MEET and GREET with MARIANNE

This Saturday, May 4, I will be at Loblaws, Kanata Centrum. Drop by to meet me, offer your suggestions and comments and find out about our Time Capsule project. Once a month I will be available for such informal chats. Your comments are valuable as it keeps me informed about issues in the community. I really appreciate the emails I receive telling me about issues on a street or neighbourhood as it makes it possible to have action taken immediately. The Time Capsules are small bamboo containers that, for a $20 donation (not tax receiptable), you can fill with small mementos, letters etc. They will be placed in a vault at our new recreation complex when the centre opens in November and opened 50 years later. At that time, your children and grandchildren can enjoy seeing what was placed in them. They must be filled at one of the Time Capsule purchasing events, including Loblaws on Saturday morning.

SAVEONENERGY Small Business Challenge

Hydro Ottawa is challenging small businesses to become more energy-efficient. Hydro Ottawa will help achieve this by offering eligible small businesses a free energy assessment; up to $1,500 in efficient lighting upgrades and/or a free touch screen programmable thermostat. You can also give me bragging rights if Kanata North has the highest percentage of businesses participating. The contest runs until August 23. Details are at www.hydroottawa.com

PROTECTION AGAINST FRAUD AND SCAMS SESSION FOR SENIORS

The Kanata Legion and MPP MacLaren are holding an information session to inform seniors about how to protect themselves against the latest frauds and scams. Laurie Fahey from Ottawa Police will host this session on May 22, 10:30 am 12:00 pm at the Legion, 70 Hines Road.

COMMUNITY RECOGNITION AWARDS

The nomination deadline is fast approaching, so please send in your nominations recognizing a person or business from Kanata North who has made a difference in our community. Awards will be given to a youth (19 or younger), senior (65 or older), citizen of the year and business of the year. All nominees will be recognized. Nomination forms are available from my office and the Beaverbrook Library Depot or online at www.mariannewilkinson.com

OFFICIAL PLAN & MASTER TRANSPORTATION PLAN

The City is updating its Official Plans. You can go to Building a Liveable Ottawa 2031 to fill in a questionnaire or email planning@ottawa.ca by May 17, 2013. When youre providing your comments, please stress the importance of serving the largest population, and the important employment areas, outside the Greenbelt with light rail. There seems to be more consideration to going to Orleans before we have any transit connection to the Greenbelt in the west.

COMMUNITY NOTICES
CLEANING THE CAPITAL Join your neighbours and help clean our community. Sign up at www.ottawa.ca to order your supplies and enjoy a community outing. COFFEE WITH MARIANNE May 4, 9:30 am 11:00 am at Loblaws, Kanata Centrum. You can buy and fill your time capsule there. YOUNG AT ART AWARDS CEREMONY May 5, 7:30 pm, Mlacak Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr. KANATA SENIORS GARAGE SALE May 10, 8:00 am 12:00 pm, Kanata Seniors Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr. TANGER OUTLET MALL SOD TURNING EVENT - May 15, 11:00 am, on site at Palladium Dr. near Huntmar Dr. BMGCA MEETING re MACDONALDS PLANS - May 15, 7:30 pm, Old Town Hall, 821 March Rd.