Encouraged by numerous residents Ivan Doncaster is reoffering for election as Municipal Councillor of District 11 in the CBRM. After working as Councillor for 19 years, Doncaster says, "It has been an honor for me to serve as Municipal Councillor and I thank the residents for their confidence in me. I hope you will continue to trust me to serve you with dedication and honesty."
Doncaster has served on all Committees of Council and works to represent the interest of the residents in the district he serves and the CBRM as a whole.
Doncaster is presently the Cape Breton Regional Library representative on the Library Board Association of Nova Scotia (LBANS) and the CBRM representative on Pitupaq, which is an Organization that includes the Mayors, Wardens and five First Nation Chiefs on Cape Breton Island. Pitupaq is working towards the preservation of the Bras d’Or Lakes. Doncaster is also a member of the Bras d’Or Stewardship Society since a number of years.
The current CBRM Council has been a cohesive group that accomplished a great deal. During the next four years Doncaster foresees that this term will bring further challenging situations to overcome.
Doncaster serves as one of the CBRM representatives on the Regional Solid Waste Committee. He says that overall operating costs are increasing yearly and council is now facing the closing out of second-generation landfills by January 1st, 2006. This could possibly mean the closing of our incinerator with alternative measures needed. When looking at the general CBRM budget in the upcoming term we face the cost of trucking garbage to Guysborough and about 1 million in lost revenue from the sale of electricity generated here at present. Doncaster believes his awareness of issues and his experience on council is an asset that will help him with tough decision making in the coming years.
Doncaster believes Council has to make a more concerted effort to work cooperatively with all levels of government. "We must also continue working towards greater fiscal responsibility and create an improved climate for job creation. We must also review our by-laws to decide if adjustments are needed."
Doncaster believes that one of the most significant achievements during the past term has been the drafting of a Regional Plan. Staff and Council spent several years preparing information and maps for this plan. Part of the process involved getting input from citizens through holding public meetings throughout the CBRM. The next step is getting Provincial approval for the plan.
Doncaster says that a water problem in some homes in the Sydney River area is among the issues he is actively working to solve. "I am working with the Engineering Department and other levels of government in order to see the situation resolved as soon as possible." The Engineering Department is presently preparing an issue paper to council on the water problems in Sydney River. The Department is proposing short and long-term solutions to ensure that residents have safe drinking water.
Recently Councillors Doncaster and Dethridge have been meeting with concerned residents of District 11 and 12 regarding the possibility of a rock quarry in the Coxheath hills. Residents do not want the peaceful atmosphere of their community disturbed by excavation in the hills and are lobbying the various levels of government to stop the quarry.
Paving of gravel roads is also a concern of residents. Doncaster says he has worked hard to obtain paving for gravel roads throughout District 11 and if the "J" Class Roads Agreement stays in place, then the majority of the “J” Class gravel roads will receive paving in the upcoming term.
This past term brought sidewalks, curb and gutter to some areas in Floral Heights and Sydney River as well as improvements to the Vince Muise ball- field and the Sydney River tennis courts. Doncaster will continue to press for sidewalks extended from Villas along Tometary to Route # 4. Residents of the Meadows Road, Portage and East Bay area are also interested in the possibility of receiving the same service.
As a volunteer fireman Doncaster has served in the different offices of the East Bay Volunteer Fire Department for over 25 years. The various Fire Departments in the CBRM offer an essential service to the districts and with your support in the upcoming election Doncaster will continue working to ensure the needed cooperation and funding for both the volunteer and career firefighters.
Skateboarding has become very popular with young people in recent years. Doncaster said, "A joint effort is presently under way between myself and Councillor Claire Dethridge to have a much needed skateboard park constructed near the Coxheath Arena. We look forward to seeing this project completed."
Doncaster says, "People run for Council for various reasons. My interest in community involvement started in my teenage years when I began coaching minor hockey. For me, serving as a Municipal Councillor is another opportunity to enrich community life." Doncaster grew up in Prime Brook, is a retired Steelworker and a dedicated full time Municipal Councillor. Doncaster is readily reached by calling 828-2272. He is married to the former Viola Gough of East Bay, where they have lived and been actively involved in the community for over 34 years. They raised four children in East Bay and are blessed with three precious grandchildren.
District 11 includes the area from the Sydney By-pass, and all streets and
side roads west along Route #4, to the county boundary in Irish Cove. This
includes Loch Lomond and Enon, Big Glen, Salem Road, Terra Nova, Irishvale,
Irish Cove, Middle Cape, Big Pond Center, Big Pond, St. Andrews Channel, Ben
Eoin, East Bay, Portage, Sydney Forks, Howie Center and Sydney River.
I am always open to hearing the concerns of the people, either in person,
by phone at 828-2272, by email at ivan@doncaster.on.ca, or by fax at
828-3210.