The draft budget estimates will be released on November 14. At the request of council, the draft budget will contain three options. These options will provide information on the impact of different tax levels on services. The concern is that we avoid a repeat of the 2004 budget where the focus on the tax rate meant that the impact of cuts on services people valued did not receive the attention it should. 

Councillor Wilkinson and myself will host a budget consultation for residents of Kanata on Thursday, November 22nd.  The consultation will run from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will be held at the Mlacak Centre – Halls A & B, 2500 Campeau Drive. 

On Tuesday, November 27 a budget consultation will be held for residents of Kanata, Goulbourn and West Carleton. The consultation will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will be held at the Ron Maslin Playhouse, 1 Ron Maslin Way. 

Between December 3 to 7 Council will sit as Committee of the Whole to receive public delegations, then from December 10 to 14 (or until we finish) Council will debate the budget.

This Sunday when we mark Remembrance Day we will reflect on the bravery and commitment of those who served in our armed forces in times of war. We will also reflect on the human cost. In the last century over 100,000 Canadians have been killed serving in Canada’s armed forces.

Regardless of where we stand on the debates on when Canada’s armed forces should be sent into combat situations, the sacrifices made by Canadians who gave their lives serving their country leave us with a responsibility to ensure decisions are not taken lightly.

Many people want to be able to find out about sales at local stores, but would rather not be throwing a stack of flyers into the recycling bin each week. CitySales is hoping to help solve that problem. The CitySales.ca website allows people to view flyers for a number of stores online and reduce the paper waste they generate. For bargain hunters who are concerned about the environment – or the cost to taxpayers of extra waste – this is good news.

On September 1st, the City of Ottawa’s by-law restricting the length of time people can idle their cars to three minutes took effect. The by-law recognizes that in the winter or summer, the outdoor temperature means that people may need to keep their car running to prevent it getting too hot or too cold. Restrictions on idling only apply when the temperature is between 5º and 27º Celsius, including windchill and humidex.

What reducing idling will do is reduce air pollution. Data from the Ontario Medical Association shows that 290 premature deaths were attributable to air pollution in Ottawa in 2005. 290 premature deaths in our city due to air pollution is a good reason to do everything we can to reduce emissions that affect air quality.

Reducing the amount of time we leave our cars idling also saves money. 10 seconds of idling uses more gas than restarting your engine.

Enforcement of the anti-idling by-law is scheduled to begin after January 1, 2008 – as soon as the temperature climbs about 5º Celsius.

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA SOUTH

I appreciate the chance to hear from you about issues affecting our community. You can reach me at 580-2752 (office), 580-2762 (fax), www.feltmateforkanata.com or peggy.feltmate@ottawa.ca