July 5, 2000

Dear Residents,

Re: Paving J Class Roads

On May 25, 2000, in Halifax, I met with Mr. Howard Windsor, Deputy Minister of Transportation & Public Works and with one of his assistants. We discussed several transportation issues, one of which was the capital monies for paving "J" class roads in our district.

1. From our discussion I was told that all the "J" class subdivision roads will be paved on a cost sharing 50/50 basis with the municipality, depending on funding availability.
2. The department budget has been cut from 96 million to 56 million for the current year.
3. The Trans. & Public Works Dept. has been attempting to address deficiencies in existing paved roads, as opposed to providing new paving.
4. I am continuing to press this issue and have again asked for a meeting with the minister himself, Mr. Ron Russell. I have spoken with our MLA Russell MacKinnon to help arrange this meeting if I am unable to get the meeting scheduled myself.
5. Our municipality has set aside $300,000 in this year’s budget for rural capital, which could be utilized in the cost sharing program.
6. There has been discussion between our municipality and the Dept. of Trans. & PW with regard to our municipality possibly taking over "J" class subdivision roads.

I know that most residents are anxious to have their streets paved and I believe that this would help alleviate many problems, especially with travelling during the winter months.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call.

With respect,

Ivan Doncaster, Councillor District 14, CBRM