Kitchener Citizen - January 2024 by Kitchener Citizen

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Real Estate Kitchener approves appointment to fill vacant seat orner C orner CCouncil KWow, what aaa crazy Wow, what crazy ride that that was! was! 130 Birch Ave Unit 4 ride Wow, what crazy ride that Is the housing boom going towas! end?

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owner, But director au-- condo Keep Your Mouth 519-589-4470 Clean - minium Eat, Drink Be and Wary signs owners include have bad smoke breath, smoke detector on every floor. the condominium corporation holiday spirit. However, don’t Linda Heber, RPN Foot Care Nurse thor of The Condominium Self they are are red, in The change to the Ontario from liability. brush your teeth at least twice healthy, unprocessed nutrient detectors sensitive and gumsthat which Nursing let the Corporation Grinch spoil Foot Care Educator Management Guide, 2nd ediPreventing fires is a very imworking order?and I have a day and use floss. Floss helps rich foods help the body fight proper sore, shiny or swollen, gums Fire Code also requires that all Foot Care Certified Master Pedicurist Free Parking your Christmas and order you smoke detectors be replaced tion. Send questions to marilynportant issue and the board concerns because my neighto remove food and plaque any infection. Reduce sugar which bleed after brushing or Page 6 l Kitchener Citizen l December 2023 to remove decorations be- condoguide@hotmail.com June 2017 l Kitchener Citizen l Page of directors cannot take risks23 told me he removed the every 10 years. Significant fines which getsyour lodged or forms intake. Sugar is a major cause of bour flossing. Checkout alsoofforhisthedetector warning will be imposed on those who when you have so many peobattery ••Basic ple living above, below or beBasic& &advanced advancedfoot footcare care signs of it oral cancer. cancer are caught ignoring this law. because went off Oral too many Basic && advanced foot care Basic advanced Statistics indicate that in side you. Those condominium ••••Trim & file toe nails Trim & file toe nails normally occurs on the sides of times. Trim && file nails Trim file&toe toe nails management ••••Skin, 50 percent of fatal prevent- corporations that have not Skin,corn corn &callous callous management Skin, corn & callous management the mouth, on the floor of the Skin, corn & callous ••••Diabetics welcome Diabetics welcome able house fires, there were no A. Howand many people reading Diabetics welcome Diabetics welcome mouth on the lower side of smoke detectors. In fact in Au- already done so, should be de••••Veterans Veteranswelcome welcome •••Home Veterans welcome Veterans welcome veloping a unit inspection plan this article know someone who Dr. Johnavailable S. Cameron, D.D.S. the tongue. visits Home visits available gust 2002, aMarch/2006 tragic fire claimed •••Home Home visits available As of every simple door to door inspection Q. Who is reAs of March/2006 every simple door to door inspection keep records particular to Q. Who is reDr.visits Irishavailable A. Malapitan, M.Sc., D.D.S. hasOral removed the battery from CancerQ.Warning Asyoung of March/2006 March/2006 every and simple door todoor door inspection Who is isSigns re- residence As of every simple door to inspection Who reLinda, The Foot Nurse Wishes for a memorable “Canada Day” on D.D.S. two lives in aaaworking Toronto Linda, The Foot Nurse must have to avoid loss of life and protect Dr. Michael D. Leeson, B.Sc., sponsible to confirm that the residence must have working to avoid loss of life and protect each individual unit. sponsible to confirm that the their smoke detector? Anyone Linda, The Footfrom Nurse Linda, Include: to confirm residence musthave have working toavoid avoidloss lossofoflife lifeand andprotect protect residence must aaworking to confirm that that the the smoke sponsible this special anniversary 519-589-4470 condominium hi-rise. Evi- the 519-589-4470 Dr. Gino Gizzarelli, B.Sc., Phm, D.D.S., detector on every floor. condominium corporation smoke detector on every floor. condo owners have smoke the condominium corporation Take the time to educate condo owners have smoke who thinks they are invincible 519-589-4470 519-589-4470 Q. We purchased a condo repairs that would cost a of the owner of a particular small lumps or thickened smoke detector on every floor. smoke detector on every floor. the condominium corporation the condominium corporation have smoke smoke The condo owners have M.Sc., (Dental Anesthesia) Dr. Douglas Beaton & Staff dence obtained from the fire from Linda Heber, RPN Care change to the Ontario liability. Linda Heber, RPNFoot Foot CareNurse Nurse The change to the Ontario detectors and that are in from liability. condo owners safety. detectors and that they are in regarding house/apartment Linda Heber, RPN areas in there the mouth LindaCare Heber, RPN Foot Foot Care Nurse The change to the Ontario fortune? Ialso thought thisOntario is that why Nursing The change to the where arethey bungalow unit. The about samefireusually from liability. from liability. Nursing they are in detectors and that they are in investigation indicated Foot Educator Fire Code requires that all Foot Care Educator Preventing fires is a very imNursing Fire Code also requires that all Nursing proper working order? I have Preventing fires is a very imNo one has to die in a house proper working order? I have fires better think again and Foot Foot Care Care Educator Educator red units or white patches the smoke Fire Code alsorequires requires that all applies CALL 519-893-6450 Fire also that all Preventing fires very imPreventing isis aavery imwe Code pay condo fees and have style on the lowerII in level to fires exterior doors smoke detectors were not inFoot order? have proper working order? have Free FootCare Care Certified detectors be replaced CertifiedMaster MasterPedicurist Pedicurist FreeParking Parking smoke detectors be replaced portant issue and the board concerns because my neighportant issue and the board fire when a simple and inexFoot Care Foot Care concerns because my neighreplace those batteries immeCertified Free Parking Certified Master Master Pedicurist Pedicurist smoke detectors be replaced smoke detectors be replaced mouth portant issue and the board portant issue and the board stalled in this condo unit. my stacked neigh- every reserve fund studies. Isn’t the of concerns because my neighand told two-storey units and windowsills. Ittake a 10 years. Significant fines every 10 years. Significant fines directors cannot risks 1335 Ottawa St. N Kitchener ottawaheritagedental.ca of directors cannot take risks bour me he pensive device called aseems smoke bour told me he removed the diately. every 10 years. Significant fines every 10 years. Significant fines a top. feeling ofremoved tinglingthe or will of directors directors cannot take risks of cannot take risks The condo corporation was when bour told me he removed the removed the be imposed on those who condo corporation responsible on The management has little risky to expect owners will be imposed on those who you have so many peowhen you have so many peodetector ishave available. These battery out his detector battery out of mouth his detector will be on those who willcaught betoimposed imposed onthis those who numbness in of the when you so peofound at fault (with the when youabove, have somany many peobattery out of his detector his detector are ignoring law. are caught ignoring this law. for caught thisbe major repair or ple living below or beinformed us that the owners to climb up on ladders to ple living above, below or bealarms give the occupants the because it went off too many because it went off too many are ignoring this law. are caught ignoring this law. bleeding in theoff mouth with no unit owner). The installation ple living above, below or beple living above, below or beStatistics indicate that in because it went too many off too many Statistics indicate that in side you. Those condominium restoration? side you. Those condominium are responsible to maintain all of Statistics minutes they need • Basic & advanced foot care times. complete balcony repairs. Peter is a licensed indicate in Statistics indicate that in precious times. obvious cause detectors athat public side condominium side you. you.Those Those condominium 50 percent of times. 50 smoke percent of fatal fatalispreventpreventcorporations that have not • Trim & file toe nails corporations that have not to escape a burning building. Sales Representative thesores upper balconies attached 50 percent of fatal prevent50 percent of fatal preventIf your condo documents in the mouth which do concern and the court found corporations that have not corporations that have not able house fires, there were no able house fires, there were no • Skin,New corn &Patients callous management A. How many people reading already done so, should be deA. How many people reading Welcome already done so, should be deHowever, in order to save able fires, were no A. house Review your condo with Re/Max and able house fires,there there were no already to the buildings. We reading do NEWSPAPER not smoke that the corporation did not notHow heal are silent regarding balcony COMMUNITY A. many people done so, should be depeople reading already done so, should be dedetectors. In fact in Au• Diabetics welcome KITCHENER’S ORIGINAL smoke detectors. In fact in Auplan this article know someone who veloping unitinspection inspection plan this article know someone who Dr. S.S.Cameron, lives theyaaaaunit must be in perfect smoke detectors. fact in smoke detectors. In fact inAuAuhas specialized inhave Dr.John John Cameron,D.D.S. D.D.S. documents andIn find the veloping show that ittragic took reasonable Avoid All Tobacco Products have a ladder and no • Veterans welcome veloping unit inspection plan this article know someone who veloping unit inspection plan someone who gust 2002, a fire claimed repairs or maintenance then Dr. John S. Cameron, gust 2002, a tragic fire claimed Dr. John S. Cameron, D.D.S. records to Dr. has removed the from andkeep keeporder, records particular to Dr.Irish IrishA. A.Malapitan, Malapitan,M.Sc., M.Sc.,D.D.S. D.D.S. has removed thebattery battery fromor two working so particular please check gust 2002, aalives tragic fire claimed gust 2002, tragic fire claimed the Stanley Park steps to avoid the re- and • Home available description and - using tobacco (chewing and records particular to Dr.visits Irish A. A. Malapitan, has removed battery from young in aatragic Toronto andkeep keep records particular to Dr. Irish M.Sc., D.D.S. battery from knowledge ofthe balcony repairs. two young lives in declaration Toronto the responsibility lies within Dr. D. each individual unit. Dr.Michael MichaelMalapitan, D.Leeson, Leeson,B.Sc., B.Sc.,D.D.S. D.D.S. As of March/2006 every simple door to door inspection their smoke detector? Anyone Q. Who is reeach individual unit. those batteries now before it is two young lives in a Toronto their smoke detector? Anyone two young lives in a Toronto area for 32cause years. sults. Therefore, ithi-rise. is very clear Dr.Gino Michael D. Leeson, Leeson, Dr. D. B.Sc., D.D.S. smoking) can minor andparade each individual unit. condominium hi-rise. EviItsmoke wasthat sunny weather for our the on November 18. Merry Christmas from the Waterloo Wolves! their detector? Anyone pages. The description will each individual unit. detector? Anyone condominium EviDr. Gizzarelli, B.Sc., Phm, D.D.S., Linda, The Foot Nurse We feel this is not Dr.Michael Gino Gizzarelli, B.Sc., Phm, D.D.S., the condo corporation to residence must have a working toTake avoid loss time of lifeto and protect who thinks they are sponsible to confirm that the dence Take the time to educate educate condominium hi-rise. too late.the who thinks they areinvincible invincible condominium hi-rise. EviDr. Gino Gizzarelli, B.Sc., Phm, D.D.S., that the responsibility for Evithe Dr. Gino Gizzarelli, M.Sc., (Dental Anesthesia) major oral health problems. obtained from the fire Take the to who thinks they invincible M.Sc., (Dental Anesthesia) Take the time time to educate educate dence obtained from the fire condo are invincible inform you of the boundaries 519-589-4470 responsibility asare balconies are installation smoke detector on every floor. owners about fire safety. the condominium corporation have these balcony repairs M.Sc., (Dental (Dental Anesthesia) Anesthesia) regarding house/apartment condo owners have smoke dence obtained from the fire condo owners about fire safety. M.Sc., dence obtained from the fire regarding house/apartment and operation of indicated that Minor problems include bad investigation condo owners about fire safety. regarding house/apartment investigation indicated that condo owners about fire safety. house/apartment of the units and the common Linda Heber, RPN Foot Care Nurse The change to the Ontario No one has to die in a house from liability. part of the common elements. investigation indicated that fires better think again and detectors and that they are in No one has to die in a house Marilyn Lincoln is a coninvestigation indicated that completed. You may also fires better think again and CALL 519-893-6450 smoke detectors is joint. OwnCALL 519-893-6450 smoke detectors were not inNursing Foot Care Educator breath and teeth staining. Major No one has to die in a house smoke detectors were not infires better think again and No one has to die in a house again and smoke Fire Code also that all CALL 519-893-6450 elements. The requires declaration will fire when aa director simple and inexPreventing fires is a very imdetectors were not inreplace those batteries immefire when simple and inexdo owner, and auproper working order? I have smoke detectors were not inWhy should we be forced into replace those batteries immeers are responsible to maintain request access to the reserve stalled this unit. problems include heart disease, fire when aa simple and inexstalledin in thiscondo condo unit. replace those batteries immefire when simple and inexFoot Care Certified Master Pedicurist Free Parking batteries immesmoke detectors be replaced 1335 Ottawa St. NN Kitchener ottawaheritagedental.ca pensive device called a smoke 1335 Ottawa St. Kitchener ottawaheritagedental.ca portant issue and the board stalled in this condo unit. inform you who isinstallation. responsible diately. pensive device called smoke thor ofstudy The to Condominium stalled in this condo unit. was concerns because mycancers. neigh- and ensure proper diately. hiring someone for balcony The condo corporation 1335Ottawa OttawaSt. St. N N Kitchener Kitchener ottawaheritagedental.ca ottawaheritagedental.ca fund review the pensive device called aaaThese smoke The condo corporation was detector 1335 and other oral cancer pensive device called smoke diately. Celebrating 27 of every 10 years. Significant fines isisYears available. The condo corporation was of directors cannot take risks The condo corporation was detector available. These Self Management Guide 2nd bour me he removed for the maintenance and Directors should confirm all he market during this global pandemic If I was thinking oftold selling in the next the found to be at fault (with the found to be at fault (with the detector is available. These current and future major detector is available. These will beto imposed on those who found at fault (with the give the the when you have so many peofound to bethe at fault (with the alarms alarms give the occupants occupants the ed. Send questions to marilyn smoke detectors are in battery out not of push his detector Serving Kitchener repairs ofbe units andgood the unit owner). The installation was not what we expected. You year or so I definitely would my unit owner). The installation alarms give the the alarms give theoccupants occupants the repairs and replacements that are caught ignoring this law. unit owner). The installation precious minutes they need ple living above, below or bePeter is a licensed unit owner). The installation precious minutes they need condoguide@hotmail.com working order. All it takes is a because it went off too many Peter is a licensed of smoke detectors is a public common elements. A schedule of smoke detectors is a public January • Established in 1996 precious minutes they need “Because good news is news too!” wouldwww.kitchenercitizen.com think things would have slowed • luck and do it2024 now. No one has a crystal Peter is a licensed precious minutes they need Statistics indicate that in licensed areescape scheduled regarding your of smokeand detectors isis aafound public to aa burning building. side you. Those condominium of detectors public Sales a licensed to escape burning building. times.Peter SalesisRepresentative Representative concern the court concern and thefatal court found to smoke the and declaration must However, to aa burning building. Sales Representative to escape escape in burning building. 50 percent of preventdown, but not in Kitchener Waterloo ball but we only haveSales Representative to look at history to concern the court found order to save corporations that have not common elements. Good concern and the court found with Re/Max and However, in order to save Representative with Re/Max Re/Max and and that corporation did that the corporation did not not However, ininso, order to save alsothe identify with able house fires,each therecommon were no lives However, order to save and that the corporation did not SECOND WARD 10 CANDIDATE they must be in perfect A. How many people reading already done should be dewhere PLACE prices have increased and the predict what might that the corporation did not happen in the future. has specialized in lives they must be in perfect with Re/Max and luck! has specialized specialized in in show that itit took reasonable show that took reasonable lives must be inin perfect smoke detectors. Inis fact in Au- working has lives they they must be perfect element area that exclusive show that itit took reasonable has specialized order, so please check show that took reasonable veloping a unit inspection plan article know down. someone the Stanley Park working order, so please check has specialized inintheItwho steps John S. Cameron, D.D.S. to avoid the tragic renumber of active listingsDr.has decreased. the Stanley Park And what goes this up must come steps2002, to avoid avoid thefire tragic re- working order, so check gust a tragic claimed the Stanley Park working order, soplease please check steps to tragic reuse of an avoid owner of avery specified the Stanley Park batteries now before ititis steps to the tragic re- those and keep records particular to Dr. Irish A. Malapitan, M.Sc., D.D.S. has removed the battery Marilyn Lincoln is a condo area for 32 years. those batteries now before is Stanley Park area for from sults. Therefore, itthe isisvery clear area for 32 years. sults. Therefore, it clear So what’s in store for the future with us? always has, and always will. those batteries now before ititis two young lives in a Toronto area for 32 years. those batteries now before is sults. Therefore, it is very clear 33.80%. Dr. Michael D. Leeson, B.Sc., D.D.S. area for 32 years. sults. Therefore, it is very clear unit.the too late. owner, director and author of the each individual unit. theirover smoke detector? Anyone that too late. 35 years. responsibility for the that the responsibility for the too late. condominium hi-rise.for EviSome haveHsaid global If you would like to know how much Ginopandemic Gizzarelli, B.Sc., Phm, D.D.S., that the responsibility the too late. Between them, they took 3,415 BY HELEN ALL if a Dr. Condominium Self Management that the responsibility for the Take the time to educate who thinks they are invincible installation Balconies areoperation usually and of installation and operation of M.Sc.,nothing (Dental Anesthesia) dence obtained the part fire installation and operation of Email Guide 2nd ed. is of the total 4,885 votesgive cast. itchener has then apcan’t slowCouncil us down will, your house has regarding increased inhouse/apartment value installation andisfrom operation of condo Marilyn Lincoln conowners about fireaasafety. Marilyn Lincoln is consmoke detectors joint. Ownof the common elements of smoke detectors is joint. OwnMarilyn Lincoln is aa coninvestigation indicated that domarilyncondoguide@hotmail.com smoke detectors is joint. OwnThe following are the October Marilyn Lincoln is conproved the appointment smoke detectors is joint. Ownowner, director and auNo one has to die in a house and they might be right. But this boom are responsible to maintain me a call at 519-589-3554, and I’d be and ers do owner, director and aufires better think again ers are responsible to maintain CALL 519-893-6450 a condominium, even though smoke detectors were not in- thor do owner, director and auwith questions. ers are responsible to maintain 2022 municipal election results do owner, director and auof Stephanie Stretch to fi ll the ers are responsible to maintain of The Condominium fire when a simple and inexand ensure proper installation. thor of The Condominium replace those batteries immeand ensure proper installation. has to end sometime, they all do. But happy to give you an honest opinion of theyensure are the exclusive stalled in for this condo unit. use thor ofof The Condominium and proper installation. from the City of Kitchener webthor The Condominium and ensure proper installation. 1335 Ottawa St. N Kitchener ottawaheritagedental.ca vacant seat in Ward 10. Self Management Guide 2nd pensive device called a smoke Directors should confirm all he market during this global pandemic If I was thinking of selling in the next Self Management Guide 2nd diately. Directors should confirm was all Self Management Guide 2nd he market market during this global global pandemic pandemic value. If II was was thinking thinking of selling selling in in the the next next The condo corporation when isWard the big question. Kitchener Directors should confirm all he during this If site:of SelfSend Management Guide 2nd Directors should confirm all ed. he market during this global pandemic If Ior was thinking ofwould selling inour themarket next Stretch, 10 runner-up questions toto marilyn smoke detectors are in good detector is available. These ed. Send questions marilyn smoke detectors are in good was not what we expected. You year so I definitely not push my ur local real estate market has been banks are positive and say that was not what we expected. You year or so I definitely would not push my found to be at fault (with the ed. Send questions to marilyn smoke detectors are in good was not what we expected. You City Councillor Ward 10 ed. Send questions to marilyn year or so I definitely would not push my smoke detectors are in good in the 2022 Municipal Election, working order. All takes isisaa condoguide@hotmail.com alarms give the occupants the was not what we expected. You condoguide@hotmail.com year or so would not my working order.The Allit it takes rising sharply since 2017, not even the luck will and continue to beNo strong, butaapush they are unit owner). installation think things would have slowed do one has crystal working order. All it takes isisaa condoguide@hotmail.com would think things would have slowed luck and doI itdefinitely itnow. now. No one has crystal condoguide@hotmail.com Precincts reported: working order. All it takes willwould be formally asked to accept would think things would have slowed precious minutes they need luck and do it now. No one has a crystal Peter is a licensed would think things would have slowed luck andwe doaonly it3% now. No one a crystal first wave of anot Global Pandemic could slow ball reporting decline overhas the next to12 of smoke detectors is a public inin Kitchener Waterloo but have look at history down, but not Kitchener Waterloo ball but we only have to look at history to the down, role by but Kitchener’s Clerk 14 ofto 14 to escape a burning building. Sales Representative down, but not in Kitchener Waterloo ball but we only have to look at history to concern and the court found it STYLE down. but In it has made the market months. Canadian Mortgage and Housingto is down, not in Kitchener Waterloo ball butwhat we only have to lookin at history OFfact, HOMES OF SALES PRICE RANGE AVERAGE PRICE through a written declaration ofONE# STOP where prices have increased and the predict might happen the future. 100.00% where prices have increased and the However, in order to save predict what might happen in the future. with Re/Max and YOUR FULL SERVICE AUTO SHOP! The University of Waterloo Warriors that the corporation didMarching not Band. stronger. forecasting a 21% decline overin next year. where prices have increased and the the predict predict what might happen the future. where prices have increased and what might happen inthe the future. qualifi cations and consent. Aislinn CLANCY Single Detached Home 12 Low $420,000 $579,713 lives they must be in perfect number of active listings has decreased. And what goes up must come down. It has specialized in number of active listings has decreased. And what goes up must come down. It show that it took reasonable The supply of new and resale on the And I think the rightupanswer is somewhere in number ofactive active listings hashomes decreased. what goes must come down. ItIt “Inumber wasn’t sure on which direc–3 bedroom, single garage High $800,000 1,765 of listings has decreased. And what goes up must come down. working order, so please check the Stanley Park SYNTHETIC steps to avoid the tragic reSo what’s in store for the future with us? always has, and always will. market are at store historic which the middle. doesalways seem like So what’s in for the future withtells us? always always has,Itand and will.the boom will tionSo council would take tofor filow llthe thelevels So what’s in store for the future with us? has, always will. 36.15% those batteries now before it is area for 32 years. what’s in store future with us? Single Detached Home 13 Low $572,000 $806,496 LUBE, OIL & FILTER always has, and always will. sults. Therefore, it is very clear usSome that prices cannot until inventory be ending which is good news for 353 Manitou Drive, Unit 2 • Kitchener have said ififdecline aaand global pandemic IfIf you would to know how much Candidate Stephanie Stretch fisoon, n- like Some have said global pandemic you would like to know how much vacant Ward 10 council seat Peter DAVIS too late. Some have said global pandemic you would like to how much –4 bedroom, double $1,0850,000 • increases Rotate Tires, Check & Adjust Pressure that the responsibility for the dramatically. Buyers and bad Sellers. Some have said ififgarage aathen global pandemic IfIfHigh would like toforknow know how ished close behind theyou winner of slow down nothing will, your house has increased ininvalue give I am delighted and that can’t slow ushonoured down then nothing will, your house hasnews increased valuemuch give 513 •can’t Inspect Front &us Rear Brakes installation and operation of can’t slow us down then nothing will, your house has increased in value give For honest advice for your unique real The second wave is now upon us, will Semi Detached 3 Low $470,000 $491,333 Ward 10boom inwill, the last election in Occan’t slow us down thenBut nothing your has increased inand value give I am being appointed,” Stretch they might be right. this me aahouse call at 519-589-3554, I’d be Marilyn Lincoln is a con•and Check Exhaust System and they might be right. But this boom me call at 519-589-3554, and I’d be 10.51% smoke detectors is joint. OwnLUBE, OIL & FILTER High $505,000 estate situation give me a call at 519-589-3554. this now slow the market? The Canadian and they might be right. right. But this boom mehas aforcall call at and I’d be tober 2022. voted at to 519-589-3554, Bring in Council this coupon said following the vote. and they might be But this boom me a 519-589-3554, and I’d be •has Check Suspension, Shocks & Struts do owner, director and auDaniel J. FIFE ers are responsible to maintain to end sometime, they all do. But happy to give you an honest opinion of has to end end sometime, theyappoint all do. do.herBut But happy toseat. give you you an an honest honest opinion opinion of of • Rotate Tires, Check & Adjust PressureBerry Vrbanovic From Mayor to fill the vacantto has to sometime, they all happy to give “I am to fully committed •has Check Battery &sometime, Terminalsto this thor of The Condominium and ensure proper installation. end they all do. But happy give you an honest opinion of 346 • Inspect Front & Rear Brakes isisthe big value. when the bigquestion. question. value. role•when andhe look forward to serving and System members of Kitchener City Council Test Coolant Strength & Condition when is the big question. value. Self Management Guide 2nd Directors should confirm all • Check Exhaust market during this global pandemic If I was thinking of selling in the next Peter Schneider, 7.09% when is the big value. Bring in this coupon for Ward 10 residents andquestion. the people • Check All Fuid Levels • Check Sales Representative • Check Suspension, Shocks & Struts ed. Send questions to marilyn smoke detectors are in good Lana HISCOCK was what weRe/Max expected. You year or soRANGE I definitelyAVERAGE would notPRICE push my Councillor Scott Davey - Ward 1 nation Kitchener Centre MPP Belts with &not Hoses of Lights, Kitchener my full attenSTYLE OF HOMES #Solid OFofGold SALES PRICE • Check BatteryAll & Terminals condoguide@hotmail.com working order. it takes is a 210 would think things would slowed and do it now. No one has a crystal Realtyhave (II) Ltd., Brokerage • Test CoolantCouncillor Strength & Condition Laura Mae Lindoluck in the summer tion.” Dave Schnider - Ward 2 Single Detached Home 4OF Low $510,000 $593,475 PRICE 4.30% STYLE OF HOMES # SALES PRICE RANGE AVERAGE • Check All Fluid Levels STYLE OF HOMES # OF SALES PRICE RANGE AVERAGE PRICE of 2023. The appointment will become down, but not in Kitchener Waterloo ball but we only have to look at history to any ser e 180 Weber St. S., Waterloo STYLE OF HOMES # OF SALES PRICE RANGE Stephanie AVERAGE PRICE –3 bedroom, single garage High 642,900 STRETCH • Check Lights,Councillor Belts & Hoses John Gazzola - Ward 3 STYLE OF HOMES #Council OF Business SALES PRICE RANGE AVERAGE PRICE considered the costmight $579,713 official at an upcoming public 519-888-7110 at predict Gascho Single Detached Home 12 Low where prices have increased and the what happen Single Detached Home 12 provided Low$420,000 $420,000 $579,713in the future. Councillor Yvonne Fernandes - Ward 4 1,650 Single Detached Home 12 Low $420,000 $579,713 Single Detached Home 6holding Low $800,000 $665,000 $892,367 of12 a by-election and the meeting and the candidate will –3 single garage High cluding tires, some restrictions Single Detached Home Low $420,000 $579,713 –3bedroom, bedroom, single garage High $800,000 www.takemehome.ca $ number of active listings has decreased. And what goes up must come down. It –3 bedroom, single garage High $800,000 33.80% any service apply, see us forHigh details. Councillor Kelly Galloway-Sealock - Ward 5 –4bedroom, bedroom, double garage $1,200,000 of please the October 2022 elecbe sworn intoDetached officesingle at the end of results –3 garage High $800,000 Single Home 13 Low $572,000 $806,496 Single Detached Home 13 Low $572,000 $806,496 353 Manitou Drive, Unit 2 ••Ward Kitchener provided at6Gascho So what’s in store for the future with us? always has, and always will. Phong TRAN 353 Manitou Drive, Unit 2 Kitchener tion in making its decision. Single Detached Home 13 Low $572,000 $806,496 January 2024. Councillor Paul Singh 353 Drive, Unit 22••Kitchener Semi Detached 5 Low $1,0850,000 $460,000 $516,200 –4 garage Single Detached Home 13 Low $572,000 $806,496 For abedroom, free indouble home market in High your area, call 398 me at 519-888-7110. –4bedroom, bedroom, double garage High $1,0850,000 tires, some restrictions 353 Manitou Manitou Drive, UnitExcluding Kitchener –4 double garage High $1,0850,000 Some said ifgarage avaglobalevaluation If you would to know how much Inpandemic Ward 10, of the 4,882 veri- like The–4 Ward 10have seatdouble became apply, see us7 for details. Councillor Bil Ioannidis -please Ward High $555,000 bedroom, High $1,0850,000 *Price and closing date to be agreed upon by Peter and the seller. Semi Detached 3 Low $470,000 $491,333 Semi Detached 3 Low $470,000 $491,333 8.15% ed cast, your theLow fihouse rst$470,000 place cantcan’t after City Councilslow us down then finothing has increased in value give Semiformer Detached 3 voteswill, $491,333 Councillor Zyg Janecki Ward 8 LUBE, OIL & FILTER High LUBE, OIL OIL & & FILTER FILTER High$505,000 $505,000 Total Semi Detached 3 Low $470,000 $491,333 candidate Clancyme took 36.15% lor, and Aislinn Clancy, LUBE, Shuttleduring a perforHigh $505,000 HAPPY NEW YEAR -& Children dance inCourtesy the bubbles 519-744-3306 they mightwas beelected right. But this boom a call at 519-589-3554, and I’d be LUBE, OIL FILTER • Rotate Tires, Check & Adjust Pressure Councillor Frank - Ward 9 High $505,000 • Rotate Tires, Check & Adjust PressureEtherington 4,882 of the votes and and the second to Provincial Parliament on NoAvailable • Rotate Tires, Check & Adjust Pressure mance by Erick Traplin at the New Year’s Levee at Kitchener City Hall on •••Inspect Front & Brakes gaschoauto.com Peter Schneider, has 30, to following end KNOW sometime, they all do. But happy tosupport: give you an honest opinion of Inspect Front &Rear Rear& Brakes SOMEONE TALKING ABOUT MOVING? We Rotate Tires, Check Adjust Pressure Councillor Sarah Marsh Ward place candidate Stretch took 100.00% vember the resigInspect Front photos & Rear Brakes SalesSchneider, Representative January 7.Exhaust More on page 3. Photo by Helen Hall10 ••••Check Peter Check Exhaust Peter Schneider, Inspect Front System &System Rear Brakes

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Page 2 l Kitchener Citizen l January 2024

WATERLOO REGION PARAMEDICS RECEIVE SERVICE MEDALS – First and second bars of the Governor General’s Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal were awarded to Waterloo Region paramedics celebrating 30 and 40 years of service. They were presented by Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones at the Ontario Legislative Assembly in Toronto on Wednesday, December 13. The Exemplary Service Medal celebrates the accomplishments of paramedics who have provided at least 20 years of exemplary service distinguished by high standards of conduct, industry, and efﬁciency. A ﬁrst bar celebrates service, totaling 30 years. Training Specialist Dean Wick received his second bar, representing 40 years of service. Members of Waterloo Region Paramedic Service, shown above, from left: Chief John Riches, Advanced Care Andrea Gebbie, Primary Care Pamela Smith, Advanced Care Chris Mantynen, Deputy Chief Kevin Petendra, Deputy Chief Rob Crossan, Deputy Chief Jim Topham, Training Specialist Dean Wick. Est. 1974

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Town Hall for new K-W hospital to be held on January 16

Community Town Hall meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Queen Street branch of the Kitchener Public Library to learn more about the search for a location for a new hospital in KitchenerWaterloo. To meet the needs of the growing community, Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hosptial are partnering to build a new joint hospital and modernize the existing hospitals. It is called the Building of the Future Care Together project. Free tickets to the town hall are available through the website futureofcaretogether.ca. “Our communities are among the fastest growing in the province,” says Ron Gagnon, President and CEO, Grand River Hospital. “This growth is in-

able to leverage each hospital’s unique specialties and skills, to ensure patients across the communities we serve have access to the highest quality care, technology, and infrastructure,” says Mark Fam, President, St. Mary’s General Hospital. “Our joint plan builds on our individual legacies of care, leveraging technology and innovation to drive the change our communities need to see in healthcare.” The Community Town Hall will be broadcast through a partnership with Rogers Community TV and participants attending live and virtually will have the opportunity to ask questions. A limited number of tickets are available for the event. All are encouraged to visit futureofcaretogether.ca to register for the event, and to stay up to date on the project.

Highway 401 Expansion at Cambridge is complete

fter four years of construction, there are now 10 lanes on Highway 401 be-

MIKE MORRICE Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre In addition to working for you in Ottawa, our constituency office is here to provide information and support for a variety of federal services, including: Immigration and Citizenship Veterans Affairs Canada Student Loans mikemorricemp.ca | 519-741-2001

creasing stress on our aging healthcare system. We need more beds and space, yes, but we also need the capacity to deliver on more innovations to meet the current and emerging health and wellness needs of our diverse communities.” The project includes renewing and repurposing Grand River’s mid-town KitchenerWaterloo campus into an ambulatory and urgent care centre, expanding the Freeport campus to increase rehabilitation services, and a proposed new joint, state-of-the-art hospital. In the fall a Call for Land Proposals was launched and the Site Selection Panel recently announced three sites have been shortlisted to identify a recommended and alternate site for the proposed new hospital. “In working together, we’re

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tween the exits for Highway 8 and Townline Road at Cambridge. The cost of the project is estimated at approximately $100-million. “Highway 401 is the busiest and most congested highway in North America with up to 150,000 vehicles travelling between Highway 8 and Townline Road every day,” said Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria. “The Kitchener-WaterlooCambridge area is among the fastest growing of any large municipality in Canada, and expanding Highway 401 in Cambridge will reduce gridlock, en-

hance safety, boost our economy, and get drivers home to their loved ones faster.” The expansion includes a highoccupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in each direction, replacing the Hespeler Road bridges, a new multi-use trail crossing for pedestrians and cyclists along Hespeler Road over Highway 401, reconstruction of the Hespeler Road interchange, rehabilitation of the Townline Road Bridge, expanding the capacity of the Townline Road commuter parking lot from 195 to 297 vehicles, new lighting and noise barriers, and a traffic management system, which includes traffic cameras and traffic counting stations.

January 2024 l Kitchener Citizen l Page 3

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Kitchener City Councillors Ayo Owodunni (left) and Christine Michaud talk with residents at the 2024 New Year’s Levee at Kitchener City Hall on January 7, 2024.

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The 2024 New Year’s Levee brought more skaters out to the rink in Carl Zehr Square at Kitchener City Hall. Photos by Helen Hall

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Page 4 l Kitchener Citizen l January 2024

RANTS&raves

THE KITCHENER CITIZEN OPINION PAGE

heading heading AshesHeading to ashes, heading dust to dust

YOU DON’T KNOW JACK

Letter to the editor

Dear Carrie Debrone, BY JACK NAHRGANG I was pleased to get your Kitchener Citizen (east edition) and found it ater this year, the family quite informative and I thank you for it.of Vancouver native Gloria Knowlan her cremated remains I just read yourwill shortsend article regarding the natural gasinto ratesdeep goingspace down on same customers. rocket as Gene Roddenberry, creator of the Star for the residential Youfranchise. write that Kitchener Utilities have average use Trek Like Knowlan, I’m aa 2,100 fan ofcubic the meter series, but not for its I stilltohave an imperial meter, toannually the point thatresidential I’d shellcustomers. out $17,000 boldly send mygas dust to which shows the consumption in cubic feet. I have never been able to read where no human ashes have gone before. And while death may that meter and as for that matter, even the meter readers seem to have a appear inappropriate new year’s ection is problemas with it as well. Whyfor elsea would the city column, issue a billreﬂ in the amount key to any resolution. Why can’t we have some fun in such an of $452? My January bill $222.16. February, $295.79, there Iifalready sat undertaking? So,had justbeen what are my earthbound choices I’m not up and took but then excused it by, the winter being especially harsh. heading to notice, the stars? However, when I received my March bill, I knew that something was and very I’ve long coveted a certain corner of Westmount Road wrong. I called the Utility Office and was asked to take a piece of paper University Avenue Waterloo as this a prime it Iboasts did not and a pen and read the in meter myself. To request location; I replied that exploding andmeter proximity my mater -know how tofall readcolours the imperial and aside to from that,alma it wasn't my job. UWaterloo. But to most you know that’stoa send non-starter. True, The lady I talked was of very nice and agreed somebody out tothe do

Region might desecrate the corner by carving it into another roundabout, or capitalism convert the sprawling campus into an Amazon sorting site, but the reality is human remains cannot be strewn within city limits without permission. And I refuse to subject my executors to possible incarceration should they attempt a clandestine, nocturnal dust disposal. Yes, I could legally scatter my ashes on my own property, but can you imagine the new homeowners who answer their door only to find strangers asking to lay flowers on the lawn? a relatively new arrival in Kitchener I'vescattering been exploring the Of As course, many local cemeteries now have gardens photographic arts opportunities here and first impressions are very where remains are flung among the flora, and while I don’t mind encouraging. It's just not just in the tech side of quality that the community

Letter to the editor

another anda also promised call me back once this was done. It residingreading next to prickly rose to bush, what was the very next day that I received her call telling me that the new amount if a boyhood bully isa mere stratifi ed intoofmy owing was now $200.10, difference $251.90. I only wonder how mosaic? The spirit shudders. often the meter had been misread in the past. An neighbours American company an My on either side have has metric meters and I had previously if I could get one that I would be able of to read. The answer to that asked attractive utilitarian option; a range consisted of a flat NO. from small necklace fillable hourglasses, The city had pre-authorized withdrawal privileges for 2004/005 which varieties to mahogany behemoths that can hold one half cup they bungled up so badly that I revoked that privilege. I did ask that office ofplease the deceased (I immediately envisioned sending several to send me a paper trail for my records which I never received nor hourglasses to former students this card: “See? did I get an answer to my request and,with of course, one can forgetNow aboutI’ll an apology. always be working for you!”). But buyers are also warned that all I realize that it is upmust to your to publishbone or notfragments to publish can my cremated remains be discretion “sifted” because decide to print it I would like to warn my fellow letter. However if you clog the mechanism; you must also combine the ashes with fine "Kitchenerites" to be extra "vigilant" every time that Utility Bill arrives.

sand for “optimum ﬂow.” Death is indeed a time of stress and

strain, but asking loved ones to come over for a sieve and funnel Respectfully, party E. is Merkel too gauche. Too bad. The necklace option included a Ingrid

glow powder additive enabling any heat or light source to add radiance to your loved one’s ashes. How memorable. I think I’ll opt for dispersal in a conservation area – perfectly legal with a minimum of fuss. But such a reﬂective locale is also in keeping with my fondness for Hamlet. In the play, the prince ponders a skull, wondering if the ashes of the great Julius Caesar, so dispersed around the globe, might comprise part of a Danish wall patch. That sounds about right. So, scatter me at Laurel Creek in Waterloo and let the winds and rain carry me very impressed by the office at City Hall andcomplains with how they provided worldwide. And if aArts troublesome dictator about some was going on here. Those people in turn me with information about what irritant in his eye, well, I’ve had a good life.

Just what makes Kitchener so good at Arts development?

have offered their own advice and contacts, so again two thumbs up for should be judged. A thriving Arts community usually does well. This can the level of support they give each other. not always be measured in the financial spectrum as the living standard Yes, there are already many photographers doing the normal expectations of artists are remarkably low. photographic needs of the region, but the opportunity to work with LETTER TO THE EDITOR We don't want that two bedroom house within convenient driving emerging image companies like web designers, animation houses, software distance to the golf course or mall. Speaking as one of those underfunded producers, locally based video firms, electronic images for broadcasters independent art producers i'll tell you I've lived in some very bad etc.is growing as the manufacturing base has declined. The live conditions just to be close to my working environment. An example being entertainment industries, local graphic designers and most especially the when living in my various illegal Toronto warehouse studios many years emerging gallery system bodes well for business opportunities, even in this before they were condoized. downturn. There are basically twoinvites reasons everyone for artists toinbeWaterloo in an area. Region A slightlyto Kitchener is projected to be growing by a conservative estimate of The Village of Ayr compact arts with low rents celebrate ourcommunity 200th birthday with us.and the availability of galleries or 100,000 people over the next 20 years and plans call for a big investment venues to showcase the art produced. I have noticed that there is a vibrant in conversions of existing warehouse buildings into studio style live work The North Dumfries a settlement theatre network here that Township none the lessvillage is goingbecame through hard times. Thein space. Technically the manufacturing base has down- turned and left a lot 1824. music scene is really good with a solid choice of local talent that is well of empty buildings. Ayr kicked itslocal bicentennial year with a bang with afollows ﬁreworks publicized by off a few free publications. Radio generally the If out of those numbers there are 10 percent artists in all media that standardbycorprock the University of Waterloo has an outstanding actually work at their art all of us are going to need some of this space to display the Nithbut River on December 31, 2023. community station. The Ayr 200 Committee is comprised of a group of volunteers build up our community. Artists, being artists though, do not like to be The huge pool of university students to draw from for a vocal audience told how to do things. The local government is working hard to reach that who began meeting over a year ago. with some disposable cash helps in keeping the cities vibrant and Following The thenumber New of Year’s Eve kick has level where they can integrate the needs of the artistic community enthusiastic. professional artists off, is stillthe smallcommittee enough so that planned a one formal Ayr 200 Anniversary Gala for April 20 at the seamlessly into their development plans. they know another. Many studies have shown time and again how efficient an Arts based We are quickly seeing astounding growth in and the digital North Dumfries Community Complex, a fullimaging weekend of community can be. A planning group called The Prosperity Council industry.will Fortunately, as a photographer has beenweekend, working inAugust digital activities take place on the Civicwho Holiday for years it helps me integrate my own work into video, 3D, web, specifically calls for a huge investment for artists and art based businesses 1advertising, to 4. etc. So I think, personally, the opportunities in Kitchener are to encourage them to choose Kitchener as a place to work. This is the first Whether you haveAna example connection orTV not, pleasethat celebrate better than Toronto. beingto theAyr cable (Rogers) works time I have found a directed approach to our niche, but very valuable with us! Learn more about schools our upcoming events through our segment of society. If even fifty percent of the plans get done it is still an the regions and artisians in locally produced very hard to involve programming. website ayr200.ca, or follow us on social media on Facebook and attractive place to build a career. Our image production is now all pixels and with the recent Let's not forget that Kitchener/Waterloo was voted the most intelligent Instagram. city and speaking as a newcomer it is very evident that the level of announcement of a new 5 million dollar Federal grant to establish a professionalism is visibly high here. People waste little time and the massive digital media centre in the downtown core, it offers unexcelled IrenetoSchmidt-Adeney welcome i've received in presenting my own portfolio various galleries opportunities to work with some of the leading edge image systems in the and companies has been warm and enthusiastic. A Ayr very200 nice Committee event held world. In fact there are plans to make Kitchener a regional in town is the quarterly parties at the KW regional art gallery. Mellow communications hub and that leads into the possibility of thousands of new people who enjoy art meet each other with cool jazz and some ambient uses for my photos. There is a very good internet system here and if you would like more dub from the djs. At right: Koce Emarthle, a member of the Six Nations of the With the projected growth of the regions artists in all mediums I have info just go to the net and most community plans are available. The next Grand group watches targeted the ﬁreworks the three years will establish this region of one of the "Silicon Valley" inspired found River there Territory are manydance dynamic, specifically plans, from by the Piper Streetgovernment Bridge over Nith River in Ayr.a Emarthle’s municipal in the particular, to foster (relatively) group large examples of a thriving gateway of new ideas and I feel very fortunate to communityat investment in development artistcelebration. integration. I was be able to establish myself here with so many other creative artists. performed the community’s New towards Year’s Eve

Village of Ayr celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2024

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Kitchener Citizen welcomes Letters to the Editor. All letters must clearly state the writer’s full name, address, phone number and be signed. Names will be published along with the letter, however, addresses and telephone numbers will be used only for veriﬁcation purposes and will not be published. Letters should be submitted at least one week before the publication date. This newspaper reserves the right to edit, condense or reject any contribution for brevity or legal purposes. Copyright in letters and other material submitted to the publisher and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the publisher may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms.

KITCHENER CITIZEN ...YOUR SOURCE FOR COMMUNITY NEWS

1187 Fischer-Hallman Rd. PO Box 48045 Williamsburg RO Kitchener, ON N2E 4K6 citizenwest@hotmail.com

Publishers/Editors Helen Redgwell Hall Carrie Debrone News Reporters Carrie Debrone Helen Redgwell Hall Advertising Sales Rod Hoddle Contributing Columnists Berry Vrbanovic Scott Davey Dave Schnider Jason Deneault Christine Michaud Ayo Owodunni Paul Singh Bil Ioannidis Margaret Johnston Debbie Chapman Tim Louis Mike Morrice Jack Nahrgang

Graphic Design Helen Redgwell Hall

Celebrating 27 years Serving Kitchener since 1996

January 2024 l Kitchener Citizen l Page 5

n l April 2021

PARLIAMENTARY REPORT Changes coming to blue box recycling in 2024...from front page their own recycling centres and MP Tim Louis for Kitchener Conestoga

s we take a moment to pause and reflect on the past year, I find myself humbled and inspired by the many heartfelt conversations I’ve had with incredible individuals like you throughout our community. In every exchange—whether with families, local businesses, farmers, or our invaluable community organizations—I always notice a powerful common thread: our resilience and unwavering community spirit. It’s this strength that defines Kitchener-Conestoga and fuels my immense pride in representing your voices in Ottawa. I understand this past year has been challenging for many. In these trying times, I want to assure you es’-Rosemount United that our government remains d Ave., Kitchener (519) committed742-1002 to providing the day Service:support 10:30 a.m. Canadians need. service on theWe’re third Sunday of every month. actively combating ool, Youth Group, Wed. Night Bible study our biggest housing challenges with innovative approaches, like compiling pre-approved Gospel Temple-Pentecostal designs to build homes faster River Rd), Kitchener (519) 894-5999 and more cost-effectively day Service:across 10:30 a.m. the country. This strategy for all ages.helped www.kitchenergospel.com Canada quickly and affordably build thousands of homes after the Second World ener East Presbyterian

ommunity urch Listing

put them closer to highways or War, nowroutes. we’re bringing it otherand transit into century to change Atthe the21st Nyle Ludolph Matthe way Canada builds erials Recycling Centrehomes. at the Through government’s landfill on our Erb Street West in Housing we Waterloo,Accelerator 75 percentFund, of what are $42 weight) million to theyproviding collect (by is build housing which units in paper 1,200 and cardboard, is Kitchener the next three transferred over to another recycling years. centre in Niagara. We also taking significant Theareother 25 percent of strides towards healthier the weight is thea packaging future for Canadians with and the containers that are sorted introduction of the Canadian resold. Dental Care the Plan (CDCP). Ursu said equipment at In the stark the2022, recycling centrereality is nearwas the that one end of its in life,four and Canadians the region had forgone visiting aindentist will not be reinvesting it. due financial constraints. Theto employees who work With a third of people across there do not work for the region, the country dental but are part of lacking the contract for insurance, the time for a recycling pickup that expires comprehensive plan- towhen address in March of 2024 the oral health disparities is now. to responsibility will transfer CDCP is that plan. It theThe producers. will alleviate financial barriers Ursu said the exact details of for up to nine eligible the changes aremillion not known yet, Canadian residents withhave an and the region could still annual family income of local less some role in managing than $90,000. The aCDCP is recyclables under contract not to replace existing withintended the producers, but the dental ts from employer/ region benefi will not be responsibile pension-sponsored for any of the cost. or private plans but aims to bridge The region will continue to existing gaps in coverage and be responsible for garbage, complement green bins, andprovincial yard waste.and

your local

territorial dental programs. The Government of Canada is working collaboratively with provinces, territories, and oral health care professionals to maintain their current dental programs while continuing to invest in oral health to help make quality dental care a reality for all Canadians. To ﬁnd out eligibility requirements and the timeline for rolling out the plan, visit www.canada.ca. As your Member of Parliament, I remain committed to supporting you and answering any questions you may have about the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my ofﬁce at 519578-3777 or via email at Tim. Waterloo Region’s recycling equipment is near the end of its life. Louis@parl.gc.ca.

ive, Kitchener (519) 748-9786 end: Mark S. Richardson a.m. Nursery and Sunday School provided MPfrom Mike for Kitchener Centre ner, Thursdays 9 - 11Morrice a.m.

PARLIAMENTARY REPORT

L oss Evangelical Lutheran

ike many of you, over the holidays I spent some time reflecting on the past year. In at Stirling),refl Kitchener 742-5812 ecting (519) on 2023, I’m proud to have worked alongside so many w.holycrosskitchener.org of you to (July-Aug.) address some une) 8:30 and 11 a.m., 9:30 a.mof the most pressing issues affecting y School, Youth & Adult Bible Classes our community, from housing ry - Youthto Group - Beginnings (0 -3 years) affordability. This month I’m glad to share some of the wins we won together: Hope Lutheran We (519) started the year by introDrive, Kitchener 893-5290 ducing a motion to improve our ship Service : 10:00 a.m. democracy through electoral sery closed at this time reform. The measure would see www.hopelc.ca the creation of a national citizens’ assembly where everyday informed by experts, angelical Canadians, Missionary Church could make recommendations to ch St., Breslau (519) 648-2712 Parliamentarians. After months y Worship Service: 10 a.m. of building cross-party support, I try - Youthwas Ministry - Small Groups proud to join forces with my ome! VisitNDP us at www.bemc.ca colleague, MP Lisa Marie Barron to bring forward this motion – leading to the first-ever dePark Community bate andChurch now upcoming vote on Ottawa St.)electoral Kitchenerreform (519) 893-8186 in Parliament. w.stanleyparkchurch.ca In June, following more than 18Pearce months of working alongPastor: John side disability vice and Kid’s Church: 10 a.m.advocates, the Canada Disability Benefit was ALL WELCOME! passed into law, including five of the amendments I proposed to Nexus Church strengthen the bill. Although the rad Centerwork - 36 King St W. Kitchener is far from over, this was a day Servicesignifi 10:30cant a.m.step. I also pushed for improved affordability ww.nexuschurch.ca and climate action, including by introducing a moAll are welcome! tion in September calling for a 15% windfall tax on the oil and

FAVOURITES

FOOD HALL

April is National Oral Health Month Tuesday – Friday

gas industry’s record profits. The motion couldCanadian generate up to $4.4 Health Association’s 5 Steps To Oral Health Dental billion per year to invest in afVisit Your Dentist On A between the teeth and gums. dental problems. It’s advised to fordability measures for CanaRegular Basis your dentist will Flossing helps to reduce bad brush your teeth after consuming dians – including funding heat advise on how frequently you breath and gum disease. Using sugary drinks and food. pumps for those living in energy should see them. Depending a mouthwash can help reduce Check Your Mouth Regularly poverty, or investing in public on individual circumstances, plaque from forming, reduces gum disease (periodontal transit. regular checkups may be every infection and eliminates bad disease) is the most common Later in the fall I amplified the 3,6 or 9 months. breath. cause of tooth loss. Warning calls of our community to better Keep Your Mouth Clean Eat, Drink But Be Wary signs include bad breath, dian and then later Palestinian set up international students for brush your teeth atand least twice Canadian healthy, community unprocessedmembers nutrient sensitive gums which are red, success in Canada address a day andeffects use floss. Floss helps for richmonths, foods the helpfederal the body fight sore, shiny or swollen, and gums governknock-off of exponential to remove food in and any fiinfection. Reduce sugar which bleed after brushing or xed their defi nition of an enrollment increases ourplaque com- ment June 2017 l K which by getsintroducing lodged orMotion forms ‘immediate intake. Sugar is a major causetoof flossing. family member’ munity Check also for the warning 98. This past December, I was include siblings, parents, and foot Basic&&advanced advanced footcare care grandparents looking to safely signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer thrilled that my advocacy•••Basic resultBasic advanced foot care ••Trim toe nails Trim&&&file file toe nails get out of conflict zones in Sudan normally occurs on the sides of ed in the Immigration Minister • Trim & file toe nails ••Skin, management Skin,corn corn&&callous callous management Gaza and reunite with their the mouth, on the floor of the adopting several of the measures Skin, cornand & callous management •••Diabetics welcome Diabetics welcome King • Diabetics welcome families in Canada. mouth and on300 the lower side St of E, Kitchener in my motion, including dou••Veterans Veteranswelcome welcome Veterans welcome As always, if you have prithe tongue. bling the financial requirement •••Home visits available Home visits available • Home available As Who reAs of of March/2006 March/2006 every every simple simple Q.Warning Who isis isSigns reorities you would like to talk for study permitWishes applicants to visits Oral CancerQ. As of March/2006 every simple Q. Who reLinda, The Foot Nurse for a memorable “Canada Day” on Linda, The Foot Nurse residence must have a working to sponsible to confirm that the residence must have a working toavoi avo sponsible to confirm confirm that that the the residence must have a working to about,Foot pleaseNurse feel free to get in sponsible Linda, The $20,000 to recognize this the true anniversary Include: to avo special from 519-589-4470 519-589-4470 smoke detector on every floor. the smoke detector on every floor. condo owners have smoke the co condo owners have smoke touch. I regularly keep time in condo 519-589-4470 cost of living. Q.small Weowners purchased condo smoke repairsdetector that would cost of con the lumps have or athickened on every floor.a the co smoke Dr. Douglas Beaton & Staff Linda Heber, RPN Foot Care Nurse The change to the Ontario from li Linda Heber, RPN Foot Care Nurse The change to the Ontario detectors and that they are in from my schedule to hear from comdetectors and that they are in in The At Nursing the end of December I was areas in there the mouth Linda Heber, RPN Foot Care Nurse fortune? Ialso thought thisOntario is why change to the where are they bungalow unit. lil from Nursing detectors and that are Foot Care Educator Fire Code requires that all Foot Care Educator Preve Fire Code also requires that all Nursing proper working order? I have Prev munity members please email proper working order? I have thrilled to fiCare nish off the year Foot Care Educator red units or white patches the smoke Fire also requires that all applie Prev we Code paydetectors condo fees and have style on the lowerI in level Foot proper working order? have Certified Pedicurist Free Foot Care be CertifiedMaster Master Pedicurist FreeParking Parking smoke detectors be replaced replaced portant concerns because my neighportan mike.morrice.c1@parl.gc.ca concerns because my neighPedicurist withFoot anotherCare win: afterCertified work- Master Free Parking to smoke detectors be replaced mouth portan reserve fund Isn’t the of concerns because my stacked neigh- every and told two-storey units and w 10 Significant fines every 10years. years.studies. Significant fines dire of dire bour me bour told me he he removed theor every ing alongside Sudanese Cana- request a meeting. 10 years. Significant fines a top. feeling ofremoved tinglingthe of dire bour told me he removed the will be imposed on those who condo corporation responsible on The management has little will be imposed on those who when when y battery out his battery out of mouth his detector detector are willcaught be imposed onthis those who when numbness in of the battery out of his detector ignoring law. are caught ignoring this law. for this major repair or ple informed us that the owners to livi cli ple liv because itit went too many because went off toowith many caught ignoring this law.in ple bleeding in theoff mouth no are liv Statistics indicate that because it went off too many Statistics indicate that in side yo restoration? side yo are responsible to maintain all times. comp Statistics indicate that in times. obvious cause side yo 50 percent of fatal preventtimes. 50 percent of fatal preventcorpora corpor thesores upper balconies attached 50 percent of fatal preventIf in the mouth which do able corpory house fires, were no able house fires,there there were no already A. How many people reading A. How many people reading New Patients Welcome alread able house fires, there were no A. Review your condo to the buildings. We do not notHow heal many people reading smoke are si A. alread smokedetectors. detectors.In Infact factin inAuAu- velopin this article know someone who velopi this article know someone who Dr. smoke detectors. In fact in AuDr.John JohnS.S.Cameron, Cameron,D.D.S. D.D.S. documents and find the Avoid All Tobacco Products have a ladder and have no velopi this article know someone who gust 2002, a tragic fire claimed repair Dr. John S. Cameron, D.D.S. gust 2002, a tragic fire claimed Dr. has removed the from andke ke Dr.Irish IrishA. A.Malapitan, Malapitan,M.Sc., M.Sc.,D.D.S. D.D.S. has removed thebattery battery fromor two gust 2002, alives tragic fire claimed and description and declaration using tobacco (chewing and Dr. Irish A. Malapitan, M.Sc., D.D.S. has removed the battery from young in a Toronto knowledge of balcony repairs. two young lives in a Toronto the ke re Dr. each in Dr.Michael MichaelD. D.Leeson, Leeson,B.Sc., B.Sc.,D.D.S. D.D.S. their smoke detector? Anyone each in two young lives in a Toronto their smoke detector? Anyone Dr.Gino Michael D. Leeson, B.Sc., D.D.S. smoking) can cause minor and condominium each in hi-rise. Evitheir smoke detector? Anyone pages. The description will condominium hi-rise. EviDr. We feel that this is not our Dr. GinoGizzarelli, Gizzarelli,B.Sc., B.Sc.,Phm, Phm,D.D.S., D.D.S., the Take who thinks they are invincible Take condominium hi-rise. Eviwho thinks they are invincible Dr. Gino Gizzarelli, B.Sc., Phm, D.D.S., M.Sc., (Dental Anesthesia) major oralthey health problems. from the Take who thinks invincible M.Sc., (Dental Anesthesia) dence obtained from the fire fire condo informobtained you of the boundaries responsibility asare balconies are dence have o M.Sc., (Dental Anesthesia) regarding house/apartment dence obtained from the fire condo regarding house/apartment investigation indicated that Minor problems include bad condo regarding house/apartment investigation indicated that 10:37 of the units and the common No 1 2024-01-04 AM one part of the common elements. investigation indicated that fires better think again and No on comp fires better think again and smoke CALL CALL519-893-6450 519-893-6450 DSD_KM_JanCitizenAd_Jan24b.indd detectors were not inbreath and teeth staining. Major No on smoke detectors were not in- fire fires better think again and CALL 519-893-6450 elements. The declaration will wh smoke detectors were not inreplace those batteries immefire w Why should we be forced into replace those batteries immereque problems include heart disease, fire wh stalledin inthis thiscondo condounit. unit. replace those batteries imme- stalled 1335 Ottawa St. NN Kitchener ottawaheritagedental.ca pensive 1335 Ottawa St. Kitchener ottawaheritagedental.ca stalled in this condo unit. inform you who is responsible diately. pensiv diately. hiring someone for balcony The 1335 Ottawa St. N Kitchener ottawaheritagedental.ca fund pensiv The condo condo corporation corporation was was detecto oral cancer and other cancers. diately. The condo corporation was detect for the maintenance and found to be at fault (with the found to be at fault (with the detect curren found toofbethe at fault (with alarms repairs units and the the alarms unit owner). The installation unit owner). The installation alarms repair unit owner). The installation preciou Peter precio Peterisis isaaalicensed licensed of smoke common elements. A of smokedetectors detectorsis isaschedule apublic public precio Peter licensed

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CHECK YOUR CHECK YOUR SMOKE SMOKE DET DE CHECK YOUR SMOKE DE Balcony repairs sho BEFORE ITS LA BEFORE ITS TOO TOO LA BEFORE ITS TOO LA be left to condo corpo

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condo owners have smoke detectors and that they are in Nursing proper working order? I have Foot Care concerns because my neighPage 6 l Kitchener Citizen l January 2024 bour me he removed he market during this global pandemic If I was thinking oftold selling in the next the battery out of his was not what we expected. You year or so I definitely would not pushdetector my because it went off too he City of Kitchener ﬁwould think things would have slowed luck and do it now. No one has a crystalmany times. nalized its 2024 budget down, but not in Kitchener Waterloo ball but we only have to look at history to on How December 2023 with a A. many people reading where prices have increased and the predict what might happen in13, the future. tax rate increase of 3.9 percent. articlecome know down. someoneItwho John S. Cameron, D.D.S. number of active listingsDr.has decreased. And what goes this up“From must the the beginning the Dr. Irish A. Malapitan, M.Sc., D.D.S. has removed batteryoffrom So what’s in store for the future with us? always has, and always will. budget process, Council, staff Q. I just bought a new condo home D. or Leeson, semi-detached that you their condosmoke townhouse. Dr. Michael B.Sc., D.D.S. detector? Anyone Some if deca Dr. global Iffashion you would to know how much and our community worked Each corporation has and I am veryhave excitedsaid about canpandemic decorate B.Sc., in any you like Gino Gizzarelli, Phm, D.D.S., who thinks they areusually invincible M.Sc., (Dental Anesthesia) collaboratively to develop some sort of guidelines in orating the outside for Christchoose because of holidays or can’t slow us down then nothing will, your house has regarding increased inhouse/apartment value give or-a der to eliminate decorations mas. Is it correct that I can decspecial occasions. budget which allowed Council and they might be right. But this boom me a call at 519-589-3554, and I’d be and fires better think again 519-893-6450 thatdeliver could also cause property orate any way I please or are CALL It is imperative that you re- replace to a tax rate increase of those batteries immehasstipulations to end sometime, theyview all do. But happy to rules give you an honest opinion of damage or interfere with mainthere in the Conyour condominium 3.9 per cent, below the rate of 1335 Ottawa St. N Kitchener ottawaheritagedental.ca diately. when isAct theregarding big question. value. Kitchener tenance/repairs. dominium deco- and policies? Most condomini- inﬂ ation, while For also instance, advancsomethe owners may vision think nothing rating? I have heard conflicting um documents will inform ing strategic prioriof drilling a hole into their enstories and don’t know where to you if outside decorations are ties outlined in our 2023-2026 Peter is a licensed tranceSales doorplan,” to accommodate a check for this information. permitted, what type of deco- strategic said KitchRepresentative STYLE OF HOMES # OF SALES PRICE RANGE AVERAGE PRICE wreath. OthersBerry may string dozrations, where they are to be ener Mayor, Vrbanovic. Re/Max and FULL STOP AUTO SHOP! of ens of with A. YOUR It Single happens all SERVICE theHome time. AONE lightsisthat burn forand hours, located for what “Kitchener a vibrant inDetached 12 orand Lowlength $420,000 $579,713 has specialized in Q. I just bought a new condo home semi-detached that you condo townhouse. purchaser buys their first connot realizing that the hydro to time they may be displayed. –3 bedroom, single garage High $800,000 novative community where Stanley Park SYNTHETIC Eachthe corporation usually hasa and I amtakes very excited abouta decdecoratepolicies in any fashion you power do and occupancy few can these lights may be Decorating are in place fromfor Canada and area 32 years. Single Detached $572,000 $806,496 some sort ofacross guidelines in ororating the outside forHome Christbecause ofLow holidays or people LUBE, OIL & FILTER weeks before Christmas. They choose common expense. What about to13 maintain marketing values by the world come to put down –4 bedroom, double garage High $1,0850,000 • Rotate Tires, Check & Adjust Pressure der to eliminate decorations mas. Is it correct that I can decspecial occasions. can’t waitFront to buy some outside allowing a uniform appearance roots. wall plugs wiring up of the This and budget achieves the • Inspect &IRear Brakes could also cause property orate any way please or are from that you re- that Semi Detached 3It istheimperative Lowbuilding. $470,000 $491,333 lights and plenty of decorations lights? All these factors arecomcritoutside of the goal of building a vibrant • Check Exhaust System damage or interfere with mainthere stipulations in the Conview your condominium rules High for• the balcony and the entrance ical in maintaining the safety all, innot would munity, Bring this everyone coupon for $505,000 Check Suspension, Shocks & Struts After while recognizing the tenance/repairs. Forbuilding instance, dominium Act regarding decoand policies? Most condominidoor to their apartment. Does be delighted at the thought of a current and security of the • Check Battery & Terminals economic climate andina some owners may think nothing rating? I have heard conflicting um documents will inform this sound like Strength you? Wait a min- blown up Santa and his team of regards to fire. This is probably • Test Coolant &where Condition of domestic andnext internahe market during thisto global pandemic If on I was thinking ofmost selling incondos the Peter Schneider, of drilling a hole into their stories and don’t know you if outside decorations are variety ute! Not so fast! Buying a condo why hi-rise onlyenalreindeers appearing several • Check All Fluid Levels Sales Representative tional economic challenges.” trance door to accommodate check for this information. permitted, what type of decowas not what we expected. You year or so I definitely would not push my is •not like purchasing a private low artificial Christmas trees. Ifa balconies or the rooftop of your Check Lights, Belts & Hoses Re/Max Solid Gold For the average home in wreath. Others may string dozrations, where they are to be would think things would slowed luck and do it now. No one has a crystal Realtyhave (II) Ltd., Brokerage proposed inA. It happens all the time. A located and for what length of Kitchener, ens of lightsthe that burn forrate hours, down, but not in Kitchener Waterloo ball we only creases haverealizing tofor look at history to to any service 180 Weber S., Waterloo purchaser buys their first connot that the hydro time St. they may be but displayed. 2024 are: 519-888-7110 Business provided at predict Gascho where havea increased and the is ataxes: licensed happen in the3.9 future. do and takesprices occupancy few power these lights may a Decorating policies are inwhat placemight • Peter Property per be cent, Excluding tires, some restrictions www.takemehome.ca Real Estate Agent number active listings hastodecreased. weeks beforeofChristmas. They common expense. What maintain marketing values by And what goes or up$47 must come down. Itabout annually apply, please see us for details. Re/Max and can’t to buy some for outside plugs and wiring the allowing uniform appearance • with Water utility: 4.9 up perofcent, Sowait what’s in store the future withaus? always has, andwall always will. has specialized in the For a free in home market evaluation in your area, call me at 519-888-7110. lights and plenty of decorations lights? All these factors are critfrom the outside of the building. or $21 Some have said if a global pandemic If you would like to annually know how much Stanley Park areautility: for safety and closing dateall, to be agreed upon bywould Peter and ical the• seller. for the balcony and the*Price entrance in maintaining the After not everyone Sanitary sewer can’t slow us down then nothing will, your house has increased in value give 7.1 36 years. door to their apartment. Does be delighted at the thought of a per andover security of the building in cent, or $39 annually 519-744-3306 they be aright. this boom me his a call and I’d be thisand sound like might you? Wait min- But regards to fire. This is probably blown up Santa and team at of 519-589-3554, • Stormwater utility: 7.4 per gaschoauto.com ute!has Not so a condo whyan most hi-rise condos only appearing onABOUT several to fast! endBuying sometime, theyreindeers all do. But happy to give you opinion of alKNOW SOMEONE TALKING MOVING? cent, orhonest $17 annually is not like purchasing a private low artificial Christmas trees. If balconies or the rooftop of your ThisREFERRALS! represents a combined when is the bigTODAY. question.LISTINGS NEEDED. value. WE LOVE CALL US

Wow, what a crazy ride that was! Linda Heber, RPN Foot Care Nurse Foot Care Educator Certified Master Pedicurist Free Parking

smoke detector every floor. installation and on operation of the condominium corporation The change to the Ontario liability. Marilyn Lincoln is a consmoke detectors is joint. Own- from Fire Code also requires that all Preventing fires is aand very auimers are responsible to maintain do owner, director smoke detectors be replaced portant issue and the board thor of The Condominium and ensure proper installation. every 10 years. Significant of directors cannotGuide take risks Management 2nd Directors should confirmfines all Self will be detectors imposed on who ed. when youquestions have so many peoSend to marilyn smoke arethose in good are caught ignoring law.is a condoguide@hotmail.com ple living above, below or beworking order. Allof itthis takes annual increase $124 Heights Statistics indicate that for in side you.Pool Those condominium the average household. In ad• $200k for that the implementa50 percent of fatal prevent- corporations have not dition to the initially proposed tion of a city-wide data strategy able house fires, there were no already done so, should be de$5.5 million in strategic investto build organization-wide data smoke detectors. In fact in Au- veloping a unit inspection plan gust 2002, a tragic fire claimed ments, staff have worked with practices to deliver better • Basic & advanced foot care particularserand keep records to • Trim & file toe nails two young lives in a Toronto council throughout the budget vices for residents causeindividual you failedunit. to investigate you cannot find the information each • Skin, cornor & “These callous management condominium hi-rise. Eviprocess to in identify additional additional strategic followthe the rules. to Good Luck you require your documents Take time educate • Diabetics welcome dence obtained from the fire projects that can be supported. and Merry Christmas! investments demonstrate our then contact your board• Veterans of di- welcome condo owners about fire safety. investigation indicated that As a result, an additional $1.6 commitment to advance the • Home visits rectors or property manager. Noavailable one has* to*die*in a house smoke detectors were not inmillion has been allocated to priorities that matter to our resiDecorating is a delightful ac- The fire when aNurse simple inexLinda, FootLincoln Marilyn is1 and a condostalled in this condo unit. fund strategic priorities. This pensive dents,” said Ward Councillor device called a smoke tivity that no doubt enhances 519-589-4470 owner, director and auThe condo corporation was minium funding will support: and Chair ofavailable. the Finance and detector isCare These holiday spirit. However, don’t Linda Heber, RPN Foot Nurse found to be at fault (with the thor of The Condominium Self • $400k for additional traffi c Corporate Services Committee alarms give the occupants the Nursing let the Corporation Grinch spoil Foot Care Educator unit owner). Theconnections installation Management Guide, 2ndrecent edicalming andCare trail in Master Scott Davey. “During precious minutes they need Foot Certified Pedicurist Free Parking your Christmas and isorder you tion. Send questions to marilynof smoke detectors a public neighbourhoods terms of council, we’ve made escape a burning building. concern the court found to removeand your decorations be- to condoguide@hotmail.com • $200k to develop an arena responsible long-term fi nancial However, order to save • Basic footincare that the corporation did not& advanced energy strategy as information part• Trim of the planning top be priority. This they in perfect & filelives toe nails cause you amust failed to investigate you cannot find the show that it took reasonable • Skin, corn & callous management city’s Corporate Climate Action has allowed us to consistently working order, so please check steps to avoid the documents tragic re- or follow the rules. Good Luck you require in your • Diabetics those welcome Plan 2.0 deliver rate increases batteries now before itbeis and Merry sults. Therefore, it is very clear then contact your board of di- welcome 353 Manitou Drive, Unit 2 tax •Christmas! Kitchener • Veterans • $300k to move forward with low the rate of infl ation withtoo late. that theorresponsibility thevisits available •for Home rectors property manager. * *city* services or two additional playgrounds reinstallation of out sacrificing Decoratingand is a operation delightful acDr. John S.Foot Cameron, D.D.S. Linda, The Nurse Marilyn Lincoln is isa acondoMarilyn Lincoln conplacements our strategic investments. The smoke detectors is joint. OwnLUBE, OIL &enhances FILTER Dr. Irish A. Malapitan, M.Sc., D.D.S. tivity that no doubt 519-589-4470 minium owner, director and audo owner, director and au$200k to develop a Mu2024 budget is another example ers• are responsible to maintain • Rotate Tires, Check & Adjustdon’t Pressure Dr. Michael D. Leeson, B.Sc., D.D.S. holiday spirit. However, Linda Dr. Heber, Care thor ofFoot The Condominium Self thor of and The Condominium nicipal Newcomers Strategy, ofRPN this, I’mNurse proud of what and ensure proper installation. • Inspect Front & Rear Brakes Gino Gizzarelli, B.Sc., Phm, D.D.S., Nursing let the Corporation Grinch spoil Foot Care Educator Management Guide, 2nd edi2nd M.Sc.,Self (Dental Anesthesia) Directors should confirm all including community engage• Check Exhaust System we’veManagement been able toGuide deliver for Bringquestions in this coupon for Foot Care Certified Pedicurist Parking your and order you Master tion. Send to marilyn• Christmas Check Suspension, Shocks &good Struts ed. questions toFree marilyn smoke detectors are in ment our Send community.” • Check Battery & Terminals 519-893-6450 to •remove your decorations condoguide@hotmail.com condoguide@hotmail.com working order. it takes isbea CALL $300k to All improve access To read the full 2024 budget • Test Coolant Strength & Condition and increase usage at Cameron visit kitchener.ca/budget. 1335 Ottawa N Kitchener ottawaheritagedental.ca • Check All Fluid St. Levels

City of Kitchener raises residential property taxes by 3.9%

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JULY AREA SALES REPORT

Real Estate Corner

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Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated JULY AREA SALES REPORT STYLE OF HOMES

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Single Detached Home –3 bedroom, single garage

Low $420,000 High $800,000

Single Detached Home –4 bedroom, double garage

Low $572,000 High $1,0850,000

Semi Detached

Low $470,000 High $505,000

Warning for Buyers!

Peter is a licensed Real Estate Agent AVERAGE PRICE with Re/Max and $579,713 has specialized in the Stanley Park area for $806,496 over 36 years. $491,333

I know of many buyers who have been patiently their peak. Peter Schneider, The banks have reacted by lowering their 5-year waiting for the market to decline so they can afford Sales Representative rates and as rates go down, housing prices will go to buy a home of their own. Re/Max Solid Gold up and inventory will go down again. Bidding wars For those buyers, the wait Realty has paid off! Prices (II) Ltd., Brokerage will return. have declined a little from the highs of spring 180 Weber St. S., Waterloo 2023. Also, and more importantly, the number of 519-888-7110 Business Some buyers feel that if they just save a little houses on the market has increased from a low of more money, it will be better for them. The truth is, www.takemehome.ca 641 for sale in January 2023, up to 1,302 homes as the market goes up, you can’t save fast enough to stay ahead. If you can manage to buy now, do in November for Waterloo Region. For in positive home market evaluation area, callfurther me atahead 519-888-7110. it! your You will be much at the end of Thisaisfree a very sign for home buyers, in *Price and closing date to be agreed upon by Peter and the seller. but beware, this will not last. Interest rates have the year. Get a short-term mortgage and renew started to go down. The Bank of Canada held their it in a year of two from now, when interest rates rate steady for December hinting that they are at are lower.

KNOW SOMEONE TALKING ABOUT MOVING? Schneider, We support: CALL US TODAY.Peter LISTINGS NEEDED. WE LOVE REFERRALS! Sales Representative Re/Max Solid Gold

Each OfficeRealty is Independently Owned and Operated (II) Ltd., Brokerage 180 Weber St. S., Waterloo 519-589-3554 519-888-7110 Business www.takemehome.ca

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January 2024 l Kitchener Citizen l Page 7

Grand Horizons CELEBRATING SENIORS Former Kitchener MP John English recognized with Order of Ontario

BY IRENE SCHMIDT-ADENEY ohn English, former Member of Parliament for Kitchener, was one of 25 people recognized with the Order of Ontario for their “exceptional contributions to building a stronger province”. The 2023 appointees were announced by Ontario Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont on January 1st. “The province’s highest honour recognizes outstanding people who have made exceptional contributions to help build a stronger province, nation and world. Members of the Order come from all walks of life and represent various sectors of society including public service, business, journalism, and health care,” according to the press release. English was recognized for bringing history to life, “shaping our understanding of our past and place in the world today. Among his many works are bestselling biographies of Lester Pearson and Pierre Trudeau. He brought his expertise to organizations such as the Canadian International Council and the Dictionary of Canadian Biography/ Dictionionnaire biographique du Canada.” English was the Member of Parliament for Kitchener from 1993 until 1997. He holds several honours including the Order of Canada, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Honourary Senior Fellow Renison University College and has won other awards and literary honours. For many years, the English family owned and operated a

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Former Kitchener MP and University of Waterloo history professor John English received the Order of Ontario on January 1. general store in Plattsville. After graduating from Waterloo-Oxford District High School, English attended the University of Waterloo where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1967. He won a scholarship and attended Harvard University and earned a Masters Degree and PhD. English returned to Canada and was a history professor at the University of Waterloo, retiring in 2009. English now lives in Guelph and was the only local recipient. The other 24 recipients included: Jay Aspin, North Bay; JoAnne Clarke; David Collenette;

Claire Crooks, Joy MacDermid and Fred Possmayer of London; Patrick Foran, Whitby; Bernard Leduc, Ottawa; Dwayne Morgan, Ajax; Peter Simon, Niagaraon-the-Lake; Gary Slaight, North York; Bhavana Varma, Kingston; John Beck, Julie Di Lorenzo, Lee Erett, Gervan Fearon, Blake Goldring, Herbert ho Ping Kong, Blake Hutcheson, Michael Latner, Florence Ngenzebuhoro, Hazelle Palmer, George Trusler, and Raquel Urtasun, all of Toronto. The deadline for 2024 appointees is March 4, 2024. Applications can be found by searching “Order of Ontario” though the website Ontario.ca.

Waterloo Region raises residential property taxes by 6.9%

aterloo Region Council has passed the 2024 operating budget and it includes an increase of 6.9% for the regional portion of the residential property tax bill. This amounts to an increase of $165 for the average property tax bill. The major expenditures for Waterloo Region include: • $472-million for affordable housing; • $316-million for services that include paramedics, children, seniors, youth, and the Waterloo Region Food Bank; • $815-million for transit, water and waste management; • $125-million for employee well-being, data and technology services, and ﬁnancial sustain-

• Basic & advanced foot care • Trim & file toe nails • Skin, corn & callous management • Diabetics welcome • Veterans welcome • Home visits available

ability. “Council’s 2024 Plan and Budget includes expansions to essential services and investments in infrastructure that supports mobility, connectivity and economic prosperity,” Karen Redman,

Regional Chair. “It addresses the growing need to build homes for all, not just houses, recognizing the supports and infrastructure needed to build liveable and vibrant communities across our region.”

You get just one funeral. You are unique. Your life is unlike any other. By pre-planning your final arrangements now, you can decide how you want to be remembered.

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Page 8 l Kitchener Citizen l January 2024

• Carpet • Tile • Vinyl • Hardwood

Key decisions of Kitchener Council - December 11, 2023 • Laminate • Custom Window Blinds • Kitchen Cabinets • Bathroom Vanities

www.LetUsFloorYou.ca

Community Church Listing

1011 Industrial Cres. Unit #2 • 519-699-5411

St James’-Rosemount United 171 Sherwood Ave., Kitchener (519) 742-1002 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Lunch served following service on the third Sunday of every month. Nursery, Sunday School, Youth Group, Wed. Night Bible study

Community Community Church Listing Church

Kitchener Gospel Temple-Pentecostal 9 Conway St Dr.James’-Rosemount (at River Rd), KitchenerUnited (519) 894-5999 Sunday Service: 10:30(519) a.m.742-1002 171 Sherwood Ave., Kitchener Mid-week activities for all ages. www.kitchenergospel.com Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Lunch served service on the third of every month. St. following George’s of Forest HillSunday - Anglican Kitchener East Presbyterian Nursery, Sunday School, Youth Group, Wed. Night study 321 Fischer-Hallman Road, Kitchener (519) Bible 744-4751 10 Zeller Drive, Kitchener (519) 748-9786 www.stgeorgesofforesthill.com Reverend: Mark(Book S. Richardson Sunday Service 8:15 a.m. of Common Prayer) Kitchener Gospel Temple-Pentecostal Sunday Service 10:00 a.m. (Children’s - Youth Ministries) Sunday Service:Dr. 10:30 a.m. Nursery and Sunday School provided 9 Conway (at River Rd), Kitchener (519) 894-5999 Wednesday Service 10:00 a.m. SonshineSunday Corner,Service: Thursdays from 9 11 a.m. 10:30 a.m. All Welcome Mid-week activities for all ages. www.kitchenergospel.com Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran 322 East Avenue (at Stirling), Kitchener (519) 742-5812 Kitchener East Presbyterian www.holycrosskitchener.org 10 Zeller Drive, Kitchener (519) 748-9786 Reverend: S. Richardson Sunday Service: (Sept. - June) Mark 8:30 and 11 a.m., (July-Aug.) 9:30 a.m 9:45 a.m. Sunday School, Youth Adult Bible Classes Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Nursery and& Sunday School provided Choirs - Stephen Ministry Youth Group Beginnings Sonshine Corner, Thursdays from 9 - 11 a.m.(0 -3 years)

Listing

Hope Lutheran Hope Lutheran Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran

30 Shaftsbury Drive, Kitchener ON N2A (519) 893-5290 Kitchener (519)1N6 893-5290 322 30 EastShaftsbury Avenue (atDrive, Stirling), Kitchener (519) 742-5812 www.hopelc.ca Worship Service : 10:00 a.m. www.holycrosskitchener.org Worship Service Times NurseryService closed11:15 at thisam time Bible Study 10:00 am Worship Sunday Service: (Sept. - June) 8:30 and 11 a.m.,Adult (July-Aug.) 9:30 a.m www.hopelc.ca Nursery at this timeBible Classes 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School,open Youth & Adult

Choirs - Stephen Ministry - Youth Group - Beginnings (0 -3 years) Breslau Evangelical Missionary Church 102 Woolwich St., Breslau (519) 648-2712 Hope Lutheran 30 Shaftsbury Drive, Kitchener 893-5290 Sunday Worship Service:(519) 10 a.m. Children’s Ministry Youth Ministry - Small Groups Worship- Service : 10:00 a.m. All are welcome! Visit usatatthis www.bemc.ca Nursery closed time www.hopelc.ca

Stanley Park Community Church Breslau Missionary Church 9 Dreger Ave.,Evangelical (at Ottawa St.) Kitchener (519) 893-8186 102 Woolwich St., Breslau (519) 648-2712 www.stanleyparkchurch.ca SundayPastor: WorshipBrad Service: Bauer10 a.m. Children’s Ministry Youth Ministry - Small Groups Sunday Service and Kid’s Church: 10 a.m. All are welcome! us at www.bemc.ca ALLVisit WELCOME! Nexus Church Church Stanley Park Community Meets in The Conrad Center 36 King St(519) W. Kitchener 9 Dreger Ave., (at Ottawa St.)- Kitchener 893-8186 Sunday Service 10:30 a.m. www.stanleyparkchurch.ca K Pastor: Brad Bauer www.nexuschurch.ca Sunday Service and Kid’s Church: 10 a.m. All welcome! ALLareWELCOME! Nexus Church Meets in The Conrad Center - 36 King St W. Kitchener Sunday Service 10:30 a.m. NextK issue of Kitchener Citizen February 8, 2024 www.nexuschurch.ca All are welcome!

For News tips & advertising email citizenwest@hotmail.com

Key decisions of Council is a summary of major discussion items presented at Kitchener City Council meetings. It is circulated immediately following each meeting by City of Kitchener Communicatons staff. Staff to study rental replacement by-law Council has asked City staff to engage the development industry and community stakeholders on a rental replacement by-law and investigate additional tools within the City’s jurisdiction to support renters who may be displaced due to building demolition. Eviction and displacement are signiﬁcant and complex issues in our community. Staff continue to work with the Region of Waterloo, community stakeholders and other orders of government to address housing challenges. Speed limits in school zones Council approved a recommendation to keep speed limits in school zones on arterial roads and neighbourhood roads at 30 km/h. This recommendation reﬂects the community function of school properties outside of regular school hours and the presence

of children and other vulnerable street users throughout the day and year. Council advances construction of 667 residential units Council approved zoning bylaw amendments, and adopted and forwarded ofﬁcial plan amendment applications to the Region of Waterloo for approval, to permit the construction of: • 40 stacked low-rise cluster townhouses at 117 Bloomingdale • 5 low-rise street fronting townhouses fronting Gravel Ride Trail • 622 units at 417 King Street West in the Downtown Grant approved for assisted snow clearing Council approved a snow clearing grant of up to $96,000/ year to The Working Centre. This grant will support sidewalk snow clearing for residents who are unable to clear snow in front of their properties due to age or disability. Through this program, The Working Centre is able to provide meaningful employment to low-income and streetinvolved individuals. Read the report online.

Council endorses guiding principles for Kitchener Utilities clean energy transition strategy Council endorsed guiding principles with related objectives to help guide work for the Kitchener Utilities clean energy transition strategy. The principles with aligned intentions and objectives were informed by extensive engagement and a high-level environmental scan. The next phase of work will use the principles to assess different business options. Kitchener Utilities’ natural gas delivery business is preparing to evolve to respond to global energy industry changes and align with the City’s and the community’s climate change commitments. Heritage Kitchener to designate 14 properties Council recognized the importance of our community’s cultural heritage by passing 14 Notices of Intent to Designate. These properties are listed on the City’s Municipal Heritage Register. Three of the properties are being designated as part of their redevelopment into new housing developments.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR FILM FESTIVAL - Winter has traditionally been a time of rest and storytelling in Indigenous communities. In that tradition, Winter Storytelling: A Celebration of Indigenous Film is a chance to increase dialogue between indigenous and settler communities. Winter Storytelling: A Celebration of Indigenous Film will feature three ﬁlms over the month of February 2024 at the Princess Twin Cinema in Waterloo, including Run Woman Run on Monday, February 5 at 2 p.m., Beans on Monday, February 12 at 2 p.m., and Bones of Crows on Wednesday, February 28 at 7 p.m. A discussion will follow each ﬁlm. This free event is sponsored by the CFUW K-W (formerly the Canadian Federation of University Women, Kitchener-Waterloo) in partnership with Conestoga College, the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. Donations to Indigenous Youth Roots will be welcomed at the door. THE SCHNEIDER MALE CHORUS - hosts a “new members month” during January and September. If you like to sing, come on out Monday nights from 7:30 to 9:30 at Waterloo North Mennonite Church, 100 Benjamin Rd, Waterloo, ON N2J 3Z4 and give us a try. More information on our website www.SchneiderMaleChorus.ca including sample concerts. THE PROBUS WOMEN’S CLUB OF KITCHENER WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS - Are you a gal who is retired? Semi-retired? Thinking of retiring? Are you looking to be a part of a group of friendly, bright, inspiring, like-minded

women? Our club meets September to June on the 2nd Thursday of the month in The Royal Room at Golf’s Steak House. The fun happens from 9:30AM until 11:30; our meeting site is fully accessible with ample free parking. Each meeting features a dynamic guest speaker, information on various interest groups, coffee, camaraderie and more. The opportunity for you to meet and interact with ladies from the community awaits! Curious? Contact the club probuswomensclubofkitchener@outlook. com or join us in The Royal Room at Golf’s, 598 Lancaster St Kitchener ON, on the second Thursday of any month from September to June! Hope to see you soon! CANADIAN FEDERATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN KITCHENER-WATERLOO (CFUW K-W) - Are you a woman interested in Camaraderie, Advocacy and Service to the Community? Come Join Us!! The Power of Women Working Together. We welcome all women who share our values, no need to have a university education. We are a vibrant welcoming group of over 200 women of all disciplines and ages, promoting gender equality and education for girls and women. We have monthly meetings and speakers. We have 45 plus interest groups/activity groups: Examples are Antiques, Books, Bridge, Coffee Meets, Euchre, Languages, Cooking, Games, Wine Tasting, Health, Hiking, Theatre and so forth. We hold an annual Book Sale that funds 47 Scholarships and Awards. If this sounds like a club that would inter-

est you, feel free to view our website. We would like to welcome you.www.cfukw.org Monthly Meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, starting September 19, 2023. Location... The Cedars, 543 Beechwood Drive in Waterloo at 7 pm. Hope to see you there. SINGERS NEEDED FOR THE ROCKWAY ENTERTAINERS - Do you like to sing but don’t feel that you have the ability? That’s what everyone thinks! But we encourage you to give us a try. Can’t read music? …. that’s OK! Ella Fitzgerald said: “The only thing better than singing is more singing.” The Rockway Entertainers is a group of mainly seniors who sing a variety of music, in 4-part harmony. We normally perform one or two concerts per month, in the afternoons, at a seniors’ home or retirement home, as well as concerts in the spring and at Christmas. We sing primarily for pleasure and fun. We don’t stress about perfection, because providing toe-tapping and enjoyable entertainment is much more important. Practices are at the Rockway Community Centre, 1405 King St. E., Kitchener Thursday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:30. We meet from September to May (Yes, you’ll get the summers off!). Please feel welcome to attend a practice or two just to check us out. When you arrive, ask for Marilyn, Karl, or Jim. We are aiming to ﬁnd an additional 25 members. For more information, please call the Rockway Community Centre ofﬁce, 519-741-2507.

Region of Waterloo votes to extend the mask by-law as COVID-19 cases increase

January 2024 l Kitchener Citizen l Page 9

WHAT WE’RE READING

Sipping Dom Perignon Through a Straw by Eddie Ndopu Reviewed by Kim Cluthe Senior Library Assistant, Information Services

A monthly column featuring great reads as suggested and reviewed by librarians from the Kitchener Public Library. Follow along each month and discover your next great read!

‘Sipping Dom Perignon Through a Straw’ is a thought-provoking memoir by Black, queer, disability advocate Eddie Ndopu chronicling his struggles as the ﬁrst disabled African student to attend the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. When Eddie was a child, he was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy which is a degenerative disorder that affected his ability to care for himself physically. He excelled in school and attended the African Leadership Academy and Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. His academic distinction then led to him being awarded a full scholarship to attend the University of Oxford for his masters degree. Unfortunately, the scholarship failed to accommodate Eddie’s care needs as a part of that full scholarship which is what this memoir unapologetically dives into. Eddie writes vulnerable stories that leave him exposed as he shares details about the ableism he faces constantly. He also writes about the failings of bureaucracy in ensuring his needs were

met so he could study in dignity and safety. One of the biggest issues he faced was the lack of funding for and support from care aids which Eddie needs for day-to-day care. He advocated on behalf of himself regularly for more funds but ultimately was forced to fundraise thousands of dollars in order to remain at the university. I was completely sucked into Eddie’s ﬁght and devoured the book in a single sitting. While a lot of what Eddie had to go through is absolutely devastating, he keeps the tone light and fast paced which made it a lot easier to read so quickly. Eddie’s words are also ﬁlled with hope for a future where people with disabilities are not expected to achieve excellence to be valued by their communities. This book was eye-opening to me about the systemic barriers that still exist worldwide for people with disabilities. I highly recommend this book and others like it to learn more about other people’s lived experiences and what we can do to be anti-ableist.

Help keep salt out of groundwater

I’m your drinking water Shovel or plow the snow first

Break up ice with a steel ice chopper

Add traction when needed with sand

If salt is absolutely necessary, spread evenly on icy areas only and give salt time to work

regionofwaterloo.ca/SaltingShift

Page 10 l Kitchener Citizen January 2024

Notes from City Hall happy to report that Kitchener’s culture of discipline and efficiency remains well intact, with a tax levy increase of 3.9%. This figure is the lowest around and is well under the average of the previous two years of inflation (i.e. Council’s tax target.) This isn’t a new achievement of our staff and council. Kitchener’s tax increases have been under inflation each year going back at least a decade, a stat that no nearby municipality can boast. Notably, Kitchener’s achieved this

while only enhancing and adding to our city services. A question that’s often asked is-- How much are property taxes going up in total, including the Waterloo Regional government’s (6.9%) increase? Many think it’s additive. i.e. 3.9% + 6.9 = 10.8% tax increase. Fortunately, that isn’t the case! The Region of Waterloo makes up about 55% of your TOTAL property tax bill. So 55% of their 6.9% increase = 3.8%. Kitchener makes up about 31% of

your TOTAL tax bill and 31% of our 3.9% = 1.2%. The School boards make up the remaining 14% of your TOTAL property tax bill but I understand their rates are staying the same. Adding up 3.8% from Waterloo Region plus 1.2% from the City of Kitchener (plus 0% from the School Boards) equals 5.0%. A little confusing but essentially, if you’re a City of Kitchener resident your TOTAL property taxes for 2024 are going up 5%.

Our 2024 Budget is ﬁnalized. For the average Kitchener home, the rate increases are: Property 3.9% or $47 annually; Water Utility 4.9%, or $21 annually; Sanitary Sewer Utility

7.1% or $39 annually; Stormwater Utility 7.4%, or $17 annually, for a total of $124.00. It’s important to know Kitchener collects and remits taxes proportionately to the Region and school boards. This budget reﬂects priorities you and other residents shared for our 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. It provides things like more trail connections, trafﬁc calming, playground replacements, a data strategy to improve services for residents, and an arena energy strategy to meet our Corporate Climate Action Plan

2.0. See details at daveschnider. com I’ll be having on-site meetings with the Catholic School Board, Region of Waterloo and city staff to share student safety concerns about the proposed Grade 7-12 school at 20 Woolner Trail. It’s important to have assurances these concerns will be addressed, in order to vote in favour of the zone change that will allow this school to be built. See more on these issues at daveschnider.com Thanks to Josslin Insurance for sponsoring free skating at Kitchener

arenas. For dates and arenas visit kitchener.ca and search skating. The City Hall rink is open daily from 9am11pm for your enjoyment. Have a Happy and Healthy 2024! If you need help with an issue, contact me directly or our 24hour contact centre, 519-7412345 or info@kitchener.ca. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @ DaveSchniderKW or friend me on Facebook. Visit daveschnider.com for lots of Ward 2 and city info.

Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a great Holiday Season. I wish for a great 2024 for all of you. I will continue to work hard for

all citizens of this great city in 2024 and look forward to this and to meeting some of you at my upcoming drop-in meetings at the Kingsdale Community Centre. Thanks to those who said hello at the recent New Year’s Levee, I’m glad you came out to enjoy the entertainment. In December, council passed its 2024 budget. I’m happy to say this increase was the lowest in the Region and one of the lowest in the province. At a 3.9% property tax increase, we are able to maintain core services and infrastructure and enhance key

priorities of the city and Council. New playgrounds and improved trail access across the city are just a few of the important projects that will continue to make Kitchener a healthy thriving city. With the water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater utility increases included, the combined annual increase is $124 for the average household. As we come into some snowy, unsettled weather, just a reminder for drivers and pedestrians, please slow down and pay attention. Recently, Fairway Rd. has seen

numerous incidents with motorists and pedestrians. Luckily, nothing has been fatal. The fact that speeding, distracted driving, and not obeying signage continue to be the biggest complaints that council hear weekly, is concerning. We all have a role to play in safety on our roads and sidewalks. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with your concerns, questions, or solutions. I’m always available for a conversation, coffee, or phone call.

New Year’s Greetings! Thanks to those who gave, and to the volunteers, sponsors, and Mukul Verma, who led the dedicated group of eight volunteers who collected

1277 toys for the Toy Mountain Toy Drive. Lower Doon is the oldest area in Kitchener and since my first term on council, I have worked to protect the unique heritage area and its attributes, while finding a balance for growth where residents, and students may live harmoniously, and with respect for the area. I was pleased my motion to limit density and higher intensification across Homer Watson passed unanimously last month. There is no overnight parking

on roads until after March 31, and sidewalks must be shovelled within 24 hours after a snowfall or snow event. Assisted sidewalk and windrow clearing for seniors and those who physically can’t shovel is available for those who qualify. Visit www.kitchener.ca/snow for more information on winter readiness and the tools available to help you plan for a safe winter season. Hopefully, snow will arrive so we can enjoy winter activities in Ward 4. Some trails are maintained, and those that aren’t are perfect for

snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. If winter skating is your thing, visit kitchener.ca/skating for skating rink locations. The Pioneer Park West Rink team is getting things ready for another great season. If you want to volunteer, you can connect through Facebook on the Pioneer Park West Winter Rinks page. Please drop by the Community Centre on Saturday, January, 20 from 10-11:30am and have coffee with me. I would love to meet you! Wishing everyone a happy and Healthy New Year

Hello Ward 5! Happy New Year! Wishing you lots of joy, success and prosperity for this upcoming year. I am looking forward to the new year to bring on a fresh start, new op-

portunities, and lots of community events so we can all come together and enjoy all that Kitchener has to offer! I know it’s still winter, but now is the time to think about applying for a summer job with the City of Kitchener if you are a student! The summer jobs have been posted to our website: kitchener.ca/jobs and for most of them, the closing date is January 31st. There are many great opportunities for you to get involved, so please go ahead and see if any of them ﬁt your interest.

You will gain so much valuable experience and at the same time have lots of fun! Also I would like to mention, that in case costs such as uniforms, transit, or certiﬁcations prevent you from applying for a summer job, you could qualify for up to $300 to help cover your costs. The Youth Employment Support Grant is meant to reduce barriers for low-income youths, and can be applied for until April 28th via our website: kitchener.ca/grants. The Williamsburg and Huron

Community Associations are always looking for energetic volunteers to help with their programming and special events. If you’re interested in learning more about all the great things that both of these associations bring to our community, contact williamsburg.community@ gmail.com or info@huroncommunity.ca for more details. Feel free to connect with me about these or other city matters at 519-741-2791 or ayo.owodunni@kitchener.ca.

Happy New Year Ward 1! I hope you were able to spend some holiday time with friends and family. Kitchener City Council recently ﬁnalized our 2024 Budget. I’m

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic’s Statement for New Year’s Day 2024

Happy New Year, Kitchener! Over the past few weeks, each of us have been celebrating the Season in our own ways and traditions, and as we celebrate the New Year today, together with friends and family here in Kitchener, across Canada and around the world, let us reflect on the past year, continue to share special moments with our loved ones, and welcome 2024 and the year ahead with hopes for health, happiness and prosperity. The past year has been a year of incredible opportunities and unique challenges, a year of continued success and growth for our City, while also ensuring we work with other orders of government and tackle the challenges impacting some of our neighbours. During the past year, we saw many successes including the start of construction of the new University of Waterloo Health Innovation Arena, opened our new SDG Idea Factory incubator, and became the City of Champions with many championship wins including by locals Jamal Murray of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, and Nicolas Hague of the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights. We also celebrated TVO Polkaroo’s 50th birthday at the Kitchener Public Library, welcomed the Prime Minister, Lieutenant Governor, Premier and many federal and provincial ministers to Kitchener, became one of 16 Canadian cities awarded transformative funding by Minister Sean Fraser through $42.4 million from Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund and continued to play a leadership role on the provincial, national and global stages with our work with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), United Cities & Local Governments (UCLG) and the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. Amidst all these challenges, our community also stood with fellow Canadians and those around the world through some difficult times caused by global inflation, climate change, geopo...continued on next page

January 2024 l Kitchener Citizen l Page 11

Notes from City Hall

As we begin the new year, I’m delighted to share with you the exciting news about the ﬁnalized 2024 budget for our city. After extensive collaboration and

feedback, the final budget includes significant investments to advance our community’s key priorities. Throughout the entire budget process, City Council, our dedicated staff, and our community worked together to develop a budget that delivers a tax rate increase of 3.9 per cent - below the rate of inflation and one of the lowest in our Region. It also advances the strategic vision priorities outlined in our new Strategic Plan: kitchener.ca/ strategicplan I’m pleased to share that $1.6

million has been allocated for strategic investments, in addition to the initially proposed $5.5 million. This additional funding will support a range of crucial initiatives, including additional trafﬁc calming and trail connections in our neighborhoods, playground replacements, development of a New Resident Strategy, and the implementation of a city-wide data strategy to deliver better services for our residents. These investments are aimed at ensuring Kitchener remains a vibrant and inclusive community for all. As

we move forward into the new year, I’m conﬁdent that these investments will have a positive impact on our community. Thank you for your continued support and engagement. I look forward to collaborating with you to ensure that our budget decisions reﬂect the needs and priorities of our community. Wishing you and your families a joyful and prosperous new year. Here’s to a successful 2024 for Kitchener!

Happy New Year Ward 7! Hope you had a bit of a break during the holidays, and starting this new year refreshed and healthy. I’m hearing a growing number

of concerns regarding school zone limits from all over the Ward and would like to share the following information with you. The speed limit in most Kitchener school zones is currently 30 km/h. City staff had recommended increasing the limit to 40 km/h on major community collector and city arterial streets. In December, Council has voted to increase speed limits to 40 km/h in school zones that are monitored by photo radar. At the moment, it affects just the two Kitchener school zones that already

have automatic speed enforcement cameras, but that number is set to rise to seven by the end of the year. There are a total of 34 school zones on these types of streets, which are typically designed for higher speeds and larger trafﬁc volumes, one of them is Westheights Drive. Of those 34, 18 are school zones on regional roads, which were permanently set at 40 km/h by regional council last month. Council has advocated for the limits to have time restrictions, i.e. turning off the cameras during non-

school hours and holidays, but since the cameras are operated by the Region of Waterloo, they were told that wouldn’t be possible. For any concerns or questions regarding this, I would suggest for you to contact the Region: regionofwaterloo.ca As always, you can reach me at bil.ioannidis@kitchener.ca with any of your concerns. I’m looking forward to advocating on your behalf as your City Councillor in this new year as well.

Happy New Year Ward 8! I hope that 2024 brings peace and civility to our world and to each other. Kindness costs nothing yet it is worth so much!

Speaking of kindness, you may have noticed that Tiny Home Take-Out has come to Victoria Hills Community Centre as a satellite location. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-7:30pm you can stop by for a meal. Tiny Home Take-Out operates on a give-whatyou-can model and is volunteer run. Everyone deserves a great meal! I am so excited to see this terriﬁc organization come to our Ward to make it easier for local residents to access meals. Thank you to

the Tiny Home Take-Out team for recognizing the need in our local community and for acting on it. To learn more about Tiny Home Take-Out, to volunteer, or to make a much-needed donation if you are able: https://tinyhometakeout.com This is a good time to reﬂect on other kindnesses in our Ward. We have not had a lot of snow yet this year, but we all know it is coming. Information about the snow removal in the City can be found on our website: kitchener.ca/snow. Thank

you for keeping your sidewalks cleared of snow and ice and thank you to those who help neighbours on your streets who could use a helping hand. I do my own snow clearing but every once in a while, when there is a very large storm, my neighbour will come and do the end of my driveway. That is so kind, and I am thankful for their help. I know there are many stories of kindness across the Ward. These helping hands build community and helps us all to Love My Hood!

the cost of living. People, including families, seniors on fixed incomes, and new Canadians are finding it more and more difficult to make ends meet. All levels of government have a responsibility to address the situation by using the tools available to them. We need collaborative, bold actions to ensure that everyone can live a dignified life. I look forward to seeing the lodging home bylaw regulations modified to ensure that this type of affordable housing be more available across

the city. I look forward to hearing back from staff about a rental replacement bylaw that would help residents whose rental units are up for demolition and redevelopment. The bylaw would require the property owner to replace the unit with one comparable in size, quality and rent for 10-20 years. This bylaw would ensure people could continue to afford their rents. I look forward to seeing progress on a renoviction bylaw to protect tenants from being evicted so the

property owner can raise the rent. I still have hope that the inclusionary zoning bylaw will adopt the 5% requirement for affordable units as permitted in Bill 23. I look forward to the city working with not-for-proﬁts to build housing on city lands that is affordable as deﬁned by the “Housing For All” affordability sub-committee at 30% of a full-time minimum wage, which is about $860 per month for a onebedroom apartment. Let’s make sure we get things right.

Locally, 2024 will be a year of hope for some and uncertainty for others. 2023 has seen a rise in the number of homeless people in the Region, in people using the Foodbank and in

Remember that time when Amazon sponsored your church fundraiser?

News Media Canada Médias d’Info Canada

Remember when Facebook bought a case of Girl Guide cookies to support your daughter?

Neither do we!

Local businesses live here. They play here. They invest here. They need our support, now more than ever.

Remember when Google provided free pizza to your child’s soccer team when they won the championship?

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic’s Statement for New Year’s Day 2024 ...from previous page

litical instability and a variety of other factors. Locally, we continued to be impacted by issues such as food insecurity, mental health, addictions and homelessness and shared in the pain felt by many of our neighbours from the conflicts being experienced in various regions of the world. We called for a new fiscal framework with our federal and provincial partners and joined together with cities around the world in continuing the fight on climate change. Through all this, we exhibited the resilience both Canadians and especially Kitchener residents are known for. We rolled up our sleeves, looked out for each other, and worked to ensure that Kitchener continues to be a caring community where everyone belongs. As our community looks ahead to 2024, we do so with much hope and optimism, as well as a renewed commitment to work together to tackle the challenges before us, as a community and together with our federal and provincial partners, the business community, academia, not-for-profits, and most importantly you, our residents who are the foundation of this community. Building upon our new 20-year vision, “Building a city for everyone where, together, we take care of the world around us – and each other,” I look forward to working with our caring and passionate City Council and staff throughout 2024 to begin to implement our recently approved strategic plan including continuing our Housing for All implementation, continued economic growth through Make It Kitchener 2.0, investments in parks, trails and cycling infrastructure, completing our arts and culture plan and development of a municipal newcomers strategy. As we look to the year ahead, let’s recommit to the values that are important to our community and we as Canadians. Let’s celebrate our diversity, focus on our unity and the things that bring us together, and most importantly, let us exhibit the kindness, care and compassion that we as Canadians and Kitchener residents are known for. Canada is the best country in the world, and by continuing to work together, Kitchener and its residents and businesses, will continue to lead the way in making it better! Happy New Year, Kitchener.

Page 12 l Kitchener Citizen l January 2024

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