The first of a minimum 10 day public hearing on the future of the city’s annexation proposal began today.
Legal representation for both sides began the morning with opening statements, including the county’s, which insisted that the city’s annexation proposal, if approved, will change the way all future annexation proceedings happen in the province.
Mayor Bill Given says that is just what they are trying to do.
“If rural municipalities are going to develop urban centres, essentially cities and towns as the county is doing in the Clairmont area, then urban municipalities should have some right to compete on an equitable basis for the type of development that typically happens in rural areas.”
The Municipal Government Board will hear from a number of witnesses from both sides of the fence over the next week and a half.
County CAO Bill Rogan says opportunities have also been provided over the next two weeks for the public to voice their concerns.
“To the credit of the board they’ve given some evenings, to address work hours and those sorts of things, so we’re hoping to hear a lot of the residents concerns this week and certainly into early next week.”
Four separate times have been set aside. The first is today starting at 1 pm. Three more are scheduled for October 30, November 3, and November 4, all starting at 6 pm at the Stonebridge Hotel.