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Principled Leadership
I have served as Deputy Mayor of our Council for four years, and am a strong voice for consensus and respectful debate around the table. Being Deputy Mayor means proudly representing Kings County at events and ceremonies across the County and Province, and being a reliable and organized chairperson in the absence of the Mayor. I consistently invoke our Council's visionary strategic plan to encourage organized and informed decision making. Last fall I was elected from Councillors across the province to be Vice-President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities, and look forward to assuming the presidency. My vision: That Kings County Council is a leader among municipalities in Nova Scotia by being collaborative and innovative, where constituents receive the best representation from active and engaged Councillors. |
Councillor Waye Mason (HRM and Past-President of NSFM), Mayor Pam Mood (Yarmouth, President of NSFM), and Emily at the NSFM Fall Conference in November 2019
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My trusty bicycle on the Cambridge section of the Harvest Moon Trail
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Active Advocate & Environmental Steward
As a Councillor I don't just support our recreation infrastructure - I use it. I regularly bike to the municipal office on the Harvest Moon Trail, utilizing various trailheads. I support Kings developing an active transportation strategy in hopes we find healthier ways to move throughout our community. My family and I frequent Aylesford Lake Beach in the summer, and participate in swim lessons at Waterville Pool in the winter. I love to get out and paddle in our beautiful lakes and rivers, and actively work to protect those watercourses as chair of the Lake Monitoring Committee. As part of a farming family, I also support the protection of farmland and responsible residential development. I am a huge supporter of green projects, and want to see the County replace our aging vehicle fleet with electric vehicles, encourage the development of a wind farm in our Wind Energy Zone (defined in the land-use by-law), promote and incentivize the installation of more residential solar panels and green housing initiatives, and develop a large scale solar installation in Meadowview. My vision: A clean, green County where all citizens can access and enjoy our natural environment, and enrich their lives through recreation in complete, connected communities. |
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Voice for Strong Communities
I initially ran for Council because I have a deep love of this area and the many diverse communities here. As a Councillor I have been an active supporter of community clubs and halls; relayed constituent concerns about speeding, potholes, and littering; supported the Healthy School Food funding policy; facilitated grant applications for community organizations and pushed for fair grants criteria; and fought for resolution when constituents struggled with services like poor internet connection, garbage pick-up, and development permits. I apply an equity and justice lens to my decision making and recognize the flaws that exacerbate inequalities in our system and fight to change them. My vision: To serve my constituents with humility and open-mindedness, and always be present to hear their concerns and help to find solutions. |
2016-2020 Council at the Coldest Night of the Year walk in 2017
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At a federal funding announcement regarding support for the agriculture sector in 2018 at Luckett's Vineyard with my daughter
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Family Friendly Kings
Many communities strive to figure out how to attract and retain young people. As a voice for the younger generation, I have worked to ensure that Council decisions consider a youth perspective and ensure that we stay relevant in a rapidly changing economy and society. I have made serving on Council more accessible to young people by spearheading provincial legislative change with Councillor Hodges to ensure Councillors are granted flexibility when welcoming a new baby. I also supported the Parental Accommodations Policy in Kings aimed at making our organization friendlier to young families, and supported changes to the County's Business Expense Policy allowing for Councillors to claim dependent care. These changes make the Council table more accessible to all, and therefore more democratic and representative of our community. My vision: A Council table that is both welcoming and truly diverse and reflective of the various skills, ages, and backgrounds that flourish within our County. |
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Fiscally Strong Municipality
The Municipality of the County of Kings has one of the lowest property tax rates in Nova Scotia, and operates with an annual budget nearing 50 million dollars. In the last four years our Council has supported our reserve accounts and "lived within our means" as a municipality. We have a relatively small staff complement considering we are the third largest municipality in Nova Scotia, and are one of very few municipalities in NS that does not have a deed transfer tax. I believe that the Kings region would function more efficiently and effectively for residents and businesses if all four municipalities (Kings, Berwick, Kentville and Wolfville) joined forces. I also believe Kings should look for revenue sources beyond the taxpayer, to alternative ways of raising funds through encouraging green energy development, reducing municipal red tape between the four different municipalities, and finding efficiencies in service delivery through evolving the structures of our inter-municipal service agreements like Valley Waste and Kings Transit. My vision: That Kings County continues to provide businesses and residents with efficient, quality service at a reasonable tax rate, and that Council continues to build a strong and resilient reserve fund for future uncertainties. |
Click on the image to see Kings County's most recent approved budget.
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