Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - December 13, 2007, Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg repress. Com City Winnipeg free press thursday december 13, 2007 b5 by Michelle Melanson g ranted const. Anne Boyko has some experience in canvassing neighbourhoods. But As a sponsored executive for the United Way the 12 year Winnipeg police service Veteran was canvassing in a whole new Way. Each year employers across Winnipeg deploy a Small army of helpers to the United Way through the sponsored executive program. The sponsored executives Are paid by their employers to work for the United Way for 16 weeks providing an invaluable resource to the organization. At the same time participants gain experiences that Are often life changing. Boyko was asked if she wanted to be a sponsored executive As she was preparing to return to work after maternity leave. I had no idea what a sponsored executive was Boyko said. But she did some research and decided to give it a shot. The first thing she realized was How the United Way had touched her own life. She grew up in the West end the youngest of 14 children. It a snot until i had to prepare a speech that i realized that there were 10 partner agencies that had helped my family and myself she said. In addition to building Confidence in herself As a Public speaker Boyko also gained new perspective in some ways. As a police officer she had seen a Side of the main Street project when she had to take intoxicated people there. I always saw it negatively. Its not like you re taking them willingly. Its not like you re taking them to a fancy hotel. But after doing some canvasser training there she took a tour and saw much of the Good work the main Street project does. It was really shocking in a Way and also humbling Boyko said. A few weeks later she suggested a colleague take some leftover food from a Kickoff event to the main Street project and insisted that she ride along. Part of me being an officer was like ism going to go there and ism going to protect you. Boyko said it Felt Good to know that they were giving people something extra. They were getting ready for lunch. It was in styrofoam cups and it was beef Stew and the cups were half full. When they walked out of the building a Man sitting on the sidewalk asked if they were from the United Way recognizing the Small Symbol on the badges they were wearing. He told them he had Given $ 5 each pay period to the United Way for 30 years. He said and now look what they re giving me. I have a bed a Boyko related. She said that shed jump at the Chance to be a sponsored executive again but at the same time want to take the experience away from a fellow officer. Boyko returned to general patrol last monday and has brought her experiences at the United Way with her. Its really changed the Way i police she said. By Bartley Kives cyclists Are continuing to find excellent traction at City Hall where mayor Sam katzes Cabinet has found another $ 500,000 to spend on Bike corridors next year. Earlier this year lobbying efforts by cycling and walking Trail groups helped convince the City to name planner Kevin Nixon the Cit yes first Active transportation coordinator a new full time position devoted to creating and connecting trails. Then Over the past two weeks cycling and Trail groups appeared before City Council subcommittees to request More spending on commuter trails stressing not just the environmental and health benefits but the potential Cost savings from reduced motor vehicle Wear and tear on roads. While the 2008 capital budget already called for $ 1.5 million Worth of spending on trails councils executive policy committee passed a budget amendment on wednesday calling for an additional $ 500,000 to be devoted to new Active transportation corridors. The Money will not flow until March when Nixon is expected to Complete a Trail creation report. But Katz said Nixon will need some Money to work with once his plans Are in place. We All know we lag far behind the rest of Canada if you take a look at the cycling infrastructure in other cities. Were catching up but we need to do More Katz said. As recently As 2006, Winnipeg spent approximately $ 200,000 a year on trails. In 2007, that figure was increased to $ 1.5 million with most of the Money consumed by the creation of the Northeast pioneers Greenway the new commuter Trail in East and North Kildonan. The 2008 capital budget and six year spending forecast Calls for $ 1.5 million on spending to build new walkways and Bike paths every year until 2013. The additional $ 500,000 announced on wednesday is devoted to corridors which could include new trails As Well As new Bike lanes on existing roads or More extra wide curb lanes designed to be shared by cars and cyclists. The trails budget is useful for cyclists but ultimately people Start on the Road said Anders Swanson project coordinator for Volunteer Trail advocacy group one Green City. On monday a presentation by Swanson helped convince katzes Cabinet to find a Little extra Cash in the tight capital budget. Ism not surprised. This is going to be very popular. With the Price of Gas concerns about the environment and health issues like obesity and asthma More and More people Are cycling Swanson said. In other capital budget amendments pc bumped up the City wide accessibility program by $ 100,000, which Means Winnipeg will spend $ 350,000 next year on the likes of new wheelchair ramps and curb cuts. But pc also cancelled a Public works amendment that would have seen Panet Road and Molson Street added to the list of regional roads slated for improvements in 2008. City Council will debate the 2008 capital budget during a special session on dec. 18. Bartley. Kives free press. My. Ca 62,000 5 the annual Aikins Law firm All weather windows Assiniboine credit Union Boeing Canada technology by imaging Cardinal capital management inc. Cargill limited Carlson decorating & sandblasting co. Ltd. Cancel building materials Dominion construction eds Garry Hirsch Phoenix real estate the great West life Assurance company heirloom cabinetry Ltd. Ism Canada held Wen windows & doors Loewen family foundation Magellan aerospace corporation Magnus & Buffie l. L. P. Mckim Cringan George Mem group Manitoba Public insurance Nav Canada Nelson River construction inc. New flyer industries Olympia Trust company olympic builders Supply Palliser furniture pc party of Manitoba Quilico Royal Lepage prime real estate Scotia Bank group Steinbach credit Union Sexton group Ltd. Staniec Star building materials Ltd. T. A. J. Industries Tel pay inc. The Forks North Portage partnership Wawanesa insurance Winnipeg airports authority Winnipeg convention Centre event sponsor h o u s e p a r t y & a u c t i o n $ raised for thank you to our supporters and sponsors major event donors corporate table sponsors 493 notre Dame 774 5544 please drop off new unwrapped toys at any Winnipeg Scotia Bank location or any City of Winnipeg firewall United Way opened officers eyes City follows healthy path hikes funding for trails Constable gets new View of main Street project Boris Minkevich / Winnipeg free press const. Anne Boyko sponsored executive ;