Why mess with a good thing right?

I received this email from two of my colleagues/friends on Friday, February 26, 2010.....

"I am sending this as a rally cry to SAVE OUR RCMP in TANTALLON, SACKVILLE and COLE HARBOUR!!!!

Good afternoon- Please take a moment to read and if you feel this is something you feel strongly about- like me, voice your concern. In addition to you- I have copied my local councillor Peter Lund in hopes he too, supports the decision to KEEP THE RCMP in our communities.

Did you know that we, members of the community of TANTALLON -as well as SACKVILLE AND COLE HARBOUR- stand to lose our RCMP officers & families?!?! I had heard rumblings of this but did not realize that this is a timely matter- a recommendation has been made and city councillors will be VOTING this MONDAY, MARCH 1ST!!!

There's a potential for over 200 RCMP families to be displaced- REMOVED- from the communities they live and work in! These Officers share their PRESENCE, INTEGRITY, STRENGTH and PROFESSIONALISM they exude in every aspect of their job serving OUR COMMUNITY in law enforcement. They are visible in our Elementary, Junior and Senior high schools, at community events, sporting events and on a day to day basis patrolling our highways- they are our neighbours, parent of our children's school mate, friends and to me- the pinnacle in law enforcement in Tantallon.

PLEASE- send this to everyone you know in the District 23 (Hammonds Plains-St Margaret's) and have them call or e-mail our HRM Councillor PETER LUND at 497 7508 or e-mail: peter.lund@halifax.ca and voice your support and concern!!

SACKVILLE: http://www.halifax.ca/districts/dist20/dist20.html#profile
COLE HARBOUR: http://www.halifax.ca/districts/dist04/dist04.html#profile

For more info see today's Chronicle Herald: http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1169453.html or http://thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1169546.html

Thanks for taking the time to read this e-mail ! "

Shortly after receiving that email, I decided I'd email Councillor Lund to ask about the situation. I said, "I this story this true? This would be devastating to our communities! As a REALTOR(R), I know how many RCMP officers are in our subdivisions. They are important to our feeling of community and safety. I do hope that you will support our communities - we need our resources - and the RCMP police is integral part of "us.""

Coun. Lund responded very quickly to my email by saying, "I don't know what the recommendation will be on Monday, as we Councillors are being kept in the dark. As I have been telling folks past two days, there is no way I am accepting having Halifax Police take over from RCMP, regardless of cost. RCMP are too important to our rural community, and are integral to the community. In fact I called Herald and CBC today to see if they want to quote me on this because I want people here to know my position. I intend to be very vocal on this."

March 1, 2010

HRM was behind closed doors today to discuss the status of the outlying RCMP detachments vs the HRM City police force. It has been rumoured that Halifax Municipal Government was looking at moving the RCMP out and replacing them with "City Police." Of course, this has caused an uproar with the people living in the outlying areas of Hammonds Plains-St. Margaret's Bay, Fall River/Waverly/Beaverbank, Tantallon, Sackville, Cole Harbour....

The Chronicle Herald today stated "Halifax Regional councillors have voted to keep their discussions on a consultant's report on the future of policing behind closed doors."

Peter Lund, Councillor for Hammonds Plains-St. Margaret's Bay was noted to say today before the meeting “We're not talking about personnel. We're talking about the RCMP, and Halifax Regional Police, and it shouldn't be in camera.” Meaning of course - it should be open for the public! Thank you Coun. Lund to standing by your words from your email to me on Feb 26, 2010!

The Halifax News Nets stated, "Two more HRM city councillors have added their voices to those opposed to a possible changing in policing in the city. Council today will hear, in camera, a recommendation from its police commission to replace the RCMP in HRM with city police. Steve Streatch and Barry Dalrymple have already made it clear they're against the move. Hammonds Plains-St Margaret's councillor Peter Lund and Cole Harbour councillor Lorelei Nicoll have joined with them to fight the move. Their four districts are covered by the RCMP. They're also calling for public discussions on the matter. Right now it appears council intends to keep this matter behind closed doors and out of the public forum. For shame!"

I have to wonder, what does the HRM Council have to hide? Why the closed doors? Are they ashamed of what they are about to do? I believe in democracy - and I believe in transparency and accountability. Open the doors to the public Council!  Why change something that isn't broken? Isn't our present system working just fine? This should be an interesting debate to follow.

Paulette - Concerned Citizen of Maplewood on the Lakes Subdivision, Hammonds Plains, Century 21