This has been an intense period of door to door campaigning in three areas of Town: Riverview, Sunterra and West Pointe/West Terrace. Overall, support has been excellent with many different issues raised at the doors. I am trying to get to talk to everyone, and I am making good progress.
On Wednesday evening, I campaigned in Riverview by myself until dark. The next evening I went back with Andy, and on Thursday, I went back to finish the final cul de sac. Issues raised included everything from use of the greens for more housing, which I strongly oppose now and into the future, to raising taxes, and growth. The Riverview entrance sign is in terrible disrepair and citizens want the Town to clean it up and restore to its original state.Citizens want to know if the Town is checking to ensure that the developer of the condos in the east side of Riverview is meeting the conditions that were imposed on the development. Apparently, there are a number of conditions that were never met, and the developer has failed to come through on his promises of trees, landscaping and improvements on the greens.
Two families in Riverview had similar questions about ensuring that there are blue box type receptacles along the Riverview pathways for pop bottles and cans-they say that everyone just throws these valuable recyclables into the garbage cans, and the town could be collecting and returning them for cash if the Town provided these receptacles-sounds like a good idea.
The same two families made inquiries about the gravel being cleaned and separated on the Domtar lands. They want to know who owns that gravel and why the Town is not charging the developer business taxes for gravel mining operations and gravel products that are being collected and sold to LaFarge. Why is the Town deferring all taxes on this site when the developer who owns the land is clearly profitting from the sale of minerals, no different than Burnco or Robinson extraction operations. Great questions. I hope to find out more and post here later.
There were many questions about the dumping of gravel and topsoil in the floodplain area near the recreation centre and why that is being done and by whom. Generally, there is dust and noise associated with all the operations in the Domtar and industrial area, and people want to make sure air quality is safe and that the Town enforces its noise bylaw.
Overall, people are happy to see me in Riverview and are saying that they will be voting. I was asked about advance polls:
October 12: RancheHouse 4-8
October 14: RancheHouse 4-8
October 16: RancheHouse 10-4
Also, if a person wants to find out more about mail in ballots they can call (403) 851-2526.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010-East End Cochrane
I had the pleasure of campaigning in the East End on Monday before attending the Legion Ladies Auxillary meeting, where I was made a member. My friend Mona has been after me for years to come on board and I am glad I finally did it in memory of my family members who participated in World War II. I have to say I look forward to the November Poppy Tea at the Legion, and I have raffle tickets to sell. For $1.00 you can buy a ticket and if you win, a basket of goodies put together by the Ladies is yours. The Ladies Auxillary provides all the food for the events they host and man can they cook! You don't want to miss it!
In the East End I talked primarily with young families (between the ages of 20-30) about the issues. They were very concerned about the length of time it has taken the developer on Mountain Street to finish the condos there, and the condition of their streets. Apparently, they called the Town many times about the project and nothing has been done-like paving the back alley and keeping Mountain Street open for normal traffic. It does appear that the condos are now complete, but the lack of Council's and adminsitration's responsiveness to their calls made people cranky. This is a common problem throughout Town as I go door to door. Council has not listened-they have made empty promises and spoken platitudes but nothing gets done. One man said that Council may pretend to hear but if you disagree or continue to call on issues you are put on the do-not-respond-to-this person list! Wow! I must be on that list, too!
In the East End, people are concerned about Centre Avenue and the intersection with Highway 1A, as well as the failure of the Town to keep up with services and infrastructure given the extensive sprawl. One young man said "Sustainability! Really! What does that mean to you? This is not sustainability when it takes a half hour to get from one end of a 17,000 population town to the other end." I said I would come back and talk to him more about the Sustainability Plan, and he was agreeable.
I had many discussions about what should be Council's priority projects, and most people I talked to want existing infrastructure improved and maintained before we go into debt for major projects. This is important, as the media seem to think that Council priorities should be big ticket items like the pool and arts centre. What people are telling me is that they want safety, mobility and security of basic services like water and sewer as first priorities. Not new expensive tailored parks: instead, they want existing municipal lands maintained and weed free before we invest in any grandiose new infrastructure! Interesting indeed, and I have to agree with what I am hearing.
Tuesday, during the afternoon, I campaigned in the East End again, and the issues were the same. One woman remarked that we need to look at tax incentives to get more commerce and industry to locate here. She noted that we have a lot of empty commercial space in the East End and industrial area and she is concerned that the current council has not attracted more business. I was reminded that a woman on Chinook Drive where I talked to people before the Forum on Sunday night, had discussed with me the possibility of getting a panel of downtown businesses together to form a Downtown Business Association to create a strategic plan for maintaining the historic downtown while attracting compatible and supportive businesses in the industrial area. I know where to start to get this going when elected.
Generally, people of all ages in the East End are encouraging me to keep up the pace, and are glad to see me. One couple said they were so disillusioned with the current Council that they were not going to vote until I came and talked to them. They said that the time I spent and the attitude of respect I showed them as "ordinary citizens" has convinced them to vote. I am humbled. They also said if I am on Council, they want to help, not only in the community association, but in projects across Town.
I apologize to anyone who is disturbed by my door knocking at 7:45 because I do try to make 8:00 my cut off.
In the East End I talked primarily with young families (between the ages of 20-30) about the issues. They were very concerned about the length of time it has taken the developer on Mountain Street to finish the condos there, and the condition of their streets. Apparently, they called the Town many times about the project and nothing has been done-like paving the back alley and keeping Mountain Street open for normal traffic. It does appear that the condos are now complete, but the lack of Council's and adminsitration's responsiveness to their calls made people cranky. This is a common problem throughout Town as I go door to door. Council has not listened-they have made empty promises and spoken platitudes but nothing gets done. One man said that Council may pretend to hear but if you disagree or continue to call on issues you are put on the do-not-respond-to-this person list! Wow! I must be on that list, too!
In the East End, people are concerned about Centre Avenue and the intersection with Highway 1A, as well as the failure of the Town to keep up with services and infrastructure given the extensive sprawl. One young man said "Sustainability! Really! What does that mean to you? This is not sustainability when it takes a half hour to get from one end of a 17,000 population town to the other end." I said I would come back and talk to him more about the Sustainability Plan, and he was agreeable.
I had many discussions about what should be Council's priority projects, and most people I talked to want existing infrastructure improved and maintained before we go into debt for major projects. This is important, as the media seem to think that Council priorities should be big ticket items like the pool and arts centre. What people are telling me is that they want safety, mobility and security of basic services like water and sewer as first priorities. Not new expensive tailored parks: instead, they want existing municipal lands maintained and weed free before we invest in any grandiose new infrastructure! Interesting indeed, and I have to agree with what I am hearing.
Tuesday, during the afternoon, I campaigned in the East End again, and the issues were the same. One woman remarked that we need to look at tax incentives to get more commerce and industry to locate here. She noted that we have a lot of empty commercial space in the East End and industrial area and she is concerned that the current council has not attracted more business. I was reminded that a woman on Chinook Drive where I talked to people before the Forum on Sunday night, had discussed with me the possibility of getting a panel of downtown businesses together to form a Downtown Business Association to create a strategic plan for maintaining the historic downtown while attracting compatible and supportive businesses in the industrial area. I know where to start to get this going when elected.
Generally, people of all ages in the East End are encouraging me to keep up the pace, and are glad to see me. One couple said they were so disillusioned with the current Council that they were not going to vote until I came and talked to them. They said that the time I spent and the attitude of respect I showed them as "ordinary citizens" has convinced them to vote. I am humbled. They also said if I am on Council, they want to help, not only in the community association, but in projects across Town.
I apologize to anyone who is disturbed by my door knocking at 7:45 because I do try to make 8:00 my cut off.
Long Time Since the Last Posting-Campaigning
I will be writing a new post later about the Forum. The newspapers certianly glossed over the issues raised, and I would like to inform my blog followers of the important questions that were raised there. Wait for me on this.
I have been out campaigning every night since the Forum, getting back late with work and all my other volunteer work to attend to until late in the wee hours of the morning. Some of you may be receiving email responses from 3:00 am. So, this blog has had a repose. But I am ready to fill you in on my walk abouts. Look to the latest post above.
I have been out campaigning every night since the Forum, getting back late with work and all my other volunteer work to attend to until late in the wee hours of the morning. Some of you may be receiving email responses from 3:00 am. So, this blog has had a repose. But I am ready to fill you in on my walk abouts. Look to the latest post above.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Cochrane Heights and the All Candidates Forum
Yesterday, I knocked doors in Cochrane Heights with my friend Grace. Some of the issues we heard from citizens concerned old sewage infrastructure, issues with tree cutting and lack of tree cutting, Domtar land redevelopment and the process involved from a historic perspective, the lack of growth management to ensure facilities and services are in place, and lack of follow up and follow through by Town council members and adminsitration to address citizen issues. Some people in Cochrane Heights feel that the town does not care about them. High taxes and lack of explanation of the net benefit of taxation were also raised as issues: one person wondered why the Town did so much hiring and consultant engagement during a recession and queried why our staff are not able to do some of the work given to consultants.
The Town really should take a good look at underground infrastructure that is being put to the limit in older parts of Town when tied into new pipelines and underground services from newer communities. This common concern that we do little to maintain our existing infrastructure and to ensure it can handle tie ins from newer areas, was expressed as a major problem that causes thousands of dollars to homeowners in the area without any hope of compensation by the Town.
There was some discussion about the branding process and how that was handled by the current council. Overall, the old friends I saw again, and the new people I talked to were encouraging and wished me success, and I am grateful to everyone who took the time. I will get back into Cochrane Heights before the end of this week.
In the evening, I attended the All Candidates Forum at Frank Wills Hall that was hosted by the Cochrane Settlement Community Association. It was well attended by people from all over town, and I will submit a separate posting for some of my observations from that event. It was very good of the community association to hold the forum and give candidates an opportunity to meet with interested and engaged citizens and with each other.
The Town really should take a good look at underground infrastructure that is being put to the limit in older parts of Town when tied into new pipelines and underground services from newer communities. This common concern that we do little to maintain our existing infrastructure and to ensure it can handle tie ins from newer areas, was expressed as a major problem that causes thousands of dollars to homeowners in the area without any hope of compensation by the Town.
There was some discussion about the branding process and how that was handled by the current council. Overall, the old friends I saw again, and the new people I talked to were encouraging and wished me success, and I am grateful to everyone who took the time. I will get back into Cochrane Heights before the end of this week.
In the evening, I attended the All Candidates Forum at Frank Wills Hall that was hosted by the Cochrane Settlement Community Association. It was well attended by people from all over town, and I will submit a separate posting for some of my observations from that event. It was very good of the community association to hold the forum and give candidates an opportunity to meet with interested and engaged citizens and with each other.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Riversong
I was delighted with Riversong, but agree with the citizens I met there that the residential road into their community should not also be an industrial road for gravel trucks. This has been an ongoing issue for many years, even before the development started, and still nothing has been done to ensure that the gravel pit operator has more appropriate access to his lands that does not interfere with residential peaceful enjoyment of property. Gravel truck operations so close to a school is also not appropriate-this is a residential neighbourhood; not an industrial area.
Since the developer turned the residential road over to the Town, the Town does not sweep the streets or keep the dust down like the developer used to. The Town is not monitoring the industrial traffic to ensure that the road is not being damaged-it is being damgaed already by heavy truck usage. The operator runs fulltime, and the dust and noise are huge problems for citizens in the area.
Like people in Gleneagles, the people in Riversong are very concerned about high taxes and are not sure why the Town can contemplate an increase in taxes when they are already so high. They would like to see the Town enter into a public consultation process so that they can understand the benefits they receive for the high taxes paid. They want the Town to stop the urban sprawl and get facilities in place before continuing to grow if it means more increases in their taxes.
Tomorrow I will be in Cochrane Heights with my friend Grace. I wonder what issues I will discover in that part of Town? See you there.
Since the developer turned the residential road over to the Town, the Town does not sweep the streets or keep the dust down like the developer used to. The Town is not monitoring the industrial traffic to ensure that the road is not being damaged-it is being damgaed already by heavy truck usage. The operator runs fulltime, and the dust and noise are huge problems for citizens in the area.
Like people in Gleneagles, the people in Riversong are very concerned about high taxes and are not sure why the Town can contemplate an increase in taxes when they are already so high. They would like to see the Town enter into a public consultation process so that they can understand the benefits they receive for the high taxes paid. They want the Town to stop the urban sprawl and get facilities in place before continuing to grow if it means more increases in their taxes.
Tomorrow I will be in Cochrane Heights with my friend Grace. I wonder what issues I will discover in that part of Town? See you there.
Gleneagles and Riversong
Thanks for following this blog. I hope you are finding it informative as you prepare to make your choices for council members in the election on October 18th. If you are unsure of where to vote, you can email me at stewart.jmm@gmail.com. You can also link in to the Town's website and find election information there. http://www.cochrane.ca/
Today, Kelsey canvassed with me in Gleneagles and we finished two entire communities and part of a third. What a varied and interesting neighbourhood, and Kelsey is a wonderful and motivating canvasser to be out and about with, to be sure.
In the first neighbourhood near the Mormon Church, I met many young families with so many interesting ideas. The area was developed as a bareland condominium property, and there are many concerns and issues arising from that property arrangement.
First, the entrance into Gleneagles off Highway 1A is an accident waiting to happen. It is time for the Town to put traffic control lights at that intersection-it is impossible to turn left to go down the hill into Cochrane on a Saturday. Turning right requires steady nerves and a sense that anything could happen-something must be done as soon as possible to rectify the situation there. Maybe some traffic lights?
Second, if you live in those houses, your children have to use acrosswalk that is dangerous to get to the school bus, and it is not appropriate for use by children. People who turn into Gleneagles from Highway 1A, or who are approaching Highway 1A from below the hill in other phases of Gleneagles speed along without paying much heed to that crosswalk. It needs to be better controlled, and perhaps some speed attenuation bumps or other devices to slow people down there is required. I watched traffic at that intersection and I would not allow my children to use that crosswalk to get to the bus unattended. Something more must be done, and a set of overhead flashing lights to remind drivers that pedestrians use that crosswalk are required.
Third, taxes are extremely high, given that the bareland condo has its own charges for internal street cleaning, snow removal etc. People wonder what they receive from the Town that justifies the high taxes. I explained the market value assessment process, the taxation process and the taxation review process. I hope people will take advantage of the information I provided.
Fourth, there is no pathway connection to the rest of the community-there is no where to walk safely, as there are no sidewalks and the only road to town is a windy two lane connector down the hill that is not suitable for pedestrian traffic given there are no sidewalks or associated pathways that run parellel. There are no paths, trails, garbage cans, snow removal-so what are citizens in the bareland condo paying such high taxes for? There is no room to park on the streets and there would be a problem if emergency vehicles had to access the neighbourhood. I am surprised that the Town planners allowed this bareland condo development that obviously does not meet the standards for other developments in Cochrane. What were they thinking?
Fifth, the noise!!!!! The homes adjacent to the fence that abuts Highway 1A are subject to so much noise that it is unpleasant to be outside. The Town will need to look into noise attenuation barriers soon-and I wonder why proper noise attenuation was not required of the developer. Why do the general taxpayers have to pay for something that was so obviously necessary and the responsibility of the developer at the time the lands were developed? THis has not resulted in a higher standard of living or better quality of life for these young families. It makes no sense to me that this development proceeded without sound attenuation from the onset.
People who live in these houses are very happy with their view and their neighbourhood, but they really feel that the council has not listened to them or addressed their concerns appropriately.
In Phase 1 of Gleneagles, people tended to be more concerned with growth, the need for a pool and taxes. Many people talked with me and encouraged me, and I was truly motivated. If elected, I will work hard to ensure that the citizens of Gleneagles are properly represented at the council table, as they do have a wonderful neighbourhood, but need to be listened to and their issues addressed.
I also began canvassing in the Estates of Gleneagles before running out of time. I was pleased with the reception there, and I think I encouraged a few people to attend the Forum at Frank Wills tomorrow night to see all the candidates in action.
I will address Riversong in a different post.
Today, Kelsey canvassed with me in Gleneagles and we finished two entire communities and part of a third. What a varied and interesting neighbourhood, and Kelsey is a wonderful and motivating canvasser to be out and about with, to be sure.
In the first neighbourhood near the Mormon Church, I met many young families with so many interesting ideas. The area was developed as a bareland condominium property, and there are many concerns and issues arising from that property arrangement.
First, the entrance into Gleneagles off Highway 1A is an accident waiting to happen. It is time for the Town to put traffic control lights at that intersection-it is impossible to turn left to go down the hill into Cochrane on a Saturday. Turning right requires steady nerves and a sense that anything could happen-something must be done as soon as possible to rectify the situation there. Maybe some traffic lights?
Second, if you live in those houses, your children have to use acrosswalk that is dangerous to get to the school bus, and it is not appropriate for use by children. People who turn into Gleneagles from Highway 1A, or who are approaching Highway 1A from below the hill in other phases of Gleneagles speed along without paying much heed to that crosswalk. It needs to be better controlled, and perhaps some speed attenuation bumps or other devices to slow people down there is required. I watched traffic at that intersection and I would not allow my children to use that crosswalk to get to the bus unattended. Something more must be done, and a set of overhead flashing lights to remind drivers that pedestrians use that crosswalk are required.
Third, taxes are extremely high, given that the bareland condo has its own charges for internal street cleaning, snow removal etc. People wonder what they receive from the Town that justifies the high taxes. I explained the market value assessment process, the taxation process and the taxation review process. I hope people will take advantage of the information I provided.
Fourth, there is no pathway connection to the rest of the community-there is no where to walk safely, as there are no sidewalks and the only road to town is a windy two lane connector down the hill that is not suitable for pedestrian traffic given there are no sidewalks or associated pathways that run parellel. There are no paths, trails, garbage cans, snow removal-so what are citizens in the bareland condo paying such high taxes for? There is no room to park on the streets and there would be a problem if emergency vehicles had to access the neighbourhood. I am surprised that the Town planners allowed this bareland condo development that obviously does not meet the standards for other developments in Cochrane. What were they thinking?
Fifth, the noise!!!!! The homes adjacent to the fence that abuts Highway 1A are subject to so much noise that it is unpleasant to be outside. The Town will need to look into noise attenuation barriers soon-and I wonder why proper noise attenuation was not required of the developer. Why do the general taxpayers have to pay for something that was so obviously necessary and the responsibility of the developer at the time the lands were developed? THis has not resulted in a higher standard of living or better quality of life for these young families. It makes no sense to me that this development proceeded without sound attenuation from the onset.
People who live in these houses are very happy with their view and their neighbourhood, but they really feel that the council has not listened to them or addressed their concerns appropriately.
In Phase 1 of Gleneagles, people tended to be more concerned with growth, the need for a pool and taxes. Many people talked with me and encouraged me, and I was truly motivated. If elected, I will work hard to ensure that the citizens of Gleneagles are properly represented at the council table, as they do have a wonderful neighbourhood, but need to be listened to and their issues addressed.
I also began canvassing in the Estates of Gleneagles before running out of time. I was pleased with the reception there, and I think I encouraged a few people to attend the Forum at Frank Wills tomorrow night to see all the candidates in action.
I will address Riversong in a different post.
West Valley
Last evening, I canvassed in West Valley. I am pleased with the reception I am receiving, and thank everyone who took time to speak with me. It was nice to meet a family who are excited about the possibility of public transit and community gardens. Generally, people I talk with are unsure if we can afford a new transit system given the costs of maintenance. The same family was very concerned about urban sprawl and the new developments that are destroying natural habitat. We talked about the possibility of restoration of these environments, and I was able to explain about the CEAC project that is underway at the Toyota wetland that is an amazing partnership to restore the pond there.
Generally, the main issue raised in this community in West Valley was traffic congestion downtown, especially when there is a train passing through, and the amount of growth we are experiencing without proper services in place to accomodate all the new people.
Today, (Saturday) I convassed with Kelsey in three different communities in Gleneagles and then went off to Riversong in the evening. I missed the CEAC Film Festival, (I hope CEAC members will forgive me) but attended the Cochrane Music Society Barbeque with my husband who plays in the band and sings in the choir. The food was great, and it was great to chat with and see all my band friends again, as I used to play a trombone in the band until 3 years ago. Two of my friends told me I better come by their neighbourhood soon!!! I will create another post for what I learned from citizens today in Gleneagles and Riversong.
Tomorrow is the All Candidates Forum at the Frank Wills Hall from 7-9, everyone is welcome. Please come out! During the day I will be canvassing in Cochrane Heights.
Generally, the main issue raised in this community in West Valley was traffic congestion downtown, especially when there is a train passing through, and the amount of growth we are experiencing without proper services in place to accomodate all the new people.
Today, (Saturday) I convassed with Kelsey in three different communities in Gleneagles and then went off to Riversong in the evening. I missed the CEAC Film Festival, (I hope CEAC members will forgive me) but attended the Cochrane Music Society Barbeque with my husband who plays in the band and sings in the choir. The food was great, and it was great to chat with and see all my band friends again, as I used to play a trombone in the band until 3 years ago. Two of my friends told me I better come by their neighbourhood soon!!! I will create another post for what I learned from citizens today in Gleneagles and Riversong.
Tomorrow is the All Candidates Forum at the Frank Wills Hall from 7-9, everyone is welcome. Please come out! During the day I will be canvassing in Cochrane Heights.
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