Your hundreds of expressions of happiness and gratitude as a result of the 40% Agreement win on Friday have flooded the inbox. It is clear that you appreciate the thousands of hours of volunteer work of the Coalition members. They don’t often take a bow and so I thought today we would give them all the shoutout they deserve.
The morning (into the week) after…
Breaths have been deeper and easier since Friday. On my walks along the golf course trails and around the pond with Aggie…I find myself smiling. I think she is smiling too! The kids shout out… “We love pond hockey in our Greenspace!” I heard the first songs of the cardinals on Friday and they have not stopped all week long. My mind knows it is their enjoyment of the warming sun… but my heart thinks they too are smiling for our Greenspace. Smile on!
Councillor Sudds has been to bat for the community since the beginning. We thanked her for that and know she is very pleased with the decision. We sent a note of thanks to the Mayor as well.
Your hundreds of expressions of happiness and gratitude as a result of the 40% Agreement win on Friday have flooded the inbox. It is clear that you appreciate the thousands of hours of volunteer work of the Coalition members. They don’t often take a bow and so I thought today we would give them all the shoutout they deserve.
Geoff McGowan – President Peter Chapman – Treasurer
Karen Noseworthy- Secretary Kevin McCarthy – Director
David McNairn – Director Greg Sim – Director
Tom Thompson – Director Jen Fyfe – Events/Comms
Susan Dodge – Website/Comms John Hardie – Member
Neil Thomson – Member Lianne Zhou – Member
Along with them are a dedicated group of volunteers who routinely (literally without question) support our events by offering time and another set of hands: Eva, Stewart, Andrea and Richard.
Reminding Minto and Richcraft… they need our Kanata community too
The KGPC continues working behind the scenes on our issue. Many of you have written and spoken to us about your frustration with the participation by Minto Communities and Richcraft Homes in the ClubLink development plan. Somehow their participation as Ottawa bred businesses leaves a worse taste in the mouth than the ‘come from away’ ClubLink to many. It is understandable. Some of you have even been their clients and recommended them to friends and family.
Our supporters have reached out repeatedly over the past two years wanting the KGPC to develop a visible community protest against these companies. We felt it better to take the high road until the 40PA decision was rendered. Given that Justice Labrosse has now determined that the 40PA is indeed valid and defensible, their continued participation in development plans alongside landowner ClubLink seem more misguided. We wrote this week on behalf of the community to remind them of that and the importance of having a positive profile in our community. You’ll find the letters on our website. We await their responses and will post them there as well.
Looking ahead, we want to be prepared for ClubLink’s expected appeal of the 40PA decision and for the LPAT hearing scheduled for early next year. We must keep up the fight and need your support:
- Help fund our legal team that will fight to keep our Greenspace.
- Help fund the experts to strengthen our arguments in Court and at the LPAT in 2022.
The KGPC continues to hire, manage and direct the experts we need to fight for our Greenspace. Your donations will ensure the KGPC will be there every step of the way. It’s a marathon, not a sprint!
There is no better way to celebrate the 40PA decision and help Save Our Greenspace than with our Pre-St. Patrick’s Day Un-Dinner Party
Let’s celebrate ALL THIINGS GREEN! Save the Date: Monday, March 15th
Our Un-dinner for 2 package includes a fantastic 4-course St. Paddy’s themed dinner from MY Catering, a Shamrock plant to GREEN up your table from Richmond Nursery and a zoom event with a lively Irish musical performance by Seventh Town. They’re a fabulous four-piece acoustic Celtic/Folk band based out of Prince Edward County. There’s also a dinner for 4 package and an optional Ottawa Local Brews 3-Pack Beer Pairing.
The menu and info is here. You can book online by March 8th. The KGPC Irish elves will deliver your dinner to your door!
Trees and Greenspace stay in the news. Take a few minutes and help the NCC plan its Forest Strategy for our Greenbelt
The National Capital Commission has released a slew of work on the green management of the Greenbelt and in particular, its plans to protect and encourage the tree canopy and forest growth. Their website contains a great overview of their work to date on both the Tree Canopy Assessment: Canada’s Capital Region and The NCC Forest Strategy. It also includes an interactive map on the Tree Canopy where you can see exactly how our community fares as compared to other parts of the city.
They ask for comments as opposed to a lengthy survey. But a few minutes of your time. Very easy to participate and help ensure we have the biological tools we need to protect our environment and our City and neighbourhoods.
Enjoy the week and our greenspace … and the tailwinds of our first victory!
Barbara
Barbara Ramsay
Chair, Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition (KGPC)
chair@ourkanatagreenspace.ca
ourkanatagreenspace.ca
A not-for-profit corporation formed in 2019