News Release
(Thursday, October 2, 2003- 6:20pm)--The following is a list of topics that were discussed at the media update this afternoon at City Hall on Day # 4 of the recovery and clean-up in the aftermath of Hurricane Juan.
Price Gouging- While the business community at large has provided great support in the aftermath of the hurricane, there have been isolated reports received of individual business owners taking advantage of the situation and price gouging. Under the declaration of State of Local Emergency, HRM has the power to prosecute anyone trying to take undue advantage of an emergency situation and price gouging will not be tolerated.
Solid Waste Collection - The Otter Lake Landfill Site is now re-opened. Regular residential waste/green cart/recycling collection is scheduled as usual for Friday. Residents who had their collection services canceled on Monday, September 30th will be collected on Saturday, October 4, 2003. Resident who had garbage collection services canceled on Wednesday, October 1st will now have their garbage and recycling collected on Saturday, October 4, 2003. Materials should be curbside for collection by 7 a.m. on Saturday.
Fallen Trees, Storm debris collection - Work crews have made great progress and continue to work round the clock. Their priorities are: to provide direct support to N.S.P.I. in the clearance of debris from around power lines to assist in an expedient restoration of power to HRM residents; to concentrate on the route opening and the clearance of street right-of-ways. Most major routes in Dartmouth are now re-opened. Crews continue to work in the Halifax area overnight, which is more problematic due to the number of trees down, to try to have most major routes cleared there .
Traffic Congestion- Halifax Regional Police and RCMP are still urging as many motorists as possible to remain off the streets or to carpool or take public transit, which is back to running full service, to ease traffic congestion due to some traffic signals still not operating.
Public Mischief- The number of reports of incidents of public mischief and nuisance complaints is down. Halifax Regional Police and RCMP are still asking for parents' continued support in keeping their youths off the streets and out of mischief. There are a number of reports of loitering and damage to schools.
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Lori Patterson
Acting Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531
(902) 476-5975
(902) 490-4044 (fax)
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