Ward 2 Community Fun Day - Saturday, May 27th
I look forward to you joining me on Saturday, May 27th, 12:30 - 2:30 pm, at my 2nd Annual Community Fun Day with free swim. This event will be held at the Clarkson Community Centre and there will be activities,snacks and information for all ages. Please bring a non-perishable food donation for the Compass Food Bank. If you have any questions about this event, please visit my website at karenras.ca or contact my office at 905-896-5200. See you then!
Gypsy Moth & Cankerworm Open House - Thursday, April 27th
Forestry will be hosting an open house on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Lorne Park Hall from 6-8pm.. The open house will focus on European gypsy moth as well as fall cankerworm.

Please feel free to share this open house invitation with your neighbours.

If you are unable to attend the open house, I will ensure an update is posted on my website afterwards ( www.karenras.ca) as well as an update in a future electronic newsletter. 
Conservation Day
The Region of Peel is hosting the Annual Conservation Day Event in Ward 2 on Saturday, May 6th. Event information is as follows:

Date:                        May 6, 2017
Time:                        8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Location:                  Clarkson GO Parking Lot (South lot entrance off Royal Windsor Dr.)                                 1100 Southdown Rd. 
Services Provided:   Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off    
                                 Reusable Good Drop Off
                                 Electronics Recycling
                                 Paper Shredding                            
Nomination Callout - Know a Cyclist who Goes the Extra Mile?
Do you know a keen cyclist who promotes cycling or active transportation in their local community or across our city? Mississauga’s Cycling Advisory Committee (MCAC) is calling out to our community to nominate cycling advocates for the Phil Green Recognition Award.
The award is presented by the MCAC to a resident or group of residents who have promoted or furthered cycling or other forms of active transportation in the City of Mississauga in 2016.

What:   Call for Nominees - Phil Green Recognition Award 

When:  Nomination deadline – Wednesday, May 31, 2017
             (see  nomination form for full eligibility rules) 

How:    Download a nomination form  online
             Nominations can be sent by mail or email to addresses listed on the form

Nominations will be reviewed by the MCAC and the committee will select the winning candidate. The winner will receive the award at a City Council meeting.

For more information on the Phil Green Recognition Award, visit the  Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee webpage.
Freedom Pass - Summer 2017
Do you know anyone 12-14 years old that would like to travel on MiWay for free this summer? How about free public swimming at both indoor and outdoor pools? Then they need a Freedom Pass!
For information about this program, please visit: . http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/freedompass. Quantities are limited, so get yours starting May 1, 2017.
Pingstreet - New Self-Service Options Available
I would like to highlight new updates to Pingstreet – the free mobile app. You can now report on seven new issues using your smartphone or tablet under the ‘Report a Problem’ tile.  The new issues are:
  •  Faded or missing pavement markings
  • Traffic sign repair
  • Traffic signal light timing
  • Garbage or debris on roads
  • Objects encroaching on City property (roads, rivers or streams)
  • Curb damage
  • Dead or damaged sod

With the addition of these new issues, Pingstreet now offers 20 services that can be requested digitally, through the mobile app. 

Elder Technology Assistance Group (ETAG) Computer Workshop
You are invited the next ETAG Computer Workshop being held at Lorne Park Library on  Friday, May 12, 1-4 pm. The guest speaker Chris Bint from the Elder Technology Assistance Group will discuss the technologies of “Smart Homes”. He will also as usual bring to our attention many new great ideas for us to use on our devices. This program is for adults 55 and over. Registration is required by phone (905.615.4845), in the library or by email ( sharon.bagley@mississauga.ca).
Council Passes Resolution to Support School Bus Safety Bill
Recently at  General Committee, Mississauga City Council passed a motion in support of  Bill 94, Highway Traffic Amendment Act (School Bus Camera Systems), 2017 after receiving a deputation from Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR). STOPR plans and implements home-to-school transportation for approximately 65,000 students travelling to 400 school sites. On April 12th, Council passed the resolution.
The resolution states that the City of Mississauga will work with the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of the Attorney General to assist on developing policy and regulations in support of Bill 94.

Bill 94 will make it easier to get convictions for drivers who don’t stop when lights are flashing and the stop arm is down on a school bus. The Bill updates the Highway Traffic Act to provide clear rules on using photographic or video evidence obtained through school bus camera systems in order to penalize offenders.

CVC Volunteer Positions at Jack Darling Park

Credit Valley Conservation is looking for volunteers to help maintain the awesome demonstration garden that they manage in Jack Darling Park.

They are looking for people who are interested in gardening and available to visit the garden once a week for a couple of hours.  Please visit:  http://www.creditvalleyca.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Your-Green-Yard-Volunteer-2017-Jack-Darling-1.pdf

They are also looking for help with workshops and home owner plantings. This is a different position that will bring people across the watershed. For more information on this program, visit: http://www.creditvalleyca.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Your-Green-Yard-Volunteer-2017-1.pdf

Mississauga WALK for ALS
You are invited to participate in the upcoming WALK for ALS in Mississauga. This annual fundraising event for the ALS Society of Canada brings the community together to show its support for people living with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), honour those who have passed away, and share in the hope for a future where ALS is a treatable, not terminal disease.
Funds raised through the WALK are used by the ALS Society of Canada to support people living with ALS and fund research with the potential to make ALS treatable, not terminal. We hope you will agree that this is a cause worthy of demonstrating your support for. Details for the event are as follows:

Date:                     Saturday, May 27, 2017
Location:             Lakeside Park, 2266 Lakeshore Road West
Time:                    Opening remarks at 10:45 am; WALK begins at 11:00 am