What’s on Your Mind June
June took a different direction with transportation toppling health care from its #1 spot — from a proposed cell tower in Canyon Meadows, playground and school zone changes, and congestion on Deerfoot due to construction .
Carol Robinson, Rogers Communications (Carol.Robinson@rci.rogers.com),responded June 20th to our enquiry sent originally to Mr. Brian Churchman of the City of Calgary concerning the cell tower as follows:
“Mr. Churchman at the city forwarded your email to our office, so that we may have the opportunity to respond.
“Several sites were explored, including school yards, recreational facilities and the most ideal location for all concerned – the strip mall across the street, however we were turned down for a lease and we cannot force them to do business with us. (I can provide documentation on each alternate site explored and reasons for disqualification). Additionally, any other location required within our Search Ring and technical requirements would place the tower into even more densely residential areas. We are also negotiating a co-locate with Telus, which would prevent them for applying with a similar application for another tower in the same community.
“We understand the sensitivity to this site – however NO other locations are available at this time that would meet the required criteria. The City currently has a policy on their table to allow for towers on city owned property, however, it has not receive council approval as of yet.
“Please be advised that I am available to discuss your concerns and provide justification, as per this site selected.”
We also received the following information from one of the Canyon Meadows Community Association Board Members who is also their point person for this issue on their Board:
“ ….. I assume you have been kept apprised of the situation and that you’re aware of the fact that Rogers has been asked to review four alternative sites within the community?
“The City unanimously voted two weeks ago to allow cell towers on City-owned lands. We are hopeful that a successful resolution to this matter will be achieved.”
On June 8th I wrote the Minister of Alberta Transportation relative to the issue of playground and safety zones. In his response June 21st, he stated:
“My department recommended two changes to the school and playground zone issue. One involves regulatory amendments to change the start and end times of the zones. The other ensures that all schools and playgrounds on provincial roads are designated and signed in accordance with the Transportation Association of Canada Guidelines. Municipalities will retain the authority to change school zone times and to designate zones and areas within their jurisdictions.
“Results of the consultation and subsequent feedback have strongly supported changes to standardize school and playground zones. New start and end times that better reflect school times and events have been recommended as a result of the feedback. They will be announced as part of the public communications plan.
“Changes will not be in place for the beginning of school in August 2011. The target implementation date is for the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year. My government colleagues have asked my department to advise school board superintendents and school principals of these recommendations. Before the changes are implemented MLAs and other stakeholders will be informed and given an opportunity to provide feedback. The costs of changing signs on provincial highways have been included in my department’s budget.”
Construction on Deerfoot has raised many questions on the length of time to complete the project. We have written the Minister responsible and will provide information once a reply is received.
We continue to get calls on health care and from constituents unable to find a family doctor. We understand your frustration as you wait for hours on end on a daily basis to get in to the Medi-Centre. Home care seems to be getting worse instead of better; government continues to talk about more home care nurses, but from your calls it doesn’t seem to be happening.
Education and what you will be facing when your children head back to school is still generating calls. You are rightfully concerned about teacher layoffs, and whether your child with special needs will get the necessary help and support.
Literally we received thousands of e-mails from all over the world on the Guzoo issue. My staff spent hours going through the e-mails trying to determine if they were from Fish Creek constituents, but there were just too many. If you have comments and you live in the constituency, we have no problem responding, but cannot possibly respond to the thousands received.
Lastly, we are on the move! As many of you are aware the Deer Valley Mall is being renovated. We will update you with our new location and, as always, will be as accessible as possible. A new location has been a challenge due to a limited budget and rents being very high. I look forward to hearing from you and to meeting you as I doorknock this summer.