Nov
25
2011
Councillors are currently reviewing the 2012-2014 Capital Budget. This is the budget for the City’s infrastructure—recreation centres, fire stations, major road projects, bus fleet renewal, park improvements and more. Council approves these projects in three-year cycles because of the amount of planning that needs to occur to coordinate such large investments.
During this round of budget discussions, one of my top priorities will be to set aside money for land purchase for the Southeast LRT. We need to keep this project moving if we are going to see LRT extended to Mill Woods Town Centre in the near future. I am also advocating strongly for much-needed road expansions to reduce traffic congestion on busy east-west routes in Ward 12 (along 23 Avenue, 34 Avenue, and 38 Avenue). I will continue to support the Meadows Rec Centre and Library complex and the Mill Woods Library Branch expansion projects (both planned to open in 2014), and ensure that a Mill Woods Senior and Multicultural Centre is included as part of the latter project.
Nov
23
2011
Yesterday we took a major step forward for public transportation in our city. Council stepped up its level of commitment to getting LRT extended to Mill Woods – we’ve put money on the table, and we’re asking the Provincial and Federal governments to do the same.
Nov
17
2011
Traffic safety is becoming an urgent concern in some of our residential areas in Ward 12. Most recently, concerned constituents wrote to me when an individual was struck by a car near Julia Kiniski School (44 Street and 41 Avenue).
Data collected around the time of this incident suggest that speeding is a major problem there: over a six-day measurement period in October, only 24% of cars were travelling at or below the speed limit – which means that three of every four cars were speeding.
Another problem location is Silver Berry Road. There were 44 collisions there from 2008-2010. In the worst spot, 15% of cars were driving about 18 km/h over the speed limit.
I have been working with the City’s
Office of Traffic Safety for a number of months to identify solutions to this ongoing concern. We have taken some actions and learned some strategies for future efforts, but no solution will prove completely effective until drivers take ownership of the problem and recognize the need to drive at safe speeds. A pedestrian struck by a car at 50 km/h has only a 10% chance of surviving, while a pedestrian struck at 30 km/h has a 90% chance of surviving.
Nov
01
2011
I have received many emails and phone calls about this issue over the past few weeks. Please know that I have given each one consideration in coming to a decision. Ultimately, I supported the negotiated framework for a new downtown arena district. Please allow me to explain why.
