Battered Cable boxes

Thanks to whoever had these people come along

and clean up the boulevards. It was a slow process

as there was lots of litter.

So we have about six police vehicles dispatched to

Lester St. A few girls climbing onto the police vehicles.

Hooting and hollering for most of the day.

Isn't this a wonderful way to celebrate.

No regard for any neighbours whether students

or permanent residents.

Any thing to add from your neighbourhood??

Does anyone really think this neighbourhood

is going to attract families back ??

The parties have begun as of 10am this morning.

Police and bylaw have been around to keep a lid on things so far.

See what this afternoon / evening brings.

*Image by: Matt English

A well written article from the Cord Weekly

Opinion

Students and city need co-operation

Editorial Board 2008-09 Mar 11, 2009

Ongoing debate between permanent residents of Waterloo and the student population is re-opened.

Last night’s town hall meeting at St. Michael’s Church re-opened an ongoing debate between permanent residents of the City of Waterloo and its student population.

If one thing is clear from this long-time argument between residents and students, it is that something needs to be done.

Residents are right to feel upset. Their property values are suffering and they are living in a neighbourhood filled with excess noise and litter.

Yet residents must remember that the student population allows the local economy to thrive.

Students are also often unhappy with living conditions. We pay high rent payments to landlords that are often negligent of their duties, many of them living outside the city. Off-campus student housing is often in poor repair and unappealing to live in. It is understandable that we don’t treat our neighbourhood with care.

If the city expects students to respect the community, it certainly does very little to earn it. Sidewalk regulations are rarely enforced in winter, making sidewalks in student areas icy and dangerous. And when regulations are enforced, by-law officers usually target students themselves.

Rather than threatening us with fines and by-laws, the city should create a respectful partnership with students. If Waterloo wants to create a cleaner neighbourhood and retain more students after graduation, it must make the student population feel like a welcome part of the community.

The most important course of action for the city, however, is to work with developers and landlords. (and permanent residents)

Developers must be held accountable to ensure that new student housing units are built soundly and are within a reasonable price range for students.

The city must ensure that landlords maintain their properties instead of passing these duties on to students.

Of course, students must be held accountable for their actions. But for the most part, improving the quality of living for students in the community would mean improving the quality of living for everyone else, too.