Yesterday we were told that we are Halifax, and we are bold. Ok. We can dig it. We’ll play ball. But if we’re going to play, let’s stop paying lip service and quit the half-stepping. The Ivany Report says it’s now or never. Alright then. Let’s really shake things up.
What’s the first thing we can boldly shake up before it’s too late? No one questions the fact that we’re a poor province heading in the wrong direction despite the admirable efforts of many of our citizens. So we need to use our money more effectively. Uh oh. We’re skating dangerously close to buzzword territory, and we all know what thin ice that is. So let’s give it some depth.
Stop separating our spending capacity. What do we need and how can we address our needs at once? We need to draw people here, we need to feed them, and we need to protect the planet we share. Tourism dollars can be food supply dollars can be environmental dollars. Our friends at Common Roots Farm have suggested how.
Jayme Melrose is the director of Common Roots Farm, that wonderful piece of prime reclaimed real estate right in the heart of Halifax that has a 100 person waiting list to get a garden plot to grow some veggies. She has a vision of what our city could be.
A community garden in every neighbourhood, connected by walkable food belts. An expansive network of nourishment. Food, neighbours, exercise. Everything that is good for the soul.
It’s that kind of ambition we need to move forward. Melrose’s vision is better than anything that could be dreamed up in a boardroom. And Melrose isn’t alone in her ambitious dreams or remarkable, proven talents. Nova Scotia is full of entrepreneurs with the vision, knowledge, and energy to make Halifax, and Nova Scotia, truly great – for locals, and for visitors. People who are ready to work together to make our home better. Our governments should be working with them.
Wait, just hold on a second. We hear what you’re saying. #DefineHFX isn’t just about some fancy typeface, it’s a statement of who we are. As Linda Mosher, the HRM councilor who proposed the #DefineHFX campaign, tweets:
Linda Mosher-Hx Clr @Kicking 5h
Attractive large outdoor sign concept will project a positive, modern image of Halifax. halifaxdefined.ca #definehfx pic.twitter.com/xUmprc6wTi
Twitter screenshot.
Call us crazy, but last time we checked people didn’t travel for logos, images, and marketing claims.
What if instead of merely trying to project a positive, modern image, we lived it? What if we chose to pursue Melrose’s vision? On Twitter today, someone said, “Investments are good but how do we spread the word to people we want to live, visit and do business here?”
Great actions have a way of spreading themselves in the age of social. Imagine the headlines of bold Halifax, the Edible City. It’s somewhat more evocative than upward pointing A’s dreamed up by a marketing team.
Given the two options – a new logo and a list of attributes we’re laying claim to, or city-wide representation of our ambition and community spirit – which is more likely to get headlines? What if we could stop scheming for our next headline and focus on rolling up our sleeves and making our community truly exemplary?
Branding our city is nothing more than talking the talk. Let’s truly be bold, understand that everything old is new again, and start walking. And pick a few pecans and apples along the way.
Want to see this happen in Halifax? Knowledge is a good first step. Please SHARE it with family and friends.
Editors Note: Yes, we can indeed grow pecans in Nova Scotia. And persimmons. Who knew?
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