Sam Austin

Well I think it’s the end for me on here. Twitter isn’t what it was, but crucially the owner is part of a government that is waging economic war against Canada. So I’m out. O’Canada.

@derekmontague1 I dont know everyone’s backgrounds but I wouldn’t call Council wealthy. The professional class yes, wealthy no. Steele, Morse, White, Mancini and myself are regular transit users

@derekmontague1 There is $2 million on the options list to put 10 more buses on the road to help with overloads plus a 2nd dedicated HR specialist.

My Council blog on budget 2025. Tough choices ahead. My take, HRM needs to do what it can to address the homeless crisis and not short change climate action samaustin.ca/council-update…

@TheBakersMan902 A large portion of HalifACT is actually municipal assets. Retrofitting HRM bulidings, electrifying HRM's vehcile fleet, which we'll have to pay for one way or the other. There is an upfront cost, but over the longer-term, those investments will also reduce operating costs.

@WamboltDC Agree 100%. Mood around the room doesn't give me a lot of hope for trees for this year, which is unfortunate as its coming on top of a 1/2 program cut in last year's budget.

@SamAustinD5 Hoping we continue the tree planting. Ongoing development and growth in HRM is pushing tree-loss to a blistering pace. Trees also help mitigate climate change as well as add beauty to a growing concrete jungle.

My Council blog from yesterday's meeting. One-HRM membership for Parks and Rec, neighbourhood mediation, and HRM's use of twitter/X. Read it here samaustin.ca/council-update…

Today: It’s a Council day. Agenda includes one-membership report, neighborhood mediation, planning amendments in the suburbs, twitter and more. Agenda here halifax.ca/city-hall/agen…

Today: First Bluesky post (starting to use that platform). A couple of meetings including Parks and Rec about one membership report, non-profit regarding childcare spaces in Dartmouth, and HRM planners concerning a development issue. Prep for Council with the rest of the day.

Today: Arriving back from a weekend in Vancouver. Thanks to weather, missed my connecting flight and got bumped onto the overnight. Duty calls though, so it’s a full day of budget debate with 3-4 airplane hours of sleep. Not a coffee drinker but this might be a good day to start!

This is a powerful interview. Thanks to Mariah Baker for sharing her personal story about what the new pallet shelters in Burnside means for her life. We need more of these projects from the Province so that no one is living on the street cbc.ca/player/play/vi…

@mbchinyee I setup an account a while back but haven't done anything with it yet. Twitter definitely isn't what it was.

This is pretty accurate sometimes :)

My January 2025 E-News: renewable energy, Lancaster roundabout, Lynn Drive pathway, gym equipment at Big Albro, Dartmouth Cove consultation and more. Read it here samaustin.ca/e-news-january…

My Council blog from yesterday's meeting: Windsor Street Exchange samaustin.ca/council-update…

Today: Morning meeting with staff and Cancer Survivors Garden organizers, afternoon strategic planning workshop with staff and some of my Council colleagues (virtual now due to weather). E-news and Council blog with whatever is left.

Today: Introductory meeting with Burnside pallet shelter operators, COVID and flu shots, and worked on my Jan e-news. Attended community organized Dartmouth Cove meeting where I got to explain the planning process and take people on a virtual tour of the Sawmill River project

Water Service & Traffic Advisory – Lyngby Avenue – Water Main Repair Stop-and-go traffic near 48 Lyngby Ave., Dartmouth for an emergency water main repair. Sidewalks will remain open. Water service will be temporarily shut down in this area. No estimate restoration time. halifaxwater.ca/notice/lyngby-…

My Council blog from our last meeting: HRM now has a park lighting strategy. More info here samaustin.ca/council-update…

Today: It’s been a Regional Council day at City Hall. Main item on the agenda from my perspective, Parks Lighting Strategy. Will have more on that tomorrow in my Council blog.