we do so to the best of our ability. We accept those responsibilities willingly.

In August of 1759, the provincial authorities divided our land into five counties: Annapolis, King’s, Cumberland, Lunenburg, and Halifax. Since that time, part of Annapolis County was separated and became Digby County. The earliest history of our county was written in 1897 and many others have followed.

Our main areas of operation, just to name a few, are climate change, libraries, fire services, waste management, and recreation. We also concern ourselves, quite rightly, with housing medical, and immigration matters. It can thus be seen that municipalities are busy places. All of here in Annapolis County’s government produce to the best of abilities – but we need the aid and the suggestions of our citizens. We practice cooperative government in attaining our goals. Soon we will have a new strategic plan and will follow it in the most practical way.

As your Warden, I urge you to continue and to enhance your interest in municipal activities. Talk to your District Councillor, give your views, make suggestions and follow Council meetings on the web. Our web page contains much useful information that will guide you in your thoughts. Come to our Committee of the Whole, and Council meetings and other County gatherings. Make a promise to yourself to be more involved!

I wish you well and hope to have a chance soon to chat with you.

Warden Alex Morrison