Halifax

In Memory of Billy Downey – A Halifax Entertainment Pioneer

Halifax Chronicle Hearald Article: Farewell to a man of sweet harmony

By LOIS LEGGE, Features Writer

Carmella Downey’s Statement

Graham & Ardith Downey’s First Born Child and Niece of the Late Billy Downey

Although I am unable to be home in Halifax, Nova Scotia at this time I send this message with love and joy in my heart. Uncle Billy was a kind, loving protector of family and friends. One of the first and most memorable moments I recall of my uncle Billy was when I was 9 years old and he gave me my first ever radio, a very big deal at the time. I can recall the times in our youth when me and my brothers and sisters would go triker-treating he always made sure to call my mother to make sure she knew we were safe. And even as I grew and became a teenager and adult he remained a true guardian. Always ensuring when I took the VIA Rail train from Halifax to Toronto that the conductor made an extra effort to ensure I was safe and cared for. Deborah, Donna, and Denise I want you to know I am thinking of you and keeping you in prayer. My love.

In May 2010, Billy Downey, owner of the former Arrow’s Club, holds a photo himself and singer Billy Martin, an act that he says started it all for Halifax’s first black club, which ran from 1962-1979. Funeral services for Downey, who died last week will be held Saturday. (TIM KROCHAK / Staff)

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The Maritimes “Brain Drain”…..Reality ?

Human capital flight, more commonly referred to as “brain drain”, is the large-scale emigration of a large group of individuals with technical skills or knowledge. (c) Photo Editing Curtsey @UNUSMMG

https://twitter.com/JeromeDowney/status/263313042811539456

(District 7) – Peninsula South Open Letter

RE: Gerry Walsh Halifax HRM Elections 2012 (District 7) Candidate Endorsement.

“A man’s character is best judged by his actions not his intents.”

I have had the opportunity and honor of getting to know Gerry Walsh as a professional and person over the last 5 years. In that time I have always found Gerry to be extremely genuine in his intents and firm in his actions. He understands the unique cultural, economic, and political challenges our region faces at a local and national level. That is why Gerry has a solid plan and list of priorities to help navigate and protect our interest creating the foundation for us to prosper over next four years if elected this October 20th, 2012. The people of our community deserve to be represented by someone with class and dignity who doesn’t just talk about accountability but who embodies it. He has proven and shown himself worthy of the public’s trust.

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Recapping The Past & Moving Forward

Finally, my first real post.

When I set this website up 3 years ago its original and sole purpose was to serve as my campaign website for the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) Election’s in 2008.Since that time my life has changed significantly so now this site is going to be a simple blog that will focus on Entrepreneurship, Politics and Business.

An Early Start

I was 23 years old straight out of university and working for the bank when I first decided to run. I had big ideas, huge goals, and large ambitions; probably inspired by all the progressive higher learning I was doing at Mount Allison University. Deep down I knew I had to run at a young age because that experience would help me in the long run in the future. I also wanted to give back to the community that helped raise me. Coming back from school I witnessed a city that was once very proud and united, divided and not confident. Something needed to be done, someone had to step up, so I did. Ex. (I wanted to talk about things like Re-investing in youth recreational programs, and development not about “cat bi-laws” and “decaying buildings.”) It was never about my ego, just common sense.

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Divisive Development

Written by Victoria Goodday, Editorial Intern at Corporate Knights

The A. Murray MacKay Bridge looms behind local politician Jerome Downey; a small memorial is all that marks the community destroyed for its construction. Photo by Paul Trussler.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, is a small port city rich in Maritime history and down-home hospitality. Known for its hard-partying students and sailors, the city’s lively cultural scene has earned it the nickname of “the New Orleans of the East”. The similarities between the two cities don’t stop there. Like New Orleans, Halifax has an urban core characterized by a sharp racial divide and a population plagued by racial tension.

A history tainted by discriminatory policy decisions has left Nova Scotia’s capital fighting to achieve an inclusive society. Home to the largest proportion of Canadian-born blacks in the country, its racially disparate downtown and isolated black neighborhoods challenge Canada’s “cultural mosaic” moniker.

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