For Release Thursday, Nov. 7 -  Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM) has a new president.

Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood was elected by members in an uncontested race during NSFM’s annual conference and AGM at the Westin Halifax Hotel. Mood, a municipal politician since 2012, was vice president of NSFM’s board last year.

She credited outgoing President Waye Mason, a Halifax councillor, for being the strong driving force behind several initiatives at NSFM.

“I can promise that the forward movement is not going to slow down at all,” she told hundreds of members during her standing-ovation speech. “I’m committed to pushing forward and working with the government.”

Mood paid tribute to her grandfather, Fred Emin, for leading by example and encouraging her to get involved in municipal politics. Emin was mayor of the Town of Yarmouth for almost a quarter century and was president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities, the precursor to NSFM, in 1971-72.

NSFM represents the provincial interests of all 50 municipalities in the province and the 379 mayors, wardens and councilors who govern them.

On Wednesday during the conference, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Chuck Porter announced the government’s support for an all-party committee to review the property assessment CAP. An all-party committee recognizes what NSFM has been saying for years, that a solution to the CAP is needed now, says NSFM CEO Juanita Spencer.

NSFM’s strong board, made up of regional representation from across Nova Scotia, played a role in keeping municipal issues front and centre, Spencer said. “And I know it’s going to be another transformational year under Mayor Pam Mood’s leadership and the momentum we have going will continue.”

Emily Lutz, the deputy mayor of Kings County, was elected vice president of NSFM. In addition to Mood (president), Lutz (vice president) and Mason (past president), other members of the board elected at the conference include:

Regional Caucus Chair: Councillor Clarence Prince, CBRM
Rural Caucus Chair: Deputy Mayor Geoff Stewart, County of Colchester
Towns Caucus Chair: Mayor Brenda Chishom-Beaton, Town of Port Hawkesbury
Regional Rep: Councillor Russell Walker, HRM
Regional Rep: Councillor George MacDonald, CBRM
Rural Rep: Warden Jim Smith, District of East Hants
Rural Rep: Councillor Patti Durkee, District of Yarmouth
Towns Rep: Mayor Jeff Cantwell, Town of Wolfville
Towns Rep: Deputy Mayor Lennie White, Town of Westville
AMA Rep: Alain Muise, CAO District of Argyle

About the NSFM

The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM) has been the collective voice for municipal governments across the province since 1906. With 379 members comprised of Mayors, Wardens and councillors, NSFM represents the interests of municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within provincial jurisdiction. Members include all 50 of Nova Scotia's municipalities. Learn more by visiting their website: https://www.nsfm.ca/index.php

For more information, contact:

Amy Pugsley Fraser | Communications Advisor
NOVA SCOTIA FEDERATION OF MUNICIPALITIES

c +1.902.483.1194
t +1.902.423.8331

As Remembrance Day approaches, the Town of Yarmouth has been busy doing its part to reach the goal of planting 1.1 Million Tulips honouring 1.1 Million Canadians who served during the Second World War.

As the winter months get closer, plans are underway for another round of "Meal-a-Day for 100 Days". 

This morning at Town Hall, members from three local Royal Canadian Legion branches were on hand to receive some Liberation75 tulip bulbs for planting. 

Last month, Yarmouth hosted "Blooms by the Sea", the 2019 Communities in Bloom National Symposium and Awards. The event was a smashing success, and a highlight moment took place when the Town was gifted with 5,000 tulip bulbs as part of the "Liberation75 Commemorative Planting Campaign". This important campaign celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands. The goal is to cover the country in 1.1 Million Liberation75 Tulips in honour of the 1.1 million Canadians who served during the Second World War.

This morning at Town Hall, members from three local Royal Canadian Legion branches were on hand to receive some of these bulbs for planting. Town Councillor and Communities in Bloom Chair Wade Cleveland presented 100 bulbs each to the Yarmouth Legion (Branch 61), the Wedgeport Legion (Branch 155), and the West Pubnico Legion (Branch 66).

In an effort to ensure the Town of Yarmouth does its part in reaching the Liberation75 goal, all 5,000 bulbs will be planted in town or given to local legions, schools, and the Veteran's Place Seniors residence at the Yarmouth Hospital.

For more information on Liberation75 and to order your bulbs, visit: https://liberation75.ca/

The Town of Yarmouth held a reception at Town Hall on Wednesday evening to thank volunteer firefighters and the employers who graciously allow them time to serve.

The Town of Yarmouth has installed an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at Town Hall reception.