December 2012 Newsletter

Snow, shopping malls, toques and toboggans are some of things that December brings. It's a happy time of year. It can be a very busy time of year, unless maybe you've been smart enough to get your shopping done early.

For me, December brings the tail end of a busy time of City business plans, budget debates, public hearings and committee meetings. By December, City Council's upcoming year is set-out. For 2013, I will be sitting on the Special Committees on Gas, Powe, & Telecommunications and Intergovernmental Affairs as well as the Foothills Inter-Municipal Committee, not to mention chairing the final phase of the Cut Red Tape Committee. I will continue to sit on the Standing Policy Committees on Community & Protective Services and on Utilities & Corporate Services (of which I have been voted Vice-Chair).

Undoubtedly, December will bring snow - as it did in November and October. With their 2012 Snow and Ice Control Program, The City of Calgary's Road Maintenance Department has made a commitment to minimizing the impact that snow has on Calgarians during their day-to-day routines. To do so we need to occasionally share the streets with their ploughs and sanders. Whenever there is 5 cm of snow or more, The City restricts parking on busier streets to do a better and quicker job of removing it. There are a number of these streets in Ward 14. Since the absence of cars on these streets really improves the process of snow-removal, and Calgary Parking enforces these parking bans, it's a really good idea to be aware of whether or not you park on one of these streets. You can find a ton of information on the subject at calgary.ca/snow as well as an interactive map showing where the snow routes are. In addition, you can sign up to be alerted of parking bans via email, and there are even iPhone, Blackberry, and Android apps that will notify you of when snow route parking bans have been declared.

My website has also been recently upgraded. My hope is that it will contain some information that useful to you. You will be able to send me emails through my online form and, as always, you can contact me at 403-268-1653 if there is something that you would like to talk about.

As you read this it has been about 26 months - over two years - since I became Alderman of Ward 14. I've been to more Board, Committee and Council meetings than I can count. I can't call it a Christmas gift because it came a little too early. Maybe it was more like a late thanksgiving gift. The point is that I consider that responsibility a gift. About 26 months ago you gave me the incredible and humbling opportunity to serve as Alderman of Ward 14. It has been, and continues to be an honour and a pleasure. Thank you!

I wish you all a Happy Holiday and a prosperous New Year​