Dorothy Hector – Lakeside District

Working hard to move the city forward. Last night’s Council meeting saw the close of FOCUS Kingston, an Advisory Committee to Council, that completed its mandate. Thank you to everyone who served on this committee!

Sustainable Kingston is now a citizen led non-profit corporation that has a new Board of Directors that will be announced in the coming weeks. This is an exciting time as the integration of the four pillars of sustainability becomes a norm.

We all have a part to play in this endeavour and I hope that everyone will sign the citizen pledge at http://www.sustainablekingston.ca/ and get active telling people what you are doing for your community.

Kingston – This week Councillor Dorothy Hector joined more than a 100 other municipal leaders from across Canada for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) National Board of Directors meeting in Waterloo region, Ontario, to discuss the federal government’s new long-term infrastructure plan.

 “A strong Canada is only possible if municipalities work together to form the foundation of infrastructure policy.  FCM provides the forum for all of us to come together and discuss our priorities.”

FCM’s Board of Directors, which speaks for the close to 2000 cities and communities that form FCM and together represent 90% of Canada’s population, met to discuss municipal priorities for the federal government’s new long-term infrastructure plan.

The federal government has committed to work with FCM, provinces and territories, and the private sector to develop a long-term plan to stop the long decline in Canada’s aging municipal infrastructure. By working together, governments can build the roads, bridges, water and transit systems we need to support families, businesses and economic growth.

FCM’s successful advocacy with the federal government has already brought significant benefits to Kingston over the past five years. From the GST refund and the permanent share of the federal gas tax, which together bring in close to $9,697,882 a year to Kingston, to stimulus money for municipal infrastructure and now the federal government’s new long-term infrastructure plan.

FCM is calling on the federal government to, in Budget 2012, commit to having the new long-term infrastructure plan and related funding in place before the current infrastructure funding programs expire in 2014.

 “To build on the success of the Economic Action Plan and keep our economic recovery on track, the federal government’s 2012 budget must move the new long-term infrastructure plan forward,” said Berry Vrbanovic, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

 As uncertainty continues to threaten world markets, Kingston and municipalities across Canada are ready to continue working with the federal government to keep Canada’s economy growing.

Lots of activity happening in the City, from infrastructure work to Cultural and Recreational activities. The City’s first Strategic Plan initiated by this Council sets the stage for many opportunities to move us towards a more sustainable community.

I am pleased to see projects moving forward such as the renewal of John Counter Blvd, Lake Ontario Park and the updating of underground water/sewer and drainage systems throughout the older parts of Lakeside District.

Community involvement in City activities and input to projects are essential. Decisions to keep the City running, adapting and improving have to be made timely and effectively.  To accomplish that I ask that you keep in touch with the activities of the city by checking the website (www.cityofkingston.ca), look at committee agendas and get involved in items that may impact you or that interest you.  The City can be better with the help of all its citizens.  I hope you will get involved through a phone call, email or attending a meeting.

I maintain a facebook page and a twitter account that is very active in comparison to this website.  I encourage you to LIKE my facebook page and stay up to date on my activities representing you and you can provide feedback that is vital to my service to the District and City.

Should you have any issues regarding City infrastructure or services please call            613-546-0000.  You can also contact my office at 613-634-1732.

It is that time of year when my family gets together to celebrate Christmas and give thanks for the year past and share our hopes for the year to come.  We have a lot to celebrate this past year with a new baby, making me a Great Aunt for the third time, and Mom is now ninety and definitely ensuring we don’t forget she is the matriarch of the Hector clan here in Kingston.

I hope that everyone has an opportunity during this holiday season to get together with family or friends to share a meal or some time together. Celebrate your tradition, as I celebrate mine, and let’s all work for better things to come in 2012 and beyond.

I and my family wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Dorothy

Sign-up Now To Be In Pool Of Focus Group Participants http://www.cityofkingston.ca/cityhall/press/release.asp?mode=show&id=3323

(Kingston) – This week Councillor Dorothy Hector joined more than a 100 other municipal leaders in Ottawa for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) annual meetings on Parliament Hill. FCM met with more than 100 Members of Parliament, including party leaders and cabinet ministers, to build practical partnership and protect core investments in Kingston and municipalities across Canada. http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3394194

“Governments working together is such an imperative,” said Hector. “After speaking with MPs, I am more hopeful that municipal infrastructure concerns are being heard.”

The week’s most significant achievement was the launch of the Government of Canada’s new infrastructure planning process. The plan promises to stop the decline in our municipal infrastructure and build the roads, bridges, water and transit systems we need to support our families, businesses and economic growth.

In recent years, the federal government has worked with Kingston and other municipalities to repair aging infrastructure, but 40 % of federal-municipal funding is set to expire by 2014. The new, long-term plan promised by the government will protect essential investments and reduce the burden on local property taxpayers in the years ahead.

The federal government laid out a clear timetable to take stock of recent investments in cities and communities, identify where investments need to be made in the future, and replace soon to expire programs with a new generation of long-term infrastructure investments.

“In the last few years, federal and municipal governments have worked more closely than ever to fight the economic crisis and rebuild Canada’s aging roads, bridges, and water systems,” said Vrbanovic. “Together, we can tear down the silos that prevent us from serving taxpayers in the best way possible. Together, we can build a stronger, safer Canada.”

Municipal leaders also received a report about FCM’s meeting this week with the Prime Minister. FCM representatives talked with the Prime Minister about how federal and municipal governments have worked together to fight the recession and how they can continue working together to keep Canada’s economic foundations secure.

Municipal leaders also heard Liberal Leader Bob Rae and NDP leader Nicole Turmel discuss what their parties are doing to strengthen the economy, support communities, and protect property taxpayers from offloading by other governments.

Town Hall for Lakeside District will now be Tuesday 8 November, at Centre 70 at 7pm.  I am looking forward to seeing many residents out to hear about the City Strategic Plan and budget process.  As your Councillor I am looking for guidance from you for the 2012 Council Budget deliberations.

See you on the 8th of November!

Best regards, Dorothy

Due to a Special Meeting of Council being called by the Mayor on Tuesday, 25 October, 2011, I am postponing the Lakeside Town Hall to another day.  My sincere apologies to those who had planned to attend.

I am presently planning for Tuesday, 8 November, 2011 as an alternate date and will advise once I have confirmed location etc.

Again my apologies, the Mayor has called a meeting I must attend.

Dorothy