Comment 20 – comments and feedback

Kathryn Murrell

Dear members of the Ontario Commission,

I live in Wilmot township which is part of the riding of Kitchener-Conestoga, and feel that I need to provide input for your consideration.

I have read your proposal with respect to realignment of the riding boundaries for Waterloo, Kitchener-Centre, Kitchener- South Hespeler and Kitchener-Conestoga.

Thank-you for the work that has gone into this proposal, here are some important considerations and counter proposals I feel would better represent community interests in the region.

Residents of Wilmot have a much stronger connection to the southwest portion of Kitchener than the northern portion of Hespeler. We share common health care facilities, shopping areas, employment opportunities, restaurants, and sports centres.

We also share transit links and have common transit and development concerns.

The area of Kitchener, known as Rosenberg should remain as part of Kitchener-Conestoga. This neighbourhood has a strong connection with the Forest Heights area of Kitchener. Children of residents living there, attend Forest Heights Collegiate, residents of Rosenberg regularly use the community centre faculty at Williamsburg.

I propose that the area of Kitchener, known as Forest Hills become part of Kitchener-Conestoga. Residents of Forest Hills send their children to schools located in Forest Heights. The two areas share a community centre, library, public pool and places of worship. These two neighbourhoods used to be in the same riding but were separated at your last review. This needs to be changed back.

I propose that the area bounded by Westmount Road to Highland to Fischer-Hallman Road to the Conestoga Parkway to the west, be moved to Kitchener-Conestoga.

The changes I have proposed are done with the following values in mind;

• taking into consideration the population and number of eligible voters.
• respecting the community connections and unique identity.
• unifying the communities in the area of schools, community groups, hospitals as well as taking into consideration a broader regional approach.

I sincerely hope that you take into consideration the above proposals.

Thanks again for your work on this important issue.

Regards,

Kathryn Murrell
New Hamburg, Ont.