New Year’s Resolutions for Council
Twelve goals to champion in 2014
Sudbury, December 16, 2013 – It’s that time of year again, when our thoughts turn to new year’s resolutions. Odds are yours include goals to be more healthy. That’s just as important for a community as for each of us.
Here are twelve resolutions for members of City Council to champion for a healthy community here in Greater Sudbury.
Resolution #1: Require and fund watershed studies.
It’s the basic information we need to keep our lakes and waterways clean and healthy.
Resolution #2: Set higher standards for stormwater management.
Storm water run-off carries salt, oil, and other contaminants into the rivers and lakes we love and rely on for drinking water. It’s one of the biggest threats to water quality and we can do a lot better than we are.
Resolution #3: Increase shoreline buffers.
Natural vegetation along shorelines keeps lakes and waterways healthy.
Resolution #4: Champion green space opportunities
Connect people to parks, and protect special natural areas for future generations.
Resolution #5: Protect locally significant natural areas
Our special natural areas are a big part of our identity. Let’s give them the recognition and protection they deserve in our Official Plan.
Resolution #6: Dedicate 1% of the capital roads budget to priority cycling routes.
Greater Sudbury needs safe connected bike routes – let’s get it done.
Resolution #7: Set and meet goals to get more people travelling by bus, on foot, and by bike.
Transportation Demand Management is what it’s all about.
Resolution #8: Make streets for everyone
A Complete Streets Policy would mean streets are designed for pedestrians, transit riders, cyclists and motorists.
Resolution # 9: Give existing staff the role of a community garden coordinator
Over thirty community gardens, and more on the way, grow local food for residents and food banks, while building connections among neighbours. A coordinator is needed to keep these community gardens thriving, and able to learn from and support each other.
Resolution #10: Make it the rule to purchase local food for city events and operations
Our local farmers deserve the support!
Resolution #11: Make the agricultural reserve bigger
Keep more land available for growing and preparing local food
Resolution #12: Work together, include the community
Require meaningful and timely consultation with community groups and residents, and transparent and timely posting of decisions, funding and projects of interest to citizens.
Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury invites all members of Council to be a champion for a healthy community in the last stretch of this term.
These twelve resolutions are based on key items identified by the local environmental community, and support the City’s broad vision of health as identified in the Healthy Community Strategy. A healthy environment means healthy people. A high quality of life is good for all of us.
About Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury – we are a grassroots network of citizen groups and individuals who share a vision of Sudbury as a green, healthy and engaged community. Our work includes research, education, advocacy, and action. We also act as a network connecting like-minded community groups and individual citizens to share information and work together. Members include over 500 individual citizens, as well as a wide range of local community groups. For more information, please contact us at clsudbury@live.com, call (705) 691-5538 or visit www.liveablesudbury.org.
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