[GREN-Exec] Wednesday Update - Lots of ROP Response Activities Underway

[Kevin Thomason]

Hi GREN Executive,

The community is responding to our call for help regarding the inadequate Regional Official Plan Scenarios.  I have had calls and meetings with numerous community groups and leaders today including:
	
	- planning meetings with Franz Hartman and Kevin Eby,

	- Zoom meetings with 30 x 50, Divest Waterloo, Nith Valley Ecoboosters, Food System Round Table, Council of Canadians, and Faith Climate Justice who are jointly going to put on two webinars:

		1) A planning meeting of leaders from all possible community groups on this Friday, Nov 5 at 7:00pm to inform and co-ordinate our delegations on Tuesday, Nov 9th at Regional Council.  It is hoped that we can get at least 15 different community groups expressing concerns about the weak targets and lack of community consultation/engagement.  An Eventbrite page is already up to Register to get the Zoom link for this planning meeting:  	https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/call-to-action-responding-to-waterloo-regions-growth-plan-tickets-204436804987 <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/call-to-action-responding-to-waterloo-regions-growth-plan-tickets-204436804987>
			
		2) An informative webinar for all interested members of the public on Monday, November 15th at 7:00pm on Zoom.  It will be a presentation on the Regional Official Plan Update, an Q&A session, and then a call to action to get attendees to write their Councillors to demand better targets and consultation. 

	- Zoom meeting with Hold the Line who are going to handle social media and update their e-mail advocacy machine/website so that people can easily send letters to elected officials about the ROP update.

My upcoming activities include:

	Thursday, Nov 4th - I’m meeting with Leah Gerber the Record newspaper reporter who has reached out to learn more about our concerns,
		- myself and Sean Campbell from Hold the Line are meeting with Councillor Tom Galloway to discuss friendly amendments or motions for Tuesday’s Council meeting,

	Friday, Nov 5th - meeting with Regional Staff to get questions addressed,
		- planning meeting with interested community leaders at 7:00pm to co-ordinate Council presentation for November 9th and co-ordinate our request of Council,

	Tuesday, Nov 9th - Council delegations by Community Groups 12:30pm - I have signed up individually and can either speak for GREN or someone else from GREN can present on our behalf as well.  Hopefully we can have a number of GREN people tune into the meeting virtually so that Councillors can see the community is watching.

	Monday, Nov 15th - Community webinar at 7:00pm on the ROP Update hosted by GREN and 30 x 50, Divest Waterloo, Nith Valley Ecoboosters, Food System Round Table, Council of Canadians, and Faith Climate Justice.  More details soon.

I will send an update on Thursday out to the entire GREN membership.  Please let me know any questions or ideas in the meantime.

Cheers,
Kevin.

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Kevin Thomason

1115 Cedar Grove Road
Waterloo, Ontario Canada  N2J 3Z4

Phone: (519) 888-0519
Mobile Phone/WhatsApp: (519) 240-1648
Twitter: @kthomason
E-mail: kevinthomason at mac.com

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