NEWS ARCHIVESMarch 13, 2009 Have your say on my performance as Councillor My second annual Councillor’s report card is now in circulation via my outreach and my website. Copies are also available for pick-up and drop-off at my ward office, located inside the Goulbourn Recreation Complex. It is incredibly important that I hear your thoughts on my representation of your needs and concerns at City Hall and within our community. This is your opportunity to make recommendations on my performance, and to outline some initiatives that we can tackle for the year ahead, and the duration of my current term. Contained within the report card is a list of a variety of issues affecting our immediate community, and the City as a whole; items range from public transit to taxation to infrastructure. I am interested to hear what you consider to be important as we move forward. Please ensure my office receives your submissions by the
end of March. I will be communicating the results through my weekly column and
on my website. Free Thought Association of Canada ads allowed on public transit The ‘God probably doesn’t exist – so relax and enjoy your life’ ads have sparked considerable debate over the past few weeks, and it all culminated inside Council Chambers on March 11 when Council decided to overturn OC Transpo management’s decision to not allow these ads to run on buses. I was initially opposed to the ads as I thought they were in poor taste; however, after thinking the issue over more thoroughly and talking with religious leaders in our community, I decided to support Councillor Alex Cullen’s motion to allow the ads to run on buses. I believe the ads create a healthy debate and dialogue
about religion, and provoke us to ask questions, which is a major underpinning
of any religion. Further, free speech and freedom of expression are qualities we
must recognize and uphold. Interestingly enough, the United Church of Canada has
expanded on the ad, creating a poll between ‘There’s probably a God,’ and
‘There’s probably no God.’ The poll received almost 12,000 responses and allowed
for a comment section to discuss the issue. Stittsville Appreciation Awards seeks nominations Do you know an individual or business that has made a significant contribution to our community? This is your opportunity to bring their special achievements forward. My office is now seeking nominations for the Stittsville Appreciation Awards, a revival of the former Goulbourn Recognition Awards. Categories include the Roger Griffiths Memorial Citizen of the Year, Senior of the Year (age 65 and older), Youth of the Year (19 and younger), and Business of the Year. I encourage you to submit your nomination form by e-mail to Shad.Qadri@ottawa.ca, dropping off a form at my ward office, located in the Goulbourn Recreation Complex, or by mailing it to 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 1J1. Nomination forms can be obtained from my ward office, or on my website, located at www.shadqadri.com. Please include a detailed, written submission outlining why you are nominating a particular individual or business. Nominations must be received by April 3. Winners will be announced at the Appreciation Awards evening, which will be held on April 21. These awards are a tremendous way to recognize and promote
volunteerism, and to encourage participation and foster community appreciation.
City to weigh MLS and CFL bids The City has decided to further investigate the two unsolicited proposals for outdoor stadiums, one located adjacent to Scotiabank Place, housing a MLS franchise, and the other located at Lansdowne Park, featuring a CFL franchise. Both proposals would require significant funding from the public sector. I have had the opportunity to meet with the proponents of both proposals to review their business plans. While I am leaning towards supporting the MLS proposal, I want to ensure taxpayer dollars are respected, short-term and long-term, presuming the majority agree that an outdoor sports venue is a wise investment. Ultimately, something will need to be done with Lansdowne Park as well, and this may include re-opening the design competition. All of these factors must come into play when I and my Council Colleagues make the final decision. I encourage you to participate in this debate by providing
my office with your comments on these proposals. I look forward to hearing from
you. Transit mitigation measures conclude In conjunction with the final phase of the Service Restoration Plan for OC Transpo buses, please be advised of some changes to the City’s strike mitigation measures, effective March 16. All-day parking in un-metered on-street parking areas with 1, 2, or 3-hour time limits will cease and posted time limits will be enforced. All carpooling incentives (tokens) at municipal paid parking lots will end. All on-street metered parking rates will revert back to $3.00 per hour. I thank everyone for their continued patience during this
frustrating time. Applications for 2009 Crime Prevention Ottawa Project Funding are now available Non-profit community organizations in Ottawa are invited to submit applications for new projects that address Crime Prevention. Funding is available for projects that contribute to the Crime Prevention Ottawa's strategic plan; target specific crime issue; or improve a neighbourhood’s capacity to increase safety. Stittsville presently has four Neighbourhood Watch
associations, located in the areas of Arrowwood, Morningsun, Granite Ridge and
Riverbank Court. Program guidelines and applications are available at municipal Client Service Centres or online at www.CrimePreventionOttawa.ca. Applications must be postmarked or received by 4pm on April
22. Ottawa goes dark for Earth Hour The City of Ottawa is encouraging residents to join the City in participating in Earth Hour, a global campaign that encourages individuals and businesses to turn off their lights from 8:30pm to 9:30pm on March 28 as a symbolic statement on the need to take action on climate change. The World Wildlife Fund initiated the global campaign in Sydney, Australia in 2007. This year, organizers hope to reach one billion people in more than 1,000 cities around the world. For more information, visit
www.wwf.ca/earthhour.
You can also find information on the City’s website at
www.ottawa.ca closer to March
28. 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 located in the Goulbourn Recreation Complex, located at 1500 Shea Road. The hours of operation are Mondays 9-2pm, Wednesdays 3-8pm, Fridays 9-5pm, and Saturday 9-1pm. Please do not hesitate to pay us a visit. Sincerely, |
