{"id":46605,"date":"2018-04-02T08:46:09","date_gmt":"2018-04-02T12:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=46605"},"modified":"2018-04-02T08:46:09","modified_gmt":"2018-04-02T12:46:09","slug":"district-and-opp-want-community-input-on-2018-muskoka-safe-roads-campaign-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/district-and-opp-want-community-input-on-2018-muskoka-safe-roads-campaign-2\/","title":{"rendered":"District and OPP seeking more input on 2018 Muskoka Safe Roads Campaign with additional forums"},"content":{"rendered":"

Building on the success of a community stakeholder forum held in Bracebridge in March, the District of Muskoka and local OPP Detachments will host three additional community forums in April to help plan a Muskoka Safe Roads public education campaign.<\/p>\n

The campaign is an opportunity to start an on-going dialogue with the community on a topic that is very important to everyone who lives in or visits Muskoka. The goal of the forums is to hear from community members regarding road safety and learn about public education campaigns that have worked in other communities.<\/p>\n

Community Forum Details:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Gravenhurst:<\/strong> Wednesday, April 11, 6:30-8:00 p.m.<\/span><\/span> Terry Fox Auditorium, Centennial Centre
\nHuntsville:<\/strong> Thursday, April 19, 6:30-8:00 p.m.<\/span><\/span> Active Living Centre, Canada Summit Centre
\nWest Muskoka: <\/strong>Wednesday, April 25, 6:30-8:00 p.m.<\/span><\/span> MacTier Memorial Arena, 9 Haig Street, MacTier<\/p>\n

Please RSVP:<\/strong> <\/span>publicworks@muskoka.on.ca<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/broadstreet-zone><\/strong><\/div>\n

\u201cWe had approximately 50 representatives from across Muskoka join us at the Bracebridge Forum including the MTO, private sector and media partners, area municipal and district councillors, and, most importantly, concerned community members who want to help move the campaign forward,\u201d said Fred Jahn, Commissioner of Engineering and Public Works for the District of Muskoka. \u201cWe are excited to be working with together to help make Muskoka\u2019s roads the safest they can be.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe look forward to continuing the conversation across Muskoka to learn more about each communities specific challenges and to generate more ideas for the campaign,\u201d explained Inspector Brian Therrien, Bracebridge Detachment Commander, Ontario Provincial Police. \u201cEnforcement and regulations are only part of the solution. A bigger part is tied to public education and changing behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are looking for community-based solutions that will motivate drivers to slow down, share the road and be safe,\u201d said Staff Sergeant John-Paul Graham, Huntsville Detachment Commander, Ontario Provincial Police. \u201cBy working together we can help encourage drivers in all of our communities to look at their driving behavior and make good choices behind the wheel.\u201d<\/p>\n

While this dialogue with the community continues through the community forums in April, plans are already underway to implement some initial campaign strategies this spring and summer. Working groups are being formed with volunteers from the community, private sector, media.<\/p>\n

The District regularly hears from community members regarding road safety and continues to receive requests for speed limit reductions or community safety zone. Looking at 2017 OPP traffic data and public input from the Bracebridge forum, some of key challenges in Muskoka are linked to:<\/p>\n