CANADA DAY IN KANATA NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Every year thousands of people attend the Canada Day in Kanata celebration. People appreciate being able to celebrate Canada in the community without the crowds you find downtown.

But to be a success, Canada Day in Kanata needs your help. People who work on Canada Day in Kanata are volunteers. Much of their funding comes from sponsorships or donations.

Before Canada Day, help is still needed with things like confirming reservation of supplies, setting up, confirming exhibitor bookings, assisting with the production of marketing materials, assisting in contacting potential sponsors, and making sure sponsors have any information they need.

On Canada Day volunteers are still needed for security, to help with parking and to make sure the recycling program works.

After Canada Day volunteers are still needed to return rented items and things like sponsor signs.

A complete list of ways to help can be found at the Canada Day in Kanata website at www.canadadayinkanata.com.

If you are able to help, please e-mail volunteers@canadadayinkanata.com.

CHANGES TO PARKING REQUIREMENTS RESPOND TO KANATA NEEDS

In shopping malls with a large number of restaurants, fitness clubs, or other high traffic uses, there is a shortage of parking. It is a problem for everyone except the mall owner. People using the businesses in the mall have trouble finding parking. Businesses suffer because customers cannot find a place to park. Nearby residents have overflow traffic parked on their street.

The proposed parking requirements in the new Comprehensive Zoning By-Law did not recognize the impact of high traffic uses on parking needs in shopping centres. After the problems we have had at a couple of locations in Kanata, this was not good enough. To address the problem I proposed an amendment at council that was adopted.

DEMENTIA NETWORK HELPS PEOPLE LOOKING AFTER RELATIVES WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS

Looking after a relative with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia is a challenge. With over 14,000 people with some form of dementia in Eastern Ontario, it is a challenge that a large number of people in our community face. To assist families looking after relatives with dementia, the Champlain Dementia Network has created a website to provide information about available resource. The website can be found at www.champlaindementianetwork.org. 

BRIDLEWOOD FORESTED AREA UPDATE

In the Urban Natural Features Study, the wooded area beside Deevy Pines Park was found to have high environmental value and marked for preservation. The challenge we face is that, decades ago, the land was zoned as high density residential by the former City of Kanata. This means the City has to acquire the land to protect it.

I am pushing City staff to make sure the land is acquired. This is what is required by the City policy on Urban Natural Features.

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