Rail Noise Listserv is Available

If you would like to be added to the listserv that will be used to keep neighbors informed about the noise situation at the CP Rail yard, contact Betsy at district1council@aol.com.

This listserv will allow its members to discuss what's happening as well as to share information from the railroad and our elected officials.

District 1 Now on Facebook

So we realize that a lot of people are on Facebook these days and on Facebook often. So we have finally joined the club! We have been on Ning, but thought it might be easier for everyone if we were where most people doing this social networking actually spend time.

We hope that people will join us there and start talking about things that concern you. You can talk to us and talk to each other that way.

The more connected we are, the better off we will all be! Here's where we are - District1 Facebook

Rail Noise Meeting Held

On Tuesday, September 22 thirty-five District 1 residents met with a representative of Canadian Pacific Rail to talk about the increase in noise from the trains in the past two years. Everyone got a chance to tell about their experience and CP Rail got information to help figure out what is going on.

But more information is needed...

So we have a series of next steps including:

1. CP Rail will talk to local managers and make sure that brakes are being properly released and that computer programs are not being bypassed in the "humping" process;
2. We have also asked if they can check whether the manufacturer of the "Hard Quiet" brakes has changed, or if the software controlling the process has changed in the past two years;
3. Kathy Lantry's office will look to see if city decibel meters can be loaned out to the community (we have residents who have volunteered to be sites for the meters) so we can document the noise levels - this will define whether the RR is in compliance with restrictions;
4. CP Rail will investigate other types of braking systems;
5. And residents will call the CP Rail Complaint Line with documentation of incidents of high noise levels. This number is 1-800-766-7912.

When calling in incidents, be as specific as possible - date/time, type of noise, where it is happening, what kind of railcar (if possible), and length of time the noise continued. You can also email the information to Community_Connect@cpr.ca

Help us get this problem solved!! We will meet again in January 2010 to see if the problem has improved. And check back here for updates...

New Fundraising Effort - Online Auction

The District 1 Community Council is collaborating with a local resident to run an online auction to raise money for the organization. We are seeking items you may be willing to donate that are worth at least $20 - items that you don't need anymore but that have some value to someone else, but are not items that you might donate to Goodwill or a Thrift store. (see your copy of the District 1 News for the types of items we are talking about...)

We are asking that people drop these items off on Saturday, October 17 between 9a and 4p at the Faith Alliance Church parking lot - 520 N. Howard. We will then auction them off online and send you a receipt of donation for the value at which the item sold.

We hope that this will provide us additional funding to support our efforts to keep the neighborhood informed, gather information from neighbors, and work toward making our community even better than it already is.

Please consider donating items on October 17!! For more information, contact us at 651.501.6345 or by email at district1council@aol.com.

Thanks!!

Fall Festival at Conway

On Saturday, September 26 from 10a - 2p there will be an East Side Pride Fall Festival at Conway Recreation Center.

There will be an afternoon of football, carnival games and food. Meal deals will be sold for $2 and include hot dogs, chips and soda.

Come join the fun!!

Submitted by the St. Paul Parks and Rec Dept.

Site Plan available

The proposed site plan for the Comforts of Home assisted living and memory care unit, to be built at 1880 Old Hudson Rd, is now available.

This new development will replace the long-vacant eastern section of the Ramada Inn site. It will be next door to La Quinta Hotel and will include new landscaping along with their standard design.

If you are interested in seeing the plans and commenting, call the District Council to arrange a time to view them (651.501.6345).

Mayor Has Citizen Committee Openings

The Mayor is seeking residents willing to sit on the following committees:

Advisory Committee on Aging, the Planning Commission, Homeless Advisory Board, RiverCentre Convention and Visitors Authority, Bicycle Advisory Board, and the Downtown Airport Advisory Commission.

For more information and the application form, go to this site.