I’m on Google Street View!

Not only did Google Street View become available in Saint John, NB today; but, I actually found myself and my Jeep!

Cool eh?

Y’s ‘Strong Kids’ campaign to raise $80,000

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on February 9th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

Next Monday, the Saint John YMCA-YWCA will join its Y counterparts across Canada to kick off the 2010 Strong Kids campaign.

More than 50 YMCAs across Canada participate in the Strong Kids campaign, which is focused on raising funds to support children, teens and families who can’t afford the full costs associated with participating in Y programs or activities.

At the local level, the Saint John Y’s goal is to raise $80,000. Money raised in Saint John will stay in the city and provide financial assistance for children and youths who want to participate in a Y program. The majority of funds raised will be used for “camperships,” which send kids to residential and day camps, membership sponsorships, youth leadership programs, child care support as well as health and wellness sponsorship programs.

The theme for this year’s campaign launch is “Kids Helping Kids,” with walkathons scheduled for six Y locations in Saint John to raise awareness for the campaign and teach those already enrolled in Y programs what it means to help those less fortunate, linking to the Y’s focus on community support and development.

“Each Y is undertaking its own activity to mark the occasion, so we came up with the idea of the walkathon,” says Shilo Boucher, chief operating officer at the Saint John Y.

“It’s a great way for our program participants, children, parents, members and staff to get involved, learn more about Strong Kids, and understand how the funds are used and how important they are to the Y and our community,” Boucher said.

“It’s very powerful as we have over 70 students who come to the Y’s Broadview location every day, many of whom are members themselves, or have children in child care. So it will be an opportunity for these the students to have an impact on their community.”

The Strong Kids campaign also offers an opportunity for people to be a part of the Y beyond making a donation; people are also encouraged to generate support by sharing their “Y story” online, or volunteering at one of the 13 Y locations in Greater Saint John.

“As a charity, we rely heavily on volunteer time and expertise,” Boucher said. “In 2009 we had over 278 active volunteers contributing over 6,500 hours of service.”

Supporting the Strong Kids campaign in Saint John will allow our local Y to continue to maintain a strong presence in the city, in terms of both the programs it offers and the fact that many are offered at multiple locations in the city.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtpr.ca.

Visit the Saint John Y’s website for more details!

PlanSJ: Planning for Saint John’s Future…Finally!

I came across a great blog post on PlanSJ, written by Andrew Matheson, over at Spacing Atlantic.

Here are a few snippets:

Saint John’s current Municipal Plan received Council approval in 1973 and was based on the assumption that the City’s population would grow to some 250,000 residents. Today, almost 40 years after the plan came into effect, the City’s residents number 68,000 – less than one third of the plan’s anticipated total. With faulty projections and dozens of subsequent amendments, the current plan has slipped into obscurity over the years and has failed to adequately guide development in a manner that best serves the interests of Saint John residents.

That’s all about to change.

Click here to read the full article!

Join in the conversation on the Saint John’s Municipal Plan online using: Twitter (via the hashtag #plansj) or the Facebook Group!

A response to the TJ’s opinion on PlanSJ

Last week the Telegraph-Journal printed the following opinion on PlanSJ:

Council knows public’s priorities
There are a number of ways one could interpret the rush of applications to serve on Saint John’s municipal planning committee.

Clearly, many citizens want to have their say in how the city will develop over the next 25 years. The question is, how much of the interest stems from the perception that council is not achieving enough progress on the city’s priorities?

This year and next, council will invest approximately $1 million on devising a new municipal plan. Such a plan is badly needed, since the city’s zoning and development strategy hasn’t been overhauled since the 1970s. But the magnitude of the investment is disappointing in a city where basic services such as reliable drinking water, well-paved streets and recreation facilities require significant capital investment.

Does City Hall really need a new storefront office to communicate with the public about planning issues? Does council really need an elaborate process to understand what residents want in terms of facilities and community development?

If so, there’s something wrong.

Citizens have been telling councillors what their priorities are since before the last municipal election. Veteran council members, such as Mayor Ivan Court, Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase, Chris Titus, Bill Farren and Peter McGuire, have heard the same concerns raised year after year. New councillors don’t have the same depth of experience, but they must be noticing certain common threads in the conversations they have with their constituents.

Council members should not need to muse about what kind of city people want to live in. One where the water is treated to national standards, and people can drive on the roads without losing hubcaps, bending struts or wrecking their cars. A place where their children can play hockey and soccer and baseball, and not need to walk in the street in winter because the sidewalks are impassable. A city where rainfall is collected and diverted before it floods streets and houses; where phone calls to municipal departments are answered or returned; a city whose administration is focused on improvement and which tracks quality control because it is proud to serve a public of neighbours.

Perhaps council should spend $1 million more on these priorities, which it already knows about and has made a public commitment to, and direct the city’s planning department to handle planning issues at a minimum of additional expense.

Today, local artist Sarah Jones had a great response printed:

PlanSJ seems like dynamic initiative

Sure, everybody wants clean water and passable roads, but these demands do not amount to a sound, effective or long-term urban plan. Contrary to what you suggest in your editorial, it is not necessary to sacrifice a long-term plan for short-term necessities.

And when your newspaper calls so frequently for governmental transparency and public consultation, I find this editorial critique of PlanSJ odd. After meeting the Citizens Advisory Group, attending the launch last week and checking out the great storefront in Brunswick Square, PlanSJ strikes me as one of the most dynamic initiatives and extensive community engagement projects we have seen in this city. Too bad you can’t see past the potholes.

SARAH JONES

Saint John

If we have all learned one thing from the recent NB Power controversy, it’s that citizens want to be engaged from day one. They want to have their thoughts and opinions heard.

PlanSJ is a process that will ensure the people in this city have a voice in the new municipal plan.

I believe in this process.

Join in the conversation on the Saint John’s Municipal Plan online using: Twitter (via the hashtag #plansj) or the Facebook Group!

Panel on political process gets reboot

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on February 2nd, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

FUSION is currently seeking Saint Johners interested in becoming a part of its government relations committee, which is being revitalized after a two-year hiatus.

“In past years, the government relations committee primarily focused on municipal, provincial and federal election engagement strategies, and since the last provincial election the committee has been inactive,” says FUSION board member and committee co-chairwoman Jane MacEachern.

The committee is non-partisan, and is reorganizing with the goal of establishing a network for Saint Johners who have a strong interest in public administration and the political process. Committee members will be working to keep the lines of communication between political parties and FUSION members open, and to find ways to create feedback among members, elected officials and government staffers.

“Right now we think of the committee is going through a bit of a renaissance, but we need the support and help of the community to rebuild our membership and help us define a role for the committee,” says committee co-chairman Eric Savoie. “We are also welcoming feedback and input from political parties and government officials on how we can work together. This needs to be a real partnership if it’s going to work.”

During past elections the committee co-hosted a Campaign on the Clock event with the Saint John Board of Trade, a type of political speed dating allowing Saint Johners an opportunity to meet and interact with all municipal candidates in one stop.

“Government relations extends well beyond elections, and to keep FUSION members engaged in the political and civic process we need to focus on more than just getting people out to vote,” Savoie said. “It’s equally important to have a sustained dialogue between our members and elected officials so they will be more aware of the challenges facing our community and identifying possible solutions.”

We are once again in a political election year, with the province going to the polls in September, so it is particularly timely that FUSION’s government relations committee has resurrected itself, since voter turnout continues to be an issue not only in New Brunswick, but across Canada. If the successes of past Campaign on the Clock events are any indication, Saint Johners are keen to know more about the people they will elect to represent them at each level of government.

The government relations committee will serve as a forum for members to become aware of, and involved, in the political process in our city and province, and will create a connection between members and the people and parties we elect to represent our best interests. This, in turn, will hopefully make people feel more connected to the political process, addressing the issue of voter apathy in our community.

FUSION’s government relations committee is currently seeking members and is planning its first meeting of 2010. For more information, please visit us online at www.fusionsj.com.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtpr.ca.

PlanSJ Newsletter – Winter 2010

The first newsletter for PlanSJ (Saint John’s Municipal Planning Process) is now out, click the image below to read it:

Join in the conversation on the Saint John’s Municipal Plan online using: Twitter (via the hashtag #plansj) or the Facebook Group!

Citizens Advisory Committee – Helping plan the future

More great coverage on the Municipal Plan today in the TJ, be sure to check it out!

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on January 29th, 2010:

A committee of 13 people from diverse backgrounds will help guide common council through the next two years as the city embarks on rewriting its yellowing municipal plan.

“It’s really to bring that community voice and consensus to the work we’re doing,” said Jacqueline Hamilton, deputy commissioner of planning.

Council has appointed all but one of the members based on recommendations from council’s nominating committee. The 13th member is expected to be appointed next week.

Ten members are Saint John citizens, two are city councillors and one comes from the city’s planning advisory committee.

The city had an overwhelming response of applications for the citizen spots – with nearly 80 submitted, Hamilton said, which slowed down the hiring process.

“I think that just goes to the interest in the work we’re doing,” she said, adding it’s four-times the number of applications the city would normally get.

The citizen members come from all corners of the city and represent different social, economic, cultural, and environmental interests. Some are newcomers to the city and others are long-term residents.

Hamilton said some cities rely on their planning advisory committees to assist with a new municipal plan, but city staff wanted a focus group with a more diverse makeup.

“Certainly, this model is more unique,” she said.

The group will meet monthly in the city’s new storefront for PlanSJ in Brunswick Square, which was unveiled Wednesday.

The committee members will review what work has been done by staff and consultants, Urban Strategies and ADI, and will provide feedback, often presenting recommendations to council, Hamilton said.

“We want their feedback on what we’re presenting and whether it reflects on what the community has told us.”

The committee will elect a chair and vice-chair from its non-council members. It will make decisions by consensus, and if necessary, by a majority vote.

Coun. Carl Killen, who sits on the committee along with Coun. Peter McGuire, said the committee does not have the same kind of power as council.

“But as far as input goes, the committee’s impact will be huge,” he said.

The people on the committee will have the chance to set the direction the city goes in terms of green spaces, landscape, industrial zones and many other areas, Killen said.

“This is not a simple, ‘What are we going to build in a certain place?’ This is a plan that’s intended to last and endure for at the very least a quarter of a century.”

It’s why Shawn Peterson, who is also the chairman of FUSION Saint John, thought it was important to get involved.

“A lot of times stuff goes on with the city and the average person doesn’t get to give their input,” said Peterson, 25, who works at a software company.

“I’m a real firm believer this process is going to be a lot different.”

He said he wants to reach out to not just youth, but the whole community, in whatever way he can – including Facebook and Twitter.

It’s important to get young people’s input because this plan will set the city’s growth for their future, he said.

“It’s going to be us kind of running the show at the point,” he said. “As much input we can get in now will ensure we’ll be all happy with it.”

Join in the conversation on the Saint John’s Municipal Plan online using: Twitter (via the hashtag #plansj) or the Facebook Group!

Work on Saint John’s Municipal Plan is now underway – and you can help!

Some very exciting news in the TJ this morning.

Saint John’s Municipal Plan is official kicked-off and underway, read on for the details.

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on January 28th, 2010:

SAINT JOHN – Mayor Ivan Court calls it the city’s newest hub.

A storefront location for Saint John’s municipal plan opened Wednesday in Brunswick Square.

“Actually it’s an extension of my office,” the mayor joked before a crowd of about 50 people, as he revealed a logo with the plan’s new official slogan: PlanSJ.

Onlookers sipped coffee in the mall walkway, where Court said he likes to hang out.

“It’s their city. They pay the bills,” Court said, gesturing to the people sitting nearby. “We have to listen. What do they want for their city, their children and their grandchildren?”

The city is undertaking a two-year process to rewrite the municipal plan – something that hasn’t been done since the early 1970s.

Public consultation is a huge part of the process, with a citizen advisory committee and the storefront as key pillars.

The plan will act as a legal document to direct the city’s growth, development and land use for the next 25 years.

The Brunswick Square location will be open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a couple Saturdays per month.

The smell of fresh paint lingered in the bright, white space. Maps and panels explain the process and plan, and a room at the back of the store has a white projector screen, several chairs and a table that could be used for children’s activities.

Cyndi Rottenberg-Walker of Urban Strategies Inc. said she hasn’t seen a city take such strides to involve the public in its municipal plan.

“This storefront will be the energy centre – the brain centre – of this plan,” she said. The Toronto-based consultants, along with Saint John-based ADI, will help city staff and the citizen advisory committee with the nuts and bolts of the plan.

Councillors Carl Killen and Peter McGuire, who sit on the advisory committee, were also on hand for the announcement.

“This will be council’s legacy as we move into the future,” McGuire told the crowd.

Council has earmarked $750,000 in the 2010 budget to create the new plan. Next year, that amount is expected to go down to about $250,000.

Dave Drinnan, who owns a communications company and will sit on the citizen advisory committee for the next two years, also attended the storefront opening.

“I’ve had a long-term interest in the city, both as a resident and in its economics, where it’s going,” Drinnan said.

“When they invited participation, I jumped at it.”

The city received 90 applications for nine citizen spots on the committee, Court said.

The way planners are reaching out to the community is encouraging, said Steve Carson, the chief executive of Enterprise Saint John.

“I think that’s really critical,” he said in an interview at the storefront.

“If it’s a Saturday morning, they’ll be able to come in and feel a real comfort. Some people aren’t comfortable with big office buildings and going to a floor at City Hall. This will really make it friendly, especially for the young people.”

Carson said creating a new municipal plan will be important for attracting new investment to the city.

On Wednesday night, the city held a public launch at the Market Square atrium. Planners and staff answered questions as residents wandered through the displays. There was also a public presentation.

Join in the conversation on the Saint John’s Municipal Plan online using: Twitter (via the hashtag #plansj) or the Facebook Group!

YMCA and 21inc. join forces

This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on January 26th, 2010.

The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:

In an effort to help propel the city’s future leaders on the road to success, local participants from the province’s 21 Leaders for the 21st Century program have joined with the Saint John YMCA-YWCA to help identify new ways to get youth involved at the Y.

The Saint John project team has chosen to evaluate youth engagement at the Saint John Y in an effort to help increase programming options and participation. It is one of a number of community projects being led by 21inc. participants across the province,

“We selected the Y because we were interested in the project they proposed to us to work on youth engagement, and because of the increasing leadership role they play in being an inclusive organization, open to all regardless of social or economic background,” says Eric Savoie of the decision to work with the Y on this initiative. Savoie is a member of the project team, which also includes Christina Taylor, Janet Thompson-Price and Scott Walton.

The 21inc. program is a leadership program for New Brunswick young people aged 20 to 35. During the 10-month program, participants are encouraged to make a positive impact on their community.

As part of this initiative, the Saint John project team has developed an online survey and is seeking feedback from young people and parents in Greater Saint John. The aim of the survey is to collect information and input on topics related to youth programming at the Y, ranging.

“We believe the 21inc. team will help us connect in new innovative ways with youth,” said Shilo Boucher, chief operating officer at the Saint John YMCA-YWCA. “We want to better understand their needs, allowing an opportunity for them to help us design new programs.”

Survey findings will be presented this spring to Saint John Y management, who will determine the next steps based on the recommendations and resources available for implementation.

Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtpr.ca.

Saint John Municipal Plan Kickoff!

Join in the conversation on the Saint John’s Municipal Plan online using: Twitter (via the hashtag #plansj) or the Facebook Group!