CURRENT NEWS

July 17, 2009

Graffiti vandalism in Ottawa - what parents and youth need to know

The City’s year-round Graffiti Management Program, which aims to raise awareness of the problems graffiti causes for stakeholders and businesses, is reminding residents of the consequences of doing graffiti.

Graffiti tagging is not art – it is vandalism – and comes with serious consequences. Doing graffiti may include criminal charges, fines and restitution payments. In 2008, 26 youths were fined $610 for graffiti vandalism under the Graffiti Management By-law. A conviction under the Criminal Code of Canada can result in a criminal record.

Please be advised that under the Parental Responsibility Act, parents are financially responsible for property damage or destruction caused by their children.

I encourage you to visit www.ottawa.ca/graffiti or call 311 for more information. Graffiti – Prevent it. Report it. Remove it. Help keep Ottawa beautiful.
  

Maple Grove Road re-opens

A stretch of Maple Grove Road within the Fairwinds subdivision has re-opened, following a brief construction period.

I want to thank the community for the patience and understanding displayed during this construction phase. It is greatly appreciated and makes the process that much easier.

With the Hazeldean Road expansion soon to start, lasting until 2011, your patience is once again needed. While we may have to endure some short-term headaches, the long-term result is incredibly beneficial to the community as a whole.
 

Traffic lights set for installation

City Staff have alerted my office that the traffic lights to be installed at the intersection of Hazeldean, West Ridge and Kittiwake are to be operational by the start of the new school year.

The contractor recently began the preliminary work, such as the underground ducts and foundations. Once this is completed, signal crews will be dispatched to run underground cables and erect the signal hardware.

With the Hazeldean Road expansion forthcoming, having this intersection signalized will be critical to improving traffic flow.
 

City’s home-based business guide hits shelves

The City recently unveiled the Ottawa Home-based Business Guide, a new publication aimed at assisting entrepreneurs.

The guide, produced by the City in partnership with the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI) Entrepreneurship Centre, was created to assist entrepreneurs looking to start a home-based business, as well as for existing home-based business owners looking for additional resources.

The Ottawa Home-based Business Guide is organized into three sections – Thinking, Starting and Growing. The Thinking section helps clients assess whether a home-based business is the right choice. The Starting section provides information about developing a business plan, registration and permits, and getting organized. In the Growing section, clients can read about points to consider as their business increases in size or complexity.

In addition, the guide incorporates all the applicable information and up-to-date by-laws relevant to new and existing businesses in both urban and rural Ottawa.

There are more than 28,000 small businesses operating in Ottawa and it is important we encourage and stimulate this sector through programs and partnerships.

The guide will be available at City Client Service Centres, the OCRI Entrepreneurship Centre and kiosks, all branches of the Ottawa Public Library and online at www.ottawa.ca.
 

Residents reminded not to move firewood

I would like to remind residents that firewood should not be moved due to the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and the risk this may pose to healthy trees.

In April, the Federal Government issued a Ministerial Order restricting the movement of all ash products and all types of firewood in Ottawa and Gatineau in order to protect the region’s ash trees.

Any movement of wood out of these areas is strictly prohibited unless approval is sought from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The EAB does not move far on its own, but it can spread quickly by the movement and transportation of infested ash products and firewood. Slowing the spread of infestation is considered the most effective way to deal with EAB.

If you need firewood, please buy it locally. If you’re going to a cottage or campsite, buy your wood there and leave it behind when you go. Moving a single piece could introduce the pest to new areas and compromise the health of our region’s forests.

The EAB is a metallic-and-green-coloured beetle responsible for the demise of millions of ash trees in the northern United States and Canada. Its presence in Ottawa was first confirmed in July 2008.

To report an infested tree, please contact the CFIA at 1-866-463-6017. For more information on EAB and areas affected by the ministerial order, please visit www.ottawa.ca/eab or call 311.
 

Did you know?

Did you know under the Animal Care and Control By-Law No. 2003-77, dogs are not allowed within five metres of a play structure, wading pool or a spray pad. As well, residents are required to pick-up all waste produced by dogs both on and off your property.

For more information on the City’s animal by-laws, please visit www.ottawa.ca.
 

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 9-4pm, and Saturday 9-1pm. Please do not hesitate to pay us a visit.

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