Our Mayor's Commitment to Kitchener Citizens

"I challenge us to stop and think of all that is good about this city — and all that we have built together: a city well served by recreational and cultural amenities, facilities and events; a city continually improving the delivery of our most basic services; a city that proactively invests in the economy and the jobs of tomorrow; a city already taking concrete steps to address our infrastructure deficit; a city that cares and invests in our quality of life and in the quality of life of our entire region; a city that holds firmly to the belief that — together we are better. I am proud to call Kitchener home — and I trust you are too".

- Carl Zehr; 2010 State of the City Address

The Mayor:

Making Things Happen for YOU

• Huron Road Fire Station; Chandler-Mowat Community Centre and Williamsburg Community Centre opened; Victoria Hills Community Centre expanded; McLennan Park redeveloped; Kingsdale Community Centre under construction; Kitchener Public Library improvements and expansion underway
• Activa Sportsplex opened with LEED Gold standard; Doon Valley Golf Course expanded to 27 holes; Sportsworld Crossing Twin Pad purchased to stabilize ice-time availability
• Environment Strategic Plan, Cycling Master Plan and Parks Master Plan completed
• Strong ongoing support for local arts and culture organizations
• Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) established
• Victoria Park entrance created in conjunction with coal tar remediation in the area
• Education & knowledge cluster created involving the Catholic school board head office, Wilfrid Laurier School of Social Work and the University of Waterloo Health Sciences campus (School of Pharmacy & McMaster School of Medicine)
• City investments have leveraged over $450M in developments completed or underway by the private and public sectors, including the Kaufman Lofts, The Tannery, Arrow Lofts, Breithaupt Block, City Centre condominiums and Provincial Courthouse

...All accomplished while maintaining one of the lowest property taxes of similar-sized cities in Ontario.

The Mayor:

A Plan for Today...
a Vision for Tomorrow

• Continued aggressive upgrading of municipal roads, underground services and facilities
• Continued strong partnership with the Waterloo Regional Police Service to ensure safe streets and safe neighbourhoods
• Continued discussions and co-operation with other local municipalities to ensure delivery of efficient and cost-effective services
• Continued advocacy of improved urban transit and pedestrian/cycling opportunities to help create a healthier and environmentally friendly community
• Continued emphasis on people-oriented developments, both Downtown and in the suburbs
• Continued strong commitment at City Hall to an integrity-based decision-making process informed by public consultation and community input
• Commitment to leading and collaborating with the new councillors to be elected this year

The Mayor:

Leading by Example

• Providing steady, practical leadership for effective results on Regional Council, Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro Board, the University of Waterloo Board, Kitchener Housing Inc. Board, the Centre in the Square Board and Toronto Region Research Alliance Advisory Board
• Advocating streamlined municipal services across the Region while maintaining strong local community and neighbourhood identities
• Keeping Kitchener front and centre, provincially and nationally, as chair of the national Big City Mayors' Caucus for the past three years
• Putting his past experience on the Boards of Wilfrid Laurier University and St. Mary's Hospital, as President of the Certified General Accountants Association of Ontario, as Chair of the Independent Living Centre and President of Rotary Club of Kitchener to work to benefit the city