Lloyd Hines to seek Liberal nomination
by Corey LeBlanc coreyleblanc@thecasket.ca
Long-time Municipality of the County of Guysborough Warden Lloyd Hines has announced his candidacy for the Nova Scotia Liberal nomination in the riding of Guysborough-Sheet Harbour. (File photo)
A veteran municipal politician is taking the plunge into the provincial pool. Guysborough County councillor and Warden Lloyd Hines announced his candidacy for the Nova Scotia Liberal party nomination in Guysborough-Sheet Harbour last week. “This is not glamour; this is grunt work,” Hines said about the approach he wants to bring to provincial politics – the same one he said has characterized his more than two decades in municipal and school board politics. The long-time Guysborough County businessman said he has contemplated a move to provincial politics for “quite some time.” “I am running because I want to help the riding move forward, and I feel confident that my knowledge, experience and determination will make that happen. I am sensing that people feel it is time for a change,” he said. Hines said the “clincher” in his decision to vie for the nomination was the leadership of provincial Liberal leader Stephen McNeil. “He continues to make great strides. He has great leadership qualities and he is going to make an excellent premier. I have a tremendous amount of faith in him.” Hines said his municipal political experience will be an asset, including working cooperatively on issues. “Having a great team, letting people know what you are trying to accomplish and involving them early on in the process has worked best for me. Mix that with hard work and anything is possible.” He added many issues at both levels, including roads and infrastructure, are the same. “I am familiar with the issues that affect the communities in our riding,” he said. In more than 10 years serving with the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities (UNSM), including his current position as chair has provided him with a close-up of the provincial-municipal relationship. His work with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has provided the same insight of the provincial-federal dynamic. “I think I will be able to hit the ground running in a lot of ways at the provincial level,” Hines said. If he makes the move to provincial politics, Hines agreed he would miss the municipal scene. “Nevertheless, I think it is time for me to be part of the team that will make the changes we need provincially.” As far as a spring election is concerned, Hines is ready to roll. “If I get the nomination, I would want [an election] sooner rather than later. Let the people decide,” he said Describing him and his wife, Patricia, as “empty-nesters,” the father of four said he is prepared to make the commitment to the “full-time job” of provincial politics, “Without the green light from Patricia and my family, I wouldn’t be able to do this. I am very lucky to have such support at home,” he said, noting their ongoing support throughout his political career. The Guysborough-Sheet Harbour provincial Liberal nomination meeting will take place March 14 at the Guysborough Legion. “There’s lots of work to be done and I am ready to take on the challenge,” Hines said.
>> Return to articles main
Read comments
Leave comment
Share on Facebook
Printable Version
Larger text
