Two candidates vie for votes
in Bedford byelection

April 10, 2008 : The Bedford Sackville Weekly News - Yvette d'Entremont

Matthew Christie's bid to become Bedford's next municipal councillor is focused on the need for change.

Christie and his father, former Bedford MLA Peter Christie, spearheaded the Bedford Community Council Association earlier this year to lobby for change in the community. He hopes to establish a volunteer advisory board to share in community facility and planning decisions.

"We're looking at the fact the needs of Bedford residents are being overlooked," Christie said. "We used to have 10,000 people and a mayor and six councillors. That's seven people trying to push us forward. Now we have one councillor and 20,000 people."

As he knocks on doors, Christie said the message he's hearing loud and clear is that residents are frustrated by the lack of recreational facilities in their community, despite Bedford's increasing population and $1.8 billion tax base.

"Everyone is very upset that they're driving to Tantallon and all over for recreation. The rinks are a big thing in the winter, but there are many other issues," he said. "We may have the (outdoor) Lions Pool, but we need a year round indoor pool.

Even if our schools are in good shape, the fields are not. We don't want kids to have to leave Bedford to be part of an active, healthy society."

Another issue Christie wants addressed is the lack of meeting facilities in the community.

"We have a population of 20,000 people now and it's just not right that we don't have a basic meeting hall," he said.

Christie said one of his short-term goals would be to regain control of the old Bedford Highway Fire Hall to develop it as a community centre, councillor's office and possibly a temporary Access Nova Scotia site.

"We have to find a short term solution as opposed to not doing anything," he said.

Although Christie believes it would be unrealistic to say Bedford should pull out of HRM, he does want to ensure Bedford has more of a say in how the community is being developed.

"In a perfect world, I'd love to go back to Bedford being a town again, but it would be a lot of work, the provincial government would be involved, and it's not the most realistic short-term goal," he said. "But we need more representatives through something like a service commission model or a ratepayers association. We bring 'X' amount of dollars to the table and we need a rink, better roads, walkway lights and other services."

Christie invites Bedford residents to visit his website at www.matthewchristieonline.com for more information about his council bid.

"I'm not my father, I'm not a professional politician," Christie said. "What I bring to the table is youth and energy and a sense of hope and community spirit."

Before discussing why he's running in the upcoming Bedford municipal by-election, Tim Outhit insists he wants to make two points clear.

He greatly respected former Coun. Gary Martin, with whom he worked closely as president of the Ridgevale Homeowners Association.

"He was very helpful with me for everything from policing and everyday issues and I'm so sorry that he's gone," he said.

Martin represented Bedford for 18 months before losing his battle with cancer in February.

Outhit also tips his hat in respect to the Christie family and Matthew Christie, his opponent for the council seat.

"But I am the person who's saying I really believe we need new leadership, new ideas and a new attitude about how we will move forward," Outhit said. "We all miss things about old Bedford, but on the doorsteps people are focusing not so much on governance but on seeing some movement on the bypass, ferries, rinks, and recreational facilities."

In addition to representing the needs of Bedford residents on issues ranging from the need for better transportation to recreation and community meeting facilities, Outhit believes it's also important for councillors to work toward a more united HRM and a stronger region.

"We have to start working together and we have to start trying to work towards improving the region as a whole," he said.

Organizations focused on growing the economy, improving culture and combating demographic challenges are close to his heart. In addition to initiatives like the Atlantic Gateway and the Moncton-Halifax Corridor, Outhit supports the objectives of groups like the Greater Halifax Partnership, Envision Halifax and the Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association.

He's also passionate about creating innovative partnerships to ensure projects come to fruition.

"While Bedford is obviously the priority to me, we also have to start thinking as a region. We need to get things like concerts here and a convention centre expansion," he said. "We need to start thinking about the big picture for all of us, not just about what's going on around the few square kilometres we represent."

Although he doesn't believe Bedford needs to be pulled out of amalgamation, Outhit said there are issues that need to be addressed to make Bedford an even more desirable place to live.

"I will represent the needs of Bedford with regards to things like facilities, the bypass, better transportation, and proactive policing," he said.

Outhit encourages Bedford residents to learn more about him and to submit questions and suggestions via his website, www.bedfordleader.com.