NEWS ARCHIVES

August 1, 2011

A Safer Walk to School… A New Adult Crossing Guard


The City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Safety Council are helping children in your area walk to school more safely. On August 31, 2011, a new marked school crossing, staffed with an Adult Crossing Guard will be implemented at the intersection of West Ridge Drive and Renshaw Avenue serving students from A. Lorne Cassidy Elementary School. There will also be the implementation of an Adult Crossing Guard at the intersection of Baywood Drive and Arrowwood Drive serving students from Guardian Angels Catholic School.

The City asks all motorists and parents in the community surrounding A. Lorne Cassidy Elementary and Guardian Angels Catholic Schools to be aware of and recognize the crossings and obey the Adult Crossing Guards.

An adult crossing guard will be placed at these locations and many other sites across the city to ensure children can cross streets safely as they travel to and from school. The guard provides a friendlier atmosphere that encourages and supports increased walking and cycling to school. This in turn helps increase physical activity and decreases traffic congestion in the community.

Often our younger children have not developed the proper skills and judgement to negotiate traffic safely during peak traffic periods. Adult Crossing Guards can assist in ensuring the safest crossing possible for children crossing municipal streets whether at marked and signed crossings, traffic control signals or at all-way stop controls.
Only after the adult crossing guard has returned safely to the curb, and only after the stop sign has been lowered, can motorists proceed through the crossing. Violation of this regulation is a Highway Traffic Act offence that carries a $110.00 fine, including three (3) demerit points. Crossing guards are asked by Police Services to report all violators for appropriate action.
 

Obeying Stop Signs

Recently, my office has received a number of calls concerning vehicles of all types not obeying posted stop signs at various intersections throughout Stittsville. This is a major safety concern for residents and pedestrians so I would like to remind everyone to respect all road signs, including stop signs and be responsible. This needs to be a community effort so I encourage all residents and visitors to respect these signs. If you have questions about traffic signs please feel free to contact my office at 613-580-2476 or by email at shad.qadri@ottawa.ca.
 

Councillor City Chat

I would like to remind the community about my City Chats which will be continuing as of August 13th. To give you the opportunity to come out and speak with me, I am continuing to hold several “Councillor City Chats” over the next couple of weeks throughout the Stittsville community. “Councillor City Chats” take place Saturdays between 10am and noon.

For the month of August I look forward to seeing you at Kittawake Park (Kittawake Drive and Carp Road) on August 13th, Wild Wood Chop and Steak House (54 Springbrook Drive) on August 20th and at Coyote Park (Westridge and Fernbank) on August 27th. Please share this information with your neighbours as all are welcome. I look forward to seeing you.
 

Vehicle Safety- All Valuables Removed Program

Lately, my office has received several notices about vehicle break-ins in the Stittsville and surrounding area. The local police force is aware of these break-ins and will attempt to monitor and prevent further incidents as best they can. The Ottawa Police Service has also launched its “All Valuables Removed” campaign to begin issuing warning cards to drivers to help raise awareness and combat theft from vehicles – a city wide crime trend.

Thefts from vehicles are particularly high from June to October, and a good way to reduce these thefts is by lowering opportunities for criminals. With the “All Valuables Removed” initiative, residents are instructed to remove their valuables from their vehicle, or secure them out of sight, and place a warning card in their window, letting would-be-thieves know not to bother searching their car, and also reminding others to take the same precautions. In addition to removing valuables, the Ottawa Police would like to offer the following tips to drivers when leaving their vehicle:

  • Never leave your vehicle running and unattended.
  • Close windows and lock the doors.
  • Never leave your car or house keys in your vehicle.
  • Park in well lit areas with pedestrian traffic.

For more tips, and to find out how you can obtain a warning card for your vehicle, please visit ottawapolice.ca.
 


Calling all Local Camera Enthusiasts!

Shutterbugs of Stittsville, Richmond, Munster, Ashton, Dwyer Hill and all surrounding rural areas within the limits of the former Goulbourn Township are reminded that they have until September 30th to submit their entries in our Local Historical Society’s 2nd Annual Heritage Photo Contest. The purpose of the contest, sponsored by the Goulbourn Township Historical Society (GTHS), is to give camera owners an outlet to show off their creative abilities with any kind of camera, while helping the Society further its aim of fostering greater knowledge and appreciation of Goulbourn’s colourful history and heritage.

Entries may be submitted in any, or all, of the following specific theme categories:

  • Victorian Goulbourn (Buildings erected 1837-1901)
  • Family Generations (Minimum of three)
  • Tools of our Ancestors
  • Goulbourn waterscapes
  • Streetscapes: Old amid New

A maximum of 10 separate entries per person will be accepted – two in each category.
Entrants can drop off their photos, which must be in print format and not exceed 8 by 10 inches, at any branch (Stittsville/Munster/Richmond) of the Ottawa Public Library within Goulbourn.

Please be advised that locations where photos were shot and/or names of people in pictures must be noted and attached to the back of each entry; moreover, additional historical background added to this basic required information may earn entrants extra points with the judges. Winners will be announced later this fall and prizes will be awarded, along with the community recognition that goes with having all entries publicly displayed by the GTHS at a venue to be announced.

For Further Information:
Barb Bottriell, President,
Goulbourn Township Historical Society,
(613) 836-2305

Always listening and acting on your concerns

As your Councillor, I always welcome your keen input and ideas on how we can sustain and improve Stittsville. Please contact our office anytime by phone at 613-580-2476 or by e-mail at Shad.Qadri@ottawa.ca.

My ward office is situated in the Goulbourn Recreation Complex, located at 1500 Shea Road. Please note the summer hours of operation are Mondays 9-1pm, Wednesdays 3-7pm, Fridays 9-4pm, and Saturday 9am-12pm. Please do not hesitate to pay us a visit. I welcome your call or email to arrange an appointment.

If you are not part of my electronic outreach list and would like to be added, please contact my office to ensure you receive pertinent information concerning our community.
Further information about any of these articles can be found on my website or you can contact my office to obtain details.

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