CSL Courier: October 2008 message

This mandate has been the culmination of a David vs. Goliath epic saga. We battled to save our city, then our police station, our fire station and finally our Emergency Medical Services! They tried to take away each of these but when we fought back we won each and every time. Saving EMS is an absolute high point since being elected to council in 1990. Our renowned volunteer first responders, which I joined right out of high school in 1979, are proven life savers and we are so very fortunate to have them remain in our city!
You can support our EMS Lifesavers Fund, helping to defray the cost of training our volunteers and provide incentives for round-the-clock coverage. Your donation is tax deductible. Please make your cheque payable to the “City of CSL EMS Lifesavers Fund”.

We are constantly looking for new volunteers to join EMS as well as our volunteer Citizens on Patrol. Please help us recruit a few good residents.

Let’s remember to slow down near schools and parks where the speed limit is 30 km/h. Police are ticketing speeders and Public Security will enforce parking restrictions. Watch out for pedestrians and don’t stop in crosswalks. Teach young kids to safely cross the street and young drivers to respect all rules of the road. We are all responsible for road safety.

We are finally seeing a rejuvenation of our outdated playground equipment, part of our effort to attract and serve young families. New street signs will also help to spruce up our neighbourhoods.  And major efforts are underway at reducing garbage though new and innovative waste management initiatives to benefit us and future generations.

Norwalk Rd. residents had asked me to get rid of the unsightly bins next to the CSL Seniors Garden and they have indeed been removed. Shalom Ave. residents asked to slow traffic on Mackle Rd. and we are now testing new speed cushions in addition to the centre-of-the-road crosswalk signs I recommended. These signs are having a positive impact across District 6 and throughout our city.

When you change your clock back this fall remember to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors (you must have at least one on every floor but for extra safety put one in every bedroom).  CPR courses are now offered at the Parks and Recreation Department. Do your loved ones a favour and get trained!

To contact Councillor Glenn J. Nashen, call 514-485-6945 or send an e-mail message to gjnashen@cotesaintluc.org.

CSL 911 (Jan. 30, 2008)

CSL 911

The Monitor

Jan. 30, 2008

By: Glenn J. Nashen

Kudos to volunteer Citizens on Patrol team leaders Gerry Segal and Michael Litvack who came to the assistance of a resident whose car died a block from his Eldridge Ave residence.

It was a cold, foggy and rainy night a few weeks ago and these two vCOPs stayed with the disabled vehicle for one hour allowing the resident to run home to call a tow truck (and answer the call of nature too). We are looking for more kind and considerate volunteers for our next training session beginning in March. Info:514-485-6800 or visit www.CoteSaintLuc.org.

Bravo to Cote Saint-Luc EMS volunteer medics. Last week crews responded to an amazing five emergency calls in under one hour! These calls included a respiratory distress, chest pain, blood loss during pregnancy, fainting, and blood in the urine. These are priority 1 and priority 2 calls, uniquely responded to by CSL first responders. When you see an emergency vehicle approaching with lights flashing you are required to pull to the right and come to a stop until the vehicle safely passes you.

Watch where you park! A parent decided to block a driveway to run in for just a minute to drop off their toddler at school. This insensitive driver was more concerned about his or her own comfort than the obvious infraction of blocking someone’s driveway. Moments later, the resident loaded his just-about-to-deliver wife into the car to dash off to the hospital and was now trapped in his driveway. Please think twice and stay clear of driveways, hydrants, crosswalks and handicap parking spots. Public Security and Police may just hand over a much deserved ticket next time. Another drowning in a Cavendish condo. Never, ever swim alone!

Glenn J. Nashen is the Côte Saint-Luc city councillor responsible for public safety.