Ward 2 Gets $6 Million Infrastructure Renewal Approval
During the election campaign one of the things I promised to do was to make the renewal of the Calgary, Churchill, Edmonton, Manitoba, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Whitney Street area of Ward 2 a priority.
I was sworn in as your Councillor on December 4th. Getting started on this was my first priority and on December 5th I sat down with our City Engineer, Manager of Roads, and Director of Water and Wastewater. As you know, it is not just the roads that are in bad shape, sewer and drainage upgrades are needed as well, Whitney and Calgary Streets shouldn’t flood every time it rains. It was at this meeting that I learned that some of the drainage in the area dates back to the 1920’s and the City of London’s infrastructure renewal for this neighbourhood was not in the plans to be completed until 2029- 2030!!!
I made it clear that wasn’t good enough. Not only had residents been led to belief for years that improvements were “just a couple of years away”, but the city was constructing a $20 million community centre in East Lion’s Park with no plan to upgrade the roads around it for another decade!
Time for WiFi in City Owned Recreation Facilities
Many of our city owned recreational facilities already have internet connectivity onsite for staff use. But public access to wifi is an increasingly important “quality of experience” factor for users of libraries, recreation centres, gyms, etc, for both regular users and visitors alike, and can also be a safety enhancement.
Kiwanis Park Improvements
Shawn Lewis Campaign Flyer on the Issues
Working on the Railroads
I’ve lived in London for more than 20 years. That whole time, city councils have been discussing ways to fix traffic woes presented by CP and CN railways that run through the city. Sometimes it seemed they were planning on a hope and a prayer that CN and CP would magically stop sending trains through London (and remember many of the traffic problems are the results poor planning decisions by the city as it grew around the tracks).
I have a lot of respect for Councillor Jesse Helmer. He and I don’t always agree, but he was absolutely correct when he told the London Free Press this week that it is time to stop “stringing people along” on the idea that city hall can convince CP and CN to share tracks, or do anything else that will cut the train traffic in London (see: http://lfpress.com/news/local-news/rail-relocation-dreams-dashed-in-london-for-now).
It is time face facts: Continue Reading
Campaign BBQ with MP Mathyssen, Cheryl Miller, & Ward 7’s Josh Morgan
Launching the Shawn Lewis for Ward 2 City Councillor Campaign with an east London backyard BBQ Meet & Greet, Shawn was joined by local Member of Parliament Irene Mathyssen, former City Councillor and past Conservative candidate Cheryl Miller and Ward 7’s Josh Morgan.
Urging Council to Connect Argyle to BRT
Members believe the college is too isolated and would prefer the transit hub be located at Argyle Mall, or close to it.
“People want to see transit improved,” association chair Shawn Lewis told AM980.
Full story and audio clip:
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If London’s Doing BRT, Argyle Wants to be Included
“The Argyle Community Association asks council to reconsider the eastern route,” the group writes in a letter sent to council, signed by board chair Shawn Lewis. “It is our position that the eastern transit village should be located at Argyle Mall.”
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Stop Fighting Vimy Park MP Urges
From the London Free Press, Feb 27th. Full Article Here: http://www.lfpress.com/2017/02/27/bureaucracy-suggestions-of-politicking-threaten-timely-tribute
A London MP is entering a city council conflict in which a mix of patriotism and military history has collided with bureaucratic rules and accusations of politicking.
With competing proposals to name a park in honour of the Battle of Vimy Ridge — and neither likely to be formalized by its 100th anniversary in April — MP Peter Fragiskatos is urging council to quickly approve a community-led option he believes best honours Canadian veterans… Continue Reading