E-mail – jmacdonald@annapoliscounty.ca
Telephone – 902-804-9228
I live in Port George. I have been married 40 years to my wife, and best friend, Cindy. We have 3 children.
I had a career with CPRail. Track maintenance, Brakeman, Conductor, Locomotive Engineer, Union Representative and Management positions.
I am President of the Port George Lighthouse Society. I volunteer at the Port George Breakfasts. I have coached youth and Boys High School Basketball for 30 years. I’m currently on the coaching staff of MRHS Senior Boys team. 2020 Provincial Champions. I am a volunteer with the Middleton Railway Museum.
I have been a Councillor since 2016.
If elected, will you support taking the dispute with Valley Waste to binding arbitration?
I would prefer Mediation initially. Without any restrictions, with all parties, including the County of Annapolis, the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Valley Waste and it’s participating Municipalities. I believe that almost all of the dispute can be resolved through Mediation. If some issues cannot be mediated, then the balance should be dealt with through Arbitration.
I have stated multiple times in the last 2 years at Council, “Pick up the phone” and start the communication. Leave all personal feelings, egos, etc, outside the door, and get business done with our neighbouring Municipalities and Valley Waste.
What ideas do you have for constructive community engagement?
Keep Town Hall meetings with residents alive, and visit as many communities as possible.
I have been sending regular emails to residents of District 2 since being elected. I would like to increase the number of recipients.
Once our Internet Project is “up and running”, I can visualize a “hub” available to all subscribers, where info on the County’s work is only a click away. Where farmers, businesses, societies, etc. can advertise and be only a click away. Imagine a “hub” where everything you want to know about where we live and play, is just a click away.
What do you see as the top three priorities for Annapolis County, and how do you plan to address them?
#1 Lack of quality Internet. I wish to continue on the path we have started with our partners, to get the best internet for our residents as possible.
#2 Gordonstoun Nova Scotia. What an economic driver. How much food will it take to feed those hundreds of students. How many plumbers to keep those showers unplugged. How many educators will need to move here. This is work I need to help get completed.
#3 More quality communication with our neighbouring Municipalities. Recreation, agriculture, transportation, waste, climate change. These are things we have in common. These are things we can work on together.
