Email – alan.v.parish@gmail.com
Telephone – 902-665-4819
Sandra and I purchased an old farm in Clarence in 2004. Since then my contributions to Annapolis County include: served on the Planning Advisory Committee, invested in the grain elevators in Lawrencetown, treasurer of the Historic Gardens in Annapolis Royal, restored four old houses, and brought 60 acres of agricultural land back into production. My 45-year legal career specialized in complex commercial litigation and media law. I have been managing partner of a 25 lawyer law firm, chairman of the Clean Nova Scotia Foundation, president of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia, and held other similar positions.
If elected, will you support taking the dispute with Valley Waste to binding arbitration?
Regarding the litigation with Valley Waste, if I am elected, I would first acquaint myself (and the other councillors) with the background facts which gave rise to the dispute. That process may require a second opinion from a law firm other than the one currently representing The County. I would then try and negotiate a resolution. If that failed, then a mediation. And if that failed, arbitration. The court process is not the way to resolve this dispute.
The lack of rural internet has been a pressing issue for over 15 years and while there are some concrete signs of preparation for some new installations, there still remains a number of County residents who will not be afforded the same level of internet service when it is all said and done.
If elected, can you commit to advocating for the same level of service for all residents, including “final mile” residents? Yes or No
In my view, high speed internet is as essential to homeowners as electricity was in the 1930’s and 40’s. If elected I will advocate as strongly as possible for everyone in the County to be hooked up, including “final mile” residents.
Annapolis County elects 11 councillors for a population of approximately 19,000. The councillors then elect a warden from amongst themselves. Total remuneration is $405,062.
Kings County elects 9 councillors for a population of approximately 49,000. Since 2016 a mayor has been elected by the population at large. Total remuneration is $392,688.
1) Do you support a review of the number of councillors required for Annapolis County? Yes
2) Do you support having a mayor elected by the population at large? Yes
What ideas or plans do you have for constructive community engagement?
Constructive community engagement starts with the County Council. An informed community engagement cannot take place without the community being properly informed by the Council. The current council seems to think that by providing video of the meetings and copies of the minutes, the community is informed. In my view, each month the County should publish, on its website, in simple English, a summary of what has taken place that month. That communication should be detailed, honest and forthright. It should not be the type of “spin” that we have seen recently from the County on the garbage and Gordonstoun issues.
What do you see as the top three priorities for Annapolis County, and how do you plan to address them?
1. Correct financial mismanagement in the past.
I plan to address this by educating myself to the facts of the mismanagement to date, and, as a lawyer and businessman, try to correct them. The mismanagement includes the garbage issues, internet issues and Gordonstoun school.
2. Increase transparency
Among other actions, I will ensure that the council does not go “in camera” as often as it has, will increase the information on the County website and publish the staff reports to the Councillors on the website.
3. Stop financial mismanagement in the future
As a lawyer and a businessman, I will work to ensure that future council decisions are based on proper business principles and conducted so as to protect the taxpayers from rising taxes.
