Councillor wants to get residents smiling
Posted Sep 24, 2012 07:06:48 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Kitchener Ward 10 Councillor Dan Glenn-Graham is proposing a pilot project for his ward called “smiles per hour.”
The project, which he will introduce at a special council meeting today, would encourage the public to initiate friendly social interactions by smiling at people they pass.
For a three month period, signs will be posted in a location behind City Hall, near St. Louis Adult Learning Centre, putting signs up on both Duke and Young Streets.
To gain information for the signs, Glenn-Graham is looking to recruit volunteers from the learning centre to act as “smile spies.” They would make eye contact with passer-by’s and see if they are the first to initiate a smile.
The number of smiles recorded in that area would be indicated on the “smile per hour” zone signs, indicating how friendly that neighbourhood is.
The initiative started in Port Philip, Australia, and Glenn-Graham believes that it will make people feel safe and at little cost.
“We’re always talking about having safe and healthy streets and this is just a low cost investment to try to move in that direction.”
Glenn-Graham will be reporting on his findings for his pilot project and
if it’s passed, the signs could be going up as soon as October.
