What better way to spend a sunny May evening than connecting with friends and neighbours over music, art, and food. This is exactly what happened Saturday at the Hohner Ave Porch Party, also known as HAPP.
I believe that an engaged city builds on strong neighbourhoods and connected neighbours involved in resident-led initiatives. HAPP is an excellent example of that and similar events are popping up throughout the city. You can experience this fun and lively atmosphere by attending the upcoming Schneider Creek Porch Party on July 28th from 3-8 pm. Find out more here.
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Last night I had the opportunity to hear from the arts and culture sector as well as several local provincial candidates about their party’s arts and culture platform. Thanks to David Marskell and THEMUSEUM for hosting and Martin DeGroot for emceeing. Though it was good to hear from the local candidates, I most appreciated the perspectives and stories shared by those in the arts community.
I understand that arts and culture play a large role in a city that is inclusive, engaged, and supported. We can be inclusive of the creative sector through making space and funds more accessible to artists as well as creating ways to ensure the arts are more affordable and accessible to all. Our city benefits from artists engaged in their work, and residents who engage with art and artists. The city needs councillors who advocate for and support a vibrant and thriving local arts scene. These are all important facets in my vision of a thriving Kitchener and ward 9. Mayor Vrbanovic wants to ensure residents are informed and engaged in city development processes. After a lengthy discussion in Council Chambers this past Monday about what this might look like and what it could achieve, Council supported the motion 9-2. Given the vast amount of development happening in the city, much of it around LRT stations, it’s encouraging to see Council attempting to make this process more accessible to residents.
As a neighbourhood association member, I’ve seen the benefits of effective communication with neighbourhoods. As a Councillor, I would advocate for increased engagement between neighbours, developers, and city planners as new developments continue to bring change to the city and its neighbourhoods. https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8596944-controversy-over-tower-pushes-city-to-review-planning-process/ |