[All] Fw: GREN meeting this Wednesday February 17

Wed Feb 24 11:08:22 EST 2010

GREN meeting this Wednesday February 17I'm forwarding this email from Bart Forwell who is offering to help in this issue for GREN   Guess you could take note of that for future info and referral to him for updates.   Ginny
----- Original Message ----- 
From: I FORWELL 
To: Ginny Quinn 
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 6:45 AM
Subject: RE: [All] GREN meeting this Wednesday February 17

Hi Ginny

I see the agenda will touch on pedestrian and cycling issues.  I am on both the Region and City of kitchener cycling committees.  If you ever need to know what is going on  from that perspective just let me know.

thanks

bart

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From: ginny at kw.igs.net
To: all at gren.ca; jjackson at web.ca
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:35:48 -0500
Subject: Re: [All] GREN meeting this Wednesday February 17

 Good evening fellow GRENs  
That's a very full compliment of items of importance of environmental (and 
 more) issues of great importance to our future.  John, you make a great chair    guess it's all your past 
experience and I, for one, am so happy to have you  share it with GREN.
I hope we can eventually get an organized "meet  (and question) " the candidates in the early fall about
how they feel about certain issues.  

One of My 'big' ones will be to ask what they know of    (or have read of )  the Region's ESL attempt and 
proposal to "Hold the Country  Side Line" and preserve our farm land and mainly our 2   (not  1   but 2)
 very high recharge areas in the Trussler Reidel/ Road areas in the Doon South section of KItchener.
Is the candidate aware that , with Global warming, there is much fear that Wat. Region  may not have 
the option in 2035 of tapping into Lake Erie for a pipeline.   Are they aware that the Region  (which is
 responsible for 'producing' quality drinking water) wants to protect and preserve this area from 
development because with the Province expecting us to take on 250,000 new immigrants here , there 
will be a need to produce more water to feed them.
  Are they aware , or have they thought of the fact ...that...Water is second only, to the air we breathe.
If they would like to represent us on council,  then how informed are they in this community's problems
and benefits?  Where do they seek information?      Have they interviewed some of the constituents 
who have been out there sticking their chin out to protect  so many areas of concern.???

Are they aware that never has there been so many informed and passionate and involved volunteer 
members of the public  willing to do verbal battle with staffs and councils here for our environment.
This includes our parks  and Green Spaces ?  our precious Gem, Hidden Valley...the protectionof 
our wildlife and Federal and Provinciallly protected endangered species  ( here we meet our Jefferson
Salamander. one of the few survivors of the Ice Age?) 
  Are they reading the local papers and listening to news and items on TV and Radio???  and doing
 some research on their own time??
Are they aware of our traffic problems..our smog problems...(that we are one of the worst smog cities 
in Canada and do they know some of the reasons?)  ....the problems of soil contaminations and 
remediation of such??
Are they aware of the solution to the remediation of Victoria Park Lake    and the importance of such? 
and the $$$$$ cost factor?  and the time frame for remediation?  

What do they know of the progress of "the Centre Block Plan?" in downtown Kitchener.

 What do they know of the Main Kitchener Library Plans and  Design ?   I am told by an interested
 avid 'downtown' promoter and reader  that these plans need to be questioned especially in regard 
to the safety?  nightime exposure of alleyways and underground parking darkness? back lanes.
*note*  I, personnally, am not a frequent user of this building, but have listened to the remarks of concern
and wonder if canditates are paying attention.
Is there anything we can do to stimulate more voters going out to "exercise" their option (privilege) 
of voting freely (our service men and women in all fields have fought 2 world wars to keep us free
and to give us this choice.)  Last election , only 24.4% of the eligible voters in Kitchener  cared enough 
to go out and vote. (Yes, I checked this number with the Kit. City Clerk) ...and *many* of that group were 
seniors who know the sacrifice of others to obtain and retain this *right* of freedom of expression. 

And YES    there are many other issues   $$$$$   financial$$$$    in both cities.
Questions re opinions on mergers...benefits vs   negatives.? 

If I can't make it to the meeting  (family sometimes takes priority)  then I have taken this last hour  to
hopefully add something of importance to your group thoughts.   
There are so many issues going on and some may get lost in the confusion if all of us don't stay alert.

Thanks for your patience.   Many of you will bring up many more issues and probably suggest that some 
small groups be formed to get a set group of questions ...would you suggest they be sent in advance to all 
candidates before meetings    1...in Kitchener......Waterloo.....Region....etc etc etc.   Regards    Ginny Quinn
PS  let me know if memberships are due if I don't get there.  GQ

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John Jackson 
  To: GREN 
  Sent: Sunday, February 14, 2010 2:03 PM
  Subject: [All] GREN meeting this Wednesday February 17

  GREN Agenda, Wednesday February 17, 7:15

  St. John’s Kitchen, 97 Victoria St N. (side door, upper floor), Kitchener

  The prime purpose of this meeting is to make decisions on the focuses of our work this year.

  7:15:   Election Procedure 
              Financial Status (Theo)
              Membership Status (Theo)

  7:30:   GREN Objectives & Work for 2010
             Part 1: GREN Organizational:

      a.. Website 
      b.. Media presence 
      c.. Meet & collaborate with other groups throughout the Grand River watershed

              Part 2: Issues for work:

      a.. Pipeline 
      b.. ROPP Country-line 
      c.. Municipal elections:

        a.. Candidate Questionnaire 
        b.. Take position on certain issues: Fluoridation, transit

      d.. Air Quality: idling issues, tree by-laws 
      e.. Pedestrian & Cycling issues 
      f.. Water quality: Sourcewater protection, etc 
      g.. Landuse: parking lots, gravel pits, protection of special ecological areas such as Hidden valley 

  8:45:   Member Updates

  9:10:  Next meeting: date & location

  -- 
  John Jackson
  17 Major Street
  Kitchener, Ontario N2H 4R1
  519-744-7503

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