Quantcast
New ‘face of Halifax’ will need a big heart, even bigger lungs – Metro US

New ‘face of Halifax’ will need a big heart, even bigger lungs

Got a friendly disposition, a crown of feathers in your cap, and a healthy set of pipes? The Halifax Regional Municipality may soon be looking to recruit you as its official town crier.

During Tuesday’s regional council meeting, several councillors said it’s time to start searching for a suitable candidate to be the bell-toting “face of Halifax,” both down on the waterfront and at major festivals and events throughout the municipality.

“It’s an important aspect of the city,” said Coun. Jerry Blumenthal. “It’s a good tradition to have.”

The downtown has been without a bellowing bellman since 2008, when Dartmouth resident Peter Cox retired from the position after 35 years.

He died just one year later in March 2009 after a short battle with cancer, and his official tricorn hat and bell have been gathering dust in storage ever since.

Cox operated on an annual honorarium of $5,000 from the municipality, but Blumenthal said he hopes HRM can partner up with Destination Halifax to offer the new town crier a salaried position. Council has yet to officially debate such a proposal.

“We spend money on lots of things, but it’s more important to spend money on something that will be good for Halifax,” Blumenthal said. “We’ll keep pushing.”

Cox’s nephew, Paul Kent, said his uncle was a larger-than-life personality who will be difficult to replace.

“We were pretty proud of what he did,” said Kent, who currently serves as president and CEO of the Greater Halifax Partnership. “There wasn’t a lot of money in it for him, but he was so personally motivated by the role … he was unique.”

Kent said he hopes council will seriously consider continuing the tradition his uncle worked so hard to preserve.

“For a city with a lengthy history like we have, and considering the kinds of ways we host visitors, it’s a novel and interesting (attraction),” he said. “It’s something visitors would remember.”