KANATA NORTH NEWS Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North City hires consultant for design work on Campeau

Drive
The city has hired Robinson Consulting to complete the design for the widening of Campeau Drive from Didsbury to east of Kanata Avenue by the Forest Hill Facility. A preliminary design will be done for the rest of the road towards March Road. Geotechnical investigations will start soon, so you will see some activity along the road. The intention is to proceed with some construction in 2011 (funding permitting) giving priority to the intersections of Campeau/Terry Fox and Campeau/Kanata, and possibly a sidewalk on the south side from Kanata Ave. to Forest Hill. A public open house will be held in the fall to present the design plans to the public and receive feedback.

Fire, police, and community safety

Although I was disappointed in the small numbers that attended the Community Safety Meeting last week, those who were there benefited from great information from the leaders of our protection operations police, fire, paramedic, bylaw and emergency services. Although it was clear that Kanata North is a safe community with few serious incidents, it is important that we work towards having none at all. We did get some suggestions on how to make our pathways safer and Ive heard from others about the Pathway Patrol which exists in other parts of Ottawa, but has few members in the western part of the city. Let me know if youd be willing to be a part of the Pathway Patrol in our area. The Fire Department is recruiting firefighters and is particularly interested in having women and visible minority representatives apply. The Kanata Fire Department, prior to amalgamation, hired the first female firefighter in the Ottawa area. The requirements for fitness are the same for all applicants, but there is no longer a height requirement that originally kept women out of the service. If you are interested in a career in the fire service send in your application now. May 10 15th is Police Week and there are many interesting events planned in our area. Two will be held in Kanata North on Thursday, May 13th from 7 8 p.m. at the Beaverbrook Library on Neighbourhood Watch and the Home Inspection program, and on Friday, May 14th from 6 9 p.m. at the Kanata Centrum on combating auto theft. Additional events can be found on my website.

By-law calls
The citys by-law department responds to calls on a great many matters. Kanata North has fewer calls than most of the City and I believe it is because of the care for the community and each other that our residents exhibit. The greatest number of calls is for parking, followed by animal calls and noise issues. The following numbers show activity from 2006 to the present: 2006 Animals: 284; Care of Streets: 46; Graffiti: 0; Licensing: 33; Noise: 227; Parking: 436; Parks: 34; Property Standards: 115; Signs: 191; Zoning Enforcement: 47 2007 Animals: 318; Care of Streets: 48; Graffiti: 0; Licensing: 19; Noise: 187; Parking: 393; Parks: 79; Property Standards: 113; Signs: 170; Zoning Enforcement: 17. 2008 Animals: 287; Care of Streets: 106; Graffiti: 3; Licensing: 19; Noise: 193; Parking; 452; Parks: 74; Property Standards: 176; Signs: 104; Zoning Enforcement: 36. 2009 Animals: 357; Care of Streets: 71; Graffiti: 6; Licensing: 33; Noise: 205; Parking: 439; Parks: 83; Property Standards: 176; Signs: 92; Zoning Enforcement: 45. Q1 (2010) Animals: 64; Care of Streets: 9; Graffiti: 14; Licensing: 3; Noise: 34; Parking: 118; Parks: 1: Property Standards: 8; Signs: 12; Zoning Enforcement: 8

Financial Sustainability Summit

Council approved a motion from me to hold a Financial Sustainability Summit where residents could put forward questions and suggestions on the citys longrange financial plan and budget priorities. The format will be for individuals to pose questions or comments through a special email address. Staff will then respond to them and both the question and responses posted on the Citys website. Then on June 22nd, the Summit will be held to discuss all of the material posted. Details on how to participate will be on both the city and my websites.

Taste for Life

Please plan to have supper at Lapointes Seafood Restauant on April 28th and help raise funds for research on AIDS and services for those afflicted with AIDS. Contact my office to be at my table or make your own reservation and enjoy a great meal and help an important cause at the same time.

COMING EVENTS
April 28. A Taste For Life, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Lapointes Seafood Restaurant. May 1. KBCA Cleaning the Capital. Have you registered yours yet? May 10 15. Police Week Activities

Serving the residents and businesses in Kanata North

To receive the Kanata North Newsletter, to deal with a concern or make a suggestion, contact me at 613-580-2474, email Marianne.Wilkinson@ottawa.ca or through www.mariannewilkinson.com.