NEWS ARCHIVESJune 5, 2009 Major infrastructure investment: Hazeldean Road to be widened It has been a long time coming but Hazeldean Road is receiving a major facelift, as the main east-west corridor will be widened from two lanes to four lanes from Carp Road to Terry Fox Drive. The funding for this project comes through the Federal, Provincial and Municipal government’s shovel-ready stimulus funding program. At $65 million, this is one of the largest investments being made in the entire City and at 750 jobs it will be the largest job creator for all stimulus projects citywide. I want to thank MP Gordon O’Connor and provincial members of Parliament for working cooperatively with me to see this project come to fruition. This is a tremendous investment and I am pleased this project has been pushed forward. The widening of this road is of critical importance, given the current and planned growth of our community and along Hazeldean Road. I am encouraged by the commitment being made to enhance our quality of life in Stittsville. I will be working with City Staff over the coming days to
determine construction timelines. As more information becomes available I will
alert the community. Celebrate the summer at Shad's Park Party On June 13, my office and I will be holding a Park Party and BBQ for the community at Village Square Park on Stittsville Main Street from noon-4pm. The Canadian Beef Farmers Association has graciously volunteered their time and will cover a portion of the costs as well as handle the BBQ duties. In addition, there will be free beverages, snow cones and cotton candy. There will be entertainment for all ages with Little Ray's Reptile Zoo, Crash the Clown, a children's inflatable bounce ride, and a demonstration by the Stittsville-Goulbourn Horticultural Society. Goulbourn Recreation Complex staff will be on hand to give demonstrations throughout the afternoon on various City programs such as Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Zuma and Dance Fit, Hip Hop, and Twinkling Toes. Members from the local emergency and health departments will be offering services and educational material for families. As well, we will be accepting donations to the Stittsville Food Bank. I hope you and your family are able to join me at the park to celebrate the summer and to get to know your neighbours. I look forward to seeing you on June 13! Seniors’ Canada Day breakfast I would like to remind the seniors of our community to please contact my office and reserve your seat at my annual Canada Day breakfast. The volunteer fire department has once again generously opened their doors and invited us in for the festivities at the Fire Hall on Stittsville Main Street. Nate’s Delicatessen will be on hand to provide yet another delicious breakfast, while the Schmodka’s will once again delight everyone with their musical talents. Please mark your calendars and join me for a tremendous breakfast to celebrate our nation’s birthday. Space is limited, so please contact my office at 613-580-2476 to reserve your spot. I look forward to seeing you there. Council’s decision-making process – what are your thoughts? City Council is reviewing its governance structure and would like to know what you think. Much of the governance process relates to the administrative side of Council’s decision-making; however, public participation at various stages is a vital component of governance. For that reason, the City is encouraging residents to participate in a series of online discussions focused on the many facets of governance, including new ways for you to get involved and have your say. In addition to public engagement, the City seeks feedback on
improving the current governance model for a variety of items, including
standing committee structure and the delegation of power. These topics have been
detailed in a series of White Papers, which are available on-line at
www.ottawa.ca/governance_review. If you would like to request hardcopies or electronic versions
of the White Papers, please contact Legislative Services staff at 613-580-2424
ext. 15636. Council approves third party review City Council recently voted in favour of approving the Carp River independent third party engineering review, giving a significant endorsement to kick-starting the residential and commercial development in Kanata West. The next step is getting approval from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. According to the independent review, the solution to the engineering inconsistencies, which may have resulted in flooding, is to create about 120 cubic metres of additional water storage capacity per hectare of land. I will continue to keep the community informed as more
information becomes available, and as the project moves through the necessary
channels for approval. Improving transit service As a result of the transit strike, the City and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 279 are endorsing a joint union-management proposal that would prevent transit strikes or lockouts by settling future unresolved disputes through arbitration. The union members still must ratify the proposal. Should union members accept the proposal, they will join virtually all unionized City employees in resolving negotiations without service disruption. History has shown that settlements reached through arbitration have not resulted in wage settlements in Ottawa higher than the provincial average. In addition, Federal Minister John Baird has implemented new work-rest rules to enhance the safety of OC Transpo operators and transit riders. The new regulations will ensure bus operators have a maximum
of 14 hours on duty, eight hours of rest per day and get at least one day off
every 14 days. The new law will come into effect in six months time. 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. |