Billy Joe MacLean still pushing for municipal amalgamation in Strait

Port HawkesburyMayor Billy Joe MacLean is hoping his neighbouring municipalities will entertain a discussion about amalgamation.

His council invited two officials from the Department of Municipal Affairs to speak on the issue at its regular council meeting this week.

MacLean has long been a proponent of amalgamation in the Strait Area, arguing it would save moneyand allow for better planningand marketing within the region.

He proposed holding talks on the idea at a meeting of Strait Area mayors and wardens in December, but he says the idea was soundly rejected.

He sayswhile Port Hawkesbury lacks a "dance partner" at the moment, his council wants to be informed should apartner step up in the future. That'swhy it requested the presentation from the Municipal Affairs Department.

"I think we have a responsibility as representatives of the people to find out, 'What is amalgamation all about?,''What is the deal if it did happen?,'and the same with exchange of services and dissolution," he said.

Planning for future

However, MacLean sayswhile his council follows his thinking, there's no urgency for amalgamation in Port Hawkesbury's case.

"Springhill and places like that, there was a lot of financial problems and they had to come forward." he said. "Mulgrave was in the same boat.Canso was in the same boat.We're not in that boat in Port Hawkesbury, but down the road it may happen."

MacLean is hoping to get some help, in the short term, from Municipal Affairs.

"I think they may be considering talking to the other municipalities to just test to see what the attitude is," he said."I'd be hoping that would happen."

For now, he says his council will pursue discussions on sharing services with its neighbours.