President's Message

March 2011

Hello and happy days.  I cannot believe it is March and still colder than most of January.  I cannot wait until the snow goes away and I can start ignoring my lawn.

We had a really successful Winter Carnival with about 200 people coming out to enjoy the day, skating, sleigh rides and hot chocolate.  I want to thank the YMCA Daycare at George P. Nicholson School for coming out and supplying the hot chocolate and volunteering to serve.  That was great and I hope you were able to say hello to the staff at the daycare.

While I am on the subject of thanks, thank you so much Shauna Nichols.  You may not know who she is, but she organised the Winter Carnival and did the necessary running around to pull off this event.  For those of you who planned your own weddings and remember the hair pulling and teeth gnashing involved, think that Shauna organized an event about the size of a large wedding, not knowing how many people were coming, who all was going to be able to help, where we would get things like wood and smore sticks, and made it look easy.

If you have had one of your children play soccer in the past few years, the smile on your child's face was brought to you in part by Ron Egan.  Ron has worked tirelessly for the past few years running our soccer programs, and it is sad to see him moving away.  I had my kids in soccer for a few years and had never heard of Ron until I joined the Executive.  I think people like Ron exemplify the volunteer spirit.  The reward comes from knowing you contributed and helped bring something positive to the people around you.  Ron, your new community is getting a heck of a member and I wanted to make sure I had the chance to publicly thank you for everything you have done for us.

The last two people I want to thank in this update are my own neighbours.  They have helped keep the snow cleared in front of our street for most of the winter, just because one got a new snowblower and the other likes shovelling.  I like to think that everyone in Twin Brooks is lucky enough to have neighbours like I do.  I can only hope that I have and will continue to repay them in kind and show them how much I appreciate them.

With April approaching, the City is analysing its data from the 40 km/h initiative.  Will the speed limit change back to 50 or will it remain 40 km/h?  I do not know the answer to that, but I do know that we can help influence the decision by contacting our City Councillor and/or the Office of Traffic Safety.  Please remember that it is important to provide your opinion whether you agree with the speed limit or don't agree with the speed limit.  We have gotten some comments from Twin Brooks residents who felt that the Twin Brooks Community League came up with this plan without consultation from the residents, which is not the case.  However, in some cases, the people making the complaint or feedback did not attend the various open houses and information sessions that were held.  Not participating means you have no chance to influence the outcome of an event.

Could those of you who used our cross - country ski trails please let either the City or our Community League know what you thought of the experience.  We want to know whether this amenity was used and appreciated so we can decide if we are going to help fund it again next year.

Enjoy the last few days of winter, eventually put your shovels away, and I hope to see many of you at the park and fields in the upcoming spring.

Regards,

Sid Fontoura
president@twinbrooks.ca