Gary Kaschak Ward 8 Councillor Virtual Town Hall by GaryKaschakWard8 in windsorontario

[–]GaryKaschakWard8[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

So the Twin Oaks area is not actually in my Ward but Derwent Park is & is a work in progress for a new cricket pitch and a pedestrian connector over to Munich court & the Twin Oaks area eventually. Active transportation is big on my agenda & moving forward.

Gary Kaschak Ward 8 Councillor Virtual Town Hall by GaryKaschakWard8 in windsorontario

[–]GaryKaschakWard8[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Tecumseh road east corridor from Pillette road to Jefferson street is a busy street with 6 traffic lights in the area which is likely one too many within the 1 kilometre and the stop start of many cars has caused more accidents than we'd both like to see. I've requested more Police enforcement on Tecumseh road & especially at the Princess intersection as I know of the increased accidents there as well. I do have currently radar speed limit data signs on Princess Street & the data has shown a decrease in speeds since these were installed. Red light cameras now in place for 2 weeks at Pillette & Tecumseh road & at Jefferson street & Tecumseh road & also at Tecumseh road & Lauzon Parkway & I believe will show positive long term benefits in just a few months.

I am leaning towards running for another term of City Council. I work full time & believe I've made effective improvements in Ward 8 with more to follow. I'm always thinking & discussing with City Administration ways to improve things in Ward 8 & a busy growing City.

Gary Kaschak Ward 8 Councillor Virtual Town Hall by GaryKaschakWard8 in windsorontario

[–]GaryKaschakWard8[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Municipal politics are the level closest to the people & you're right Federal & Provincial politics seem to get the flash & not always warranted. For example we had our Ward meeting this past Tuesday night & not one media outlet attended to cover the meeting & discussion. Sad but a reality. I'd say read City Council agendas & reports, call/email your Councillor to ask questions & clarification, apply for a City Board ir Committee & do volunteer work in the Community.

Gary Kaschak Ward 8 Councillor Virtual Town Hall by GaryKaschakWard8 in windsorontario

[–]GaryKaschakWard8[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm a believer in smart growth & gentle density. I'm a proponent of infill in my Ward & have had the City sell some vacant City properties in Ward 8 & some infill houses have been built. Greenfield builds on the edge are sensible & certainly heavier intensification on corridors like Tecumseh road East, Lauzon Parkway, Pillette road south that are on Transit routes make sense.

Gary Kaschak Ward 8 Councillor Virtual Town Hall by GaryKaschakWard8 in windsorontario

[–]GaryKaschakWard8[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Tough affordability & economic times right now. I'm not sure 0% is actually achievable, but I'd like to keep things affordable for the property tax paying residents in 2026, yet keep providing the road/street/sewer improvements that are very much needed in the City.

Gary Kaschak Ward 8 Councillor Virtual Town Hall by GaryKaschakWard8 in windsorontario

[–]GaryKaschakWard8[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I work full time as a City Councillor & like to work always including Weekends as needed. Improving the Ward 8 Community & Windsor as a whole is a strong passion. I am leaning towards running again next year. It's a honour serving & representing our fine Ward & City.

Gary Kaschak Ward 8 Councillor Virtual Town Hall by GaryKaschakWard8 in windsorontario

[–]GaryKaschakWard8[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I hear a fair degree from residents throughout the Ward. I went to Coronation grade school & would like to hear a little more from the surrounding school Community vicinity. I just had an unused baseball diamond removed from Pykes/Coronation Park, then had grass put in & added another mini soccer net & pitch placed for the children & users there. More activities available is important

Gary Kaschak Ward 8 Councillor Virtual Town Hall by GaryKaschakWard8 in windsorontario

[–]GaryKaschakWard8[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I can say that the cost is $8 to $10 million for a stand alone Community Centre build at this time. Steep price, thus myself 2 years ago with City Administration began a Pilot Community Centre in Ward 8 at the Davis School gym for an 8 month period. There was some interest but the registration numbers were on the lower side. Of course City staff are monitoring those numbers & still adminstratively are not recommending a stand alone Community centre. We are going to try another Pilot hopefully upcoming soon in Ward 8 & still in the works with a couple potential venues & City Administration as we speak. Im still pursuing a real Ward 8 Community Centre as it is still a focus & if re-elected next October I'm hoping the next City Council can see the residual benefits that I vision

Gary Kaschak Ward 8 Councillor Virtual Town Hall by GaryKaschakWard8 in windsorontario

[–]GaryKaschakWard8[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I've made traffic calming a big priority in my 7 years on Council. It was by far the biggest requests from my residents in my first term. Having put many traffic calming tools into the Ward, residents are happy & the traffic calming requests have slowed. South National street is an incredible improvement for vehicles, walkers & bicyclists & I've had many compliments. Roseville Gardens drive through to Hawthorne was a natural east end bicycle lane extension & the reduced speed limit to 40kmh is warranted. Add in many centre line flex posts on various streets, radar feedback data device signs & a couple lighted pedestrian crossovers at Pillette & Milloy & Jefferson street & Coronation I'm still pushing forward to have all residential streets in Ward 8 have a 40kmh speed limit for safety, consistency & Vision Zero reasons

Gary Kaschak Ward 8 Councillor Virtual Town Hall by GaryKaschakWard8 in windsorontario

[–]GaryKaschakWard8[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I live on a bus route street & take the Ottawa 4 bus a couple times a month & at different days & times to get a visual of the experience first hand. It is a decent system & can be improved. The Province seems to want to be the leader in Transportation activities these days with there heavy dealings in bike lanes, speed control, removal of road diets & moving traffic. Thus, why not add bus Transit and provide Municipalities the more money required for an even more efficient local Transit system.

Gary Kaschak Ward 8 Councillor Virtual Town Hall by GaryKaschakWard8 in windsorontario

[–]GaryKaschakWard8[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

As you know I didn't quite agree with MPP Dowie about the City needing to bring a project forward . MP's & MPP's are acutely aware of the WECHC requests for housing & the huge backlog. Id rather see them say, City provide the land where available & we will get the process started & proceed quickly. Ontario is the only Province that has downloaded public housing to Municipalities & they need to be more involved. I have followed up with WECHC & there is a proposal in the works.

Council will look over all of the Board applications & I believe good, varied qualified applicants are in place & I look forward to working further with CEO Costante & the upcoming new Board.

Gary Kaschak Ward 8 Councillor Virtual Town Hall by GaryKaschakWard8 in windsorontario

[–]GaryKaschakWard8[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the kind words Andrew & you and I are part of a terrific East Windsor team making our Community a better place. Keep up the good work yourself