Downtown woman running for Kanata North spot
KEN hosts allcandidates forum JULIE GOURLEY KANATA ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK Kanata Environmental Network (KEN) is hosting an allcandidates forum on sustainability in time for the upcoming municipal election. At the event the candidates from Kanata North and South will debate the broad topic of sustainability from an economic and environmental perspective. On Sept. 21 the candidates will share their vision for the future development of Kanata and address the issue of long-term sus-
tainability. Questions will be posed by a number of local organizations, including Ecology Ottawa, Kanata Chamber of Commerce, KEN, and the Coalition for the Protection of the South March Highlands. There will be an opportunity to meet with the candidates and visit their information booths. The event is free and it will be held at the Holy Trinity Catholic High School at 180 Katimavik Rd. from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit www. kanataenvironmentalnetwork. com.
Kanata Research Park centre celebrates 10 years KRP FAMILY CENTRE The Kanata Research Park Family Centre is celebrating 10 great years. Plans are underway for the KRP Family Centre 10 year reunion. The event will be an outdoor, old-fashioned style family picnic and barbeque with a silent auction, games, food and entertainment. The event will be a community fundraiser with all proceeds donated to Camp Quality Eastern Ontario, a non-profit organization providing a camping experience and support for children with can-
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cer and their families. KRP is a multi-service, not-forprofit childcare agency for families. KRP builds on the strength of families by supporting parents in their role of raising and educating their children. The event is planned for Sept. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m., in the soccer field across from the centre at 100 Helmsdale Dr., Kanata. We welcome any community support and donations. For more information call 613591-1995 or email smurdoch@ krpfamilycentre.com.
Kanata Creative Kindergarten
JESSICA CUNHA KOURIER-STANDARD Lili Weemen threw her hat into the ring for the Kanata North councillor seat on Friday, Sept. 10. Weemen, who has run in a federal election in Mississauga South, then in La Beauce, Quebec and later for mayor of Toronto, said the high-tech ward needs to be where Lili Weemen change takes place. “People in Kanata north will be more receptive to my ideas because it’s a high-tech city,” she said. “They are more likely to be innovative. Everything that seems right, they are less likely to be critical; they are more likely to adopt things that are right.” Weemen, a sales and services associate with the YMCA, lives in the downtown Ottawa core, but said she plans on moving to Kanata north soon. Weemen, who is also a volunteer on Clive Doucet’s mayoral campaign, has lived all over the world and said she wants to see Ottawa adopt systems that work around the world. “I’ve lived in many countries, I have a very international perspective,” she said. “My ideas are a little different from others;
NEPEAN OPTOMETRIC CLINIC
they aren’t very localized. Whatever works, right? I pick things up from other places; you always try to adopt a better system.” OVERHAUL TRANSIT Weemen said the public transit system needs an overhaul. She said she wants to see weekly transit passes brought in since most people are paid weekly or biweekly and monthly passes are expensive. She said this is more economical if people have to take time off work as well. “Transit passes, when they were cheap, it was fine to pay monthly,” Weemen said. “Now it’s pricey. If you have to take a week or two weeks off work, this way you have the flexibility. Weekly is very convenient, it wouldn’t be that much money. You wouldn’t lose money if you take a week off.” Weemen said having free transit before 7 a.m. and after 6 p.m. heading from the suburbs to downtown would also relieve some of the rush hour congestion, as would a free shuttle that would run along Wellington, Elgin, Summerset and Kent streets after 7 a.m. This would require only two buses, which would cost around $500,000 each she said. “That would encourage people to leave their cars at home,” she said. “You would only need two buses to do the continual loop. Downtown Ottawa is ridiculous. You go in circles. But that would be replaced by the free shuttle.” She said she would get this money by halting the downtown tunnel. “I don’t want in a city where there’s less than one million to have underground rail. We have to have above-ground
light rail. Why would you be in the darkness when you can see the beautiful city?” She said digging a tunnel is costly to start and maintain and the money would be better served when put towards a better bus system. “Public transportation is not a profitable business,” she said. “What I suggest is stop digging the tunnels. We need better auditing; there’s huge money leakage in the city. Chop one consultant only and it’s enough to pay for one bus.” TAX BREAK Weemen said she wants to see residents receive a tax break for the next two years after the continual hikes that have been imposed. “We have to live a frugal life,” she said. “After that last hike I want to give people a break for two years. After that we carry on.” Weemen said she wants to see more stimulus money going to young entrepreneurs with strong business proposals. “How it’s used is very doubtful,” she said. “Whatever has been spent has been spent pretty lousily. We have to advertise wisely so that residents with great ideas can access the funds. “We don’t need fancy projects because fancy projects, you pay for them. But we have to encourage innovation and ideas.” Weemen said she will not be using signs or a website to promote her ideas, instead relying on doorto-door canvassing, all-candidates meetings and media. “In Kanata we have to be leaders,” she said. “As a high-tech city we have to be leaders.” jessica.cunha@metroland.com
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Junior/Senior Kindergarten 3, 4 or 5 Half days or Full Days Per Week Morning - English Program Afternoon - French Immersion Program Also Pre-JK for 3 year olds 2, 3 or 5 mornings per week Low Ratio “The low class ratio as well as the 1 Teacher dedication of the teachers is the for 8 high-light of K.C.K.” Children A.K.C.K. parent
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New Patients Welcome Prescriptions Filled Eyeglasses/Sunglasses Contact Lenses
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Gain knowledge about anxiety Learn self-management techniques Discover relaxation methods Practise communication skills Develop positive coping strategies
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Kanata Kourier-Standard - SEPTEMBER 16, 2010
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