KANATA NORTH NEWS Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North O TRAIN EXPANSION

The Transit Commission had a briefing on a proposal to increase the service for the O Train. The Commission also passed a motion to look at extending the O train along the existing track to serve Riverside South. That is exactly the proposal that I had put forward in the Wilkinson Option two years ago that was rejected and replaced with waiting for light rail to that location. Extending the O train service is much cheaper than converting to light rail and would provide an alternative route into the City during construction of the first phase of light rail so it is a win-win proposal that I was happy to again support.

SAFETY ISSUES BEING ADDRESSED

With all of the construction in our area concern has been raised over safety in our neighbourhoods. This week a permanent fence will be built along the sidewalk where Marconi crosses Shirleys Brook as a safety feature. The closure at Badgeley to the Goulbourn Forced Road during the construction on Kanata Ave has been augmented with heavy fencing as people have continually been opening the barrier and flooding a local residential street without sidewalks with fast moving vehicles. I am working with staff to see if the connection from Statewood to Terry Fox can be closed. Work is also proposed at the entrance to the Broughton development. Unfortunately no funds are available this year to provide a pedestrian path along Klondike from March Road to Sandhill so be sure to face the traffic and be extremely careful in walking along that road.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Consider taking your family to the Touch a Truck fundraiser for Mothercraft on May 29th from 10 am to 3 pm at the Lincoln Fields Shopping Centre, 2525 Carling.. Vehicles to visit include a new ice-resurfacer, bucket truck, road and sidewalk sweepers, grader, paint truck, tractor with mower, and salt spreader. Admission is $5 or $20 for a family. Relay for Life to raise funds for cancer research will take place in Kanata at Walter Baker Park starting on Friday June 17th and ending the morning of June 18th. Put a team together and support this cause. Ottawa was pleased to be chosen as host City for the 2013 World Womens Hockey Championship, an event that will be welcomed by businesses in Kanata.

The City in partnership with the Ottawa Senators and Hockey Canada has announced that a large outdoor rink will be built outside City Hall to provide an outdoor skating venue from November to March. This new recreational opportunity will not only add a venue for Winterlude and provide skating when the canal is not open but will help promote a healthy lifestyle for visitors and residents. .

GREENBELT LAND USE CONCEPTS

Participate in the review of the Greenbelt by attending a public session May 26 at the Nepean Sportsplex Room B or June 1 at the Chimo Hotel Mackenzie Room. Or go to their website canadascapital.gc.ca/greenbeltconcepts to view the 3 concepts and send in your comments, There is nothing in the concepts to help with saving more of the South March Highlands or Carp Hills. The NCC is charged with ensuring that the entire capital region is respected to let them know if you feel that they should be helping the City protect more of these sensitive lands. You only have until June 24 to submit your comments.

GIVE AWAY WEEKEND

Give Away Weekend started in the City of Kanata as a way to encourage the reuse of items you no longer need rather than having them sent to a landfill. So on June 4-5 put those items at the curb with a sign reading FREE and youd be surprised as how many of those unwanted items are somebody elses treasure. Show the rest of the City that Kanata is still a leader in sustainability by ensuring that useful items can continue to be used and not become a part of our waste stream that contributes to unwanted activities such as expansion of the Carp landfill.

COMING EVENTS
June 4,5, Give Away Days, put your items at the curb with a free sign June 17-18, Relay for Life June 18, Briarbrook Morgans Grant Summer BBQ, 12-3 June 19, Alterna Do it for Dad (volunteers needed) June 20, Ward Council