Issues
Here's where we will list and discuss the issues that people would like to see addressed in the City. For example:
What should we be talking about?
Here's where we will list and discuss the issues that people would like to see addressed in the City. For example:
What should we be talking about?
The city's estimated expenditures for 2010 for water and sewer are approx 36 million. Should we be talking about water meters? Not only do they generate revenue but they encourage conservation and promote more sustainable use of resources. Toronto began installing them this past spring- see http://watercanada.net/2010/toronto-launches-water-meter-program/
You should be talking about how to improve the City's snow clearing plan to help address the deficit in the City's finances. There is so much waste and inefficiency and council and management won't even entertain the idea that things could be improved. That is true arrogance. For example, why do I see salt trucks driving around with three people in them? You can't honestly tell me that is an effective use of municipal resources. PS. (I'll be shocked if anyone ever reads this. Happy City my a#$)
Hey George,
Thanks for you comments - that is definitely a good point. A lot of people and organizations have been substantially affected by snowclearing efforts this year.
We've been keeping tabs on it, and trying to enable discussion on our Facebook group (http://facebook.com/HappyCity), which is where we spend most of our energy right now - we're still young! :)
But there definitely has to be a way to avoid this in the future, regardless of whether it could have been avoided this time around.
We'd like to see more information about snow clearing posted on the City's website, which we think would achieve two things: more people would understand the process that is being followed, and City Staff would be more likely to follow it closely because they would feel more accountable.
Wouldn't it be great to have several trails kept 'walkable' throughout the winter season? Perhaps Q.Vidi Lake for eastenders, Mundy Pond for central and Bowring Park for westenders would work nicely. This would prove extremely beneficial for partakers,both physically and mentally and do legions of good for keeping the flu at bay, reduce obesity, and so add benefits for diabetes (Type 2) control, etc, etc, etc. I recognize there is some effort happening in this area, but don't think it's enough. Unless you can afford cross-country skis or snowshoes, etc, to get into the backwooods, the majority of people rely on walking to enjoy the outdoors in winter.
Beverly, I agree with you 100%. Having lived in Brampton, Ontario for the last 15 years this is something I thought every city did. In Brampton the parks are cleared of snow all the time, just like the sidewalks and roads. I was surprised that St. John's does very little in the area of snow clearing other than the roads.