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A Message to my Constituents
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I would like to wish all my constituents a Happy Thanksgiving weekend!
I am excited to see the leaves change. There is something about Autumn; it is crisp and fresh, and it signals a time of change. I encourage everyone to take advantage of Fall in Nova Scotia, to support local and to explore the many scenic views this province has to offer.
My MLA office has been open to the public since the first week of June, with the implementation of public health protocols.
I hope everyone is happily settled back into their school and work routines. We are very fortunate that we have had very few cases of Covid-19; and the more cautious we are, the safer we will be.
Covid-19 certainly brought along challenges, and I know many people felt anxious going back-to-school before the first week commenced. However, now that we have all gone back, the feedback has been extremely positive in our office regarding how teachers and staff are handling their new normal.
In this province, we are so fortunate to have been able to have in-person schooling. We have very hard-working teachers and staff who care deeply about the health of their students, so I know our children are in the greatest care. Our students will flourish in their academics far more in schools, than they would at home; school is beneficial for both mental health and social development.
In addition, I am pleased to share that all four-year-olds belonging to École Rockingham School, Grosvenor-Wentworth Park Elementary and Park West School, now have access to the wonderful pre-primary program.
I hope you take time to read all of the latest updates since our last e-newsletter! Once you reach the bottom, please make sure to click: view entire message, to see the full edition.
And remember, my office door is always open:
EMAIL: rafah@rafahdicostanzo.com
PHONE : 902-443-8318
Warm regards,
Rafah
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INCREASING GATHERING LIMITS: SPORTS & PERFORMING ARTS
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Photo Credit: Brent Annesty
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“When I heard the recent announcement about the increase in people allowed for sports, I was so excited! I have been playing soccer since I was five-years-old, and this past summer was the first season I had missed in around 10 years of playing. Honestly, I did not realize how much I valued getting to play soccer until I wasn’t able to anymore, due to the pandemic. For me, soccer was always something I looked forward to, and not being able to play definitely took a toll - physically and mentally. I am very happy that I have been able to get back on the field and see my teammates. I’m really looking forward to the start of the Fall season!”
- Laura Dauphinee, Team Member (photographed above, kicking the soccer ball).
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Art and sport are vital to our physical, mental and social well-being. That’s why the province announced on October 1st, the number of people who can participate in sports and performing arts activities without physical distancing, will increase from 10 to 50.
For most sports, this will allow full team practices and competitions to resume, while for the performing arts, this will allow for larger rehearsals and performances. This change also applies to recreational league sports, like adult hockey, and drop-in activities, like open swims and skates.
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The need for better, more reliable high-speed internet service across Nova Scotia is essential. That is why the province has invested over $193 million to expand internet access across Nova Scotia - so more families and businesses have access to quality, high-speed internet.
By 2022, 32,000 more homes and businesses will have reliable access to this utility; this will make the province one of the national leaders in high-speed connectivity.
For a breakdown of communities, partners and more details, please visit: https://internet.developns.ca
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DUNBRACK STREET ROSE BUSHES
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Photo Credit: Rafah Di Costanzo, MLA
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Terra Nova Landscaping is the company who got the contract to trim the roses. Our office has been following their progress, and the incredible difference it has made to our beautiful Dunbrack Street.
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I was thrilled to finally see the rose bushes on Dunbrack Street being trimmed on September 15th.
My office had been following-up on the roses since August of 2019 with Mayor Mike Savage’s office — and his wonderful assistant, Jessica! I think their office has dubbed me the ‘Rose Nagger Lady.’
Terra Nova Landscaping is the company who got the contract to take care of the roses. I went to the site and chatted with Justin, the supervisor of the project.
UPDATE: My office staff drove by on October 7th to see the progress, and the project appeared to be almost complete.
Thank you to City staff for all your help and to Terra Nova Landscaping for your hard work. I hope the maintenance will continue for many years to follow. I look forward to healthy-looking rose bushes next Spring/Summer, and enjoying their perfume while we drive on Dunbrack Street!
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NOVA SCOTIA NATURE TRUST ANNOUNCEMENT
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Photo Credit: Richard Vinson
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"As our city population and development grows, our green spaces have become even more important. The work that has been done by the Friends of Blue Mountain - Birch Cove Lakes Society, and the Nature Trust, is to be commended, supported and promoted!"
- Rafah Di Costanzo, MLA for Clayton Park West
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On September 21st, the Nature Trust of Nova Scotia made an exciting announcement; Nature Trust is committing to doubling the amount of protected land in Nova Scotia from 15,000 acres to 30,000 acres by 2023!
To accomplish this ambitious goal, the Nature Trust of Nova Scotia is looking to raise $20 million. Donations are currently being matched 4:1, meaning that if you donate $100, you will generate an extra $400... for a total of $500 for conservation.
The Nature Trust will be working with the federal government, community partners and Indigenous Peoples to increase the amount of protected land in our beautiful province.
For more information, please visit: https://nsnt.ca/major-nature-trust-announcement/
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LITTER PREVENTION COMMITTEE
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Photo Credit: Zeina Klayme, Constituency Assistant (CA)
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"The community can see the amount of litter that is collected each [time], and see how clean the areas have become after all of the hard work. The community can take pride in what was done - hopefully educating someone else and getting more members on the committee."
- Iona Stoddard, Councillor Candidate for District 12
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I would like to share some exciting news regarding my MLA Litter Prevention Challenge: ‘Let’s Stop Littering’ and the Litter Prevention Committee (LPC).
The youth on our LPC team (Emily Williams, casual staff member, and Michele Di Quinzio, Summer student), created two litter prevention videos:
-One for Grades Primary to Six
&
-One for Grades Seven to 12
The youth involved were creative using fun-facts and props, such as basketballs, and slogans such as, 'Slam Dunk Your Junk', to get their message across.
I know the best way for students to learn proper methods of litter prevention is from their peers.
We have distributed the litter prevention videos to the four schools in my riding. Please ask your children, who attend any of the four schools in my riding, to let us know if they have viewed the video in their classroom - and what they thought about the message from their peers.
The LPC also completed four monthly clean-ups this Summer and Fall, and 6 clean-ups in 2019.
Over the Winter, please note that the LPC will still be hosting our bi-monthly meetings via Zoom from October to April 2021; our next meeting is Wednesday, October 21st at 7:00 p.m. If you are interested in joining, please email the LPC leads; Michele Di Quinzio or Jayne Hawkins, at: litterpreventioncommittee@gmail.com.
I can’t wait for next Spring to pick back up (quite 'litter'-ally) where we left off!
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As a result of seeing our community rise to the challenge of the Litter Prevention Committee, we felt ready to launch a brand-new initiative within the coming months for our wonderful seniors.
We are currently in the planning stages, and are gathering senior members to sit on a Clayton Park West Senior's Committee. We are hoping to get feedback from seniors with ideas or suggestions on the best way to help our most vulnerable members of society - especially during Covid-19; with a focus on both mental and physical health, as well as combating loneliness.
If you would like to join, or have any additional suggestions, please email or call my office (information below), and speak to Gail Scarola or Emily Williams (casual staff members).
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Photo Credit: Grand Moment Digital Productions
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Photographed above is Gail Scarola. Gail is a senior working in my MLA Office as a casual staff member, and is very passionate about senior's matters. She adds value and a different perspective in our office, and we are so lucky to have her. Gail has personally taken care of many seniors in her family, and will be able to relate and connect with the seniors in Clayton Park West. She will be leading our initiative.
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Photo Credit: Argiris Svolopoulos
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I was so happy to visit MedMira with my Constituency Assistant, Zeina Klayme, at the beginnging of October. Here we are with the team outside their developing and manufacturing building on 155 Chain Lake Drive.
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MedMira Inc. is the epitome of a true immigration success story; Hermes Chan is originally from Hong Kong, China.
The company has been around since the 1980s, however it had been struggling prior to Covid-19. Within the last six months, MedMira Inc. went from 11 staff members to 54! This is all due to high-demand for their patent: REVEALCOVID-19 TM Total Antibody test; it can detect if you have antibodies within minutes, and will show the results for days to follow. MedMira Inc. now produces over 20,000 COVID-19 tests, daily.
It was amazing to walk into the production room, and meet the employees who come from over 18 countries; there are six summer students and over 30 new immigrants.
One of the most valuable things we noticed is that these individuals are extremely hard-working. This job is an exceptional way for them to get the Canadian working experience, and to have flourishing and enriching careers!
Thank you to Hermes Chan (CEO) and Markus Meile (CFO), for the jobs you are creating for immigrants in Nova Scotia, and congratulations on this amazing success story.
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