The Capreol CAN is a volunteer group of citizens that work together to enhance life, activities, and safety in Capreol.
The Capreol CAN held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday May 1, 2007. The meeting, which was once again well attended, had a full agenda of items that should be of interest to most Capreolites. The following is a summary of the main items on the age
Michael Bellrose stepped down as chair of the Capreol CAN after guiding the CAN through its first few years. Mike has been the chair since the start of the CAN and has diligently provided leadership and guidance that has brought the Capreol CAN to the forefront among the Community Action Networks in the City of Greater Sudbury. Thanks Mike for a great job.
Dave Kilgour was elected the new Chair for a two year period. Dave will be assisted by Randy Crisp as Vice Chair and Stu Thomas as Second Vice.
The Capreol Police Advisory Committee was welcomed as a subcommittee of CCAN joining the Citizens on Patrol committee as two of the subcommittees of the CAN. The CPAC will continue to operate as it has but will now have the additional advantage of the added numbers and support of the CAN to assist it to continue its great work.
Stan Finnson who represents the Capreol Cross Country Club gave a detailed report on the tree planting project that the ski club has planned for this year. The Cubs, Brownies, Schools, and Cadets will be getting together to help plant trees on several days over the next weeks. The ski club has been leading this project for 15 years now with over 15,000 trees planted to date. Stan estimates that the trees planted to date have had about a 60 to 70% take rate and are making a real difference in the development of our beautifully wooded surroundings.
Stan also reported that the Sudbury Fitness Challenge will once again be a part of Capreol Heritage Days. The group will once again be using our Bike Challenge. Damage that has been done by four wheelers and other offload vehicles over the past year will make it necessary to do some extensive repair work to get the trails in shape for hiking and the Bike Challenge (not to mention next years ski season. If anyone is willing to put forth some effort to get these trails back in shape please call Stan or get a group together and let Stan know that you are willing to help. These trails are one of our prized possessions, we need to work together to make them even better than before. The Sudbury Police Service will also be upping patrols and surveillance in an effort to stop the damage. If we all keep an eye open for the culprits we will all benefit in the end.
Tanya Geik, our representative from the Sudbury Police Service was questioned about by-laws regarding damage to public property. Tanya indicated that the best avenue for people to follow is to call the general number for the police (671-9171) if they observe any damage being done. License numbers, times of the occurrence as well as location will be entered into their log and give the police information to follow up. If we as citizens really care about our communities we must all work together to ensure that we do what we can to stop vandalism and improper behavior. We are warned not to confront the offenders but rather report them so that the police can follow up. The number to call again is 671-9171. Copies of some of the pertinent by-laws such as littering, loitering, poop and scoop etc. will be gathered and place on this web site for further information.
The issue of Graffiti in town was also discussed. Once again we are asked to call the police number and make a report as to where and when the graffiti was seen. The information will be passed on the the Community Response Unit for follow up. Those who disface property can be charged with 'Mischief under $500.00'. If at all possible photos of the graffiti should be available to compare with other cases to help in the identification of the offender. Graffiti is not art and should be dealt with quickly.
Burnt out street lights were brought up. It was suggested that when burnt out lights are noticed that the number of the pole that the light is on should be reported to the city at 311. If we are all diligent at reporting these occurrences it will speed up the repairs and help to keep the lights shining brightly on our little town.
The CPAC reported that they were investigating the possibility of having a stop sign placed at Lincoln and Selwood for the safety of children crossing the busy road at that intersection. This will be explored further as will the possibility of having that area designated as a 'Community Safety Zone'. This designation would lead to signs being posted and all fines issued within the zone would be doubled for those who speed or break other laws.
Concerns were brought up concerning yards that tend to accumulate piles of trash or discarded vehicle parts etc. Also of concern were yards that were not kept up to conforming standards of care. There are Property Standards which cover all areas of the City of Greater Sudbury and a phone call to 311 will allow you to to the cities by-law department who will take the information and follow up. Offenders will be visited and given a period of time to clean up the location. If the offender does not respond the city may send in a contractor to do the job and have the bill added to the tax bill of the property concerned.
It was reported that the adopt a road cleanup would be done on May 12 for both the highway and the Ella Lake road. All participants are invited to join in to clean up our town and then go over the the ski hill to join in a Bar BQ to thank you for your assistance. The cemetery cleanup will take place on May 9th with students of C R Judd assisting. (Sorry this news is getting to you too late to allow you to participate but..... ANY day can and should be clean up day. We all have to work together so that we CAN all be proud.
The Capreol Heritage Days Festival is proceeding well. There will be a Youth Arts Festival, Cabaret Night, Capreol High School Reunion Dinner and Dance, as well as many other activities throughout town and at the arena and at the Northern Ontario Railway Museum.
Activities such as a Ball Tournament, Ella Lake activities etc. are also being planned.
Mike Bellrose is representing the CAN at the Trails North meetings. This committee is a joint venture between the trail groups of Capreol, Valley East, Langdon Park etc. The goal of Trails North is to co-ordinate a continuous trail from our ski hills, across a proposed bridge over the Vermillion at the old bridge abutment and through the Valley Trails to Langdon Park in Blezard. These trails would be an asset to the entire Valley. Volunteers to get involved in the planning of this project are welcome to call Mike Bellrose, Dave Kilgour or Stu Thomas for more information.
Work is proceeding on acquiring better cell service in town. A presentation is being made to funding agencies to move this project forward. Letters of support and phone calls or letters to you cell phone supplier complaining about the lack of service and the associated safety issues that might arise out of this poor service would really help the cause. Please call your supplier and let them know that you are not happy. Perhaps you could mention that you are paying for a service that you do not get here in Capreol and would think of leaving your present supplier and move to the supplier that brings us the best service. Letters of support from companies that depend on phone service to keep in contact with employees would also be valuable.
As you can see your Community Action Network is busy trying to improve things for all of us. If you have a project that you would like to see move forward please attend a meeting. We meet at 7 p.m. at the Millennium Centre on the first Tuesday of each month and everyone is welcome. Remember that we are a community and we are only as strong as we make it. If you can get a group together or if you have an idea you would like to bring forward to make our community a better place to live please attend. The idea of the CAN is to bring people together who want to improve their community. If your project is worthwhile and doable the CAN will assist in bringing the people together to work towards making it happen. No project is too small or too large is we all work together in a positive manner.
We CAN make a difference
Dave
Dave CAN be contacted at dakilgour@gmail.com
