Preston Public School Boundary Meeting - April 29 - April 21, 2009
The next public meeting regarding the Preston Area Elementary Schools'
Boundary Study is being held at Preston High School on Wednesday, April
29 at 7:00 pm. If you have children attending, or planning to attend Preston Public School, your participation in this meeting is highly recommended.
The Working Group has narrowed the possible boundary changes to three scenarios, which will be presented at the meeting for public feedback.
Two of these scenarios directly impact our community and our children.
The scenarios are attached, and are also detailed on the Waterloo Region District School Board web site at http://www.wrdsb.on.ca/boundary-studies.php?studyid=9. The three can be summarized as follows:
1) Move the children on the west side of King St./Highway 8 from Preston to Grandview. This is referred to as Scenario 1 on the WRDSB web site.
2) Move the Pioneer Tower area children from Preston to Grandview. This is referred to as Scenario 3a.
3) Split the Pioneer Tower area in two, and move one half from Preston to Grandview. This is referred to as Scenario 6.
Despite our personal views on what may or may not be the logical choice, there is a process for boundary reviews, and the process allows for strong voices to be heard over silent ones. Public support for or against a particular scenario will have a direct impact on what scenario the Working Group recommends to the school board.
At the first public meeting, Scenario 1 was presented, and was met with a great deal of opposition from the people who live on the west side of King St. This second public meeting will include discussion of the latter two scenarios, and the Working Group will be waiting to hear the response from Deer Ridge and surrounding neighbourhoods.
If you cannot attend the meeting in person, you can also send your feedback to boundaryfeedback@wrdsb.on.ca. Also, if you have questions about the review process, feel free to contact our representatives on the Working Group, Donna Gill and Belinda Kemp.
City of Kitchener Affiliation - October 22, 2008
The board of May 2008-May 2009 met with the City of Kitchener's Affiliation Department to have the Settler's Grove Community Association listed with the city.
The application was presented to the Chamber of Commons in September 2008 and has been approved.
We are officially affiliated with the City of Kitchener, which will provide us with better communication between the City and our association.
Collection of Unpaid Dues: - September 25, 2008
The board has decided due to the number of unpaid fees mounting, and the concerns of paying members, we have hired a third party collection agency for this year. Final notices have been send out and all unpaid accounts will be forwarded to Dixon Commercial Investigators Collection Agency.
Landscaping - July 18, 2008
the garden surrounding the Settler's Grove entrance sign has been landscaped. Several members have suggested that the flowers and shrubs are overpowering the sign. The existing flowers have been moved into the entrance boulevards and new ground creeping flowers have been planted.
We have met with the city of Kitchener in regards to their responsibilities in the maintenance in our area.
Several areas were addressed including: Settler's Grove Park and entrances to the park, the walkways off Master Crt and between Deer Ridge and Winifred, the stretch of Pioneer Tower before the houses start, and the entrance to Settler's Grove on Deer Ridge.
The park and walkways that are City property are mowed and maintained on the standard City schedule of every 3 weeks.
The other areas that the Association currently contracts SunShine Grounds Care to maintain are explained on the landscaping page.
Car Wash Update - July 5, 2008
The Ontario Municipal Board appeal of the Canuck Properties request to build a carwash at the corner of King St. and Deer Ridge Dr. took place on July 3rd and 4th.
The board's decision will be made by the chair within the next month or two and update will be provided when it becomes available.
Update! - July 17, 2008
We have received the decision from the OMB in respect of the appeal by Canuck Properties.
The OMB allowed the appeal and granted the variances requested that would permit an automated car wash to be developed on the site provided they obtain site plan approval for the proposed development.
Proposed Development of 56 Pioneer Tower Rd. - June 23, 2008
There is a proposal by Kenmore homes to build a small subdivision off Pioneer Tower Road which will be located directly behind Harvey's, Hamption Inn and the Petro Gas Station. We have a zone map showing the proposed subdivision as well as several documents (1, 2) describing the proposal. This matter is being discussed at Kitchener City Council on Monday evening June 23, 2008.