District 13, Hammonds Plains-St. Margarets, could be too close to call — again
Pam Berman | CBC News | Posted: September 29, 2016 7:30 PM | Last Updated: September 29, 2016
Incumbent Matt Whitman up against Pam Lovelace, Harry Ward in Halifax district
The race for the councillor's job in Halifax's District 13, Hammonds Plains-St. Margarets, could be too close to call — again.
Incumbent Matt Whitman is up against challengers Pam Lovelace, who has a background in communications and marketing, and Harry Ward, who has his own renovations business.
In 2012, Whitman beat out Peter Lund by just over 300 votes.
And in 2008, though the boundaries and name were different, the race in the Hammonds Plains and St. Margarets Bay communities saw first and third place within 60 votes of each other.
"I've been there just shy of 10 years and it's a riding that always seems to be close," said Dustin O'Leary, with the Westwood Hills Residents Association.
"I think it's just such large and varied community [with] varied priorities."
Four years ago, roads and transit service were hot topics.
This time around there's lingering anger over the so-called "ditch tax" introduced in 2014. It's a charge for run-off into the storm water system.
People are also concerned about the possibility of an asphalt plant being set up in Tantallon.
Halifax Regional Council has not yet voted on the application for rezoning that would allow it to go ahead.
Three residents' associations have organized an all-candidate's town hall. It takes place Thursday night at the St. Margaret's Centre starting at 7:30 p.m.