This winter has certainly been a roller coaster ride as far as weather goes. From snow complaints one day to flooding complaints the next!

I can’t stress the importance of clearing sidewalks of snow and ice as well as helping to keep catch basins clear of debris as best as possible.

I had several flooding complaints in the ward that were unusual as I had never had flooding issues in some of these neighbourhoods in the past. Staff is working on the investigations in these areas to verify the cause of the flooding and to determine whether city infrastructure deficiency that has caused the problems.

If you suffered from any flooding during the last rain event (January 12-13), I would appreciate hearing from you. I am attempting to put together as much pattern information as possible for staff.

The areas that I have so far include pockets of residents’ homes and most were storm water coming in through the drains in the basement.

Receiving an update on our Public Works budgets for 2013 certainly was timely. With regards to roads and maintenance some key facts:

Public Works plans and delivers maintenance service programs 6,359 lane km of roadways, 2,345 km of sidewalks, 390 bridges, 141 ponds, 39,009+ catch basins and 1,747 km of ditches, paved services and storm water facilities including storm management ponds.

There are over 2,500 km of pipes servicing storm and sanitary sewers in the City.

Forestry staff has been working very closely with me regarding the Emerald Ash Borer, and I am sorry to say that evidence of damage caused by this bug has been found in Ward 10.

I will continue to bring information forward through as it becomes available.

Maria Pearson is councillor for Ward 10.