WINNIPEG - April 22, 2008 – At approximately 1:00 a.m. this morning, one of our Public Works employees was struck by a motor vehicle while working with our boulevard and street-cleaning operation. This is a tragic and very unfortunate incident, and our thoughts are with our employee, and his family, friends and co-workers at this difficult time.

Employee safety is of utmost importance, and we do everything we can to ensure our workers are in a safe work environment.

The circumstances surrounding the collision are under investigation by the Winnipeg Police Service.

We’d like to remind the public that as part of the Annual Spring Cleanup effort, City workers and street cleaning equipment will be on Winnipeg streets day and night over the next few weeks. Motorists are urged to use extra care and caution when in the vicinity of personnel and equipment.

WINNIPEG - April 22, 2008 – Chief Administrative Officer Glen Laubenstein today announced the appointment of Phil Sheegl as Director of the City of Winnipeg’s Planning, Property and Development Department, effective April 28, 2008.

“Planning, Property and Development provides services vital to Winnipeg’s future,” said Laubenstein. “The search for a new Director has been careful and consultative, reflecting this significance. In Phil Sheegl, the selection committee has identified a leader with proven entrepreneurial success, who has made partnerships all across North America work. He is bringing the same enthusiasm and commitment to all of the Department’s activities – from urban planning, to the inspection and permits processes, to the critical work of neighbourhood revitalization and housing initiatives.”

“I understand that the proper role of government is to act as a catalyst of quality development for downtown, and the City as a whole,” said Sheegl. A native of Winnipeg, he is a 25-year veteran of the real estate and property development business. As President of Winnix Properties Corp. and FSS Financial Inc., he has been responsible for the creation and management of numerous real estate partnerships and syndications in Phoenix, Winnipeg, Toronto, Calgary, and Pender Harbour, B.C. Projects under his management have ranged in scope from single-family homes to master-planned employment communities, and in value from $100,000 to over $25 million.

A recipient of industry awards such as the Winnipeg Real Estate Board Gold Medallion, and induction into the Re/Max Hall of Fame, Sheegl has experience in all facets of real estate, including negotiations on all levels, partnerships and syndications, design, development, construction, management, and marketing. Since 2006, he has served as Chairperson of the Board of Revision. He is a graduate of the University of Manitoba, holding a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering.

The Planning, Property and Development Department is responsible for a wide variety of services related to city planning, property development, and management of the City’s buildings and real property assets.