I hope that everyone had an excellent summer! I sure did and would like to take this opportunity to inform you of what I have been up to.

During the summer months most committees take a break, but with the desperate need to move Public Transportation forward, The Capital Region Board Transit Committee (CRB RTC) continued to meet. The Government of Alberta dedicating itself to releasing $800 million of Green Trip dollars to the Capital Region, had the RTC discussing how those dollars can go the farthest to improve Public Transit in the Region. I was a member of the sub-committee that provided a recommendation of transit priorities for approval from the Capital Region Board.

For the City of Leduc Public Transit, we have come to a road block. Greyhound has objected to the Operating Certificate required to operate the transit system. This came as a great surprise to me as there has been several Operating Certificates approved across Alberta with no objection. The most recent being Airdrie. We have perused all of our legal options and must wait till the hearing scheduled for September 15th. As you can imagine, I'm disappointed that we could not meet our target launch of August 30th. Now we have everything in place, waiting for riders. However, I'm happy with our public support for Transit and that there is an understanding that this is a delay not a cancelation.

As a member of our Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission (ACRWC) I was appointed to a sub-committee to look at advancing issues of the commission with other levels of government. We had our first meeting over the summer and I was appointed the Chair. We have developed a terms of reference and seek approval from our board.

On a personal note, Brittney and I were married on August 1st. Our wedding took place in Old Montreal Quebec. We had a small ceremony with family and friends at Avenue Art Gallery and our Reception was at the historic Auberge Le Saint Gabriel.

After the wedding we honeymooned in Greece and Rome and really enjoyed our time seeing another part of our magnificent world and even enjoyed a little time to relax.

I hope that everyone else had a great summer and all the best in the fall.

The City of Leduc has put together a team that will be participating in the MS Bike Tour 2010. Our team has received special permission to start from the Leduc Recreation Centre and we will be riding to Camrose. So on June 12th come out to the LRC and cheer on the team as we takeoff for our grand journey.

Donations can be made by clicking on Donate. Credit Cards are excepted and you will receive a tax credit.

Thank you for your support!

The South Gate and Century Park Light Rail Transit (LRT) Stations are now open! This is great news for the City of Leduc. When most Capital Region municipalities implement inter-municipal transit, they must create two routs. One, going to the University of Alberta campus. The other going down town. The City of Leduc has the added advantage with the expansion of the LRT to the south, to connect with the LRT at the Century Park Station and hit both destinations.

Transit has been a difficult thing to pursue for Capital Region municipalities. Besides for the transit systems of Edmonton and Calgary, it is difficult to attract funding from other levels of government to implement transit, which is a capital intensive project. Hopefully, the good work that is being done by the Capital Region Board (CRB) and the CRB Transit Committee will demonstrate that municipalities in the Capital Region are willing to work together to improve the way people move between and within our cities. The much anticipated provincial Green Trip Fund woul do much to get these projects moving.

The picture at the top was taken on the first ride to the new LRT stations. Mayor Greg Krischke and I are pointing to the south, where we hope the LRT continue to expand. To see more photos from the opening of the news stations, check out the Photo Gallery.

The members of Leduc City Council had the pleasure to meet with the members of the Town of Beaumont Council on March 18th. Our two Councils had the opportunity to discuss issues of common interest and to tour two new facilities that Beaumont has constructed: their Operations Building, and their new Aquatics Center. Beaumont Council was our gracious host and I would like to thank them very much for their hospitality!

As the City of Leduc is moving forward with the development of our Operations Building, it was good to have a chance to see Beaumonts building and to talk about their experience. We also had the chance to discuss our role on common boards such as the Capital Region Board, The City of Leduc's Public Transit Plan, and our growth plans.

Thanks again Beaumont!

Council held the Public Hearing for Bylaw 738-2010 (The Water Bylaw). There were several presenters that had valid points that were made about possible implications the Bylaw may have on rental property in the City of Leduc. As a result, Council has asked administration look into the impact to other communities that have implemented similar Water Bylaws. The report, and further readings will take place at the March 8th, 2010 Council meeting.

Council had the great pleasure to honour Corp. Gary Hollender by bestowing him with a Leduc Achievement Award. Corp. Hollender served 9 months in Afghanistan, training police officers as a part of ISAF. He was greeted by a standing ovation. Corp. Hollender presented council with a flag of the City of Leduc that was flown in Afghanistan. It was great to recognize this community hero.

Bylaws 740-2010 and 741-2010 passed changing two zoning areas to higher density. Both areas are in the downtown, and are great lots for higher density housing. Neither Bylaws has any body speak against.

Finally, I am happy to report that the City of Leduc staff met our goal of raising $5,185 to send to the Haiti relief effort.

On Monday February 8th, Council was scheduled to have second and third reading of bylaw 738-2010 The Water Bylaw. However, in the  January 29th edition of the Leduc representative the article titled "Major overhaul to city water bylaw" the author mentioned that "Ald. Dominic Mishio said he would like to hear from property owners, plumbers and contractors for their views about this new bylaw."

This comment in the Rep had an overwhelming response. I received calls, emails, and even a letter both supporting and speaking against the bylaw. Because of the large response and the lack of an opportunity for citizens to be heard in regards to this bylaw, I proposed a non-statutory public hearing to take place at the next Council meeting on February 22nd. This motion was passed by a 5-1 vote.

For anybody who would like to speak, for or against this bylaw, please call city hall at 780-980-7177 and be placed on the list of people who would like to be heard

on Bylaw 738-2010.

I am very pleased with the engagement that the Reps article has instilled in our citizens!!!

On January 12th a devastating earthquake shook the nation of Haiti. In may ways our City has stepped up to help the haitian people recover from this disaster. Community groups and business leaders have donated money and supplies, school are hosting fundraisers (such as the one taking place at the Leduc Highschool on Monday February 8th) and Council unanimously passed a resolution to donate $5,000 to the Canadian Red Cross.

Furthermore, the City will match donations that are made by City Staff up to an additional $5,000 till February 12th. I've been notified that as of February 2nd, we are currently sitting at $2,770. The Canadian Red Cross is an organization that the Federal Government has agreed to match funding to, so I hope that we are able to raise the full $5,000 that the City has agreed to match. Thank you so much to all the members of our community that have contributed to the rebuilding of this devastated nation

To donate to the Canadian Red Cross pleas click on the link.

January 11, 2010

City Council had the first Council meeting of 2010. The RCMP made a presentation on the 2009 crime statistics. Some areas have gone up others have gone down. All in all, the RCMP have been doing a good job keeping our City safe. Our new police chief, Insp. Jackson, has increased the focus on impaired driving. In 2008 we had 52 offences in the 3rd quarter and in 2009 that number increased to 86.

Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), Leduc Environmental Advisory Board (LEAB), and the Library Board all had new public members appointed to them. I encourage any citizen who is interested in becoming more involved to contact the City in regards to boards and committees.

Fire Chief Polsom updated Council on the Summit Square progress. Some may have heard in the news recently that the elevators are out of order and seniors that live in the building are left with only one choice, the stairs. Chief Polsom has indicated that under the building code the building owner will have to correct the problem and are presently working on it.

For more information, please feel free to go to the City's website where Council minutes are posted. A reminder that anyone is welcome to come to Council meetings and there is an opportunity at the beginning and end of each meeting for public commentary.

The Olympic Torch is coming to Leduc on January 15th!

It will start at the north end of the City near McDonalds at approximately 10:23am. It is going to follow the route that is provided in the image to the right. It is expected that the route will take 30 minutes.

The VANOC Torch Run has a large entourage with it comprised of entertainers and advertising vehicles, so it will be difficult to miss. The Torch will stop at the Civic Centre for a quick speech by the Mayor near the Leduc Junior High School before it exists the City by Rollyview Road

I hope that people will come out to catch this historical event take place in our city.

Line the streets! Dress in red! Cheer loud!!!