NEWS ARCHIVESApril 4, 2008 The fine art of developing a gallery As a follow-up to the public meeting I hosted on March 6, I have arranged for a second meeting to bring together all interested residents and artists in the community who want to work towards the goal of having an art gallery in Stittsville. As noted at the public meeting in March, having an enclosed gallery in Stittsville may be a long-term plan; however, in the interim, the community can use wall space in the expanded Goulbourn Recreation Complex (GRC) to informally display art. This follow-up meeting will be held on April 28 at 7 p.m. in the library at Sacred Heart Catholic High School located at 5870 Abbott Street East. This meeting will provide the opportunity for interested community members to work on establishing an arts committee to move this project forward. I encourage those interested in working on this initiative to please attend this public meeting. This is critical towards crafting what should be a vital component of our culturally rich community. A potential art gallery will have a long-lasting impact on ensuring we have a thriving arts and culture scene coursing through the Stittsville community. If you would like to receive e-mail updates on this initiative, please contact my office at 613-580-2476 to be placed on the contact list for this project. Also, you can visit my website to view further updates on
this initiative and to view the agenda for the April 28 meeting. This
information is posted under the community infrastructure section. Kanata West Proposal for 5831 Hazeldean Rd Last week a public meeting was held on proposed residential lands in Kanata West lands located at 5831 Hazeldean Rd. These lands are located south of Maple Grove Road and north of Poole Creek. It is located in between the Fairwinds south and the proposed Fairwinds West subdivision. The applicant is proposing approximately 471 residential units consisting of single detached, semi-detached and townhouse dwellings. There is also a proposed school and park on this site. Residents at the meeting raised concern regarding the traffic connections for this development, especially the need for a direct access to Hazeldean to decrease the traffic on Johnwoods St and Fairwinds subdivisions. Residents also requested additional pathway connections be made to ensure pedestrian connectivity with the existing and future residential communities. I encourage you to review the plans on my website and
submit comments to myself and the City Planner, Sally Switzer at 613-580-2424
x27597 or Sally.Switzer@ottawa.ca.
Needle Exchange Program needs review On April 3, Councillors Monette, El-Chantiry and I submitted a notice of motion to the Community and Protective Services Committee asking the City’s Medical Officer of Health to respond to inquiries pertaining to the Needle Exchange Program (NEP) by July 2008. The motion details what information we are asking for to help come to a better conclusion as to the future of the NEP and what changes need to be made to increase its effectiveness and responsiveness. The Councillors and I believe the program it should be a one-for-one needle exchange, rather than a distribution program. By enforcing a strict one-for-one program, we drastically reduce the risk of innocent bystanders coming into contact with stray needles. Furthermore, rather than needle users obtaining drug paraphernalia in bulk, they return with more frequency through a one-for-one system, putting them in greater contact with staff who can help them fight their addiction and offer words of wisdom. It is our goal to establish the best possible system to
diminish health risks for drug users while providing them with the face-to-face
interaction necessary to beat this habit. But most importantly, our priorities
are to ensure the health and wellbeing for residents in our community, and to
provide a clean environment to live, work and play. Stittsville Trailers Public Meeting I will be hosting a public meeting with the owner of Stittsville Trailers and City planning staff to discuss some concerns that have been raised by the surrounding nieghbours of this business. This meeting is open to the public and I encourage the nearby residents to attend this meeting. The meeting will be held on April 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the
Stittsville Library Branch located at 1637 Stittsville Main Street. For more
information please contact my office. Protect your home incase of flooding As a result of an unusually heavy snowfall and the potential for flooding, the City is monitoring water levels across the City. While there is no guarantee of flooding, it is a real possibility. As long as weather conditions stay as-is (warm weather mixed with cooler weather) the risk of flooding should subside, as the snow will melt at a more sustainable pace. At home, you and your family can mitigate the risk of flooding by taking precautionary measures, such as ensuring catch basins and drains near your property are clear. Also, ensure downspouts and eavestroughs are free of ice build-up, and snow is cleared away from the foundation of your home. If there is excessive water on your street, please call 3-1-1 and City crews will be dispatched to investigate the situation. Please take the time to be proactive in safeguarding your
home. It is always best to be prepared. “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-Kanata West. Please contact our office anytime by phone at 613-580-2476 or by e-mail at shad.qadri@ottawa.ca. Please note that you can also contact my ward office every Monday and Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and every Wednesday from 1 p.m.-8 p.m. at 613-580-2424 ext. 33440 or 33442. Also, feel free to stop by anytime at 1532 Stittsville Main Street. Sincerely, [ close window ] |
