of the waterfront. We have 25 years of waterfront devel- opment behind us that has changed Water Street from a heavy industrial-only area to a tourist friendly, retail, dining and heavy industrial area. This exercise is about clarifying the vision for the next 25 years, and identifying projects, policies and programs that can be implemented in support of making that vision a reality. PM: We are tremendously blessed with a rich, historic, working waterfront and we want to ensure its sustainability and tap into its potential. Making the best decisions means we need to have everything on the table. The symposium is a way to gather folks that may have different ideas, put everything together and come out with the best go-for- ward plan. Some will be residents who like to enjoy a walk on the board walk and connectivity may be forefront in their minds. Others are owners of the fishing vessels and fish plants along the waterfront that fully understand what is required to maintain the working waterfront. Others may have ideas as to how we can meld the two. It’s exciting to sit with a group of citizens who are committed to better. It’s notable that in the Programs and Initiatives section of your website that the links to your Development Rebate Program and your Heritage Properties Incentive programs are neighbours. Is that at all reflective of the Town of Yarmouth’s vision in that your past plays a vital role in your town’s future?
PM: The cultural and historic tapestry of Yarmouth is rich and runs deep. We believe in both preserving and celebrat- ing our heritage and these programs certainly encourage folks to take advantage of our history. JG: That is absolutely true. Our history is our foundation and our future is under construction! We celebrate our heritage and culture and we are without a doubt proud of the built heritage within our town. But we are also reimag- ining our future. Whatever that is we know it will be built on the foundation of our history, but embracing the changes and advances of today has been rewarding and there’s no looking back from that. What is the festival and event culture like in a revitaliz- ing Yarmouth? JG: So many of the events that take place in the Town of Yarmouth are truly regional. There are events and activities every weekend. Our community is second-to- none when it comes to volunteering and enjoying a festival. I’d say where we really shine is when we get to host an event that brings folks from across the country and the globe. Events like Nova Scotia Music Week, the World Junior A Hockey Challenge, the Canadian Mixed Curling Championships, and the Play On! National Ball Hockey
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NOVEMBER 2017 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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