NEWS ARCHIVESJune 13, 2008 School board's bus policy not acceptable Four Councillors and myself have submitted a letter to the Ottawa Catholic School Board, following its decision to reduce bus service for some students, resulting in longer and potentially more dangerous trips to school. City Traffic officials have expressed concerns regarding the risk this decision posses to very young children who will now be required to travel greater distances and cross additional streets and intersections. Contrary to the goal of the board, there will be a burden on the tax payer as the City would be required to increase snow clearing and have additional street signage in place. The change in policy will result in additional operating and financial pressures on the City. My Council Colleagues and I urge the school board to
reconsider any changes to bus operations in our community and review the impact
their decision has from a safety and cost-related perspective. City moves forward with Green Bin plan The City is making progress on a green bin program in an effort to divert 60 per cent of residential waste from disposal. The Source Separated Organics program forms a vital part of the City’s push to meet this goal. Council previously awarded an SSO contract for processing and marketing to Orgaworld Canada Ltd. The City will now be able to begin implementing a comprehensive Source Separated Organics collection program. The program will be launched in the fall of 2009 and residents will be provided with an information kit, an organic kitchen catcher and a green bin curbside container. It has been estimated that approximately 30 per cent of resident waste directed to local landfill sites can be composted to an organic soil-based product at the new processing facility. Organic materials that will be accepted in the program include kitchen scraps, meat and dairy products, soiled fibre boxes, paper towels, tissues, and yard and plant waste. For more information about the City’s organic waste
collection program and other waste collection services, please call 3-1-1, or
visit the City’s website at
www.ottawa.ca, and check under “Recycling and Garbage.” Sunray Park Public Meeting I will be hosting a meeting with City Staff to discuss community concerns raised regarding Sunray Park in Stittsville. Given the increased concern with illegal activities that may be taking place in this park, some residents have requested the forested area be trimmed back to clear the undergrowth to make this area of the park more visible. This meeting will provide an opportunity for all residents to be involved in the discussions. I encourage the public to attend this meeting on June 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Stittsville Library meeting room located at 1637 Stittsville Main Street. For more information please contact my office at
613-580-2476. Financial boost to tackling substance abuse The City’s four-pillar approach to combating substance abuse and addiction was given a major boost by the Provincial government. The Province announced funding of $5.5 million to expand addiction treatment programs in our city. The money will be used to create more beds as well as treatment and outreach programs across our City. Included in this will be two youth treatment centres, one of which may be constructed in the City’s west end. The province will invest in 48 new supportive housing units in the city for people who have completed addiction treatment. Funds will also be funnelled to the school system to provide resources and programs for youths struggling with substance abuse. The treatment aspect of the City’s four-pillar approach is
a critical step to assisting those who have succumbed to addiction. With proper
treatment and supportive care, we can truly assist those struggling with
substance abuse and addiction. Kanata West Transportation Connections Public Meeting This meeting will be a follow-up to a meeting held last fall to discuss the transportation connections in Kanata West. In the past there have been discussions regarding the possible closure of sections of Johnwoods Street; however, at the meeting last fall the majority of the community was not in favour of this proposal. Another item discussed was the connection of Stittsville Main Street to Maplegrove Road. A further traffic study has been done on this proposal and it is suggesting that these two roads should be connected. I encourage the public to attend this meeting to provide your comments. Substantial growth in Kanata West is taking place and I want to ensure the proper steps are taken to accommodate the increased traffic associated with this growth. The public meeting will be held on June 26 at 7 p.m. at the Pretty Street Community Centre located at 2 Pretty Street. This is your opportunity to help plan the future of our
community. Police charge teens with graffiti and liquor offences The Ottawa Police Service are advising parents and students that police will be taking a strict approach to unsanctioned end of school year events that include illegal activities. Last week, police discovered a number of youth actively involved in illegal activities. Officers laid several liquor offenses and made three charges under the new graffiti by-law. Offences under the City’s by-laws, Provincial Offence Acts and the Criminal Code will be will be strictly enforced. Parents are further reminded that they can be held accountable for damages caused by their children under the Parental Responsibility Act. The Police ask parents to closely monitor their children's
activities. This approach promotes community safety and public peace without
discouraging all activities relating to the end of the school year. Police respond to complaints of youth disturbances Ottawa Police Service’s West and East Divisions and other City partners announced an integrated strategy to deal with an increasing number of complaints from residents and businesses regarding youth disturbances across our City. The coordinated response will allow Ottawa Police to respond primarily to complaints involving alleged criminal activity, disorder and threats to public safety. Police will also be increasing bicycle patrols in parks during the summer months. By-law Services will focus their efforts on proactive patrols of problem parks and enforcing violations of City by-laws such as noise complaints and restricted access to parks between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. In addition, the Parks and Recreation Branch are continuing with the Youth on the Move program, with teams of outreach workers working with teens to foster a better respect between youth and the community. The outreach workers will be visiting parks from late June to the end of August. An improved tracking mechanism of calls for service and enhanced information sharing amongst key partners will strengthen the City’s ability to monitor and respond to problem areas. As well, there will be increased focus on holding parents accountable for their children’s actions through the enforcement of curfew and restitution for damage caused by youth. I encourage you to contact police whenever you see a
criminal offence occurring. No sighting is too insignificant. Unbuckling the Greenbelt? The Greenbelt White Paper, released to the City’s Planning and Environment Committee on June 10, aims to stimulate discussion amongst residents and community groups about the future of Ottawa’s environmental necklace. The published report does not take a position on Greenbelt development, nor does it propose any recommendations. The City feels Ottawa residents are uniquely affected by the Greenbelt and therefore have an important stake in making their views known to the National Capital Commission as part of the NCC’s review of its Greenbelt Master Plan. If you require any additional information on the Greenbelt White Paper, you can contact Ian Cross at 580-2424 ext. 21595. The report can also be obtained from the City’s website at www.ottawa.ca by searching Greenbelt White Paper. It is important you voice your opinion on this matter; the
Greenbelt is a defining feature of our City and directly impacts how we live,
work and play. Canada’s birthday bash July 1 is a day for all Canadians to take pride in our country and celebrate our nation’s rich past, present and future. The Stittsville Village Association’s Canada Day event promises to be a great day for families to celebrate Canada’s birthday. The event will begin at 3pm and occur adjacent to the Goulbourn Recreation Complex. Local musical talent Joel and Kyle Curry will perform the national anthem, while members of the Stittsville Legion will raise the Canadian flag. Musical guests include Take Five, The Weeds and Jessica Fitzgerald and magician Chris Pilsworth takes the stage to trick the mind with mystifying magic and daring illusions. Katie O’Rourke, the Canadian Irish Dancing Champion from the Sue Fay Healy School for Irish Dance, will be giving a performance demonstrating why she is a champion. Clowns, games and midways are all available to delight the young – and young at heart – in attendance. Fireworks will light up the evening sky and paint a patriotic canopy across our community. I look forward to seeing you and your family at the
festivities. “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 ] |
