Sam Austin
@samaustind5
Halifax Regional Municipality Councillor District 5 Dartmouth Centre
Today: Open hour at Cottage Cafe on Prince Albert Road. I’ll be there from 10:00-11:00. Meeting with staff regarding active transportation trips to school, and CBC Info Morning to talk transit with Councillor Mancini
Today: Meeting with consultants on Access-a-Bus review, Dartmouth Seniors Service Centre BBQ and then Pride flag raising at City Hall
Today: Resuming Open Hour at Marco Polo. I'll be there 9:30-11:00. Anyone is welcome to bend my ear for 5-10 minutes, no appointment necessary... but sometimes there is a short line! This afternoon interview with some university researchers studying speed limit reduction
Today: Chamber of Commerces State of the Municipality lunch. Mayor’s speech to come. Dartmouth North Neighbourhood Watch tonight
Warm enough today for my first turtle spotting of 2026 at Sullivans Pond
DFO has rejected Atlantic Roads infill application in Dartmouth Cove! @darrenfisherns.bsky.social
Here's the actual Motor Vehicle Act reference on traffic lights. Note that under green arrow drivers are required to yield to pedestrians lawfully in a crosswalk. This setup is legally correct... the problem is that not everyone knows the actual rules of the road.
Today: A bit of a quiet one after the three all day budget marathons this week. Met with planning staff to start, CBC interview re student bus passes, tour of a development on Agricola to chat about single stair buildings. Capping the day off with Dartmouth High’s Sherlock Holmes production.
Today: it’s been a busy day at City Hall with budget deliberations and we’re not done yet. Some big decisions around transit and road safety. Still lots more to go through tonight and tomorrow
Today: It’s going to be a busy week at City Hall. Budget deliberations resume with the budget adjustment list. This week Council will decide on cuts, additional spending and set the tax bill. Lots of folks signed up for public participation today. Busy at security and gallery filling up
Today: Taking the corporate limo to City Hall for continued budget deliberations. Yesterday we concluded public participation and today we’re into department presentations. Mayors Office, Fiscal Services, Library, Corporate Services
Today: On my way to Transportation Standing Committee where Transit’s Core Service Plan, and microtransit are on the agenda. Harbour East Community Council meets tonight www.halifax.ca/city-hall/st...
Bike count for January. Despite the cold and snow, HRMs 11 counters still recorded 15,400 bikes over the month (Dartmouth Cove counter only gave partial results due to maintenance). Down slightly from last January, but still ahead of January 2024 @stats.hfx.bike
Today: Heading over to City Hall for Regional Council. Full agenda that includes discussions on litter, missing middle housing, and taxi/ride share licensing. Agenda here pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
Tomorrow, Friday Nov 28 I'll be holding open hour at Port City Coffee in Alderney Landing from 9:30 - 11:00. Pop by for 5-10 minute chat, no appointment necessary.
Budget deliberations are underway at City Hall. Mayor's motion, that seems to be out of order, and will have to be adjusted or be moved as an alternative... Winds of austerity swirling at City Hall
Candlelight concert at the Sanctuary Arts Centre for the North Grove. Rostova String Quartet bringing a classical twist to popular music (they’re truly excellent!)
Some pics from what’s under the surface at Dartmouth Cove from today’s bioblitz
Tomorrow, Friday Nov 14, a bonus open hour, but in the afternoon. I’ll be at Marco Polo from 2-3. Pop by for 5-10 minutes of my time, no appointment necessary. FYI I’ll have a young job shadower along with me
Today: A busy one. Conversation with staff re government relations, Dartmouth Cove protest (see post below), hoping to swing by opening of a new health clinic on Wyse Road, Transportation Committee agenda review, and Mobile Food Market 10th anniversary celebration
Today: Day 2 of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities conference opens with several provincial ministers speaking. Harbour East Community Council meets tonight
Today: Day one of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities Conference. A variety of sessions today including presentations from the new Minister of Municipal Affairs, John MacDonald and Claudia Chender
Today: The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities conference is this week. I’m on the NSFM board and today was an all day board meeting. A pretty light show out the window courtesy of Mother Nature!
You know it’s a beautiful day when the turtle at Sullivans Pond is out soaking up the sun
Today: Started with Cafe Good Luck for Open Hour. Next check in with my coordinator. Interview with Global. Then the ongoing email project (215!)
Reminder. I'll be at Cafe Good Luck tomorrow morning for open office hours. 9:30 - 11:00.
Reminder that I'll be doing my Open Hour tomorrow morning at Port City at Alderney Landing. I'll be there there from 9:30-11:00 for anyone that wants to bend my ear for 10 minutes.