NEWS ARCHIVESFebruary 27, 2009 Public transit resumes March 16; enhancements to follow OC Transpo has determined that all routes will return to service effective March 16. However, between March 16 and April 6, some runs will not be in service. This is to ensure service is offered on all routes, but mechanics are able to service vehicles in a timely fashion. For example, Express Route 263 typically runs four morning trips and four afternoon trips. Between March 16 and April 6, this route will operate three morning trips and three afternoon trips. Please consult OC Transpo’s website closer to March 16 to determine the frequency of your specific route. I have also confirmed that OC Transpo will go ahead with its planned service enhancements for our community effective April 19. Route 163 will be extended from the Fairwinds community into Timbermere and West Ridge. It will serve as an all-day route running every 30 minutes, connecting residents in the community with the Park and Ride. In addition, route 96 will run later in the evening Monday-Friday, offer more frequency on Saturday, and a new 30-minute service on Sunday. Two additional afternoon trips have been added to Express Route 262. Please visit my website at www.shadqadri.com for further information. As well, please visit www.octranspo.com closer to April 19 for further details. I want to take this opportunity to thank the community for
your ongoing patience during this ordeal; I know this has been a frustrating
time for residents so I appreciate the sacrifices you have had to make. 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. 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. And the winners are … On behalf of the community, I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to the winners of the People’s Choice Awards, hosted by the Kanata Chamber of Commerce. Local journalist and historian John Curry was honoured as Goulbourn’s Citizen of the Year. Congratulations to John for this tremendous recognition of his many contributions that shape our community. Included in the winners circle from the Goulbourn area were Mahogany Salon and Spa (Large Business of the Year), Poco Pazzo Restaurant (Restaurant of the Year), Here We Grow Again (Retailer of the Year), Friends of Hospice (Community Support/Non-Profit Organization of the Year), Richmond Fair (Tourism Business of the Year), Spotlight Hair Studio and Spa (Small Business of the Year), and Wildwood Steak Chophouse and Bar (New Business of the Year). Congratulations to all the winners and nominees; these prestigious awards are a fantastic way for us to applaud the many businesses and people who form our community. I would also like to congratulate the winners from Kanata and West Carleton. Tremendous job, everyone! It’s all in the box Stittsville Rotary Club members spent 48 hours in a tent this past weekend in an effort to raise money for the Shelter Box program, a charity that sends boxes of supplies to those affected by natural disasters. A British Rotary Club member founded the Shelter Box program in 2000. Each shelter box is filled with a 10-person tent, thermal blankets, cooking utensils, tools, water purifications tablets and other supplies necessary to assist 10 people following a natural disaster. Each shelter box costs $1,200. The Shelter Box program has provided emergency supplies to
more than 800,000 people in more than 52 countries. The first shelter boxes were
distributed to the earthquake-hit Gujarat region in India. Interim property taxes have been released The City has mailed the 2009 interim property tax bills out. The interim property tax bill is the first portion of your total property taxes; it is based on 50 per cent of last year’s taxes and is due in March. The final tax bill for the balance of your taxes is due in June. The due date for the 2009 interim property tax bill is March 30. Property tax bills will be mailed out between February 26 and March 6. In October, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) issued assessment notices for all properties in Ontario based on January 1, 2008 market values. This new value will be phased in over four years and will be used to calculate your 2009 property taxes. If you have questions about your assessment, please contact MPAC by phone at 1-866-6722 or visit their website at www.mpac.com. For information on your property tax bill, please contact the City’s Revenue department by phone at 613-580-2444, by e-mail at revenue@ottawa.ca or through Revenue’s website at www.ottawa.ca/taxes. Our community is unique in that residences located within
Kanata West, specifically the Fairwinds subdivision, receive a higher cost for
the transit and fire portion of their tax bill, as they fall under the Urban
Transit Area and receive full-time fire service, rather than the volunteer
service the rest of Stittsville receives. Please note that the transit portion
of your tax bill, for those living outside the Kanata West area, will be higher
this year as the community will receive a higher level of service, effective
April 19. Public Meeting to discuss Official Plan Review On March 10 I will be holding a public meeting to discuss the proposed amendments to the Official Plan, which were recently released. The meeting will take place at the Pretty Street Community Centre from 7-9pm. Staff is recommending the City add 850 hectares to the urban boundary in a variety of locations. With the inclusion of 850 hectares, the City’s gross hectare size would be 36,115. There is a set criteria that must be met for lands to be included in the urban boundary. There are four areas of land abutting Stittsville being reviewed for inclusion to the urban boundary: land north of Jackson Trails and Echowoods subdivisions; land west of Timbermere subdivision; lands located within the Fernbank Community Design Plan; and, lands south and east of Upcountry and West Winds subdivision. The date for the adoption of the Official Plan amendment by City Council will be determined following the meeting on March 31. City Council will consider the recommendations of PEC and decide whether to accept or make changes to the proposed amendments. Once City Council adopts the Official Plan amendments, it is submitted to the Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval. Staff expects a decision from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing before the end of 2009. Further information on the Official Plan can be found on
the City’s website at
www.ottawa.ca/beyondottawa2020. 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. Closure of Block Parent Program in Ottawa Following the closure of the Block Parent Program in Ottawa last fall, the Ottawa Police Service is still looking for Block Parent window signs to be returned. In support of Ontario Block Parent’s efforts to retrieve the red and white window signs, the police service has extended the sign return deadline to March 31. Ottawa Police would also like to remind residents, particularly parents, schools and groups that work with children that the Block Parent Program no longer exists in Ottawa. Further information is available at
www.ottawapolice.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 9-5pm, and Saturday 9-1pm. Please do not hesitate to pay us a visit. Sincerely, |
