[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/community_meeting.jpg” caption=”MSU president Shano Mohan signs the Beat 691 business plan while David Dayler, executive director Westdale Village BIA; Roger Trull, vice-president, University Advancement; Brian McHattie, ward 1 councillor, City of Hamilton;and Rob Payne, president, AWWCA, look on. Photo credit: Julia Thomson”]West Hamilton features two of Hamilton's most distinctive and attractive areas: the McMaster University campus and the Ainslie Wood/Westdale commercial and residential neighbourhoods. These two areas form one community with common concerns, issues, challenges and opportunities.

Community representatives came together last week at a Community Forum to inform local residents of the progress that has been made over the past year in addressing these common issues.

Hosted by McMaster University's President's Advisory Committee on Community Relations (PACCR), the annual Community Forum brought together partners from the Ainslie Wood/Westdale Community Association of Resident Homeowners Inc., McMaster Students Union, City of Hamilton, Hamilton Police Services, Westdale Village BIA and other stakeholder groups to address common issues related to the University and the West Hamilton community.

PACCR updated community members on a number of new initiatives that have launched over the past year, including off-campus security patrols in Westdale, an off-campus housing review program, the Campus Town Association, campus construction projects, the City's secondary plan process, the Town & Gown Association of Ontario, the Westdale Community Policing Centre and other activities. Displays and representatives from each member organization were available to answer questions and provide information.

Hamilton Police Service dedicated to Beat 691 (Ainslie Wood/Westdale) shared a 2005 business plan identifying co-operative initiatives with community partners. Partners from each of the stakeholder groups participated in the official signing of the document at the Community Forum.

The business plan pledges to work co-operatively on four goals:

• Reduction in graffiti
• Reduction in property crimes
• Enhancement in road safety
• Reduction in disorderly persons

Roger Trull, vice-president, university advancement, and co-chair of PACCR said, “Since the last Community Forum a year ago, and in co-operation with our community partners, we have made good progress on many issues. There is still much to be done, but I'm pleased to share our progress to date and McMaster welcomes the opportunity to work with all local stakeholders in our efforts to be a responsible neighbour and member of the Hamilton community.”

A progress report distributed at the Forum summarizes some of the projects underway. The Report is also available online. For more information on community relations at McMaster, visit McMaster's community relations Web site or peruse a copy of the Community Report.