community associ ation - wordpress.comapr 04, 2019 · clean-up, with five truckloads of garbage...
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Message from our chair
The birds have started chirping, the snow has been melting, leaves will
soon be sprouting on trees, and people are coming outside more and more to enjoy green spaces, trails and forested areas. Welcome to spring in River Park South!
In February, I attended an event jointly hosted by Save Our Seine and the Windsor Park United Church featuring the documentary film Call of the Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees. The film showcases five different forests in the northern hemisphere and, in doing so, explains why trees are among the most important living organisms on the planet. Trees, with their ability to capture carbon dioxide and release oxygen, keep the Earth’s atmosphere habitable for life of all kinds. The film reminds us of the key role trees play in reversing climate change and discusses the imminent threats to the world’s forests. It concludes by calling for massive global reforestation and asks each of us to contribute by planting trees in our neighbourhoods and yards.
This event was particularly topical considering Winnipeg’s tree canopy is facing two urgent threats: Dutch elm disease and the emerald ash borer. While Dutch elm disease has recently been causing elm tree deaths at a rate of up to 3-5 per cent per year, the emerald ash borer is
expected to kill 100 per cent of Winnipeg’s ash trees over the next decade. According to the City of Winnipeg, ash trees account for 30 per cent of city trees.
The emerald ash borer will devastate our city’s tree canopy and severely affect our access to trees and forested areas, and that of our children and grandchildren. The City of Winnipeg has an interactive map where individuals can look up city-owned trees to determine their type. In looking at the types of trees throughout River Park South, many of them are ash trees. For example, on Faraway Lane where I live, 18 of the 23 publicly-owned trees are green ashes and, therefore, vulnerable to the emerald ash borer.
There are several ways that each of us can help:
· Learn about and be on the look-out for signs of diseased trees. Report any diseased trees to 311. More information about the signs of disease can be found on the Trees Winnipeg website.
· Help care for city-owned trees by obtaining permission to have the ones on or near your property maintained. Find out more information on the city’s website.
· Finally, join the global reforestation movement by planting a tree in your yard. The ReLeaf Tree Planting
Program provides participants with trees to plant and the knowledge to care for them. Crabapple, maple, lindens and double-flowering plums are some of the available trees.
I hope that you’ll join me in the effort to grow the tree canopy in River Park South. This will increase our resiliency to climate change and create an even more beautiful community in the process.
I also hope to see you at our second annual spring-clean up to help us continue to beautify the community.
Your RPSCA chair, Josée-Anne Le Dorze
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONApril 2019
Newsletter
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Message from Terry DuguidMP for Winnipeg South
River Park South Community Associationwww.rpscommunity.com2
The early signs of spring are among us as we head into April. Warmer weather means we can start heading outside and enjoying our neighbourhood parks. With
that in mind, I look forward to joining the River Park South Community Association’s wonderful volunteers for their annual neighbourhood clean-up on Saturday, May 4.
I am also pleased to let you know that our government has delivered on our 2016 campaign promise that we would reduce Manitoba’s PST. The PST will be reduced down to 7 per cent on July 1, which means Manitoba families can keep more money in their pockets for things that matter to them.
When I was elected to public office, I made a commitment that I would always be available for my constituents whenever they needed me. To that end, if you need to reach out to me regarding provincial government programs or services, please call my office at (204) 615-5241 or email [email protected]
I invite you all down to my next Coffee & Conversation on Saturday, April 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This is a time when I put on the coffee and welcome anyone to drop into my constituency office at 5 – 140 Meadowood Drive for a lively and engaging conversation. I hope to see you there!
Message from Hon. Rochelle Squires MLA for Riel
River Park South Community Associationwww.rpscommunity.com
Manitobans expect their federal government to take action on climate change and transition to a cleaner, greener future with good jobs. This is why our federal
government has made sure that there is a price on carbon pollution, which must be part of any credible climate plan. Every dollar from Manitoba will go back to Manitobans through the Climate Action Incentive (CAI) rebate. A family of four in Manitoba will get $339 back through the CAI. Our federal pollution pricing plan is a practical and affordable way to cut the pollution that is causing climate change.
If you have any questions about the price on pollution, please do not hesitate to contact my constituency office at 204-984-6787 or [email protected].
We would be happy to assist you and listen to your thoughts on how we can improve our communities and environment.
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www.rpscommunity.com
When I decided to run for public office, one of the main things that I wanted to commit myself towards was to increase the flow of communication and dialogue. For
me, this not only provides a clear understanding of what the community is articulating, but also improves transparency and accountability.
I am often surprised and amused by people’s reactions when I answer my own phone. Some residents are caught off-guard, thinking that one my staff would be answering the phone. So far, I haven’t had too many late night or wee early morning calls, meaning everyone has been respectful and considerate in this regard. I firmly believe residents have the right to speak directly to the person they elected!
I have “friended” many people on social media who now have been sending direct messages to my account on the issues that they feel are important and need to be heard. I encourage more
of this direct communication and will continue to respond in as timely a fashion as possible.
Even with the record snowfall we have had this year and now the melting snow has revealed some abysmal road conditions, I am confident that with increased communication and dialogue, we can work together to address our decaying infrastructure and restore our community pride.
Markus Chambers Deputy Mayor, City of Winnipeg City Councillor, St. Norbert – Seine River ward www.markuschambers.ca [email protected] 204-986-5920 (office) 204-390-2155 (cell)
Message from Markus Chambers City councillor for St. Norbert-Seine River
River Park South Community Associationwww.rpscommunity.com 3
River Park South Community Garage SaleSATURDAY, JUNE 1
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Message from the Louis Riel School Division
Greetings from the Louis Riel School Board (LRSD),
How nice to see the snow slowly melting and the signs of spring all around us! We hope that our LRSD families had an enjoyable Spring Break.
With one of our most important jobs complete for another year, that being the budget for 2019-2020, we are turning our full attention to our Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP).
Scheduled to be completed by June, our MYSP will not only see new vision, mission, values and motto statements unveiled, but also a bold, visionary and comprehensive road-map for the future of the Louis Riel School Division. This is critical work for the school board and senior leadership. It will define how we lead, what our community can
expect, and what all students will experience on their K-12 journey in the LRSD.
We continue to review policies and by-laws, thereby ensuring our protocols and practices remain current and publicly documented as required by the Public Schools Act. The Board also recently approved the transfer of principals and vice-principals to new administrative positions, as we do every spring.
It is our hope that all residents of the LRSD will invest time in engaging with the Manitoba Commission on K-12 Education. This is an important opportunity to inform the future of public education in our province, and we encourage you to participate. Updates will be provided as they become known at www.lrsd.net. The LRSD is fully committed to participating
as broadly and as thoroughly as possible.
Student, parent and community voices continue to inform our decisions and we value the opportunity to listen, learn and share. Attending parent council meetings and school events, and hosting regular forums are just some of the ways we make those important connections.
Our public meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month at the board office, 900 St. Mary’s Road, and all are welcome to attend. The agenda is published in advance on our website, and there is lots of free parking. Looking to engage with your trustees? You can find our contact information on the LRSD website. Josie Landry, Sandy Nemeth and Neil Vadeboncoeur represent Ward 3, which includes River Park South.
From left to right: school trustees Sandy Nemeth, Neil Vadeboncoeur and Josie Landry (Ward 3)
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Holiday decorating contest wrap
River Park South looked a little more festive this past holiday season, thanks to the efforts of community members who participated in our second annual holiday decorating contest.
Special guest judges MP Terry Duguid (Winnipeg South), MLA Rochelle Squires (Riel) and Councillor Markus Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River) had the difficult task of selecting the best and most creative decorated homes.
And the winners are…
Ken Gallant, 275 Aldgate Road (best overall)
Greg Vertz, 166 Brixton Bay (most creative)
Kenneth Muranski, 176 Malmsbury Avenue (public’s choice)
Kelly Verspeek, 156 Barlow Crescent (random draw)
Thank you again to Lacoste Garden Centre, Sugar Beets Body Sugaring and Massage Therapy, and Sobeys St. Vital for donating prizes!
And finally, thank you to everyone who voted for their favourite and drove/walked/biked around the neighbourhood to view all of the beautiful decorations! Watch our future newsletters for information about the third annual holiday decorating contest!
Pictured above: Winner of the best overall prize, Ken Gallant, in front of his dazzling display of lights on Aldgate Road. Through his light display, Ken raised an amazing $3,425 for the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada this year! Congratulations, Ken!
River Park South Community Associationwww.rpscommunity.com
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News from the RPSCA
SPRING CLEAN-UP REGISTRATIONSpring has officially sprung! Last year, over 80 people participated in our inaugural spring clean-up, with five truckloads of garbage taken to the landfill.
Our second annual spring clean-up will take place on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sign up to participate on our website, and help make River Park South cleaner and greener this spring! REGISTER TODAY!
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Saturday, May 4 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Community CLEAN-UP
COMMUNITY GARAGE SALESAVE THE DATE!
Looking for some new treasures? Want to let go of some of your own items? The third annual River Park South community garage sale is quickly approaching! Sales will take place on Saturday, June 1 throughout the neighbourhood. Stay tuned for more information on how you can sign up to be listed on our garage sale map!
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIESWe will soon have a sponsorship package available to local businesses interested in supporting our not-for-profit, volunteer-run organization! Watch our website for further details on available opportunities.
RPSCA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE VACANCYAre you organized? Thrive on deadlines? Love our community as much as we do?
We’re looking for a new secretary! As secretary, your duties would include preparing, distributing and maintaining meeting agendas and minutes; arranging meeting spaces; receiving and preparing official correspondence; and other duties working alongside the rest of our executive committee.
Sound like the perfect fit? For more information about the position and time commitment, email us at [email protected]. (Please note this is an unpaid position.)
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!Visit our website at www.rpscommunity.com or follow us on Facebook (@rpscommunity), Instagram (@rpsca_wpg) and Twitter (@rpsca_wpg).
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Saturday, May 4 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Community CLEAN-UP
For more information or to sign up:
www.rpscommunity.com
Help tidy up the neighbourhood!
Join the River Park South Community Association for our second annual spring clean-up! We supply the
coffee and supplies - you bring your energy!