President’s Update
Scenic Acres Environment Improvement
SACA has initiated over 200 3-1-1 service requests with approximately 250 supporting pictures in order to restore the public and open space environment within the Community. Unfortunately the service request system is designed for individual resident requests, not for bulk Community Association action, so every specific issue must be raised separately and hence the over 200 requests. We have had to establish a tracking system to ensure the work gets done. As of early May, about 175 areas of graffiti and stickers have been removed from utility boxes, poles, benches, road and other signs, garbage receptacles and walls. Pathway posts long rotted away have been restored, worn and missing road signs replaced and many tripping hazards have been removed. This activity is still work in progress and though it is an ongoing concern, the general appearance of the Community is markedly better. These improvements represent your tax dollars at work with SACA ensuring they are spent in Scenic Acres. In terms of performance I would grade the City a C+;they are generally quick to respond and resolve issues but in some cases we have been asking for action since January without resolution; utility and Canada Post restoration items have had slower resolution. If you see a problem, phone it in; it is the responsibility of all of us to maintain a beautiful environment! It only takes a few minutes to initiate requests if you have one or two. Many residents walk the Community; take that few seconds to snap a picture and report an infraction. As Dave Ladic Crime Prevention Unit–Graffiti Division advised us a few months ago, if you notice someone you know with paint residue on themselves, you may want to probe further and take appropriate action.
Advertisement Signs
Environment improvement has also meant the removal of many unwarranted signs that cause clutter. It is not legal to place signs in boulevards and within 30 m of an intersection. It is also illegal to attach signs to poles, road signs and any public structure. Stickers placed on public property are considered graffiti. Temporary signs installedat Community entrances must be removed after 14 days and larger signs require a development permit.
Scenic Acres PathwayClean-Up
Thanks to Ike Zacharopoulos for coordinating a pathway clean-up Saturday April 30th. It was a small group but much was accomplished with good frontend planning (26 bags and a shopping cart)! A few points of note, there are a lot of dog owners in Scenic Acres and I know the vast majority are responsible owners. However, I am still surprised by the amount of fecal matter we picked up and fecal bags dropped on lawns, in flower pots and even beside garbage cans; let’s be considerate and all be good neighbours. For those who smoke, pick up your butts and not only keep the Community clean but prevent any opportunity for grass fires.
Traffic Update
A portable speed sign was installed on Scurfield Drive in the Sceptre area during the first few weeks in May. There are a limited number of these devices and SACA requested it last August. This is a soft challenge to highlight speeding and encourage drivers to slow down. There are several crosswalks along this stretch of road as well as public transit and school pick-up and drop-off locations. I realize there are many drivers who use this route who reside outside of the Community but let’s set the example for all drivers and keep the pace within speed limits.
Crosswalk at Scenic Acres Boulevard and Scurfield Way
SACA has attempted to have a signaled crossing at this location for many years. In past, the City has not been willing to broadly invest in expensive signalled overhead equipment ($90 k) and test solar products have not measured up under Calgary weather conditions. The fluorescent sleeves have provided some improvement. Now, the new Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) product has proven reliable and is available at about a third of the cost (refer to my March article) so the threshold to mitigate pedestrian vulnerable areas has improved significantly. As a result of the recently approved Pedestrian Safety Strategy, this intersection will receive the RRFB equipment and is one of a few new installations in Ward One.
Community Clean-Up June 25th and Stampede Breakfast Sunday July 10th – Call for Volunteers!
The SACA Annual Community Clean- Up and Stampede Breakfast events are near and volunteers should be signing up now. Please register For Clean-Up at at contact scenicvolunteers.ca as soon as possible.