Community Updates

A New Vision for the Old Nortel Property

This week City Council formally approved official plan and zoning changes to allow for a complete redevelopment of the old Nortel industrial land next to the Rio Can Centre on Gardiners Road. This 100 acre property has been dormant for many years, but finally there is a plan to transform the entire site into a…
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From the Mayor’s Chair – February 7

Check out the latest version of From the Mayor’s Chair, where I break down the decisions of Council in 3 minutes or less. Highlights from the February 7 Council meeting include discussion and approval of the City assuming the operations of pathway lighting along the waterfront walkway at Commodore’s Cove on King Street West. Council also…
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“Everybody was in it from miles around…”

In a very special opening of this year’s Feb Fest celebrations, I was joined by The Tragically Hip band members Rob Baker and Paul Langlois to officially unveil the Hip commemorative stone in Springer Market Square. This new addition to Market Square pays tribute to a night Kingstonians will always remember, August 20th, 2016, the…
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Finding Better Solutions than an Interim Control Bylaw

There has been a lot of discussion and debate at City Council over the last month about whether or not to impose an interim control bylaw (ICBL) in the neighbourhoods around Queen’s University and St. Lawrence College. There are real concerns in these areas of the city about conversions of family homes into expanded student…
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From the Mayor’s Chair – January 24

Check out the latest version of From the Mayor’s Chair, where I break down the decisions of Council in 3 minutes or less. Highlights from the January 24 Council meeting include discussion on a proposed  interim control by-law calling for a freeze on most development in the neighbourhoods around Queen’s and SLC. The discussion resulted in…
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Calling for a By-Election in Countryside District

Next week City Council will make a very important decision on how we will select a new councillor for Countryside District. The City Clerk has presented us with 3 options: appoint the 2nd place finisher from the 2014 election, appoint another member of the public through a nominations process, or hold a by-election. Since former…
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China Trip a Great Success

Our Team Kingston trip to China was a great success! The team included board members and staff from Kingston EDO, Queen’s University, the County of Frontenac, Utilities Kingston and the Ontario Agriculture Ministry. Together we met with company officials to enhance our relationship with Feihe and made important business and political connections.   As Feihe…
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Building New Connections: Kingston and China

This week I am very excited to be forging new links between Kingston and China. Over the last few days I have been travelling with a Canadian delegation to visit several of Feihe International’s facilities in preparation for the company’s launch here in Kingston. Our trip to date has taken us from Beijing, to Qiqihar…
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An Exciting Year Ahead in 2017!

First of all, Happy New Year Kingston! For my first post of 2017, I’d like to share a quick preview of what I see as the key city issues and events on the horizon for the coming year. Defining the Future of Kingston Penitentiary and Portsmouth Olympic Harbour: the current visioning process will be completed…
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From the Mayor’s Chair – December 20

Check out the latest version of From the Mayor’s Chair, where I break down the decisions of Council in 3 minutes or less. Highlights from the December 20 Council meeting included approval of exploring alternative uses for Belle Park which will include public consultation before the 2018 season, approval of a motion to explore a partnership…
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