Determined to create a safer and cleaner environment for the residents of Ward 24, Councillor Karien McDermid took matters into her own hands after months of struggling to secure support from the municipality.

Frustrated by delays, she turned to the very people who make up the heart of the community – residents willing to step up and make a difference.
Her clean-up campaign began in Plumer Street on May 28, where litter and neglect had become a growing concern.

Instead of waiting for help that never came, she reached out to those living in and around the area, calling on them to take charge of their own surroundings.

And they answered that call, not because they had formal training or expertise, but because they cared.

“These people are willing to help provide a safer environment for the residents in Ward 24,” said McDermid. “They are not educated to do so, they are just willing to help”.

With brooms, shovels, bags, and an unwavering sense of purpose, residents worked side by side, transforming their streets bit by bit.

The campaign was not just about removing waste – it was about reclaiming pride in their community, proving that change does not always begin in government offices but in the hands of those determined to see progress.

McDermid’s initiative stands as a testament to the power of community spirit.

It is a reminder that when bureaucratic hurdles slow progress, people can rise and take charge of their own future. And in Ward 24, that future is already being built – one cleaned-up street at a time.

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