I support any and all efforts to have the gravel roads and the paved roads in this community made safer.  It’s time we were taken care of.  E-mails have been sent to DOT and John MacDonell, MLA, regarding the paved roads and gravel roads from myself as well as concerned residents.  Add your voice for a quicker solution.  Some of the intersections are not safe and as our population continues to grow, so do the dangers of exiting and entering Etter Road. 

     It has been suggested that the speed along the Highway #1 from the Irving to the shale pit be reduced to at least 70 KM/HR.  The speed limit through Lakelands is 70 KM/HR due to the residential make-up of the area, however, the area of the same highway between the Irving and the shale pit has many homes as well as businesses, not to mention the Uniacke Business Park which has larger, slower vehicles entering and exiting. 

     In the summertime, the increased traffic at Withrow’s makes it more dangerous.  All of this makes for one dangerous stretch of highway.

     As well, residents have requested, and are still requesting, that a flashing amber light/red light be installed by the STOP sign and the Irving.  Not enough accidents/deaths have occurred at that intersection to warrant the installation of this light as per DOT.  That is akin to the old saying, “closing the barn door after the horse has gone”.   We need to address that intersection before there are more serious accidents.

     Many people continue to use the Business Park for their daily walks and the complaints are coming in about some of the activities on some of the lots. 

    Illegal dumping is taking place and we urge all residents who either see the culprits in action or happen upon the garbage left behind to please report it to the Municipality and/or the two Mount Uniacke councilors.  You are our eyes and ears and we appreciate the concern and the participation of all residents to keep us informed.

     The mailboxes in our community are slowly being upgraded with newer, safer models.  As per the Canada Post rep: “Official delivery to the new boxes recently installed at the Uniacke Pizza location will begin on March 22.  These boxes will eventually be mounted on steel legs and a cement pad once the ground settles down a little after the spring thaw.

    The Uniacke Mines Road will soon have new mailboxes installed as soon as DOT gives the nod.  There will be a new culvert installed to accommodate these new boxes as they will be moved back from the road to afford more room and a more stable footing. 

     The new mailboxes are larger and can accommodate more residents than the old boxes do and it will be more convenient for a lot of homeowners as the new boxes are put into service.

     A new module will be added to the group of boxes at the Mill Road in order to accommodate more residents, effective March 22.

     Once the site on Beamish Road goes in, several people will move from the Uniacke Pizza CMBs to the much closer Beamish Road site.”

    The Canada Post rep is waiting to hear back from residents of Long Lake in order to finalize the positioning of that new box.

     In this Newsletter there is a letter to the community from Kent Harris regarding an ice rink.  I urge all residents to attend the upcoming meeting on Tuesday, May 11, 7-9 PM at Uniacke Legion to hear the proposal for a rink for our community. 

     There are a lot of different initiatives on the go for our community and we require the support of ALL residents so that our community can grow and prosper with the rest of East Hants and the province.

     Our community’s residents are hardworking, caring people and this rink/community centre concept has been a dream of many people for many years and I urge everyone, young and old, to attend the meeting, hear the thoughts and plans and add your support to this very worthwhile project.

     This is a dedicated group of parents who are “in it for the long haul” and who will require your input and your support to make it easier on their journey to success.

                                         Rosanne Bland, Councilor,

                         District 12, Mount Uniacke