Mel Norton - Latest Comments

Re: Gratitude Rocks « Mel Norton

tarsands suck — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 17:42:14 -0000

Informed citizens are grateful that the movement against EnergyLeast is growing every day. Informed citizens are grateful that facts are trumping industry misinformation and the falsehoods cascaded by their political pets. Informed citizens are grateful that community propaganda sessions held by TransCanada have been confronted at every turn by passionate and appropriate resistance to an army of smooth-talking travelling salesmen who desperately try to win over the locals by arguing that corporate profit margins are somehow more important than the enormous risk their project poses. Informed citizens are grateful that thousands of Canadians have joined together to sign petitions urging that climate and climate change be included in the review of EnergyLeast. Informed citizens are grateful that dozens of rallies have been held across the country, with thousands of Canadians taking part, helping to expose the folly of a tar sands pipeline to the east coast. Informed citizens are grateful that even when local elected officials transform themselves into tar sands shills, that city council members are vastly outnumbered when it comes to the mountain of peer-reviewed data showing the pressing need to keep unconventional fossil fuels in the ground. Informed citizens are grateful that they have allies who wisely oppose Saint John’s role in aiding and abetting the tripling of the tar sands, including the
scientific community, First Nations, unions, religious groups, families of all
backgrounds, and of course environmentally concerned Canadians. Informed
citizens are grateful that, at the present, the EnergyLeast project has not yet
violated New Brunswick, so for the time being there are no Kalamazoo,
Michigan-sized tar spills requiring over a billion dollars or several years (and counting) to clean up. Informed citizens are grateful that when New Brunswick’s politicians toasted the arrival in Fredericton of Alison Redford and the accompanying EnergyLeast scheme, that she was ultimately discovered to be as
corrupt as the project itself. Informed citizens are grateful that a wide array
of important voices will be shared, expressed, and made heard over the coming
months and years, no matter how strongly the fossil-fuel owned print
publications try to propagate EnergyLeast. Informed citizens are grateful for
clean air (outside of Saint John), forest biodiversity (at least, before Irving’s latest closed-door scheme goes into effect) and waterways that are not yet marred by guaranteed-to-spill, bitumen-pumping pipelines. Informed citizens are grateful that environmentally-conscious candidates are making headway in the province, while unconventional fossil fuel cheerleaders finally lose their undemocratic, industry-owned strangleholds of power. Informed citizens are grateful that the communities of Kitimat, BC and South Portland, Maine have come out strongly against turning into final destination stops for tar sands pipelines. And informed citizens confidently expect – with the help of municipal leaders - that Saint John will soon be sharing that same sense of profound gratitude.

Re: Big wins through collaboration

Judith — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 15:18:19 -0000

Omega98 - I share your frustration over potholes as well, as we (not just Saint John but all Canadian Cities) are all inflected by them. However, potholes can't possibly be fixed in the middle of winter. Every city in Canada is suffering from bad roads/potholes at present, due to extreme weather conditions. It isn't just Saint John, New Brunswick. And, it isn't personal. Trying to fix potholes in the middle of March, as far as I know is impossible. Perhaps you know of a solution that others aren't aware of?

Re: Big wins through collaboration

Omega98 — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 14:39:43 -0000

Can we please come up with a collaboration to fix the roads. This is not some "individual " complaining, these potholes are costing citizens 1000's of dollars. This is not a little problem and deserves your attention.

Re: A Focus on the Big Challenges: Team Building & Restoring Trust

Jeff Keith — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 09:30:27 -0000

Great Update Mel - Appreciate the team and also your efforts ..

Re: A Focus on the Big Challenges: Team Building & Restoring Trust

Hup Clark — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:19:31 -0000

Accountability and solutions to our current issues are paramount to achieving the goals we all want for Saint John. Change takes time and a mind set to make it happen. As difficult as it is to wait we the citizens must wait and give Mel and the current council time and support to affect the needed changes within the city and within city hall. I applaud your efforts to date, please keep your eye on the ball and head for the end zone.

Re: A Focus on the Big Challenges: Team Building & Restoring Trust

Cory Ducey — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:17:08 -0000

So far I like what I hear. I hope that we can all get it together and make this work. Most work and direction (the right one) I have seen from a council in years.

Re: A Focus on the Big Challenges: Team Building & Restoring Trust

Roger Ringuette — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 08:23:00 -0000

Sounds good! Can we plan some citizen initiatives with city co-operation (eg. clean-up days, gardening, etc.) so that we, the constituents, can feel involved in the process of getting our city back in order?

Re: A Focus on the Big Challenges: Team Building, Restoring Relationships & Changing the Coffee Conversations

Greg Hemmings — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:14:11 -0000

Mel, thanks for being the lead of a great council and tang action on your election platforms. We are all excited to see what the "new" Saint John becomes!

Re: Change Begins With a Thank You

John Elliot — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:20:43 -0000

Well said Mel. I
didn't have the opportunity to speak to you Monday night but what a moving
evening it was for "us". But to have your brother on Council and for
your father to have delivered the invocation at the swearing-in ceremony; I can
only imagine how proud you and, your family must be.

Re: Change Begins With a Thank You

Lynda Collrin — Tue, 29 May 2012 22:31:26 -0000

I would like to say how much I appreciate this message and believe that our city now has a chance for change. Here's to new beginnings and to say I am proud to live and work in Saint John. It's time we took pride in our city and work together for its future.

Re: Changing How We Do Things

Sandra D — Sat, 12 May 2012 23:37:41 -0000

Good luck on Monday, Mel.

Re: Changing How We Do Things

Kelly Lawson — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:29:09 -0000

Strong, assertive and sensible. Mel, you give me hope that our city will finally reach it's potential. You are the leader we have been waiting for to take our community to new heights. I know this because I have seen how you can make it happen. You are a man of your word and the hope you instil is truthful and sincere. I couldn't possibly imagine my vote going anywhere else. Thank you for making this decision so easy.

Re: Changing How We Do Things

@jeffroach — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:18:25 -0000

#votesj There is no prize for Saint John's next Mayor and Councillors besides the reward of transforming our city for the better or the disappointment of more-of-the-same. We won't love you for winning on Monday but we sure might if you make life better for us over the next four years.

For those who know we have hit a wall and can't accommodate any more of the same, we need to choose representatives on Council who we believe to be most capable of putting an end to the "us vs. them" mindset sometimes found in City Hall culture and able to encourage cooperation, public service, constructive activism, and entrepreneurship so we become a city of builders (again).

This is a good man with many supporters who find him easy to know, trustworthy, respectful, a fantastic listener and supporter, and motivated by an obsession to make our community prosperous and more supportive for all.

There is a lot of work ahead for whoever sits on the next Council for this city in this do-or-die moment. No one who isn't ready to stand true to the words in this post would offer themselves for leadership.

Vote for this guy on Monday with optimism. We haven't seen a candidate like this, at the prime of their career, so appropriately suited to lead our city in my lifetime. This is a great opportunity to make the change we need.

Re: Changing How We Do Things

Roger Joseph Landry — Sat, 12 May 2012 19:43:59 -0000

I hear a lot but if you get in I will be watching to see if the words have any actions behind them. You certainly cannot do worse then what we have had to put up with but don't let that make you complaisant.

Re: Changing How We Do Things

Cory Ducey — Sat, 12 May 2012 18:10:16 -0000

As you read this...it's the same ol song...but this writer may actually mean it. I'm willing to cast my vote for this guy...are you?

Re: Norton Says He Wants to Build Bridges

Audrey Guptill Foster — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:54:58 -0000

I believe Mel will be our new mayor..Only way to go is up! Saint John sure needs some innovative thinking.It is such a great city

Re: Mel Norton’s Position on Water Ownership

Get_Best_Value_for_the_Money — Wed, 02 May 2012 00:20:41 -0000

Mel,
Totally agree on water being owned by the City but the infrastructure to treat it needs to be built. It doesn't exist. There is too much misinformation about our water treatment needs and what exists now.
A new water plant needs to be financed and Saint John does not have its share of the money if we are fortunate enough to get the senior levels of governent to cost share with us.
The P3 option must be looked at to get Federal cost sharing. Operating a water filtration plant would be entirely new to existing city workers so new employees would need to be hired. Why close the door to the the private sector if they can provide the skilled Operators needed and can do the job cheaper.

Re: Answers to An Engaged Citizen

@jeffroach — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 06:58:09 -0000

Grow the population! Nothing would do more for business uptown than that.

Re: Answers to An Engaged Citizen

Dorothy Sudsbear — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:17:56 -0000

How would you improve business growth in Uptown area?

Re: Answers to An Engaged Citizen

Kevin Goggan — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:23:56 -0000

Mel's answer to #7 regarding Ward 4 shows a real appreciation of the diversity of neighbourhoods, and their issues, in Saint John. All the best.

Re: Answers to An Engaged Citizen

Colin Parewick — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:28:35 -0000

At this time, without overpromising and without revealing your hand completely, these are honest, straightforward answers, Mel.

Re: Saint John Will Lead

SouthendGuy — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 10:41:58 -0000

Now that the metal shedder is operational on the west sideit is very apparent that the noise and air pollution blowing in from the prevailing winds to the south central area is going to be a HUGH problem. I could taste metal in my mouth. There should be a WAR about letting that operate there. And anyone who bought one of those new condos has bought into something that may be unsellable. Unbeleivable.

Re: Saint John Will Lead

Sharalyn100 — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:48:25 -0000

Saint John needs recycling pick up similar to Fredericton and Moncton. More people would recycle which would dramatically reduce the waste found in our landfills and ocean.