It was a pleasure to host my winter round of community gatherings in Lincoln, Lincoln Heights, Skyline Acres/Southwood Park, the East Plat/Downtown, and Bishop Drive/Lian-Valcourt during the months of January and February. Unfortunately, the East Plat/Downtown meeting coincided with a snowstorm, but the turnout at the other gatherings was great.

Thank you to all who could make it – your input is so important and helpful. My second round of community gatherings will be held this fall with details to come. Please email me at david.coon@gnb.ca if you would like to be notified of these community gatherings.

Lincoln – Joined by Oromocto Councilors Ryan Carr and Gary Van Rochter

Power Bills and Reliability: At my request, NB Power staff attended to answer questions about high power bills and speak to the upgrades to the electrical grid which should reduce the frequency of power outages in Tamarack Estates. I will be on the Public Accounts Committee to ask questions to NB Power about the results of the inquiry into why so many people have received huge bills for their unusual rates of power consumption. The report confirmed that the power meters were not responsible for unusual rates of consumption. Now NB Power must investigate the unusual rates of consumption.

Lack of Bus Service: I met with Mayor Kate Rogers and her Public Transit Manager to discuss bus service. I also met with the head of the Regional Service Commission about bus service as they have a mandate to provide public transportation on a regional basis. Their strategy will be available in June.

Limited ER Hours at the Oromocto Hospital: I was in touch with the hospital administrator at Horizon Health who told me that the ER will stay open until midnight instead of closing at 4 p.m.

Road Conditions and Culverts: I contacted our regional manager for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. He provided me with a list of planned upgrades, which I can provide to you by email, and invited me to submit additional needs, which I did. I visited Lincoln Park Gardens to look at the condition of the streets and the dangerous intersection with the Lincoln Rd. I contacted DTI about these specific problems.

Tamarack Estates: There have been chronic problems with the water supply and water quality for the tenants of Tamarack Estates. I have been in touch with the Department of Environment, public health inspections, and the Residential Tenancies Tribunal. I just received a copy of the 2024 Annual Report on the Operation of the Drinking Water Distribution System, submitted by Compass Communities, which I can provide by email. I will prepare a summary of this, as well. I met virtually with Jayson Lipsey, the CEO of Compass, to discuss the water supply. As residents know, work to make the system more reliable and resilient should be underway now.