Revitalization plan moving forward

Despite backlash from businesses along upper Princess St., the revitalization plan for the Williamsville District will be moving forward.

City councillors had already approved the plan, but a motion to reconsider was introduced by Councillor Kevin George on behalf of businesses last week.

Some local businesses in the district are fighting against the introduction of bike lanes in order to keep parking spots.

The motion to reconsider lost with seven votes against and six for. Two-thirds of councillors must vote in favour in order for an issue to be back on the table for discussion.

Right before the motion was introduced, Kingston lawyer Hal Linscott interrupted to say he had information for the councillors to be given to them.

The issue was then discussed privately among councillors and staff for 25 minutes.

The information discussed hasn’t been given to the public.

George mentioned after the discussion that many had come to the meeting wearing bike helmets to show support for the revitalization project.

However, George brought up that 3,300 people had signed a petition in support of maintain parking spaces in the district.

Councillor Sandy Berg said the City will lose money by removing some parking spots, as they would have to create other areas for parking.

The area between Bath Rd. and Macdonnell St. will see the first construction projects to implement new sewer and water lines, beginning in February.

— Olivia Bowden

Queen’s National Scholar

Selection for the Queen’s National Scholar (QNS) award are underway with four out of 23 submissions chosen for the second round of competition.

The QNS program was established in 1985 and aims to “enrich teaching and research in newly developing fields of knowledge as well as traditional disciplines”.

The program seeks to attract new faculty that are exceptional junior and mid-career professors.

The QNS program gives two awards out annually to departments that are able to attract the hiring of new members.

Two faculties or schools will be awarded, with each receiving $100,000 per year for five years.

The four submissions that made it to the second round are in the fields of aquatic ecotoxicology, Indigenous visual and material cultures of the Americas, integrated energy systems and international community-based rehabilitation. Each represent the Department of Biology and the School of Environmental studies, the Department of Art History, the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the School of Rehabilitation Therapy.

Results from last year’s competition will be released in the next few weeks.

— Olivia Bowden

Importance of arts highlighted

Kingston launched a three-day event Tuesday that aims to emphasize the importance of the arts.

Hosted by the H’art School of Smiles, the event called Able Artists showcases work and performances by disabled artists.

This is the third time the event has come to Kingston. Able Artists also includes workshops as well as focus groups that discuss obstacles the disabled persons may face as artists.

Able Artists is made up of professional disabled artists from around the world.

Each artist will discuss their journey and how they have acquired corporate ownership and an audience for their work.

The hope is that their answers will create a framework for other municipalities to create programs that will foster art programs for people with disabilities.

Kingston is expected to be the most featured city for arts from people with disabilities.

Participants from the City’s cultural services, the Kingston Arts Council, Queen’s Faculty of Education, Queen’s School of Rehabilitation Therapy and Queen’s School of Nursing are expected to attend.

— Olivia Bowden

ArtSci students honoured

The Faculty of Arts and Science hosted a reception last week to celebrate students on the dean’s honour list with distinction.

The Agnes Etherington Art Centre held the event, celebrating 302 students with a grade point average (GPA) higher than 3.9 in the 2012-13 academic year. Among the group of students, 28 were recognized for having a GPA higher than 4.3, meaning a 90 per cent average or greater.

The event featured speakers including Susan Mumm, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science, and Margaret Little, a professor in the department of political studies and gender studies.

Mumm addressed the audience and congratulated the students on their impressive academic performance. Little touched on a different area, addressing the necessity of poverty reduction and building an inclusive society.

In addition to the students who attended, faculty heads and undergraduate chairs from 27 departments attended the congratulatory reception.

— Abby Andrew