THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PROVIDED FEEDBACK ON TRANSIT AND ROADS PLAN

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to speak out on the scenarios for implementing the Transportation Master Plan. After the number of different plans and the stops and starts, it is easy to get fed up with the process. Unfortunately, if people don’t speak out, it will be a lot harder to avoid ending up with a plan that will fail to address our transit needs.

In the messages I saw, people were raising points that definitely need to be addressed. People were also making it clear that light rail needed to go where ridership will be highest. When most of the buses going along Albert and Slater are going east-west, the way to solve congestion downtown is with east-west light rail.

All of us are concerned about when Kanata will receive light rail. Under the plan adopted by council in May, one of the conditions for light rail coming to Kanata is that the population density in the Kanata Town Centre be high enough to support a frequent all-day light rail service. This reflects the fact that in cities where light rail service has been built to low-density areas, service is often much less frequent than what we already have with the route 96.

SPEEDING UP THE COMPLETION OF CITY INFRASTRUCTURE

One problem that has been reported by councillors from all parts of the City is the time it takes to complete some city infrastructure projects. Whether it is road widening, new traffic lights or improvements to recreation facilities, there are a number of projects that have not been completed until several years after funding was first approved.

For residents it is frustrating. As councillor, I find there is a need for frequent follow up to make sure the project has not been forgotten.

At the last council meeting a formal request was made to staff to look into the delays in getting infrastructure projects completed. Originally the inquiry was just related to two road widening projects, but at my suggestion council agreed to have staff look at the larger problem.

The inquiry should allow us to get to see whether there are efficiencies that can be put in place or if the problem is inadequate resources.

SNOW GO PROGRAM ASSISTS SENIORS WITH SNOW CLEARING

The City’s Snow Go program matches seniors and people with disabilities who need someone to clear their walkway or driveway with contractors or individuals who can do the job. People working under the Snow Go program have been screened by the police and their fees have been reviewed to make sure they accurately reflect the work being done.

There is also financial support for low-income seniors or people with disabilities. Up to 50% of the cost to a maximum of $250 may be available.

To inquire about the Snow Go program, you can contact the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre at 613-591-3686 or macquarrie@communityresourcecentre.ca.  

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