KANATA NORTH NEWS Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North WARD OFFICE OPEN!
Join me on Saturday, November 24th for the opening of the Kanata North Ward Office in the Mlacak Centre, 2500 Campeau Drive, from 10 am until 1 pm. Meet me and some of my staff, enjoy some refreshments and have some informal discussion. Having a place within the community to meet with residents makes it much more convenient for all. Ill still need to spend a lot of time at City Hall at meetings, representing the interests of Kanata North and the City as a whole. The office will be open initially on Wednesdays and Fridays. If you wish to meet with me please contact the office for a time to ensure that Ill be available. Weekend and evening times will be made available for those who work during the day.
BUDGET CONSULTATIONS
The budget document has now been tabled with Council. The document shows that to maintain services and to add a $20 million dollar fund for maintaining infrastructure would result in a 5.9% increase (excluding police). A companion document lists a great number of items that could be cut or deferred, totally $85 million, with $59 million in cuts being needed to reach a 0% increase on the City portion of the budget. The Police Services Board has approved a budget with a 9% increase which equals a 1.44% increase in property taxes. The long list of potential cuts are not included in the budget itself. They are simply suggestions on ways to reduce a property tax increase. To bring any one of these into the budget will require a motion from Councillors and a majority vote. I will not support cuts to services that would close libraries and community centres or reduce the level of maintenance of roads and parks. To see the list go to the budget page at ottawa.ca and click on the 2008 Draft Budget Transmittal Report. The Mayor has called for more administrative cuts. There is $20 million in such cuts already in the budget and another $80 million over the next two years. Im only willing to consider additional administrative cuts if they do not hinder City services. For example, cutting our technology budget, which is included in administrative costs, would hinder our ability to reduce costs through increased use of technology. To find out more come to one of the budget consultations (Thursday November 22, 1-3 pm, Mlacak Centre and Tuesday, November 27, 6:30-8:30 pm at the Ron
Maslin Playhouse in Walter Baker Park (off Terry Fox). You can also book a 5 minute presentation time in front of the whole Council between December 3rd and 6th. Evening appointments will be on December 4th.
SIGNATURE RIDGE/FARM BOY MEETING
On May 9th a number of residents met at the Signature Ridge plaza to discuss the impact of the new Farm Boy store on their neighbourhood. At that time a commitment was made to have a follow-up meeting in the fall to deal with any issues arising from the operation of the new store. Ive called this meeting for Monday, November 26th at 7 pm in the Program Room of the Kanata Seniors Centre at the west end of the Mlacak Centre, 2500 Campeau Drive. Representatives from both the plaza owners and Farm Boy will join us to answer questions. All interested residents are welcome to attend.
COMING EVENTS
Nov 22 1 pm, Budget Consultation, Mlacak Halls A& B Nov 24 Open House, Ward office, Mlacak Nov 24-25 10 5 pm, Gift of Art Show, Mlacak Nov 27 6:30 pm, Budget Consultation, Ron Maslin Playhouse, off Terry Fox in Walter Baker Park Dec 6 7 pm, Ward Council, Mlacak
Serving the residents and businesses in Kanata North
To receive the Kanata North Newsletter, to deal with a concern or make a suggestion contact me at 613-580-2474, email Marianne.Wilkinson@ottawa.ca or through www.mariannewilkinson.com
