Canvassing in the SoHo Community

Touching base in the SoHo Community of Ward 13

It’s been wonderful seeing so many familiar faces while my team and I canvass in SoHo (South of Horton), and hearing the good-news stories from the residents of this vibrant neighbourhood. For instance, the revitalization of Nelson Park, located at the south end of Clarence St, has given neighbourhood children (and their parents) a new place to play and meet. I was there on a Wednesday evening, and found three families still at play and it was getting dark. One of the adults commented that the new playground had become very popular, and every evening this summer has been a gathering place.

I visited the Middlesex London Housing Corporation building at 241 Simcoe Street for the open house and barbeque celebrating their Communities in Bloom project. Congratulations to all the participants on creating this lovely spot.

More good news from SoHo is about the Red Antiquities building on the corner of Wellington and Hill Streets. This one-of-a-kind heritage building had been threatened with demolition. However, it was purchased this summer, and plans are underway to restore and renovate the 137-year-old building. (You can read about what’s happening at http://www.redantiquitiesbuilding.com/.) It was one of the many intriguing stops during this year’s Doors Open London.

The neighbourhood, like many others in our Ward 13, continues to have its challenges, but with the continuing work with the City on the Community Improvement Plan, and the strong and growing SoHo community association, I expect more exciting developments.

Zero Tax increase over 4 years??

That is the question:

The issue raised of a zero increase over four years is old and easy for a candidate to suggest when serving only one term. We had zero increases several years ago, with no tax increases for two years (1999 & 2000.) Therefore the council I came into was forced to increase taxes by some 8.1% and 6.6% with a total of over 15% in my first 3-year term. Since then we have reduced increases consistently and slowly lowered them to inflation or less with this year at 1.8%. Council also set a spending cap to reduce the debt servicing cost and this is now helping to keep the taxes down.

Costs do increase with inflation therefore we must control spending but a zero tax regime would mean significant cuts to services including fire services and policing (49% of the average tax bill is made up of London Police Services, Social Services, London Fire Services and Debt Servicing costs.) Yes, we must cut our costs as many of our residents and businesses are facing severe hardship. Zero taxes means either significant cuts in service or deferring debt to another council, thus putting the pain off to later taxpayers.

I seek public input into our spending priorities and that is why for each year that I have been on council I have attended forums across the city listening the taxpayers of London to help us set our spending priorities. All of us would like a world where we have no increases but unless we budget wisely we face significant service cuts. I am serving on our Services (finance) Review Committee set up this term and chaired by my colleague Nancy Branscombe. This review of finances runs year round and independently of the budget process. This committee examines every service department for overlaps, efficiencies and savings.

Council made sure our complete budget is on the city website: www.london.ca

Urban Forestry in London

New Urban Forestry Section Created at City Hall

Through the Service Review Committee a number of recommendations to improve our forestry services, provided to Londoners and streamline many administrative and operations processes, will be implemented over the next year. As a member of the Review Committee I have long been concerned that we must create more efficient services in this area of the city and this means we will be more cost efficient too.

One of our priorities is to create an Urban Forestry Section that will oversee London’s “urban forest” and direct all aspects of tree planning, planting and maintenance. Many of you will understand the need for this both from the public perspective and observation of how our staff are stretch thinly.

The Urban Forestry Section will be established in the Planning Division under John Fleming and headed by Ivan Listar – Manager of Urban Forestry. The new Section is located at 383 Richmond St. Suite 1102 , where Parks Planning & Design is situated. Roadside Operations will continue to maintain our trees and will expand their role into tree planting operations. Urban Forestry will have an increased role in strategic planning and development of policies, guidelines and standards.

This one of the first major changes to come from our Services Review Committee, chaired by my colleague Nancy Branscombe. The purpose is to work through all city service to find efficiencies and saving to provide even better service to Londoners. It is pleasure to serve on this committee and meet many of our management team who are also working to find ways of meeting greater demands from our knowlegable citizens.

London's Festivals

London's summer rolls out such a variety of Festivals. And we are privileged to see and hear a wide range of great artists both local and international. Whether you take in London's International Children's Festival, SunFest or Home County Folk Festival and many have said, it was their best ever this year Londoners are an appreciative crowd.

Coming up we have Rock the Park, Rib-Fest, London Pride Festival and then Festival of India Afrofesta, Festa Italiano, East Coast Festival, and on to LOLA in September and Lighting the Lights in November. I name just a few. Recently on the Festival Review Committee, we found festival culture alive and well. City staff meet at least once a year with festival owners and the community or as requested to discuss on going programing, logistic and scheduling. Interestingly with two big festivals behind us neither SunFest nor Home County sort to extend their hours.

Council Chambers & Accountability

Londoners have long been concerned by the fact that they cannot see or even hear what is going on at Council. They also want to know how their councillers are voting. Londoners also seek a public posting of topics under discussion. Last year a Governance Task Force reported to Council their concerns on these very issues.

The Task Force strongly recommended priority be given to improve public accessibility to Council proceedings. This means posting of the topic under discussion; electronic voting so that you know who voted for what; live stream recording of proceedings and the ability to see the councillors faces during debates. Other recommendations included reducing the use of paper agendas, currently an environmental issue to say the least, and accessability to The Council Chambers.

Council voted unanimously for recommendations to upgrade chambers sighting the need for public access to information and proceedings. Given the current chamber was never public friendly, even in the 70's, it is high time the public see what is transpiring in their City. I welcome the upgrades that will bring us to the 21st century for all constituents to benefit. Our Council must literally be seen to be accountable.

SoHo and the South St. Hospital lands

One of several Soho community meetings discussing plans and dreams for the neighbourhoods.

The South Street hospital lands present a wonderful opportunity to grow and enrich the community. A community with neighbourhoods all within walking distance of the local shops, the Downtown and the beautiful south branch of the Thames river must be designed and planned with the residents involved.

I have added the London Free Press link:

http://bit.ly/c8bHG1

Municipal Election News Release

News Release

For more information call 519-660-0828

Judy Bryant, Ward 13 Councillor, Seeks Re-election in
2010 Municipal Elections

Bryant Registers Her Candidacy on January 4 as City Clerk’s Office Opens for Nominations

London, ON, January 3, 2010 – Judy Bryant officially announces her intention to run for re-election in Ward 13 in the 2010 municipal elections.

Since Bryant’s election as Councillor of Ward 13, she has been heavily involved in major city and neighbourhood projects. Councillor Bryant, as a board member of the London Downtown Business Association, is advocating the development of the current Downtown Master Plan. She supports and is involved in many neighbourhood groups, including SoHo as this growing and engaged community plans for future development and revitalization. In total, she has been active on 16 committees, including the Planning Committee (chair in 2008), Environment and Transportation Committee, London Heritage Task Force, and the Urban Design Steering Committee.

Councillor Bryant’s focus will be to continue to help grow London by supporting sustainable development and vibrant neighbourhoods. “I am really proud of London. With its strong business community, neighbourhoods, educational leadership, and cultural depth, London is great place to live,” said Councillor Bryant.

Councillor Bryant was first elected in 2003 in Ward One, under the former system. She was later re-elected in 2006 as councillor of the then newly formed Ward 13. She lives in the downtown area on Hyman Street, which is within the newly formed West Woodfield Heritage District.

“I’ve had a successful four-year term, but there is still much to do to ensure London continues to grow. The changing economy and the need for more sustainable cities will be amongst the challenges we need to tackle as we move forward,” she concluded.

To speak to Councillor Bryant, please call 519-660-0828