Monday, November 4, 2024

Warden Pitts to seek re-election in District 6

  • May 22 2024
  • By Helen Murphy    

GUYSBOROUGH — Warden Vernon Pitts plans to seek re-election in District 6 (Lundy, Larry’s River, New Harbour, Tor Bay, Charlos Cove) of the Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG) this fall. He told The Journal he decided to pursue a “final term” after receiving support from his wife, Shirley; other family members; friends and colleagues.

Pitts noted in a statement that “one more term will allow me to be part of the team that helps to complete the transition of our municipality, from a fossil [fuel] producer to the leading renewable energy producing municipality in Nova Scotia.”

With major wind energy plans taking shape in the municipality, including those connected to ambitious green energy projects proposed for the Strait region, along with other industrial projects, MODG is poised to be on “very sound financial footing” in the years ahead, said Pitts during an interview with The Journal.

With the potential for significant revenues for municipal coffers from royalties and commercial taxes from these industrial projects, Pitts said he would like to see more money spent “on development and infrastructure” in the years ahead. And top of his wish list is a new building to house the Acadian school in Larry’s River.

When announcing the new school a year ago, the province and the Acadian school board – Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) – said modular classrooms would be installed next to the community centre in Larry’s River to create the school. Staff and students are able to access the centre’s meeting rooms, kitchen and playground.

“CSAP will work with the community on a long-term infrastructure solution,” the province said in a release at the time.

Pitts said he would like to see the municipality partner in making a new building for the nascent school, called École Belle-Baie, a reality, along with a new Acadian cultural centre.

He said he also wants to work to keep taxes low, ensure the municipality continues to help those most in need through contributions to the food bank and other service organizations, support local fire departments and other volunteer organizations, and advocate for the fishery.

“I want to ensure the proponents for offshore wind keep working with fishers,” he said, adding that roads would be another area of focus.

“Recently, I have been meeting fairly regularly with our MLA [Greg Morrow], and roads through our district are a major issue,” he said in his statement. “Our MLA is committed to help us out and I will work with him on an ongoing basis to get the road improvements we all so badly need.”

Pitts was first elected to council in 1994 and became warden in 2013, after serving as deputy warden. He has been active with the Larry’s River & District Volunteer Fire Department, where he was certified as a medical first responder and level 1 firefighter and search & rescue.

Municipal elections will take place on Oct. 19, 2024.

The warden for MODG is chosen by council following municipal elections.