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<FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>At our last meeting, we set up a committee to develop a plan for engaging the new councils within Waterloo Region. Last week, John J, Kevin T, Susan K, and Daphne met to develop plans. After discussion about options, we decided that the most effective way to reach councillors would be on specific issues. As we looked at the issues we are concerned with, it became clear that the most immediately pressing issue that decisions will be made on is the future of the LRT. Other issues, the pipeline for example, are further away in terms of the timing of key decisions. Therefore, we decided to proceed instead on the LRT issue, focusing on persuading the councillors and the public of the need to proceed now with the LRT, instead of relying purely on a bus system. We decided that we needed to put together a couple of fact sheets: one describing the benefits of a LRT system over other options, and 2) a fact sheet debunking the myths that are currently circulating in the community. We met with Regional Chair Ken S on Friday to discuss the issue with him and get his sense of what we could most contribute towards furthering this campaign. He agreed with the approach we suggested.<BR>
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We now need three decisions from the executive:<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><OL><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>Do you agree with us proceeding on education around the LRT issue and meetings with council members on this topic instead of holding a more general meeting with councillors at this time?
</SPAN></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>We need to set a date for a GREN meeting in January to discuss this and other issues. Please let me know your availability for the following dates: Tuesday January 18: _____; Thursday January 20: ________; Tuesday January 25: __________; Thursday January 27: _____________.
</SPAN></FONT><LI><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>We should try to have an executive committee meeting before the GREN general meeting. Please let me know your availability for the following evenings: Tuesday January 4: _______; Thursday January 6: __________; Thursday January 13: _____________.<BR>
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Please let me know your responses asap because I would like to send a notice out to our membership on our plans before Christmas.<BR>
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John<BR>
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John Jackson<BR>
17 Major Street<BR>
Kitchener, Ontario N2H 4R1<BR>
519-744-7503<BR>
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