I'm excited to share some of the actions I have been leading or supporting at City Council. With your help, four years from now we will be able to say:
South papastew Bikes Playgrounds, & Tacos - Sunday September 25th: 9:00AM - 1:00PM (All Ages. Outdoor)
Join us for a Community Bike and Playground Tour of South papastew. Whether you bring your bike or meet us along the way, we would love to see you.
9:00 Square One Cafe, Aspen Gardens
9:15 St. Boniface Playground, Royal Gardens,
10:00 St. Martins Playground, Lendrum Community League
11:00 Italian Centre Snacktime, Empire Park
11:30 L.Y Cairns accessible playground, Empire Park
12:30 The Three Amigos for Tacos, Rideau Park/ Duggan
Save the Date: So Long Scona Pool - Pool Party October 2nd, 1:00-5:00PM
Join us for a final swim, a memory book, speakers, snacks and to share memories. Opportunity for outdoor conversation on the patio.
Bike Parade & Movie Shoot: Greenfield Community League to City Hall - October 8th 2PM
Did you know that this fall you will be able to bike from the south edge of Ward papastew (34th Ave) all the way to City Hall along completely separated or protected Bike Lanes?
To celebrate the conclusion of the fall construction season (and multiple neighbourhood renewals) we will be hosting a bike parade and video shoot (including drone video). Following the ride, I will provide a pizza reception at City Hall/Churchill Square for participants.
Garneau Community Braithwaite Dog Park Grand Opening October 16th, 2:00-4:00PM
CITYWIDE EVENT: Community League Day Events (Saturday September 17th): Neighbour Power! I'm planning on attending your neighbourhood event. Come say hello!
CITYWIDE EVENT: Electric (and Hydrogen) Vehicle Expo September 24th/25th - 10AM - 6PM More and more people are going electric. Edmonton’s first-ever EV Expo is your opportunity to get to know the options and advantages of electric and hydrogen powered transportation, from cars to bikes to buses, and more. This FREE event is open to all. https://edmontonevexpo.ca
ISSUES
Protecting Quality Public Services: We passed a motion to pause and review the privatization of the Municipal Aggregate Site. For years the city has supplied and recycled their own gravel, saving us time and money while providing a high-quality product and a reliable service. I supported this Motion moved by Clr. Erin Rutherford. Here's a summary of the decision and why it matters.
Drug Poisoning Epidemic: I shared these maps from the Fire Department where Firefighters are responding to -- not fires-- poisonings and are administering Naloxone. We need action from the Province and Federal government now.
HELP! Help match Seniors and housing opportunities:
I'm so excited that I could help bring this program to Edmonton! Canada Homeshare are looking for seniors in Ward papastew willing to billet a bedroom to a student.
Event: SouthWest Edmonton Seniors Association - October 1st: Hello Neighbour!
http://swesa.ca/hello-neighbour/
As part of our 10 Year Anniversary celebrations, SWESA is excited to launch the “Hello Neighbour – We’d like to meet you!” This project will support social participation and inclusion of all older adults in our community – and promote volunteerism. Broader engagement will be part of shaping SWESA for the next 10 years.
Bus to the Valley Zoo
Thanks to your advocacy, we now have an on-demand bus route to the Edmonton Valley Zoo!
Rooftop Solar
I toured the largest rooftop solar installation in Canada atop the Edmonton Expo Centre. This project is a result of a $5 Million investment from City Council.
Reminders: Draw on October 1st -
One box per neighbourhood. Enter by submitting one local food idea for your community.
Khair For All Food Box - http://councillorjanz.ca/foodboxgiveaway
Ok, Vroomer...
Community members are still frustrated about noisy vehicles.
Sign up for updates or to send a letter to the Provincial Minister and Police www.michaeljanz.ca/noise
Article - ALLEYWAY BEAUTIFUL.
I loved this article from the Rat Creek Press about beautiful alleyways. What could you and your neighbours do to beautify your alleyway and make your community safer?
Green Alleys is an ongoing pilot project in Eastwood and Alberta Avenue that is beautifying neighbourhood alleyways and improving safety in those spaces. The goal was to create an initiative that would encompass education and beautification, rebuild streets, and focus on placemaking, says Christy Morin, the executive director of AOTA. With safety concerns mounting in Alberta Avenue, especially for women, it became important to start the initiative.
“I had experienced some aggressive john activity, which was really frightening,” says Maggie Glasgow, an Alberta Avenue resident and one of Green Alleys’ project leads. “And then a number of other women in the neighbourhood had started to talk about the same thing, so it wasn’t just an isolated event. [We started] thinking of ways to make our space, our community, safer for women particularly, and girls.”
https://ratcreek.org/beautifying-neighbourhood-alleys/
Michael Janz
http://www.michaeljanz.ca/
Dear Readers, this week’s newsletter is all about better public transit. As of Monday December 8th, you can tap to pay with credit/debit/phone on city buses. This will make it more convenient to take transit when you have visitors, ride occasionally, or forget to refill your ARC card.
But I want to share with you some concerning news about uncertainty related to Federal Public Transit Funding...
As the weather turns colder, we are reminded again of the enormous cost of the social and humanitarian crisis on our streets in the richest province in Canada. As a resident of Whyte avenue, I see it everywhere around me. Just last night, a gentleman huddled in a sleeping bag in the alleyway next door.. The invisible become visible, often in transit stations, bus shelters, libraries, the remnants of public spaces.
Following my last post, (Raw Deal in the Region: Edmonton's Free Rider Problem) when you pay your property taxes, a percentage of your taxes are subsidizing the costs of the region, helping offset the taxes for property owners in the region. How much is that amount? And what do we do about it?
