BUZZ KILL: Kanata North votes for mosquito control

UPDATE (FEB 24): Councillors approved the “mosquito levy” today at City Council.

Our neighbours in Kanata North have voted in favour of a mosquito control program that will add about $20 to their yearly tax bills.

Here’s a note from Councillor Marianne Wilkinson:

On January 25, 2016 Canada Post was provided envelopes containing information, a ballot and return envelope to deliver to homeowners in Kanata North.  Each Envelope had BALLOT ENCLOSED FOR MOSQUITO PROGRAM IN KANATA NORTH printed diagonally across the envelope in heavy type.  Residents were to return their ballot, one per household, by February 16, 2016. 

Those who contacted my office because they did not have the mailing (evidently Canada Post does not deliver bulk City mail to those who have asked that they not receive ‘junk’ mail) were sent the information for their dwelling by email.  The mailing was also hand delivered to approximately 400 homes that were part of a Canada Post delivery area, that included areas outside the ward, to avoid delivery outside the ward. Ballots could be mailed to the Ward 4 office in City Hall, or dropped off at the Richcraft Recreation Complex-Kanata, Beaverbrook Library, at local meetings, at the Ward sponsored Family Day activity or at the Ward Office.

A total of 2,525 ballots were received and counted on February 17^th.

• 1,827 voted in favour of the Nuisance Mosquito Program
• 678 voted against the Nuisance Mosquito Program
• 20 spoiled ballots were not included in the final count (these were from streets outside the Ward or lacked information on the address or did not mark their vote)

Those counting the ballots included Ward 4 staff and volunteers, all of whom signed a non disclosure statement.  The Minister from a local church was present to ensure that the vote was carried out professionally and fairly.

Here’s the memo going to council this week: