Consultant – Economic Development

Kingston has hired a heavy hitter as its consultant for the review of the Kingston Economic Development Corporation.

Mayor Bryan Paterson announced yesterday, Brock Dickinson will work with the review committee being established to look at all aspects of KEDCO’s work.

Applications are still being received for the four community members who will sit on the committee.

Dickinson is CEO of MDB Insight and is co-director of the University of Waterloo’s Economic Development Program.

His work has won more than 40 national and international awards.

Kingston – Credit Rating

Kingston will continue to be able to borrow money for capital projects at a preferred interest rate after another double AA credit rating from Standard and Poor’s.

The rating agency says Kingston has a stable outlook and the city’s senior staff shows a continued commitment to fiscal discipline.

City treasurer Desiree Kennedy says the rating process has emphasized the importance of stable, prioritized capital spending and well managed debt.

Mini Roundabout Removed

The city says it will do a better job consulting people in the future after it had to remove a traffic calming measure at the corner of Patrick and Fraser Streets.

The mini roundabout was installed as an alternative to speed humps.

But – it made it impossible for transport trucks to deliver to businesses and was removed last week.

The cost to build and remove it is estimated at $25,000.

 Motorcycle Crash

There’s no update available this morning on the condition of a man injured when his motorcycle crashed on the 401 westbound on ramp at Montreal Street.

The crash took place yesterday morning and the man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The on-ramp was closed for several hours while Traffic Collision Investigators worked at the scene.

 Random Acts of Kindness

The Kingston Military Family Resource Centre says teams of Military families will perform random acts of kindness for people in downtown Kingston tonight.

It says it is a way to give back to the community for its support of the military.

The random acts of kindness will take place from 6-8 tonight.

Homecoming

There will be at least one street party during Queen’s Homecoming this weekend.

Queen’s is hosting the Home Coming Street Festival on Union Street between Union and University on Saturday night.  The festival will include a licensed area, food and music.

Officials are hoping to avoid other street party’s in the student housing areas.