Jen Vasic

It's the draft plan we've all been waiting for: The Transportation Master Plan! https://bit.ly/39wRPF5 It's coming to council on Monday. Thanks to colleague Tenille Bonoguore for pulling the info together!

There are senior's apartments being built in ward 5 right now (at Lexington/Davenport). They are having an information session tomorrow on Thursday January 14th at 7 p.m. More information from below.

Yesterday, a resident notified me bike lanes were blocked by snow. The City of Waterloo Director of Transportation organized it & crews were out this morning. "Now that's teamwork," said my kid when we took this fun field trip to learn how it happens! [Image: A four lane road and on the lane farthest from me is a dump truck and snow blower cleaning a bike lane. Behind the trucks is a fence and behind the fence are single dwelling homes. There is snow on the ground directly in front of me.]

Hi everyone. I'd like to comment on where I'm at with the conversation around backyard open-burns. I am neither in support or opposition right now, but in data gathering phase. I very much appreciate the need for comfort this winter. 2021 is off to a rocky start already, locally and globally, and we are all - myself included - looking for silver linings and opportunities to sustain our mental, emotional, and physical health. I also have more questions related to challenges p...ermitting open-burns that have been raised by staff and also residents who have been reaching out to me. Below I am sharing some of the questions I will ask of staff at Monday's council meeting, along with others that come up between now and then. I am also looking forward to the delegation and discussion with the rest of council that day, as well. What is fire protection services and enforcement’s staff capacity time and money to implement a pilot and then a permanent open air burn by-law, as suggested? What does data says about outdoor open-burn fires’ impact on people with lung conditions (e.g., Asthma, COPD, COVID)? Are there environmental impacts, if any, to open wood burns as compared to outdoor propane fireplaces, which are currently permitted. This question relates to taking the climate emergency council declared seriously? What are reasons similar sized municipalities do/don’t have open-burn by-laws? What percentage of properties in Waterloo would permit an open-burn, should Waterloo work towards adopting the Kitchener by-law. This map shows individual property lines to help with that understanding: http://maps.waterloo.ca/Html5Viewer/?viewer=waterlooviewer. If you would like to discuss this more, feel free to email or call me at jen.vasic AT waterloo DOT ca or (519) 635-9436. I will be posting this on various pages so I may not in detail respond on social media, but will read and consider all the comments.

Hello ward 5! I have 15 more "In this Together" signs. The first 15 people in the ward to DM me your address will find one on your lawn this week or next! I think it compliments my others signs quite nicely.

Roselea & Vermont Park rinks are open for use! Thank you, volunteers! https://bit.ly/2LwETqy