KANATA NORTH NEWS Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North CANADA DAY IN KANATA

Sunday, July 1st is Canada Day in Kanata! Organized by a dedicated and hardworkingvolunteer committee, it takes place at Walter Baker Park (just off Terry Fox Dr. at Maple Grove Rd.). The park will be alive with activity all day. Ill be going to the Seniors Breakfast at 9 am and then will be at my tent from about 1 pm to 6 pm. Ill have again maple leaf tattoos for everyone (until supplies run out) and will be happy to meet you there. More than 30,000 people of all ages enjoy our fabulous Canada Day right here in Kanata, particularly families, as it is a safe place for young children. Enjoy entertainment all day, and a childrens play area with face painting, crafts, bouncies and more. Also, there will be a food court, exhibits, entertainment including Crash the Clown and the Suburban Monkeys, a mechanical bull, a midway, plus other fun activities. For information about the many acts on the main stage go to http://www.canadadayinkanata.com. The day ends with a great fireworks display. See you there!

REPORT ON 2 THE PARKWAY IS OUT

Anyone who put in a comment to the City Planner on the zoning application for 2 The Parkway will receive a copy of the report that is going to the Planning Committee on July 9th. As soon as I get my copy I will have it put on my website. Ill be able to put the staff recommendation into my next column so anyone interested in speaking at the Committee will have the information.

BUSINESS IMPROVMENT AREA

A report is going to the Finance and Economic Development Committee on July 3rd recommending that a vote take place in the Kanata North Business Park area identified for the formation of a Business Improvement Area (BIA). The committee decision will then go to the Council meeting on July 11th for final approval. If the recommendation is accepted, then the City will send notices to all property owners in the area with a legal requirement for those owners to circulate to all their tenants in the area. Under the Municipal Act, tenants and owners can notify the City if they are not in favour of having a BIA. The City will tabulate the results and if fewer than 30% are opposed, the BIA will be approved. Then a general meeting of the businesses in the area will be held to select a Board of Directors and prepare the first budget, so that the BIA can start operating as of the 1st of January, 2013.

CYCLING

There are a lot of people using bicycles who are failing to follow the rules of the road. Bicycles are vehicles and cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists! Please ensure that all members of your family are familiar with the following: - Bicycles must have an operating bell and on joint paths, e.g. in parks, cyclists must use their bells to warn pedestrians that they are being approached. - Stop at all stop signs and red lights. - Cycle on the right side of the road. - Ride on the road, not the sidewalk. - Use proper lighting when riding at night. - Use proper hand signalling when turning and stopping. - Remember to wear a CSA certified helmet (it's the law for cyclists under the age of 18). - Be predictable in traffic - ride in a straight line - ride at least one meter from the curb. - Give pedestrians the right of way. - Always shoulder check when turning. - Ride defensively.

NOTES
At the Transportation Committee on July 4th a report will be considered recommending the purchase of lands near Terry Fox Dr. for a future Park and Ride. A new, large Park and Ride in that area will free up many spaces at the Eagleson Park and Ride. Once developed, staff have indicated that there will be express service from that location to downtown.

PUBLIC MEETINGS & EVENTS

Sunday, 1 July, Canada Day in Kanata Saturday, 7 July, 2 pm, Official Opening of the renovated Hazeldean Library Branch Wednesday, 18 July, 4 8 pm, Kanata North Annual Picnic, Sandwell Green on the Parkway