News in brief: Parker lands application heads to public hearing

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Parker lands application heads to public hearing

The public will have a chance to tell elected officials their thoughts on a proposed development in the Parker neighbourhood on Nov. 13.

A court-ordered public hearing in respect to the subdivision and rezoning of lands north of Hurst Way between Asquith Avenue and the CN Railway and a secondary plan for the area is scheduled for the City Centre community committee  meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

The project application, known as Fulton Grove, is being made by two numbered companies, including developer Andrew Marquess of Gem Equities.

On the 47 acres it owns in the Parker lands, Gem Equities is planning to build a mixed-use residential development along the future bus rapid transit corridor that will have about 1,900 units when complete. About two acres are set aside for small pocket parks and community park space.

In September, the standing policy committee on property, development, heritage and downtown development unanimously rejected an application by Gem Equities to give a first reading of its secondary plan for the entire 133 acres east of Waverley Street and south of the CN Letellier rail line, and recommended council concur with the decision.

A secondary plan outlines how development will occur on the land based on the City’s OurWinnipeg and Complete Communities policies.

John Kiernan, the City’s director of planning, property, and development, told the committee at the time that the secondary plan contained a number of issues that needed to be resolved before the department could support the plan, which the developers disputed. 

The landowners took the City to court over its rejection of the plans, and on Sept. 19, Justice Candace Grammond ruled in favour of the developers and ordered the City to hear the applications at City Centre community committee.

On Oct. 16, Marquess and company filed a $30 million lawsuit against the City of Winnipeg and four senior administrative officials in the City’s planning department: John Kiernan, Braden Smith, Michael Robinson and Martin Grady. The lawsuit alleges the defendants engaged in “misfeasance in public office.”

The accusations have not been proven in court.

According to Kalen Qually, a communications officer with the City of Winnipeg, pending litigation doesn’t restrict a committee of council’s ability to consider and make recommendations on a given item. 

The City did not say who in the planning department will prepare the administrative report that will be used by the committee to inform and contexualize the decision making process related to the application.

The City said the agenda for the Nov. 13 meeting will be published on the City of Winnipeg’s website four business days prior to the meeting and will contain the relevant reports.

Winnipeg children waiting for coats

At least 1,000 Winnipeg children are waiting for winter gear from United Way Winnipeg’s Koats for Kids, which is asking for donations from the public.

“We need them,” said Donna Albak, Koats for Kids program manager. “We’re desperate for jackets.”

Albak says that unseasonable cold in September and October created an early demand for warm clothing. About 1,500 sets of winter gear, which includes jackets, mitts, hats, and scarves, have already been sent out.

She’s hoping people who usually donate later in the year will decide to do it now.

“Please, go in your closet and pass along children’s winter outerwear that you’re no longer using.”

In a city in which one-in-four children lives in poverty, some families can’t afford coats. Albak has heard stories of children who have been unable to go outside during the harsh Winnipeg winter.

“Kids need to have a warm coat to go to school and to play with their friends,” she said.

Winnipeggers can drop off new and gently-used coats, hats, mitts, scarves, boots and snow pants at any Winnipeg Fire Paramedic station, Perth’s Drycleaners, AMJ Campbell Van Lines, Access Storage or Sentinel Storage locations.

Parents who need winter gear for their children should contact their schools, daycares or nearest social agency, which will make the request.

Visit www.koatsforkids.ca for more information about donating or to place an order for winter gear.

Tarbut festival set for Nov. 10 to 18

The ninth annual Tarbut: Festival of Jewish Culture will take place at the Rady Jewish Community Centre (123 Doncaster St.) from Nov. 10 to 18.

According to organizers, Tarbut blends sought-after musicians, speakers, films and authors in one festival of international and local talent. 

“The mission of Tarbut: Festival of Jewish Culture is to share the beauty of Jewish arts in a program of cultural offerings you won’t find anywhere else in Winnipeg at any point in the year,” Rady JCC assistant executive director Tamar Barr said in a statement.

A Jewish Book Fair Sale with an extensive selection of books, music, Chanukah items and gifts will also accompany the festival’s program.

For tickets and information, contact the Rady JCC at 204-477-7510 or www.radyjcc.com

St. Norbert Remembrance Day honours local fallen

A locally organized Remembrance Day ceremony will take place on Nov. 11 at the St. Norbert Cemetery.
According to organizers, every year the citizens of St. Norbert hold a ceremony on front of a cenotaph honouring local St. Norbert veterans. 

On Nov. 11 people are invited to participate in the ceremony at the cemetery along Ste. Therese Avenue at  10:45 a.m.

The service will commemorate community members who fought in the First World War, and all who have served or continue to serve the country.

The 45-minute outdoor service will include music from students at Collège St. Norbert Collegiate, the reading of the names and service records of the 13 soldiers, and wreath presentation by local politicians and representatives from the armed forces.

Parking is available at St. Norbert Collegiate and surrounding residential streets.

Immediately following the service, the community is invited to gather at the Eagles Club (3459 Pembina Hwy.) for refreshments.

Belle Jarniewski new exec director of Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada

The Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada has appointed Belle Jarniewski to the position of executive director.

Jarniewski had been the chair of the Freeman Family Foundation Holocaust Education Centre of the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada since 2008, and is distinguished in the fields of Shoah awareness and education, interfaith dialogue and anti-Semitism education, according to a release.

Jarniewski takes over the position from Ilana Abrams, who served as general manager.

The Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada is located at 123 Doncaster St. in the Asper Jewish Community Campus.

Al Simmons to perform at Grant & Wilton Coffee House

The entertainment series at Temple Shalom continues with Al Simmons and Evan Goetze and Janet Pelletier Goetze performing Sat., Nov. 10.

The Grant & Wilton Coffee House (1077 Grant Ave.) will host the musicians at 7 p.m. Tickets are  $17 at the door or $15 in advance by calling  204-488-0207, 204-895-1719, or at the venue on weekday mornings. Coffee, tea and a treat  are included.

Crime in Fort Rouge part of busy Halloween weekend for police

Winnipeg police responded to three violent incidents in Fort Rouge over the Halloween weekend.

Police say between Oct. 27 and 28, a series of violent, unrelated events produced a significant draw on police resources. Many of the incidents are still being actively investigated.

On Oct. 28 at 12:30 a.m., an adult male was robbed and stabbed multiple times in the area of Osborne Street and Rosedale Avenue, police said. The victim is in stable condition.

Also on Oct. 28, at 2:00 a.m., two groups of males confronted each other in the area of River Avenue and Osborne Street. A 22-year-old male was stabbed in the torso. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition, but has since been stabilized. A male, 19, was arrested and charged with aggravated
assault, police said.

That same evening police responded to an out of control intoxicated female at a beer store on Pembina Highway. The 31-year-old was arrested and charged with assaulting the employee.