PACE CAR PROGRAM COMES TO BRIDLEWOOD

Starting in the first week of November, the Pace Car Program will be coming to Bridlewood. Initiated by the St. Anne School Safety Committee, this pilot is intended to help reduce speeding.

Under this program, drivers sign a pledge to drive within the speed limit and identify their vehicle as a Pace Car. For other drivers, the presence of Pace Cars helps make them aware of when they are driving too fast. Participants must have a safe driving record.

If you would like more information or to participate please contact Heather Kirk at heather.kirk@sympatico.ca or the program at pacecarkanata@live.com

2008 FLU-IMMUNIZATION CLINICS STARTING

Each year the City holds flu-immunization clinics to allow people to get a free flu shot. Public Health are encouraging as many people as possible to get immunized. Even if you are not among those vulnerable to influenza-related complications, getting the flu shot reduces the chance you will end up spreading the virus to others.

Below is a list of immunization clinics in Kanata. A complete list can be found on the City website at http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/health/conditions/id_prevention/clinics/flu_en.html.

Monday, November 17, 2008
3:30 to 8:30 p.m.
All Saints High School
5115 Kanata Avenue, Kanata

Thursday, December 4, 2008
3:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Holy Trinity High School
180 Katimavik Road, Kanata

Tuesday, January 13, 2009
3:30 to 8:30 p.m.
All Saints High School
5115 Kanata Avenue, Kanata

HAZARDOUS WASTE DEPOT ATTRACTS RECORD NUMBER OF USERS

The number of people using the October 18 Hazardous Waste Dump shattered both Ontario and City records. 3,566 cars were counted. The previous record in Ottawa was 2,200.

Record numbers of people using the hazardous waste depot show that people want to do the right thing when disposing of hazardous waste. The line-ups at the hazardous waste depot and the electronic waste depot down the road also show that we need to make it easier for people to dispose of hazardous and electronic waste.

I have let City staff know that more depots are needed and that hazardous waste and electronic waste depots need to be organized so that confusion between the two is kept to a minimum. When people are trying to do the right thing for the environment and for the City they should not have to line up for several hours.

SEWAGE SPILL AUDIT UNDERLINES THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY AS WELL AS VALUE FOR MONEY

As people are aware, the unreported sewage spill in 2006 resulted in disciplinary action being taken. What it also underlines is the important to go beyond costs and revenues when looking at how City services are delivered.

Often the attitude is that if costs are being controlled then a service must be well run. The audit of the 2006 spill is a reminder that when the debate at the council table and in the media is only looking at the costs services, important issues could be missed.

When the Operating Status report on spending for January through August 2008 was discussed at Council’s Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee, all of the questions were on the areas where spending was above what was budgeted. Yet, Wastewater and Drainage Services had spent only 85% of what was budgeted for that time period (I have asked about this). We still need to be worried about overruns, but after the 2006 sewage spill we also need to be looking for signs that something is being overlooked.

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