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Socioâ€"political aims for Westvale neighborhood group Chronicle Staft s With very little fanfare and a bit of assistance, Steven Weber and Judy Clark have spent mu'ch gl their spare time in the past two months preparing to improve and maintain the quality of life in their neighborhood. And only now are the pair putting on the final touches to what will be called the Westvale Meadows Neighborhood Association. The residents‘ association is essentially Weber‘s brainchild, a joining of force, he believes, that will strengthen the neighborhood‘s voice at city bhall, Queen‘s Park and Ottawa. The association will initially deal with a number of issues that are key to area homeowners, but will eventually turn into a combined socialâ€"political group. "We are not setting up to be a political force," says Weber, "we‘re organizing for better communications with city hall and other levels of government to get what‘s coming to us."‘ neighborhood, says Weber. Bordered by Erb Street West and Fischerâ€"Hallman Road South, the subdiviâ€" sion will eventually contain approximately 700 homes. _ The association will eventually be the voice of over 1,400 adult residents of the upper middleâ€"class The initial goals of the association are to try to remedy a number of shortfalls in the neighborhood. The most pressing matter is the establishment of parkland to accommodate approximately 400 preâ€" school children in the area. After only two organizaâ€" tional meetings, residents have already received assurances from a member of Waterioo city council that a playground deal can be worked out. Waterloo Ald. Bob Henry says a plot of land in the subdivision, which is currently a water retention centre, can be excavated into parkland. Henry confirmed that the city will lend as much assistance as possible. _ ‘"*We‘ll do whatever we can within our budget,"" says Henry. The day wasn‘t fit for man, beast, nor baby Saturday but despite chilling temperatures and occasional heavy rain, the Elmira Maple Syrup festival brought an approximate 37,000 people out Saturday to sample traditional fare, visit craft displays and generally have a good Setting the wheels in motion A DOG DAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON The head of Waterloo Community Services says the cost of playground equipment will be an approximate 50â€"50 split between the association a_qd .the city. He also pointed out that there would have to be engineering work done to the site to ensure there are no future wash outs. Clark‘s major input to date, besides the organizaâ€" tion, has been playing the legperson obtaining signatures for a petition that ended up on the desk of Waterloo MP Walter McLean. Infuriated with paying high taxes and not receiving home delivery from Canada Post, the petition called for an end group relay boxes and general delivery. ‘"‘Many people are at work and can‘t get to the post office during their hours. So what are they supposed to do? I realize the postal situation is Canada wide, but something has to be done," says Clark. â€" _ The establishment of an elementary school in the area is also high on their list. Children residing in Westvale are currently bussed to Elizabeth Ziegler and Our Lady Of Lourdes schools, something that should be stopped, says Clark. __"I don‘t think the school board realizes how many children there are here. It‘s very unfortunate that the school boards have freezes on construction," she says. â€" o_ Do Weber is currently taking a census of schoolâ€"age children in the area, to "try and push for a school site."" He will present his findings to the boards as soon as possible. _ In the Westvaleâ€"proposed land use plan of 1979, drawn by Waterloo‘s planning department, the area is slated to receive both a separate and a public school sites. At the first meeting of the group on March 18, Weber says over 100 people turned out and expressed 95 per cent support‘"‘ for the concept. Not only did he hear about the afforementioned concerns, but residents also expressed a desire for neighborhood watch programs, activities for seniors and surprisingly enough, a concern about the subdivision‘s social scene. time. While the drenched dog at left could have used some of his master‘s hot coffee, young Gregory Demeuleneare, 18 months, was in a party mood despite the drizzle as his father Paul surveyed the scene. WATERLOO CHRONICLE, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1986 â€" PAGE 3 "People have lived together for years without knowing each other," says Clark. ‘"The association could serve to bring them together." â€" 80 Also on hand for the inaugural meeting were Henry, Uptown Residents‘ Association president Ralph Beam, Lincolin Village homeowners‘ president George Harper and Beechwood West head man Brian Costello. All were very impressed by the strong show of support, according to Weber. "I think they were all surprised at how strong a turnout we had and they were very helpful. I was especially glad to hear from Bob Henry that the city is in full support of residents‘ associations," recalls Weber. He says Henry, along with Aldermen Andrew Telegdi and Lynne Woolstencroft have been inâ€" strumental in the formation of the association and letting other council members know their goals and objectives. 2 hedc Aufardcinalitett Henry says it‘s because the group is going about things in the right way. "I‘m very impressed with the enthusiam and numbers and the positive manner in which they are going about things. If they continue to conduct themselves in such a positive way, it will be a pleasure for the city to deal with them," said Henry. At the last meeting on April 1, another large turnout, the active participants were divided into specific committees that will carry out their own roles. From city hall watch to fund raising to a neighborhood newsletter, Weber and Clark seem to have managed to raise a lot of interest in the associaâ€" At the group‘s next meeting on April 24, the task of establishing an executive will be taken care of. Weber hasn‘t officially declared himself a candidate for president, but doesn‘t hide the fact he‘d like the job. . idedvdoidoiniividadabnt Abtsdhcals lcbodts ts t k dactenodetitint ixnelcat n ncb c ts e e P "If the consensus of the association is that I act as president, I want it," says Weber. A method of executive selection has yet to be worked out. Rick Campbell photos