THE RANKIN REPORT

Spring Has Arrived!

Dear Timberlea-Prospect Residents,

This seasonal change awakens nature and provides the means for the trees to regain their leaves, flowers bloom, and the birds to return.

Following my bi-annual newsletter that will be hitting your mailboxes this week, I am pleased to keep updating (those who subscribe) with more frequent information, with so much happening in our community.

As growth and development continues to advance and sprawl outside of the city core and into rural areas, it is important to be aware of the impact it will have on our communities and ensure the protection of the features that attracted people to this area in the first place are an integral part of the planning process.

Over the next ten year span more development in BLT and along the Prospect Communities is inevitable, but through collaborative engagement and prudent planning we can mitigate impacts to traffic and the environment while bringing amenities to residents. For this reason, I have been investing significant time and will continue to, over the coming months, by sharing the priorities of residents to senior staff at Public Works especially with respect to our major access points.

Public Works, as the owner of Prospect Road, has partnered with the HRM, to conduct a comprehensive study of the Prospect Road from St Margaret’s Bay Road to Prospect Bay Road. I am pleased with the Minister of Public Works response to work with my office and incorporate community member’s input on the traffic study to improve safety and access. As this study is set to be launched, I attended a meeting with Public Works staff and two members of PROBE, Maureen Yeadon and Barb Allen, to highlight traffic concerns and areas of importance for consideration within the study.

In addition to consideration for emergency egress and solutions to avoid road closures, we have requested the study apply the principles of the Halifax Green Network plan to ensure landscape ecology is incorporated. The study will run into the fall with interim meetings taking place for feedback, comments, and suggestions throughout the study. A final report is expected in the early part of 2025.

We received great news regarding new traffic lights being installed at the Timberlea Parkway / Saint Margaret’s Bay Road this year, along with two crosswalks at Brunello Blvd, and Marketway. The next request my office is advocating for along this area is a traffic light at the Marketway entrance to the Sobeys shopping complex. As the province owns the Highway 103 and off-ramp, I have asked them to proactively engage HRM to see if we can advance the timeline of when we can see intersection improvements there.

As always, I remain privileged and honoured to be your MLA.
 

Iain Rankin

National Volunteer Week

National Volunteer week was April 14 - 20, and I want to recognize the many volunteer organizations and Nova Scotians who donate their time to make life better for our neighbours and communities. Our province is a better place because of the important work volunteers do every day.

The Timberlea-Prospect area is home to many volunteers including Prospect Region Organization for a Better Environment (PROBE).

I was pleased to attend their recent AGM. I have worked with PROBE over the past few years on emerging issues facing the Prospect communities. Congrats to the new Chair, Lisa Mullin and a heartful thank you to outgoing Chair Maureen Yeadon!

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Spring Tips and Resources

⚠️ Tick populations across Nova Scotia are growing, it is important for people to take the necessary steps to protect themselves, their family, and their pets. Learn more...

🛴 As the days get longer, more people will find themselves out enjoying the trails and views of our province. One of the popular ways to get around now is using an e-scooter. The operation of e-scooters (also known as electric kick scooters) is guided by By-law M-300. Learn more...

🏞️ The Provincial Parks reservation website is open for campsite bookings for the upcoming season. Learn more...

🔥 During wildfire risk season (15 March to 15 October), no domestic brush burning or campfires are allowed between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm, except industrial permits. Burn restrictions are updated daily at 2:00 pm. Check before you burn. Learn more...

🆘 This year, Emergency Preparedness Week is May 5th to 11th. Get prepared for any kind of emergency with some helpful tips I’ve pulled together. Learn more...

Community Growth

🏫 At a recent meeting with the Minister and Deputy Minister, I requested at least one new school in Timberlea-Prospect to address current overcrowding. Learn more...

Health and Wellness

🩸 I was happy to have helped the 333 Lifesavers reach 100 blood donations for this year, on their way to the goal of 333. I couldn’t be prouder to see so many of the community out to donate, you can too by booking your appointment at blood.ca. Learn more...

⚕️ This week is Mental Health Week. This year’s Mental Health Week is centered on the healing power of compassion. In a world plagued by suffering, it is important to emphasize that kindness is equally intrinsic to our humanity. Learn more...

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Community Spotlight

Patsy Crawford

I am thrilled to share with you a significant milestone in our community. We recently celebrated the remarkable achievement of Patsy Diana Crawford, who marked her 20th year of dedicated service as the first female Deacon at Beechville Baptist Church.

Please join me in congratulating Deacon Patsy Crawford on this incredible milestone.

Thank you for all you do for the Church and the community, Nunny!

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What's on in Timberlea-Prospect?

ℹ️ Join Iona Stoddard, Councillor for District 12 for an open house on May 15th. Learn more...

🕳️ Road operations crews identify and log potholes all year, but the city relies heavily on residents to report any problematic potholes they see. Learn more...

🎊 Congratulations to the Terence Bay community on celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Terence Bay Fire Hall that is now the Terence Bay Community Hall. For the past five years the community has created and nurtured a vibrant community gathering place for events, programs, and celebrations. Learn more...

YOUR MLA

In the Community

Now that the Spring sitting of the legislature has ended, I am enjoying the opportunity to do some door knocking and visit local businesses.

I was pleased to have Zach Churchill, Leader of the Liberal Party join me in visiting local businesses and having lunch at Shaw’s Landing, supporting the Timberlea Tim Horton’s smile campaign, and discovering why The Paw Pad Retreat, is my dog’s home away from home.