This week, there is only one meeting scheduled on account of the Thanksgiving holiday - a meeting of the Agenda Review Committee, which will take place tomorrow at 8:30 am. Speaking of Thanksgiving, we hope you are having a wonderful long weekend with family and friends. At Common Sense Edmonton, we’re grateful for each and every one of you who read our newsletters, sign our petitions, and donate to our work.
Edmonton’s Healthy Streets Operations Centre in Chinatown is set to close at the end of this year after a two-year pilot program funded by the City. Despite the City's decision not to extend the pilot, community leaders are hoping that collaborative efforts between the City, police, and social agencies will continue to ensure local safety. The HSOC was established with a $15.2 million budget to address crime and disorder in Chinatown and nearby areas. While some successes were noted, such as a decrease in ambulance calls and reduced violent crime severity, other non-violent crimes increased, leading to a mixed evaluation of the program.
Edmontonians are being asked to vote for a local bird that best symbolizes the city as part of a campaign to promote urban biodiversity. Six bird species have been nominated, including the black-billed magpie. You can cast your ballot online. Voting for the first round will continue until December 31st, with the top three birds advancing to a second round that ends on March 31st, 2025. Does anyone know of a dysfunctional bird that costs more and more every year?
