KANATA NORTH NEWS Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North H1N1 HUMAN SWINE FLU

The Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Levy, is providing regular updates to Council on the potential flu pandemic and the actions that are being taken to ensure that Ottawa is prepared. At the time of writing there are two confirmed cases in Ottawa, both of whom are persons who recently returned from Mexico. Both cases are relatively mild and the patients are recovering. Follow good hygiene to minimize your risk for example, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 15 seconds before eating, after coughing or sneezing and after using the washroom. If you have flu symptoms stay home and if your symptoms are severe you should contact your doctor. Check the Citys website for more information and frequent updates at
http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/health/conditions/swine_influenza_en.html

FRAUD AND WASTE HOTLINE

The Citys Fraud & Waste Hotline, formerly only available to City Staff, will be open to all residents on May 21. By calling the hotline you can report any fraud or waste by the City to the Auditor General who will investigate and make relevant recommendations to City Council. The number to call will be available next week so watch for it in my column. I have appreciated reports I received from residents on such matters and welcome the addition of the Auditor General who can undertake investigations that will lead to improvements in city operations.

EXTORTIONS TARGETING CHINESE RESIDENTS

Ottawa Police have notified me of an activity affecting Chinese residents. A person, speaking mandarin, phones a Chinese household, demands money and threatens violence if their demands are not met. If you receive such a call make a note of the demands and any background noises and immediately afterwards dial *57 which will record a trace of the call. Then contact the police at 613-2306211. Please pass this message on to any Chinese Canadian that you know, as some do not read English.

YOUNG AT ART
The exhibit of the art entered by young members of our community in the Young at Art competition is open until May 24 at the Kanata Art Gallery in the Mlacak Centre. The talent demonstrated by these young people is awesome and I

always have a hard time choosing one piece of art for my personal award. Drop by when youre visiting the library and see this talent for yourself. Awards will be presented at a reception in the Mlacak Centre on Sunday, May 24 at 7:30 pm.

DOWNTOWN TRANSIT TUNNEL

Last week the Transit Committee recommended the route for the tunnel through downtown and the location for stations along the tunnel. The location chosen came out of an extensive evaluation of the terrain through which the tunnel will be bored and the need to serve areas from LeBreton to the Byward Market, Rideau Centre and Ottawa University. What is underway now is the planning study needed in order to do a final environmental assessment and to make a more detailed cost estimate. When the Master Transportation Plan was approved last November, a high level estimate of $600 million was made for the tunnel based on tunnelling done in other locations. The final cost estimate will take into consideration the actual rock conditions, the final tunnel length, any difficult surface conditions (e.g. around Sandy Hill), actual locations of entrances to the tunnel etc. Some Councillors, who supported the Master Transportation Plan, are now complaining that we dont know a final cost, but a final estimate cant be done until the location of the tunnel and stations is known which is the decision we are now making. Once the environmental assessment is completed in January 2010, all of this information will be known and submitted to provincial ministries for approval.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

May 24, 7:30 pm, Young at Art Awards & Reception, Mlacak Centre May 25, 7 9 pm, Kanata North Ward Council meeting, Kanata Seniors Centre May 30, 8 am noon, Yard Sales throughout Kanata North May 31, 1st Annual Breast Stroke Golf Tournament, Manderley on the Green June 6 & 7, Give Away Weekend June 19, Relay for Life for cancer research

Serving the residents and businesses in Kanata North

To receive the Kanata North Newsletter, to deal with a concern or make a suggestion contact me at 613-580-2474, email Marianne.Wilkinson@ottawa.ca or through www.mariannewilkinson.com.