STELLARTON - Stellarton council does not appear eager to buy into an inter-municipal partnership to promote healthy lifestyles in Pictou County.
It would cost the town $3,333 to enter into the Active Pictou County partnership this year. The goal of this partnership is to hire one person who would act as a kind of county-wide ambassador for healthy living and physical activity.
The job, if created, would last five years.
The town's recreation director, Paul Corbin gave a summary of the position Monday evening, but council puzzled why such role couldn't be fulfilled by its existing recreation department.
"A lot of this is the responsibility of the recreation director. I can't see - the hiring of a new person at this substantial cost, which would no doubt increase," said Coun. George Megeney.
"Why would we hire somebody else to go out and do your job, when we're paying you to do your job?"
Coun. Denise Taylor also inquired why the job couldn't be fulfilled with existing resources.
"I thought (recreation departments) worked together to establish these common goals," said Coun. Denise Taylor. "I don't understand why, all of a sudden, we need somebody else."
The Active Pictou County partnership itself took form several years ago through the efforts of recreation departments in each of the county's municipalities.
"What we have seen is the activity levels and the health levels of Pictou County gradually going way down, which is unfortunate," Corbin said.
"What we've come to after extensive study and research was that these strategies need to happen to make this county healthier and thriving."
Should it be created, the position would be funded equally by each of the participating municipalities and bolstered by a $45,000 contribution by the Department of Health Promotion and Protection.
Corbin noted that the $65,000 annual price tag would cover salary as well as program-related costs.
Stellarton not keen on spending for healthy lifestyle position
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Comments
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- stellarton resident
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:38:56
u want almalgmation? i sure dont look at the deal westville and new glasgow had. there sheared services did not go according to plan the police service has already backed out and on there own again, and the only reasion that public works did not back out yet is because they cant afford to. everytime westville has a problem with either a watermain break, pot holes, sewer problems.......whos theres doing the works is both new glasgow and westville employess, but what you dont know is that the town has to pay to have new glasgow's employees and equipment there. you all know this if you read every article in that papers, that and i used to be a resident of westville till the did that wonderful merger.....thats when i left. so i do agree with yah in that town council does hold back on alot of things but not everyone wants amalgamation, i think coucil is doing an OK JOB for now,
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- Per Empting
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:29:08
OH we should all join together as towns so we can cut expenses like Hiring People we do not need.
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- Gravy Train
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:28:11
This so called partnership seems to be another pork position created, this time, by Pat Dunn as he is the new minister of that dept. Who wants to bet that this position will be filled by someone close to Dunn or at least a card carrying Tory.
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- Mike from reality
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:23:57
Council is right on this one. Why are there 5 rec directors in Pictou County already?????
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- Healthy Living Advocate
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:04:06
My comment is so now what?
Is the town of Stellarton going to use this $3, 333 they are saving to improve the lives of the citizens in the town? Will they be as efficient at adding extra programs for healthier lifestyles as a person who was hired to do this job?
Pot holes are a problem, however, is protecting the working conditions of our cars more important than protecting our health and promoting a healthy active lifestyle to our children? Ponder this question next time you see a preventable health issue. -
- County resident
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:51:18
The children today are drilled that physical activity and healthy eating habits are vital in living a healthy lifestyle. Maybe some of them just need a little encouragement from others such as their parents.
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- john
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:50:10
I think the town council of NG should sit in on and take notes from the Stellarton town council,how in the hell can we afford to hire three more bureaucrats when the streets are full of pot holes and the traffic lights do not work to control traffic only to impede.
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- Al
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:30:30
If people have become too lazy, stupid or both to know that a body to stay healthy must be properly cared for throughout every stage of life, including exercise. then we have truly become a pampered and dopey citizenry!
Here is a great formula for staying fit.
It is spelled W-O-R-K.
And it actually produces something, not just blow off steam. -
- Spidemen
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:11:36
I can think of a million and one things that need to be done before we throw a few thousand dollars on a fitness program and god knows what on hiring someone to coordinate it.
Make our down town a little less revolting to the eyes?
Fix that MONSTER pothole on Foord street before the lights on the corner of Bridge Ave.
LOL What a joke ... -
- Healthy Living Advocate
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:01:52
My comment is so now what?
Is the town of Stellarton going to use this $3, 333 they are saving to improve the lives of the citizens in the town? Will they be as efficient at adding extra programs for healthier lifestyles as a person who was hired to do this job?
Pot holes are a problem, however, is protecting the working conditions of our cars more important than protecting our health and promoting a healthy active lifestyle to our children? Ponder this question next time you see a preventable health issue. -
- PictouCountyRes
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:00:13
This is just Stellarton yet again wanting to be different!! This is the town that is holding almagimation back, and also progress, and everything in Pictou County Back. Thanks Stellarton for always being different!!
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- SMac
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:50:47
I for one think that physical activity is an important issue. The children today are not expected to live as long as their parents. That is a scary fact. I also know that in other areas a active living coordinator has been a great addition to the recreation teams. A few thousand dollars is not a large price to invest in the our future lifestyles. Healthier people equals less visits to the doctor, more time at work or school, and overall wellbeing will be improved.
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- Westside Boy
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:40:07
Good for you Stellarton showing fiscal responsibility unlike my lovely town of New glasgow who keeps adding to it's already bloated staff. Me I'll just sit on my couch smoking cigarettes enjoying a cold beer watching the snow fall.
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- see
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:35:28
Why should the towns pay for a provincial responsibility. Healthier people mean less pressure on the health care system equals savings to the provincial budget.
