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.

Skyline Acres/Southwood Park – Joined by Councilor Greg Erickson

Red Light Cameras Hold-Up: The provincial regulations needed to implement the new law which enables municipalities to install red light cameras, were completed last year. The City of Fredericton and the Town of Oromocto can install these cameras to catch and ticket those who run red lights. The provincial government is open to a discussion about the resulting revenue going to the municipalities.

Recycling in Apartments: The new provincial legislation, which governs the delivery of recycling services, means that these services will be available to apartments and condominiums free of charge as of May 1st. The property owner or condo board must register with Circular Materials, the organization now responsible for recycling, to take advantage of this new service and arrange for the recyclables to be held in a separate dumpster from household garbage. A City by-law requires landlords to register with Circular Materials but does not require them to participate in the program.

Why Can’t They Fix the ER: I met with the ER Chief, Dr. Kris Pulchan to learn about what they require. I asked the Minister of Health in Estimates Committee when they will finally fix the ER at the DECH, pointing out that we cannot wait anymore.

Mobile Mental Health Team Follow-Up: I met with Kim Foster, the Interim Director of the Fredericton Community Mental Health Centre, which hosts the Mobile Mental Health Team, and Krista Dickinson, who manages the Mobile Mental Health Crisis Unit. Concerns were raised about the lack of follow-up with patients after support from the Mobile Mental Health Team. They assured me that follow-up information should always be provided, but I emphasized that this is not always the case.

Cost of Parking Fine: The fine for parking in your own yard, outside of a driveway, is high at $250. This is proscribed under the Provincial Offences Act and would require a new bill to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly to change it.