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Response Card Mailing
10% of respondents select an option not even on the ballot
Similar to the October 19, 2005 presentation, HRM's response card mail out appeared to be an attempt to direct respondents to chose HRM's most desired option -- Option B.
Instead, over 50% of respondents chose something better, either Option C (42%) or Option D (10%), which wasn't even on the ballot.
Option D - none of the above
A figurative choice, Option D essentially represented "none of the above". The choice was intended to send HRM a message the residents of Halifax West were not satisfied with any of the options presented.
Unfortunately, Option D was not listed on the ballot or information sheet sent to residents by HRM. It was only because of communication efforts by the Build it Right group that some of the public were aware of this option. If Option D was on the ballot, the Build it Right group submits it would have been the overwhelming selection of choice.
A flawed process
The package was clearly intended to steer the vote in one direction. Of note was the following:
- Funding woes: the only non-headings highlighted in bold on the entire document were statements on the ability to fund raise, specifically Option B was achievable while Option C was likely not.
- Lap pool size: absent was the size difference between option B's lap pool (4 lanes) and option C's lap pool (6 lanes)
- Threat of closure: Options A and C were presented under the premise Northcliffe would close during renovation or construction, leaving the community without a recreation centre.
- Option D - a spoiled ballot?: Throughout Build it Right's campaign to educate the public to select option D, there was feedback from HRM that those ballots marked "D" would not be counted. It took an in-person meeting with Mayor Peter Kelly to get a firm commitment that ballots marked Option D would indeed count in the final tally.
