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I was invited to an informal kitchen table interview with the Friends of Blockhouse Hill Steering Committee at the home of Paula Rennie, which I politely declined. The Committee had provided questions, to which I provided written responses under copyright.

The reason for the copyright is quite simply that I have no access to the FOBH Facebook page and as such have no visibility into how my responses may be posted or what commentary and feedback may follow.

My abbreviated responses to some of the questions posed by the FOBH about Blockhouse Hill follow.

What is your position on the proposed development on Blockhouse Hill?

• First and foremost, I am in favour of housing development in Lunenburg.

• Blockhouse Hill presents a unique opportunity for the Town of Lunenburg to steer a development respectful of our UNESCO heritage designation. Carefully planned and managed, it has the potential to significantly enhance that part of town.

• We cannot responsibly promote any large-scale housing development without knowing the Town’s financial position and its obligations for updating and

expanding on its infrastructure systems for power, water, sewer, roadways, and sidewalks.

Do you believe that the proposed development on BH Hill will meet those housing needs?

• With other housing projects planned or in progress already we are on our way to addressing the critical need for low to medium density housing units, and zoning is in place for medium to high density housing in several areas.

• Another 150 units or more on the north slope of Blockhouse Hill would position us with an adequate number of units of various types and price ranges, for both buyers and renters, if these initiatives can be completed or are underway before 2030.

Would you consider action to protect BH Hill from development in future?

• Based on the information we have at present, the simple response is no. If information arises later to indicate that a residential development on Blockhouse Hill may pose a serious risk or liability or create a situation detrimental to the Town of Lunenburg, we will of course need to revisit the proposal.

Has reading the “What We Learned” report (produced by the Friends of Blockhouse Hill) changed your understanding of the issue of development on BH

Hill?

• I have not read the FOBH “What We Learned” report page by page, but I have attended the public engagement workshops and have followed information from many other sources responding to questions and concerns raised about the proposed development.

• What we learned from the series of public engagement workshops is that among the citizens who attended, the majority were open to considering options for measured and controlled residential development on Blockhouse Hill.

• What we learned from thorough and thoughtful research done for indigenous and UNESCO concerns is the validation of a go forward plan if we choose to

proceed.

• What we learned at the Town Council meeting that responded to the recommended development option was that Town Council agreed on Option 2 - the “Out of Sight” proposal - as the most desirable option for future development. 

This summarizes my opinion about the proposed development on the north facing slope of Blockhouse Hill. If am elected as a member of Lunenburg’s Town Council, I look forward to more information and insight from staff and committee members, and subject experts.

I love the views from Blockhouse Hill and the magnificent ring of trees surrounding the

cannon in the park. I have taken many pictures in different seasons and weather conditions. When I lived on Hopson, the park was the starting point of the daily dog walk.

Thank you for your positive engagement with me and for your support at the polls.

Cemeteries 

When folks talk about their history in this place, Hillcrest Cemetery comes to mind. The resting place of so many who worked before us making this a better place for their families and their neighbours. And by building The Lunenburg Academy next to Hillcrest

Cemetery in 1895, the planners of the time very cleverly connected our past and our future.

I have walked Hillcrest Cemetery numerous times since my childhood, can show youc the resting places of all my family members who are buried there, and every time I’m there I discover the resting place of someone I didn’t know but had heard of, or knew in

the community, and I smile. This place continues to connect us throughout many generations.

During my door-to-door campaigning, I had a long chat with a gentleman who is a fellow Legion member. Every year he places small flags on the headstones of our departed veterans. It is a job he volunteers to do with love and respect, feeling privileged with the

responsibility of marking the resting places of both the fallen comrades he didn’t know and the ones he did.

He feels sad about the state of the cemetery and asked me to put it on my “To Do” list if I am elected. He feels that more attention should be paid to maintaining the driving lanes in the cemetery, and to standing up headstones when they fall. Sometimes it’s

about heavy rainfall or the amount of frost in the ground, but sadly, it’s also about vandalism.

Community 

The ties that bind us, the family history, the family connections, the work we do to make a living and the work we do to make Lunenburg a better place. To this mix, add newcomers and the diversity they bring, their fresh ideas, and their positive energy. They’re keen to be here and want to help. We are all in this together by living in this place at the same time.

Does it really matter how or when we arrived here, or who our grandparents were? No. Do we all contribute to Lunenburg? Yes. We spend our time here and contribute to our local economy. As a community, we are present for the events that are important to our town and our neighbours – beginnings, milestones, accomplishments, and endings.

Are we all in the same boat? Absolutely not. Some are winning the race, some have a small tear in the sail, others have lost control of steering, have a hole in the hull, and are bailing as fast as they can with a cracked bucket. And some cannot even think about entering the race. We need to acknowledge that we all need support from each other from time to time.

Communication 

This is a key piece to connecting people who live here because it has always been their home with those who came here through a family connection and with those who come here hoping to make it their home. Is one group any more entitled than the other? In 2024, we should not be debating this. Everyone should feel welcome and equal. Period. Civility is a word used often recently on our local social media pages. Treating people in a respectful manner, demonstrating compassion, empathy, kindness, and an understanding that not all of us see the world through the same lens. Let’s not lose sight of basic good manners. Hello, please, thank you, and goodbye. We’re Canadian. We can do this.

Thank you for your time, your interest in my spin on what I think Lunenburg can be, and for your support at the polls. The last day to vote is today, Saturday October 19th. If you have not voted yet, get out there and do it. Your voice matters, your vote matters, you matter. You have a lot at stake here.

Sincerley, Gale

Thank you for attending this event. Thanks to the event organizers and thanks to every Lunenburg resident who has taken the time to speak with all the candidates including me so far in this campaign – for your interest in what happens to and in your town, for your positive engagement on the doorstep, and for your genuine encouragement and support. It’s much appreciated.

I campaigned during the 2023 special election with a focus on the urgency for fiscal responsibility and financial clarity, the urgency of a well-thought plan for much-needed infrastructure improvements and upgrades, and for careful and measured land use and housing initiatives. I am still focused on those things.

As a member of the Town’s Audit Committee, I am concerned about the Town’s financial reporting, its budget process, and the absence of regular updates. In my opinion, the Audit Committee is under-utilized. Why not engage us in the budget process and for projects like seeking funding opportunities?

Infrastructure improvements and housing initiatives go hand in hand. You cannot have more housing without upgrades to our infrastructure. By the same token, when people talk about infrastructure at the doorstep, it’s typically about paving streets, having a sidewalk on their street, or having safe and accessible sidewalks in the business district. All these need to be on our list.

When people talk to me about housing, it’s less about Blockhouse Hill and more about well-planned affordable and attainable housing all over town, and the other housing initiatives being presented or in progress. With that discussion, most make comments about how more housing will demand more daycare spaces, more classrooms, and better health care facilities... and they’re right.

Lunenburgers know what they need and want, and I have found them open to talk about it. They appreciate time spent by candidates at the door, and the deliberate shift away from social media election campaigns. Let’s open our minds to conversation, mend fences with our neighbours, and re-build trust and comfort with each other. This is what we need and want in Lunenburg.

I am proud to offer my service to the citizens of Lunenburg in the upcoming municipal election. 

I have strong business acumen from a career in senior property management and high-level customer service roles. I have direct and relevant experience with governance and in various paid and volunteer roles on boards of directors for non-profit and charitable organizations. I am a calm, consistent and collaborative participant in many community initiatives, ready to be fully engaged in the betterment of Lunenburg with voters’ support at the polls.

I see three areas of opportunity for the newly elected Town Council.

1. Finances

We need to fully understand our financial position and develop proactive short and long-term financial planning tools. To move forward on any new major projects without clarity about the Town’s financial position would be irresponsible.

2. Infrastructure Upgrades

We cannot continue to operate with a view to only

doing “what we NEED to do” to meet the demands of our deteriorating infrastructure. A “what SHOULD we be doing and planning for 5-10-15 years ahead” approach is the most economical, effective and efficient path in the long-term.

3. Economic Development

This includes housing initiatives and setting up our

young families for future success with a multi-faceted plan for Lunenburg’s future economic growth and prosperity. This is about creating a vision for a vibrant,

diverse, year-round local economy, and is contingent on Items 1 and 2 being in place and in practice.

Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts and hopes for our Town.

• I’m fully invested here.
• I have a lifelong connection to Lunenburg through my mom’s family. I moved here as a permanent resident in 2018.
• I have positive energy, intelligence, and time to offer.
• I have a genuine interest in the well-being of my neighbours and the betterment of our community and have a long track record of volunteer involvement.
• I have a strong and unique skill set to bring to the table. With direct and relevant fiscal accountability, long-term financial planning, infrastructure and asset management experience; governance and human resources management experience; and high-level collaboration and communications abilities, I can help.

How will I apply these skills and experience to serving my community?

• By contributing energy and ideas toward projects that will build on a legacy for our young families.
• We can start setting them up for success right now.
• By contributing to a meaningful and multifaceted economic development strategy.

We must work toward a vibrant and diverse, year-round business community.

By understanding that the prosperous future of our community depends on a higher expectation for –

• Year-round employment
• Adequate, affordable, and attainable housing
• Consistent, quality healthcare, daycare, and schools
• Diverse cultural and recreational facilities
• Infrastructure standards; electricity, water, sewer, roadways, sidewalks, and telecommunications.

What can you expect from me?

• Honesty, fairness and kindness as benchmarks for representing you
• Clear and consistent communication, and a willingness to listen to your concerns
• My best effort on behalf of our community and its citizens.

With your support at the polls, I will be FULLY ENGAGED.