Leslie’s update email, October 4, 2008

This is a quick "between councils" update, as there are a few items to let you know about that can't wait until next weekend.

BANFF ALL-CANDIDATES FORUM

My old friends at Mountain Culture are hosting a forum for the federal candidates.  This is your chance to talk TO the federal politicians, not just ABOUT them!  Remember, one of these people is going to be our MP in Ottawa.  So bring along your tough questions in the federal sphere:  national parks, environment, Afghanistan, agriculture, economics, climate change, child care funding, etc. etc.  Bob Sandford will be moderating, so you know the evening will be entertaining!

Wednesday, October 8, at 7:30 in the Margaret Greenham Theatre.

WHERE ARE THE BLUE BINS GOING?

One of the questions I've been asked most frequently at the doors is "Will one of the new recycling set-ups be going in our neighbourhood?"  Well, now you can find out!  Click on this link: 

http://www.banff.ca/locals-residents/social-services-programs/recycling.htm  to read all about the new recycling program, including a lits of all the items that can go in each stream (more than you thought!).  Halfway down your screen, you'll see a link to a map:

http://www.banff.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=1687

which will show you the new "blue bin" locations. 

BANFF ECOTEAM OPPORTUNITY:

Councillor Chip Olver asked me to let people know about the opportunity to join an Ecoteam group right here in Banff, starting sometime in the next few weeks, and finishing in January.  This program is run by the Biosphere Institute.  Every couple of weeks, the group meets with a particular theme that relates to reducing your environmental footprint.  Then you carry out activities at home related to that theme, with equipment, etc. provided by the Biosphere Institute.  Chip participated in a pilot group and here's what she has to say about it:

"Sessions included transportation, garbage, energy use, consumerism, among others. 

I found the home energy analysis particularly interesting. I had a plug-in unit to attach to any appliance between the plug and the wall. I was able to move it from appliance to appliance to determine each appliance's specific energy use. There was also  a unit that hooked on the outside meter. I determined that my freezer used 20% of our home energy use.

I could turn appliances and lights on and off and watch the outside unit change to reflect how much drain things had.

It was also interesting to weigh-in on my garbage.

The EcoTeam did these things together as part of each weeks 'homework'.  I found the group discussions very worthwhile."

If you're interested in joining this group, please contact Bart Robinson:  bart@biosphereinstitute.org   Do not delay, as this program starts soon, and there is room for just four more participants!

DOOR-KNOCKING - HOW'S IT GOING?:

I've done about 350 doors to date, so I have 600 to go in order to reach all the doors I did during the election -- more if I want to cover more of the town than I did last fall.  We'll see how the shoes hold out!  This is such a worthwhile exercise for me -- I really appreciate the warm and encouraging greetings I get at most doors, plus the thoughtful comments that people have about the work and future of the town.

You can track my progress and what people are saying by checking my blog:  www.lataylor.com/blog  and scrolling down.  I put up a blog entry each time I go door-knocking, so there are quite a few!