The May 21st high impact storm, referred to as a Derecho, has been described as one of the most impactful storms in Canadian history. Its 120 mph winds resulted in the tragic lost of six lives. Countless trees were uprooted and numerous areas were without power for extended periods. With north Oshawa cell towers down and damaged, many Ward 1 Oshawa residents lost their internet connection. In fact, my home internet, like others in Raglan and Columbus was only fully restored August 3rd
The day after the May 21st storm Durham paramedics rushed my mother back to the hospital for her second admission that month (and she was back again in June with her heath precarious). As her primary care provider, I was unable to participate in the May 25, 2022 Council meeting, the first and only Council meeting during my term that I've missed.
Without a home internet connection, since the end of May I stopped updating my website and posting on Twitter and Facebook -it was one of those times when something had to give and stepping away from posting on social media was it.
However City Councillor work, meetings and conversations with constituents and city staff continued, such as:
-following up on issues with respect to noise complaints, parking violations and road safety
-arranging a community meeting for the Raglan Park design to ensure mature trees would not be removed when locating new amenities
-ensuring trees pruned where branches obscured speed limit sign, and follow up on residents' alerts where boulevard trees need to be removed due to damage and disease
-speaking with residents about possible 3 way stop on Greenhill, and two more 3 way stops on Ormond for traffic calming by Sherwood park and school;
-requesting staff consider 'red and white striped 'tail' board under stop signs for improved visibility, like in Clarington;
-assist effort to resolve rat infestation situation and illegal backyard chicken problem,
-help raise accessibility awareness with OAAC members at our display table at the Peony Festival in June
-help with the special Columbus community morning Canada Day Event -which was a success again for its 12th annual celebration after missing two years during the Pandemic
Best news of all, I am pleased to report my mother's health has improved and boy is it heart warming to see her enjoy fresh corn on the cob!
Internet connection now back on, but unfortunately still unreliable. This is something absolutely needing improvement and I am determined not to be put off - the City and Region not continue to delay addressing Oshawa's inexcusable internet divide. Communities and businesses north of Hwy 407 should not be left behind.
The day after the May 21st storm Durham paramedics rushed my mother back to the hospital for her second admission that month (and she was back again in June with her heath precarious). As her primary care provider, I was unable to participate in the May 25, 2022 Council meeting, the first and only Council meeting during my term that I've missed.
Without a home internet connection, since the end of May I stopped updating my website and posting on Twitter and Facebook -it was one of those times when something had to give and stepping away from posting on social media was it.
However City Councillor work, meetings and conversations with constituents and city staff continued, such as:
-following up on issues with respect to noise complaints, parking violations and road safety
-arranging a community meeting for the Raglan Park design to ensure mature trees would not be removed when locating new amenities
-ensuring trees pruned where branches obscured speed limit sign, and follow up on residents' alerts where boulevard trees need to be removed due to damage and disease
-speaking with residents about possible 3 way stop on Greenhill, and two more 3 way stops on Ormond for traffic calming by Sherwood park and school;
-requesting staff consider 'red and white striped 'tail' board under stop signs for improved visibility, like in Clarington;
-assist effort to resolve rat infestation situation and illegal backyard chicken problem,
-help raise accessibility awareness with OAAC members at our display table at the Peony Festival in June
-help with the special Columbus community morning Canada Day Event -which was a success again for its 12th annual celebration after missing two years during the Pandemic
Best news of all, I am pleased to report my mother's health has improved and boy is it heart warming to see her enjoy fresh corn on the cob!
Internet connection now back on, but unfortunately still unreliable. This is something absolutely needing improvement and I am determined not to be put off - the City and Region not continue to delay addressing Oshawa's inexcusable internet divide. Communities and businesses north of Hwy 407 should not be left behind.
