April News

Bus Rapid Transit

This has been in the news a lot lately. Councillor Squire is co-hosting an information session at the downtown library on April 12. It is expected to be well attended so sign up in advance if you wish to attend.

Also available is some additional information provided by Councillor Squire. He has not heard many comments from our area on this matter.

Medway Valley Items

The first meetings of the Local Advisory Committee for Phase 2 will be in April. Professor Greg Thorn is our representative. City staff will update the community at our Annual General Meeting which will follow the BBQ on May 25th at Orchard Park Public School. The BBQ starts at 6 pm.

The UTRCA will again be working on invasive species management in the Valley. Last year they made a great deal of progress removing periwinkle from the area near the entrance to the Valley behind the Precious Blood. Restoration efforts included tree, shrub and wildflower planting. A portion of this project in 2017 will be allocated for monitoring periwinkle re-sprouting and implement any follow up control if necessary. The UTRCA will also assess and monitor the prior year’s tree/shrub and wildflower planting and re-plant as required. This year they will also target three other invasive, non-native species, Buckthorn, Phragmites, and Norway Maple. As time and resources allow they will add species such as Goutweed and Autumn Olive. This project has been funded by an anonymous donor in the neighbourhood.

Separate from this initiative, we will be organizing a garlic mustard “pull” in late April as part of our Adopt an ESA efforts. Garlic mustard is another invasive, non-native plant. If you would like to join in this effort, contact Sandy Levin. He will be sending out a Doodle poll to set up a date and time that works best for as many people as possible.

Attached is a letter from Friends of Medway Creek. Its emphasis has been on the section of the Valley north of Fanshawe, but it will also be involved in the upcoming Phase 2 of the Conservation Master Plan for our part of the Valley.

London Artist Studio Tour

It’s the time of year again when artists around town are getting ready for the upcoming tour. The dates are: Friday, April 21 (7pm-9:30pm), Saturday, April 22, (10am-5pm), Sunday, April 23 (12noon-5pm).

In our own neighbourhood, ceramic artist Marlies Gueth and painter Annemarie Plint will welcome you.

The London Artist Studio Tour has been a London tradition for over 20 years. The 2017 tour includes 37 individual artist working in a variety of media, spread across town. http://londonstudiotour.ca/

Compensation of City Councillors

There is a report out considering the compensation paid to city councillors. You can get more information at https://getinvolved.london.ca/council-compensation

There is a short survey on compensation, open until April 3.

Opting out of Ad Mail

If you want to call Canada Post to opt out of ad mail call:

1-866-607-6301
Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. ET
Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. ET