KANATA NORTH NEWS

Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A COUNCILLOR

Im often asked what I do each day, so I thought Id tell you about one day last week. On Wednesday, February 27th, I arose at 6:30 a.m. to snow storm reports. At 7:15, I drove to Stittsville, through sleet and snow for a breakfast meeting with the Kanata Chamber of Commerce. There was a presentation on LinkedIn and time for discussion with local business owners. Then I drove through light snow to City Hall, where I returned calls and had discussions with my staff. After that, I attended the City Council meeting for approval of reports, including zoning for the Outlet Mall off Huntmar. Lunch was pizza at a DIFD (Do it for Daron) fundraiser for youth mental health. Next, I had a discussion with a staff member about fundraising for our recreation complex and responded to emails. Then I drove through steady snowfall to Walden Village, where the Rock-a-Thon was cancelled. So I proceeded through heavy snowfall along the Goulbourn Forced Road to the Richcraft Recreation Complex Kanata (RRCK) construction site for the regular partners meeting. In my steel-toed boots, safety vest and hard hat, I slogged through the snow to the meeting trailer. This was a contrast to a muddy tour of the Lansdowne site the previous day! Work on the RRCK is well under way, with the pool enclosure under construction and most of the building now closed in. I left at 4:30 for the 10th anniversary open house of Kanata high-tech company Optelian, getting stuck in the snow in the process. I met Optelian founders and staff. We had a discussion about the companys growth and the new Kanata North Business Improvement Area, and I toured their manufacturing area (yes we still have manufacturing in Kanata). Optelian exports 95% of their production. I arrived home at 6:40, just as my husband finished clearing the driveway. The Kanata Beaverbrook Community Association meeting was still on, so I made my way to their Community Centre for their AGM and discussion on 2 The Parkway. Key was how the building would fit into the community. They agreed to attend a meeting with me and the developer the next day to work things out. I returned home by 9:45 for a late supper, then responded to emails and retired at11:30. I set the alarm for 6:30 so Id make the Mayors breakfast in time as the snow was still falling

COMMUNITY NOTICES AND MEETINGS:

Spring & Summer registration for swimming opened March 4, and for all other activities, including summer camps, on March 6. Friday, March 15 - Cleaning the Capital Registration opens Monday, March 18, 6:30 p.m. Open House, 7 p.m.: presentation of Interim Report on the Drainage Study for the Beaver Pond and Shirleys Brook areas plus Final Report on the Blanding Turtle Study, Mlacak Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr. Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m.: Kanata Food Cupboard AGM, St. Pauls Anglican Church, 20 young Rd Monday, March 25, 7p.m.: Ward Council Meeting in the Program Room, Kanata Seniors Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr.