Joan Jardin for City Councillor

Joan and her campaign team have been asked interesting questions as they canvassed door-to-door.  Here are some questions and the answers that our researcher discovered.

1. How are bus routes determined and are they modified over time to reflect changes in transit patterns?  How can residents influence the routes?

Kingston's Transportation Master Plan http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/transportation/ktmp/index.asp came into effect recently. The plan outlines the strategic direction for the development of its transportation networks, programs and priorities.  The plan is reviewed and updated every five years.  New routes are recommended by looking at high density areas and areas of growth and through extensive public consultation.  All new routes depend on approval by council, and must fit within the allocated budget. 

2. How are snowplowing routes determined and are they modified over time to reflect changes in transit patterns?  How can residents influence the routes?  Thecompliant is that small streets often ploughed before major streets.

The City of Kingston's webpage on snow removal  http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/transportation/streets/winter/index..asp   provides a list of factors which helps the City prioritizes which roads to plough first. There is also a link http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/transportation/streets/winter/lookup where residents can type in their address and be given an expected timeline for snow removal. 

3. Why are #2 plastics rejected by recycling truck workers when the city's literature says that the will be taken?

According to the City of Kingston public service department #2 plastics should be accepted by recycling truck workers.  The rejection is likely due to operator error. Rigid and foam plastic containers (#1 with screw tops, 2, 4, 5 & 6) as well as glass bottles and jars should be collected.  For further information see the City's recycling webpage.  http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/waste/recycling/index.asp

4. I have an issue with low flying planes at late hours. I live near the airport and I accept that planes will fly regularly during normal business hours, but we have had planes fly by as late as 11 and 12 PM.

According to the Kingston's bylaw enforcement officer the airport is federally run. Therefore, the city cannot enforce any restrictions on noise from the airport or flight times. Our research officer spoke with Airport Manager, David Snow. According to Mr. Snow, Transport Canada has guidelines called Landuse in the Vicinity of Airports(report # TP1247E) which determine how much noise is acceptable in neighbourhoods surrounding airports.  There is a technical measurement called 'noise exposure forecast (NEF)' to measure noise from aircraft.  The guidelines state that neighbourhoods should not be built in areas above NEF level 30.  According to Mr. Snow all level 30 areas are within airport grounds.

That being said, Mr Snow stated he likes to stay in close touch with the surrounding community to make sure that their concerns are addressed.  He suggested that the concerned resident should contact him (613) 389-6404, ext 4 to discuss any concerns.

Thank you for meeting with me and sharing your concerns.
Here is what I’m hearing at your doors and what I am pledging.

 

The Prison Farm

You are telling me:that we must keep the prison farm land agricultural.

I am pledging to you:  that I will fight to keep the lands agricultural through lobbying and city zoning by-laws.

Taxes

You are telling me:that since amalgamation, Lakeside tax dollars appear to have been spent on very expensive projects in Kingston’s core such as the K-Rock Centre, and renovations to Market Square and the Grand Theatre.

I am pledging to you:that I will fight to keep more tax dollars in Lakeside.

Services for Lakeside

You are telling me:that we must maintain our infrastructure before we spend on mega-projects. 

I am pledging to you:that I will work to improve drainage and sidewalks, maintain better parklands, restore pick-up of big items, and respond to snow plowing complaints.

Bikes, Lights, Buses, Speed Bumps

You are telling me:that we need more bike lanes, stop lights at Acadia and Bayridge, a four-way stop at Hyde and Lakeview.  And many of you have complained about the speed bumps!

I am pledging to you:that I will get these projects done.  I will get action on bus routes and speeding cars. I promise that no more speed bumps will be installed in Lakeside without serious consultation with residents.

Lake Ontario Park, Aberdeen St.

You are telling me:that we must improve the use of Lake Ontario Park, and resolve the problems with Aberdeen St.

I am pledging to you:that I will make decisions that promote the waterfront and positive community activities.

Please vote for me, Joan JARDIN, for Lakeside Councillor.

I am reliable, responsive, and ready to do better.

Joan and her campaign team have been asked interesting questions as they canvassed door-to-door.  Here are some questions and the answers that our researchers discovered.

1. A mother with young children wondered when the park on the top of the hill on Balantrae Circle will be finished. 

I called Chris Hebert of the city’s park planning office.  She stated that this park was originally designed as a “passive” park, but due to local pressure, playground equipment was installed two years ago. (A victory for a local interest group!)At this time, the only remaining work to be done is to create connecting pathways linking the park to nearby streets.  These asphalt paths will be installed in the spring when the weather is guaranteed to be mild so that the asphalt can settle.

2. In the Oct. 19 Whig Standard, Dorothy Hector says that she is in favour of expansion of our airport.  Is airport expansion part of the city plan?

I spoke with Airport Manager David Snow, who said that in 2007, the master plan for Kingston’s airport recommended enhanced infrastructure to meet anticipated needs and industrial expansion for runways and flight taxi lanes.  However, no firm capital plans are in place to provide this development. The new council will receive a draft of this strategic plan and decide whether or not to commit money.  In 2007, it was thought that upwards of $2 million would be needed to expand one runway.  While federal funds are available for new vehicles or resurfacing runways, it will be up to the city to pay for the new runway costs.

3. How are speed bumps approved and installed?  Are more planned for Lakeside District, particularly on Roosevelt?

After consultation with residents, each district councilor submits proposals for two streets to be considered for traffic calming measures which may include speed bumps.  The city then assesses each proposal before proceeding.  There are guidelines governing the distance between each speed bump, depending upon the desired speed of passing cars.  For example, for minimum speed, bumps are placed 125 metres apart; the maximum separation is approximately 200 metres. Because this council’s session is ending, no more speed bumps are planned.  It will be up to each new councilor to propose up to two new traffic calming measures for his or her distric.

 

 

 

 

 

Joan supports the creation of demonstration sites for sustainable energy technology for use on farms world-wide. 

The Frontenac Institution is an excellent site for the production of renewable energy.  As well, this project could give inmates experience in this career. 

There are many reasons why Kingston’s prison farm land is a perfect site to demonstrate sustainable energy technology:

• The prison farm is prime agricultural land, and highly valuable for our future food security.
• This land has space for solar energy projects, small-scale wind energy projects, geo-thermal projects and agricultural bio-mass projects such as the growth of switchgrass.
• This site has the raw ingredients for a bio-gas facility, in the form of food waste and manure from cattle and chicken.
• There is a transformer site on the land.

Finally, Kingston’s business, farming, research and educational institutions possess world-class knowledge and expertise. 

By creating innovative agricultural demonstration sites for sustainable energy technology, Kingston could become a world leader in sustainable energy.

Thanks to Ted Hsu for the ideas.

Joan will speak to residents at Crystal Manor Seniors Apartment, 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 14.

Joan is going to be at Paulina's Restaurant on Front Road this Sunday, Oct. 17th, 10:30 - noon. Come and have a conversation with Joan. Let her know what you think about City Hall!

Wednesday, October 20 Joan will be at the Pasta Shelf at 4 pm.

Drop by and have a chat with her. She has been talking to many residents of her district who have been sharing their concerns about Lakeside and giving her their idea of the role that a city councillor needs to fulfill. Representing citizens is more than having opinions, according to Joan, it means bringing issues forward and helping the people of Lakeside communicate with their municipal government. She is ready for the job.

Click here for a PDF version of this pamphlet.

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Suddenly, it’s gotten busy and a lot more fun. People are especially responding to issues around  representation of our local issues. I’ve heard about speed bumps and the prison farms and about how neighbourhoods can be heard at City Hall. Lots of people have wondered about a pool.

My campaign is all about listening. Listening to my neighbours. Listening to the concerns of the people in Lakeside District.

For me, politics is all about participation. That's democracy. More than just heading for the ballot box every once in awhile. It took me awhile to decide to run for office. It's a big step, an even bigger commitment. And now that I'm running, my commitment to you is the following: Contact me about your concerns. Post a comment, replying to my blog entries. I'll be sure to get back to you. I want to represent you. And take your concerns to City Hall.

Follow me on Twitter
http://twitter.com/JoanJardin