region news fall 2011
DESCRIPTION
A newsletter created by the Region of Waterloo to highlight our programs and services.TRANSCRIPT
Published by the Region of Waterloo Fall 2011
www.regionofwaterloo.ca
INSIDE
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Region launches new website PAGE 2
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GPS Cycling Study PAGE 3
Commentsor questions?Region of WaterlooCustomer Service: regionalinquiries
@region.waterloo.on.caTel: 519-575-4400TTY: 519-575-4608
Community-focusedenvironmental funds
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Whether you are a recent arrival to Waterloo Regionor your family has lived here for generations,understanding the place you and your family callhome helps define who you are.When the Waterloo Region Museum’s long-termexhibit opens in November, you will have some “aha”moments as you discover stories from thecommunity’s past that will help you understand thisplace. The exhibit traces the human history ofWaterloo Region from approximately 12,000 yearsago, through European settlement atthe start of the 19th century,through the manufacturing heydaysof the 20th century, to the high-techsector boom of the 21st century.You’ll discover the reasons whypeople from around the world haveimmigrated to this region of Canada –whether they came for love,education, a better life, a new job or tofind freedom.• Learn about First Nationspeoples’ connections to thisland.
• An 18th century Conestogawagon helps tell the story ofimmigration to this region fromPennsylvania by Mennonitesseeking land and opportunities.
• What was the impact of the firstWorld War on the community,and why was Kitchener chosen
as the new name for the City of Berlin in 1916?• Learn about the CWAC and the WRCNS, and whythey were here during the second World War.
• Explore the important role that this region playedin the development of hydro-electric power inOntario, and have a little fun looking at a 19thcentury daredevil from Waterloo County who rodea bicycle across the gorge at Niagara Falls.
• As time passes and communities grow, tradesvanish and buildings disappear from thelandscape. A unique video installation will helpyou remember some of the changes that havetaken place in Waterloo Region.
• Explore the accomplishments of hundreds ofindividuals and groups inducted into the WaterlooRegion Hall of Fame through artifacts andphotographs.
These stories, and many more, connect us to eachother and to this place we call home. Visitwww.waterlooregionmuseum.com for moreinformation.
Influenza vaccine protectsadults and children againstinfluenza, which can be aserious illness for somepeople.Influenza (commonlyknown as “the flu”) is aserious, acute respiratoryinfection that is caused bya virus. People who getinfluenza have fever, chills,cough, runny eyes, stuffy nose, sore throat,headache, muscle aches, extreme weakness andfatigue. Illness due to influenza usually lasts two toseven days and sometimes longer in the elderly andin people with chronic conditions. The cough andfatigue can persist for several weeks, making thereturn to full activity difficult.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STAY HEALTHY?• Protect yourself and others by getting yourseasonal influenza vaccination (flu shot).
• Wash your hands often with soap and warmwater for at least 15 seconds.
• Keep an alcohol-based hand sanitizer at work,home and in your car for easy access.
• Cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve or atissue, not into your hand.
Influenza Season 2011/2012
Oct. 31/11 Kitchener 2-8 p.m. Kitchener Memorial Auditorium
Nov. 2/11 Cambridge 2-8 p.m. Newfoundland Club Nov. 3/11 Waterloo 2-8 p.m. Waterloo
Recreation Centre Nov. 8/11 Kitchener 2-8 p.m. Huron Heights S. S. Nov. 9/11 Waterloo 2-8 p.m. St. David’s
High SchoolNov. 10/11 Cambridge 2-8 p.m. Southwood S. S. Nov. 14/11 Kitchener 2-8 p.m. Kitchener City Hall
(Rotunda)Nov. 15/11 Elmira 2-8 p.m. Elmira District S. S. Nov. 16/11 Waterloo 2-8 p.m. Bluevale C.I.Nov. 22/11 Kitchener 2-8 p.m. Forest Heights C.I. Nov. 23/11 Baden 2-8 p.m. Wilmot Recreation
Complex Nov. 24/11 Cambridge 2-8 p.m. Preston High School Jan. 10/12 Waterloo 2-8 p.m. Public Health
(99 Regina St.)Jan. 12/12 Cambridge 2-8 p.m. Public Health
(150 Main St.)
Trophy won bylong distancerunner CliffordBricker in 1925.Bricker was
inducted into theWaterloo Region
Hall of Famein 1974.
Date Community Public LocationTime
For more information, call 519-883-2324 or visit ourwebsite at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/ph
What makes us who we areMuseum exhibits to open in November
Painted wooden trunk from Germany used by theWenk sisters when they immigrated in 1856.
Seasonal Flu Clinics
Pull-out sections inside:
Rapid Transit NewsEnviroNews
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Visit participating museums and cultural attractions in Waterloo Region and winin more ways than one! During your visit, get your passport stamped. Once youhave four stamps, you’ll be entered into a draw to win greatprizes! Download your passport and get more details atwww.PassportToPlay.ca. Participating museums and cultural attractionsCambridge Butterfly Conservatorywww.cambridgebutterfly.comCastle Kilbridewww.castlekilbride.caCity of Waterloo Museumwww.waterloo.ca/museumHomer Watson House & Gallerywww.homerwatson.on.caJoseph Schneider Hauswww.regionofwaterloo.ca/jshThe Mennonite Story and Historic Mill Museumswww.stjacobs.comTHEMUSEUMwww.themuseum.caWaterloo Region Museumwww.waterlooregionmuseum.comWoodside National Historic Sitewww.pc.gc.ca
The Region launches its new website and sub-sitesThe Region launched a new website andseveral new sub-sites earlier this spring withthe goal of providing easy access to servicesand information. The new website and sub-sites all featureimproved navigation and search capabilities.Users can follow news items from the Regionthrough an RSS feed, check Region events onvarious event calendars and share links directlyto their favourite social networking site, allwithin a freshly designed, attractive newformat.The organization of the site is based around ourservices and how various audiences and citizengroups may need to access our services. Thegoal is to get you the information you need inthe fewest clicks possible. The Region’s sub-sites provide more specific
information to major services. For instance, thenew Grand River Transit (GRT) site providesaccess to GRT’s trip planner, schedules, fareinformation and all things transit. The Region ofWaterloo International Airport site providesaccess to arrival and departure information,parking information, a social media room andeven packing tips. The Region of Waterloo
Library site offers direct access to the librarycatalogue, an online library card applicationand event information for each of the 10branches.
Be sure to check out all the new sites for quickand easy access to information and services.• Region of Waterloo main site –regionofwaterloo.ca
• Region of Waterloo Social Services site –regionofwaterloo.ca/socialservices
• Region of Waterloo Public Health site –regionofwaterloo.ca/publichealth
• Region of Waterloo Library -rwl.library.on.ca
• Region of Waterloo International Airport –waterlooairport.ca
• Grand River Transit – grt.ca
Passport to Play!
The Region of Waterloo spent the last 10months gathering information from residents,community groups and businesses regardingtheir views on current issues, trends andpriorities facing the Region. In addition toconducting a professional phone survey, wetalked to students, seniors, people living withdisabilities, new Canadians, rural residentsand business leaders. Regional Council and staff heard what citizensvalue and want. They value the environment,our innovative community and educationalinstitutions as well as our unique balancebetween urban and rural communities.Residents appreciate the quality of life hereand were enthusiastic about providing a list ofpriorities they want the Region to address.Future priorities• Getting around the region – transportation.• Eliminating poverty.• Creating more and better affordablehousing.
• Managing growth.• Supporting arts and culture.• Promoting active lifestyles.• Improving services for children, youth andfamilies.
• Improving services for seniors.• Increasing inclusion and promotingdiversity.
• Improving communication andengagement.
New Strategic Plan Focus AreasBased on this input, Regional Council hasadopted a new Strategic Plan for this term ofCouncil (2011 to 2014). The plan includes fivefocus areas:Environmental Sustainability: Protect andenhance the environment.Growth Management: Manage growth tofoster thriving and productive urban and ruralcommunities.Sustainable Transportation: Develop greater,
more sustainable and safe transportationchoices.Healthy and Inclusive Communities: Fosterhealthy, safe, inclusive and caringcommunities.Service Excellence: Deliver excellent andresponsive services that inspire public trust.Within the various focus areas, the Region hasalso identified 27 specific objectives and morethan 70 detailed actions to ensure we addressthese important community priorities. TheRegion will work closely with our communitypartners and area municipalities to meet thesegoals, and will monitor and report on ourprogress regularly. You can read more aboutthe Strategic Plan on the Region’s websitewww.regionofwaterloo.ca.
Looking into your futureRegion launches new Strategic Plan for 2011-2014
Social assistance goes digitalThe Ministry of Community and Social Services is modernizingcomputer technology across Ontario public services to support thedelivery of human services. One part of this initiative is a web-basedapplication process for the Ontario Works program. The online application is another avenue for individuals to begin theprocess of applying for Ontario Works assistance. It does notreplace the requirement to complete a full application in the office.Applicants continue to have the option of applying over thetelephone. As of May 16, 2011, residents of Waterloo Region may access thenew provincial online application for social assistance by visitingwww.ontario.ca/socialassistance. By using the online application,residents can: • find out if they may be eligible for all three social assistance
programs: Ontario Works, the Ontario Disability SupportProgram (ODSP), Assistance for Children with SevereDisabilities (ACSD);
• apply for Ontario Works, ODSP and ACSD.The online application for Social Assistance is confidential,accessible from any computer with an Internet connection, moreaccessible for people with disabilities, and available 24/7.
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Pedestrians:Take the lead at roundabouts
How to cross at a roundabout• Step up to the curb at the marked pedestrian crossing, extendyour arm and point your finger across the crosswalk.
• Do not start to cross if a driver cannot safely stop for you. • Look and listen for a safe gap in the traffic flow before crossing. • As you cross, keep pointing until you reach the far side of the road. • Watch for drivers in the next lane. Make sure that the driver seesyou.
Tips for pedestrians• Drivers are more likely to yield if you show that you intend to cross.• Walk to the crosswalk briskly and deliberately.• Make eye contact with drivers.• Start to cross as soon as you are sure that the driver intends toslow or stop.
Tips for motorists• Expect pedestrians• Yield to pedestrians at allcrosswalks
For more information:www.GoRoundabout.ca519-575-4558
The Region of Waterloo recently conducted a cycling study that will helpinform our Active Transportation Master Plan. The study, conducted inpartnership with the University of Waterloo, gathered data on cyclists inWaterloo Region using GPS units carried by volunteers. The studyrevealed a lot of information that may interest you, including:• People cycle to work all year round• When the weather’s bad, many cyclists walk and take transit instead• Cyclists are higher than average income earners (for this region)• Over 25 per cent of cyclists in Waterloo Region are female• Cyclists are people of all agesThe study also found that many cyclists own cars, but make thechoice to ride their bikes instead. Since cycling has the same peaktimes as car travel, a small group of cyclists can have a big impact ontravel times and traffic congestion. Study participants also identifiedbarriers to cycling and places that make them nervous. Their biggestconcerns are safety and the need for more trail connections. TheActive Transportation Master Plan will use these results to findstrategies to get more people cycling.
inREACH is a local street gang preventionproject funded by the Government of Canada’sNational Crime Prevention Strategy. Severalcommunity partners help youth in WaterlooRegion between the ages of 13 to 24 to exitgangs or find viable alternatives to becominginvolved in gangs. The project provides one-on-one and groupsupports for youth who are looking to make achange. A community treatment team offersassistance in the areas of mental health,substance use, education, employment,
housing, family supports and peer relations.Staff engage in outreach activities toencourage youth to participate in the project.Referrals can be made by police, agencies,schools, parents, or youth themselves.InREACH also works with neighbourhoods toprovide positive alternatives for vulnerableyouth through mentorship and recreationsupports. For more information about the program or tomake a referral, visit www.leadyourlife.ca orcall 519-742-7007.
Better opportunities are inREACH
GPS cycling studyyields interesting results
Bridge over Cambridge railway tracks underwayConstruction is well underway on the grade separation that will carryHespeler Road traffic over the busy Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR)tracks just north of the Delta intersection in Cambridge.This project will eliminate serious delays to pedestrians, cyclists, transitvehicles, emergency vehicles and motorists, currently caused byfrequent train movements on the busy CPR crossing.Construction began in May 2011 and should be completed by late 2012.This $25 million project will include construction of a new depressed railcorridor, a slight elevation of Hespeler Road (including an overpassbridge) to cross over the new rail corridor, and other improvements toroadway geometry and operations. The project design ensures thataccess to all intersections, side streets, businesses and residentialproperties is preserved.Two lanes of traffic in each direction are being maintained during peaktraffic hours throughout the construction period. Access to all localbusinesses is being maintained throughout construction.Dufferin Construction Company is completing construction work for this
project. IBI Group is the engineering consultant and contractadministrator.
August 2011: Traffic on Hespeler Road crosses over a temporary bridge asconstruction crews excavate the future depressed rail corridor beneath it.
www.regionofwaterloo.ca
COUNCIL CONTACTSREGIONAL CHAIR
519-575-4585 (R)COUNCILLORSCAMBRIDGEJane Brewer
[email protected] Ext. 3402 (R)
519-653-3315 (H)Doug Craig
[email protected] Ext. 3404 (R)519-740-4517 Ext. 4215 (W)
Claudette [email protected] Ext. 3408 (R)
519-621-7202 (H)KITCHENERTom Galloway
[email protected] Ext. 3401 (R)
519-578-2112 (H)Jean Haalboom
[email protected] Ext. 3406 (R)
519-748-1508 (H) Geoff Lorentz
[email protected] Ext. 3413 (R)
519-741-1494 (H)Jim Wideman
[email protected] Ext. 3409 (R)
519-576-5150 (H)Carl Zehr
[email protected] Ext. 3403 (R)
519-741-2300 (W)NORTH DUMFRIESRob Deutschmann
[email protected] Ext. 3407 (R)
519-621-0340 (W)WATERLOO
Brenda [email protected] Ext. 3400 (R)
519-747-8700 (W)Jane Mitchell
[email protected] Ext. 3411 (R)
519-886-9626 (H)Sean Strickland
[email protected] Ext. 3414 (R)
519-503-0613 (C)WELLESLEYRoss Kelterborn
[email protected] Ext. 3410 (R)
519-699-4611 (W) WILMOT
519-575-4404 Ext. 3412 (R)226-748-8971(C) WOOLWICHTodd Cowan
[email protected] Ext. 3405 (R)
519-669-0591 (H) General Fax for Council
519-575-4048W-work R-region H-home C-cell
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The Region of Waterloo is proud to be one of Canada’s GreenestEmployers. As one of the largest local employers, we’re consciousof the impact that consumption of natural resourceshas on the environment. From green workplaceprograms, to larger environmental initiatives, we’releading the way in our efforts to create a healthyenvironment and sustainable community.
Make your ideas GROW with the Region’s NEW environmental fund!
The Region of Waterloo will soon broaden its financial support of community-focused environmentalinitiatives. This new fund will help cover the cost of projects which improve
environmental sustainability in areas such as:• Land stewardship • Energy conservation • Waste reduction • Greenhouse gas reduction
Stay tuned for more information.
Visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/sustainability or call 519-575-4400.
On May 6, 2011, 211 service launched in Waterloo Region. 211 connectspeople to community and social services through a three-digit phonehelpline (2-1-1) and the website, www.211ontario.ca. It provides accessto 56,000 programs and services in the community, social, health andrelated government sectors.
As a joint initiative of the Province of Ontario, Regionof Waterloo and United Ways of Kitchener, Waterloo,
and Cambridge, 211 is a non-emergency number thatconnects callers to organizations that can help them with a
multitude of challenges from finding employment, language classes and settlementservices, to accessing food programs.
For information about this service, or for promotional materials, just call 2-1-1!
Call 2-1-1:Finding help in Waterloo Region just got easier
Work for one of Canada’s Greenest Employers
Visit our website at www.regionofwaterloo.ca to learn more about ourenvironmental programs and career opportunities.