We have been working on this through the weekend, and all week.  I’ve been driving the ward every day to monitor the problem, and the progress being made.  I’m supposed to ask you to call Dispatch at 975-2476 if you need a grader on your street.  They will prioritize the work and assign the graders, but the problem exists all over the city.  We’ve also called in all of our contractors, and they are assisting our crews to make the work go faster.

Saskatoon traditionally has not funded snow clearing of residential side streets.  They’ve only done major roads and arteries through the neighbourhoods.  Residents have been more concerned about keeping taxes low, so we have the 2^nd lowest tax rate among major cities in Canada.  But now residents are saying they want improved service, and they’re willing to pay for it.  Keeping taxes low has hurt some of our core services. 

We added $800 000 to snow clearing this year.  I believe you will see major investments in snow clearing in the next budget, and the implementation of a residential snow clearing program.

Once the snow/ice is gone we will be able to focus on pot holes.  Please note that we cannot do permanent pot hole repairs until the holes are thawed and dry.  This slow melt is delaying that entire process.  Also, we can only use cold mix until the asphalt plants fire up their hot mix supply.  We’ve anticipated an extra bad pot hole season, and have prepared accordingly.  We’ve doubled the pot hole budget, added another crew, and we’re also hiring a contractor for the first 3-4 weeks of the season.  The result is,  once we can get going… you should see more work done in the first month than was done in 2-3 months previously.  Though the situation is bad, we should see rapid improvement once the streets are dry.   In the meantime, please drive carefully.

Looking forward, we’ve added several million dollars to the road maintenance budget for this year, and we are committed to increasing that each year until we reach our goal of $25 million annually (it is $12 million this year).  Our roads should improve steadily as we keep making it a budget priority.  Again, we are putting more emphasis on improving our core services.

I realize that the current situation with ice and ruts is frustrating, and even dangerous.  Please know that we are doing whatever we can to get every possible piece of equipment out clearing the roads in residential areas.  The problem exists right across the city though, so it will take some time.

The City has lifted the boil water advisory for the north end of Saskatoon.  Lab tests have confirmed that the water is safe to drink.  Thank you to our crews who worked tirelessly to resolve the problem.

Click here for more information.

For your convenience, I have compiled a series of videos concerning Ward 5 issues.  Please click the links below to watch these short clips concerning topics that are of interest to you. 

     Road Repair Video   (click here)

     Taxes Video   (click here)

     Fiscal Responsibility Video   (click here)

     North Bridge Video  (click here)    NOTE:  Marquis Drive NOW OPEN!!

     Policing / Safety Video   (click here)

     Waste Water Treatment Facility / Odour   (click here)

Over 8600 in attendance at Credit Union Centre to remember and honour those who have served our country.  I'm so thankful to be Canadian and so proud to be living in Saskatoon.  You are the classiest people anywhere!  This is the largest indoor service in Canada... only the outdoor national service in Ottawa is bigger.  We can never forget that these rights and freedoms we enjoy were purchased with an enormous price, by men and women we may never meet.  Please... thank a veteran, a soldier, a police officer today for their service!

May God keep our land glorious and free always!

Please plan to attend the Remembrance Day Service at Credit Union Centre this Friday, November 11.  Doors open at 9:00 AM.  The band and choir perform at 9:30 AM.  Parade at 10:20 AM.  The service is excellent. 

This week, when we have all exercised our democratic right to vote, why not come out and honour those who fought to protect those rights for us.  My favorite part is when the old guard walks in and the entire stadium stands, whistles and cheers for them.  Gets me every time. 

Click Remembrance Day Details to see the link to Credit Union Centre's website for details.  See you there! 

The Mayor's Town Hall Meeting for Ward 5 is Monday, November 14 @ 7:00 pm in the auditorium of the Rusty McDonald Library in the Lawson Civic Centre on Primrose Drive.  This is an excellent opportunity to meet your City Councillor Randy Donauer, and Mayor Atchison.  Ask questions, and become more involved in civic issues.  Everyone is welcome to attend this public meeting!

Cosmo Industries celebrated their 40th b'day anniversary this summer.  It was a tremendous street party, and the Mayor came to cut the birthday cake.  The participants and staff at Cosmo are the happiest people I know.  Congrats to all of you!!

Thank you to everyone who volunteers to make our city a better place.  The Silverwood Heights Community Association fun day in the park was a smashing success.  It took a tremendous amount of work for the volunteers to pull this off.  Here is a photo of MLA Gord Wyant, Om Kochar, Keith Bryant and myself flipping burgers. 

Had the opportunity to represent the city at the kickoff of the world's largest truck convoy in Saskatoon.  All proceeds go to support the Special Olympics.  Thanks to everyone involved.  Lots of money was raised.  Saskatoon has the BEST volunteers!!