Our Issues
…as of Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Parking in Argyll
Things have gotten fairly confusing these past few weeks.
Without notice to residents who might be affected - the Traffic department decided to suspend our Residential Restricted Parking pilot project while they conduct a city-wide survey of opinions about Restricted Parking.
As a result a team arrived to turn around the existing signs. There was no notice for this. We were expecting to receive questionnaires regarding the success or difficulties this project presented to affected residents. Instead, the department is focused on adjusting or changing their entire policy toward these initiatives involving a public consultation process; which will extend months into our pilot project.
Our councillor has responded to our pleas by investigating this decision and expects to report to us in May. We will likely not see any local survey materials until after the department has revised their policies around this issue.
It may turn out to have no impact on our own neighbourhood. They have requested all citizens across the city to comment on their programs through an online survey which was advertised on a card in our mailboxes. I urge Argyll Residents to do the survey and have our voices heard with respect to this region of the city. Be sure to follow the directions closely as it might not seem as simple to submit your location and remarks as they claim. We will be continuing with our inquiries through our councillor to get to the heart of the matter. It's disappointing to find the Traffic Department acting without checking with us about the impact their policy survey would have on our neighbourhood.
Searching for a new Facility Manager at Argyll
* UPDATE *
We are hiring and are looking for our next EJCA/ACL Facility & Manager.
If you know of individuals who might be a good fit for our organizations, please spread the news and share this information.
Important:
Applicants may apply for just the Facility Manager role as the Office Manager position has been filled.
Here's a summary of the role:
1. EJCA/ACL Facility Manager
Reporting to: The Edmonton Japanese Community Association (EJCA) Board
Working Relationship: Argyll Community League (ACL) Board
Position:
Part time. Duties estimated at approximately 10 hours per week.
Starting wage: $23 per hour
Benefit: Vacation pay by %
Facility Manager: Building Maintenance and Operation (approx. 10 hours per week)
- Familiarity with basic building maintenance issues with an awareness of when to call in professional help.
- Good Project Management skills. These include coordinating outside contractors, having a keen awareness of time management and project scheduling experience.
- Some experience dealing with suppliers, service agencies, and freelance contractors with respect to quality control, materials, inventory, scheduled maintenance, service quality, and maintaining good relations with service providers.
- Ensure cost effective building maintenance either by candidate or contractor, according to maintenance schedules.
- Look after Security, Communications, Cleaning of the building, Grounds maintenance, and Supervision of service contractors.
This is a great opportunity for some enthusiastic individual seeking a flexible position with real impact on their community. While most planning work may be done from home, this position will require scheduled in-person work at the Centre and occasionally assisting groups using the centre.
To apply, send a cover letter describing reasons for your interest. Your resume, with two reference names, (including their titles and relationship to you) your contact e-mail, and your phone number.
Send by e-mail to: secretary@ejca.org -or- by regular mail to:
EJCA c/o Brenda Madsen,
6750 88 Street NW
Edmonton, AB
T6E 5H6
Please e-mail secretary@ejca.org with any questions.
It's all about The Trees
The City initiative to plant more trees
The City of Edmonton is delivering on the commitment made in the City Plan to be "Greener as we Grow" – driving climate resilience ahead and strengthening our natural systems. Edmonton's City Plan sets a target to plant two million new trees as the population grows to two million people. The Urban Forest Asset Management Plan establishes a target of 20 per cent urban forest canopy coverage by 2071.
To meet these targets, the City of Edmonton has developed a long-term plan for both naturalization, boulevard, and open space tree planting. During Phase 1 engagement in May 2022, Edmontonians took part in a city-wide survey to help them better understand how green spaces are used, as well the level of support for naturalization for boulevards and open spaces tree planting.
The City of Edmonton would like to invite residents to complete an online stakeholder survey as part of their Stakeholder Workshops: Online Stakeholder Survey: Information Package: Visit Naturalization and Tree Planting for public engagement and project updates.
There will be both online and in-person options for a stakeholder workshop to cater to a broad range of participants.
You may also provide feedback on behalf of your group or organization, by completing the online stakeholder survey.
We have also put together an information package (attached) with content that you can share within their networks and promote public engagement activities. The package includes digital materials that can be printed, emailed, posted on social media and added to e-newsletters.naturalizationandtreeplanting@edmonton.ca.
The Root for Trees program
Did you know the City of Edmonton aims to plant 2 million new trees on City land as the population grows? Expanding the urban tree canopy will provide a number of benefits, including cleaner air, cooler street temperatures, reduced stress for residents, and enhanced biodiversity. Volunteers play a vital part in this initiative. The Root for Trees program relies on organizations like ours to help us achieve their targets.
Root for Trees is an enhanced tree planting initiative through the City of Edmonton. They plant native trees, shrubs and wildflowers in naturalized areas throughout the city. The planting program starts in May and runs until mid-October. There are three primary ways to volunteer with the program.
Registered Group Tree Planting Program:
This opportunity is for groups of 10 to 60 people to plant with the help of staff at designated sites throughout the city. With this option, the staff meet a group on site at a designated time with all of the required plants, equipment, and safety materials. During registered plantings, staff also provide a presentation about the benefits of naturalization and the Root for Trees program.
Drop In Tree Planting Program:
Root for Trees offers public drop-in plantings with no registration required. Find the drop-in schedule online and join in, pair with someone, or bring a small group. Drop-in, plant, and help grow Edmonton's urban forest.
Special Events
Root for Trees runs a series of special events throughout the summer planting season. These are usually open to anyone and available for volunteers to attend on a drop-in basis, but some may require pre-registration. Check out the special event schedule on their website.
Citizens who would like to volunteer with the program will need to create a BetterImpact account and follow the sign-up links available on the website. To sign up for the program, please visit rootfortrees.ca
.Please contact rootfortrees@edmonton.ca if you have questions, comments, or feedback. Feel free to invite anyone you think would be interested in helping to enhance Edmonton's urban forest.
Their mailing address is:
City of Edmonton
13315 - 89 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5E 3K3
Canada
Radon Exposure
It was brought to the attention of everyone who attended the AGM how Argyll seems to be a prime location for high levels of Radon radiation. More than one resident had installed mitigation measures after having their home tested.
Without wanting to alarm anyone about this kind of radiation, it is a health hazard for children and adults. Extended exposure to Radon has serious side effects and should be considered as serious as exposure to asbestos and other household gases.
Another resident did a little digging and found a resource for an inexpensive testing kit from Alberta Lung & NWT. If you wish to pursue a test of whether your home is exposing your family to high levels of Radon gas you can follow the link below.
This time of year is the best time to test as the conditions are better for a good test in colder weather. These are Health Canada approved radon test kits. They can be ordered online from the link above and cost $68.25 each. The kits come with free shipping to you and back to the lab for analysis with prepaid mailing labels.
What is Radon?
- Radon is an invisible, odourless, and tasteless radioactive gas.
- Long-term exposure to high levels of radon can lead to lung cancer.
- Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall (after smoking)
If you prefer to have a test done by professionals, here is a link to a resource locator online. Take Action on Radon measurement professionals.
Meals on Wheels provides Support to Communities
Your donation provides life-saving connections.
March was a turning point for everyone, especially the vulnerable and elderly. Meals on Wheels clients found life as they knew it was on hold. For some, instead of the Sunday visit from family or weekly coffee with friends, the doors to the outside slammed shut. For others, the world of isolation was far too familiar. Getting out, even for essentials, became impossible.
Edmonton Meals on Wheels is a saviour for many. Meals, pet food, hampers and grocery delivery continues. Services have ramped up to meet the need of the community. Even from a distance or through a closed-door, volunteer drivers still ensure people were safe, and their stomachs were full. The service's frequent phone calls brightened their days. Greeting cards and messages sent through our volunteers bring a smile. The delivery of toilet tissue was especially appreciated when there was none. Activity books and essential toiletries are a godsend to many.
During this unprecedented time, many of us struggle mentally as the impact of isolation and lack of human contact wears on. A donation to their services today ensures they will continue to deliver nutritious meals but valuable human connections. No person is forgotten.
People know the difference Meals on Wheels makes. People understand the positive impact their volunteers have on each day. People appreciate how delivered meals carefully prepared are connectors. People are helping people while nourishing both the body and the soul.
Your donation during this challenging time is even more critical. We are all coping with the new reality of living through this pandemic. Today, Meals on Wheels is asking for continued support to help provide life-saving food, and connections, to our homebound and elderly neighbours. By donating to Edmonton Meals on Wheels, you will be helping people cope as they endure this challenging time.
Call them today to volunteer, or visit their website to make a donation: Meals on Wheels Edmonton
ElderDog Canada
ElderDog Canada is a national registered charity (#832404057RR0001) dedicated to helping aging people, aging dogs and the important connection between them. ElderDog Canada is the only organization in the country providing free companion animal in-home support for seniors. They help seniors in the care and wellbeing of their dogs. They re-home older dogs who have lost their human companion due to illness, long-term care placement or death. They conduct and support research, and provide education, about the role of the human-animal bond in the health and wellbeing of seniors.
Anyone who has shared life with a companion animal, or observed the significant role companion animals play in the health and wellbeing of seniors, knows the power of the human-animal bond. Research supports the importance of this bond and shows the many ways older adults benefit from this relationship. ElderDog's goal is to enable older adults, living at home with challenges affecting dog care, to continue to benefit from their relationship with their canine companions as long as possible. For seniors on a fixed income help could mean financial assistance with costs of veterinary care.
Sadly, the physical bond between human and companion animal is all too often cut short. When moving into a retirement community or nursing home, many seniors are forced to leave behind their devoted companions. Often their dogs also are old and not so adoptable. ElderDog endeavors to find new homes for these loyal, old friends so they are able to live out their lives with the comfort and care they deserve.
As a community-based charity, their work depends on the commitment of dedicated volunteers as well as support from community organizations of various kinds. The ElderDog organization believes there is a role for everyone to play in supporting the vital connection between seniors and their dogs. Whether working directly with seniors and their dogs, helping with fundraising, contributing to outreach and education, or working behind the scenes in some important capacity they welcome your involvement.
They would like you to think about how you, as an individual, or as part of a community group might get involved in ElderDog's work. For more information; visit www.elderdog.ca.
Sports Park Master Plan
Recent inquiries have revealed decisions which suggest the City is not yet ready to re-start the Master Plan process for Argyll Sports Park. Signs of this could be seen by their refurbishing of the ball diamonds last summer. It appears the current situation will remain unchanged for the next few years. Information which was shared with our president suggests the renewed interest from previous years has come up against budget restrictions in the aftermath of our health crisis. Our fingers remain crossed we will hear more encouraging noises, but what we've learned recently is not very encouraging.
When the City revisits the decision to restart the planning process our community will consult residents about participating in a new design process.
Selected Documents regarding Argyll Issues
The new Bylaws governing our league's administration were approved in March of 2020. A copy of the bylaws is now on our list of documents.
This is a list of documents available for viewing by residents who would like a little history about our issues and the background on some of what is described above. The Park Master Plan, our Velodrome challenge, and the draft of the revised bylaws are all listed HERE. If you wish to comment or ask questions Dave Trautman is always available by e-mail.
Our address is:
- Argyll Community Hall
- 6750 - 88 Street NW
- Edmonton, AB T6E 5H6
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