KANATA NORTH NEWS Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North

ACCIDENT ON SHIRLEYS BROOK

Last week a teenager was struck by a vehicle while crossing Shirleys Brook Dr. I visited the scene, talked with the police. I was told that she exited an OC Transpo bus, started across the road in front of the bus and was struck by a vehicle that was passing the bus and driving within the speed limit. Some are now calling for more stop signs. The police informed me that more stop signs would not have prevented this accident. What is important is for everyone to review their driving habits and their pedestrian movements. If a view of you is blocked as you cross a street, stop when you are at the end of the blocked view to check that the way is clear before proceeding. If you are driving past a stopped bus, leave distance between you and the bus, slow down, check for pedestrians and then continue past. Fortunately, it appears that the teen will recover but we do not want to have another such accident and each of us is part of the solution.

COMMUNITY RECOGNITION AWARDS

There are many people in Kanata North who have made an exceptional contribution to making our communities better places. This year will be the inauguration of awards to recognize these contributions. Four awards will be given for a youth (19 or younger), senior (65 or older), citizen of the year and business of the year. Nomination forms are available from my office and the Beaverbrook Library Depot or online at www.mariannewilkinson.com

TASTE FOR LIFE

I will be at Lapointes Restaurant, 60 Colchester Square on April 24 th to dine and support research on AIDS. Perspectives Restaurant at Brookstreet Hotel is also participating. Contact me to join me at my table and help local organizations who are making progress in dealing with AIDS. 25% of your bill will be donated to this cause.

LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE

I have been provided with details of construction at the Mlacak Centre where the Beaverbrook Library will be transformed into the West District Library, Ottawa. The construction phases are: 1. April June, 2013: The new parking lot near Campeau Dr is underway. The sidewalk from Campeau Dr. will be blocked off and the exit road narrowed.

2. Late April - September, 2013: The main entrance will be closed during demolition and construction will start. Accessible, temporary access will be through the east end of the arena 3. May 2013 August, 2014: Elimination of parking alongside existing building (replaced by new lot), construction of the addition and interior work. The Beaverbrook Library Depot in the Beaverbrook Mall is being heavily used for pick ups, returns, browsing, reading newspapers, accessing the internet and running some programs, while others are being held at the Hazeldean branch. For ongoing information go to www.BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca/WDL

COMMUNITY NOTICES
CLEANING THE CAPITAL Time to register on ottawa.ca. Sign up and help keep our communities beautiful and graffiti free ONTARIO MUNICIPAL BOARD PLANNING PRIMER April 20 or 22 for those who have taken Planning Primer 1 and 2. For info on this free program contact primer@ottawa.ca SOUTH MARCH HIGHLANDS NATURE WALK Saturday, April 27, 9:30 am, corner of Klondike and Second Line WARD COUNCIL, April 29, 7:00 pm, Program Room, Kanata Seniors Centre, 2500 Campeau Dr. COFFEE WITH MARIANNE next opportunity at Loblaws in the Centrum on Saturday, May 4, 9:30 11:00 am