I remember when the only way to get a skateboard was to order it through thrasher magazine, transworld skateboardsing or drive to Halifax and go to Pro Skates. I used to go to the post office in Hebron and wait for my new skate deck to arrive, or my new pair of vans that I had ordered. I would often have my old wheels and barrings, trucks and grip tape all ready for the new board to arrive. I would get dropped off in town and just start skating. You would always meet another skater and you would just start skating together. Behind the YMCA, the bank at the junior high shcool, the bank at the royal bank and for some reason we always liked to skate at a place we used to call the sushi banks. Skating with your friends and hanging out (Not getting in trouble or looking for it) is a big part of skating. I look back with great memories of my youth and skating. I am so glad that our town will now have a new skate park and a place to call home for all the old and of course new skaters. Radical!

Lately I have been asked by many, "Who is running in this municipal election?" It seems everyone is trying to guess who is running for what council seats and who is running for the mayor's seat. I've had many people ask if I am running again for my council seat and who I've heard is running? I sometimes share what I have heard but always qualify it with the simple statement. You'll know who's truly running for council or mayor when that person officially signs up sometime in August 2012 and pays their potentially non-refundable fee of $250.00 as well as their taxes.

This may even require, as in my case, a potential candidate to pay for your taxes before they are actually due. Not even a tax arrears agreement will save you from having to pay your taxes in full at the time of your application. The terms of one running for office require that you are:  A. in good standing with the municipality, (Taxes paid in full before you will be allowed to offer for a council seat) B. a resident in the district you are running in (at least 3 month prior to application) C. a Canadian D. 18 years of age.

Being a municipal councillor is challenging at times because you are often faced with no win situations. You are often faced to make decisions that will most likely anger or at best disappoint some group of residents. If you do decide to run realize that you will disappoint some, please others and never be able to please everyone. However, as a wise man once said, "You have enemies? Good. That mean's you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."