The leaders of Pictou County’s six municipalities gathered in New Glasgow Thursday to collectively launch a campaign in reaction to last year’s rating from MoneySense which pegged the community as the worst place in Canada to live out of 190 cities and communities compared.
Inspired by the movie Miracle on 34th Street, New Glasgow Communications Director Kim Dickson came up with the idea of sending postcards to the managing editor of MoneySense with notes from people in the community saying why it is such a great place to work and live. The local UPS store donated 500 postcards for the campaign.
“We just thought it was a good idea,” said UPS store owner Milton Gallant. “It’s all about community.”
The postcard features a sunset photo of Melmerby Beach and inset photos intended to show the strengths of the area. On the back of the card is a checklist of numerous positive features about the region.
The MoneySense magazine categorized New Glasgow as part of a census agglomerate at 36,288. The area covered includes New Glasgow, Stellarton, Trenton, Westville, Merigomish Harbour, Fisher’s Grant, Pictou Subdivision C and Pictou Subdivision B – which means Pictou and parts of the county. In the same listing, Ottawa ranked no. 1 and Halifax was ranked 4th.
Although MoneySense only lists it as New Glasgow, the town has argued that it is actually referring to a broader area which is why the other towns were asked to take part.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce this collective promotional campaign by the six municipalities of Pictou County,” New Glasgow Mayor Barrie MacMillan said during a press conference Thursday at New Glasgow town chambers. “We have united forces with our community and media partners as well as our member of parliament to tell the nation the true story about life in the New Glasgow census agglomerate area and more accurately in the communities of Pictou County. I greatly appreciate the willingness of our sister towns and the county to step up to the plate and explain that we are a family of communities and that we share and celebrate in each other’s accomplishments and work together to address our challenges.”
Warden Ron Baillie, who chairs the mayors and warden meetings in Pictou County, also expressed his support.
“Today is an opportunity to tell the story of Pictou County and its family of communities to MoneySense magazine and also further afield,” Baillie said. “Our region is positioned for a promising future, built on the strong foundations of our history and heritage.”
Postcards can be filled out at the town of New Glasgow or at The News office, ECFM or The Advocate. They will be given back to the town and then mailed to MoneySense.
I believe the savings are 1.5 million a year; but I'm still looking for the reference to that figure. You're bang on though....amalgamation is the first step.