Anyone who doesn't recognize the economic and cultural context that led to Tyler's choices obviously doesn't have any fear for their own or their children's opportunities. As long as we blame the victim, we as a whole are not taking responsibility for own community. Halifax includes all its neighbourhoods, and if you live here, pointing your finger is hypocritical. We are all part of the problem.... Now what small tangible thing can YOU AND I do to start fixing it?!
I agree in principle with many of the ideals discussed here... but I do have to ask this question: Would the oval have been able to go ahead without corporate sponsorship in the first place? As I recall, citizens lobbied corporations to pony up the funds to build it - if they hadn't, Council would not have been able to approve it. I thought we considered this a win for residents.
From savetheoval.ca: "Halifax-based energy and services company Emera Inc. has offered $500,000... The donation means that over $1 million has been pledged. Earlier, Molson Coors Canada said it would contribute $400,000 toward the Oval, while a $100,000 commitment has come from the 1990 World Figure Skating Championships Legacy Fund."
I think we can take pride in the fact that our fundraising fellow taxpayers convinced companies to ante up and build the oval for us. I'd like to see an article that include voices from the "business owners, tax payers and active citizens" who put together the fundraising compaign (www.savetheoval.ca).
Why did people buy a condo downtown if they didn't want to live in a downtown/urban environment?? That end of Gottingen is almost as close to Scotia Square as Argyle is... and there are lots of condos around the Argyle area btw! Next they'll be complaining about the Salvation Army and the methadone clinic in "their" gentrified residential neighbourhood. You live downtown... get over it or move.
Kudos for bringing this to light. We the ratepayers need this analysis and appreciate the Coast publicizing the comparisons that expose the inanity. The 2.8 mill doesn't get a mention. Meanwhile, the oval and its civic popularity is pitted against its supposed exhorbitant costs and splashed all over the mainstream media.
As a born and bred suburbanite, I chose to raise my young family in town, on the peninsula. We don't need two cars, we don't spend time commuting, we can walk to neighbourhood stores, and we contribute in our own small way to the cityscape itself. Sure, our house is a lot smaller than what we could get in Upper Beaverbank for the same money - trade off for city living.
I was shocked to learn that our taxes at least twice that of an Eastern Passage dwelling. I get that housing prices are linked to market value, but shouldn't municipal tax rates reflect the amount of infrastructure required to service more remote residences?
I am all for development. But I'd rather see our city get inventive, and create delicious urban spaces for everyone to enjoy. Maybe Sackvillans can jump on the bus and come skating on our oval.
The worst thing is that we ratepayers have no recourse... and this is why we need the Coast.
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From savetheoval.ca: "Halifax-based energy and services company Emera Inc. has offered $500,000... The donation means that over $1 million has been pledged. Earlier, Molson Coors Canada said it would contribute $400,000 toward the Oval, while a $100,000 commitment has come from the 1990 World Figure Skating Championships Legacy Fund."
I think we can take pride in the fact that our fundraising fellow taxpayers convinced companies to ante up and build the oval for us. I'd like to see an article that include voices from the "business owners, tax payers and active citizens" who put together the fundraising compaign (www.savetheoval.ca).
As a born and bred suburbanite, I chose to raise my young family in town, on the peninsula. We don't need two cars, we don't spend time commuting, we can walk to neighbourhood stores, and we contribute in our own small way to the cityscape itself. Sure, our house is a lot smaller than what we could get in Upper Beaverbank for the same money - trade off for city living.
I was shocked to learn that our taxes at least twice that of an Eastern Passage dwelling. I get that housing prices are linked to market value, but shouldn't municipal tax rates reflect the amount of infrastructure required to service more remote residences?
I am all for development. But I'd rather see our city get inventive, and create delicious urban spaces for everyone to enjoy. Maybe Sackvillans can jump on the bus and come skating on our oval.
The worst thing is that we ratepayers have no recourse... and this is why we need the Coast.