NEWS ARCHIVESOctober 31, 2011 2012 Budget Approval On October 26th, 2011, the City of Ottawa tabled a spending plan for 2012 that will keep Ottawa on a course that is sustainable for the long-term. Following on the solid fiscal framework Council put in place last year, Budget 2012 proposes a tax increase of just 2.39 percent - below the annual maximum target of 2.5 percent. The draft budget includes a continued freeze on fees for City recreation programs, Council budgets and salaries and a transit-fare increase limited to 2.5 percent. Additionally, the City is also reducing its workforce. While the budget limits new demands on taxpayers, it will also help prepare the capital city for the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation in 2017. Budget 2012 contains an acceleration of capital works projects – Ottawa on the Move – that will provide needed upgrades and repairs to existing roads, sidewalks, bridges and sewers. The City of Ottawa is in strong financial shape, with the lowest debt per capita among the big Canadian cities. By accelerating our capital investment in capital projects, at interest rates below three per cent, it’s estimated the City will save $12.9 million. Specific Projects 2012-2014 Included in the 2012 Budget: Full Transit service extended to Stittsville. Securing 100 parking spaces for Park & Ride use at Scotiabank Place. Road resurfacing: Huntmar Drive from Maple Grove Road to Palladium Drive, Rothbourne Road from Highway 7 to Lloydalex Crescent, Beverly Street from West Ridge Drive to Stittsville Main Street, Jonathan Pack Street from Abbott Street to Beverly Street. Bike lanes and paved shoulders as part of resurfacing projects on over 15 projects, including Old Prescott Road, Huntmar, Church Street, Tenth Line Road and Galetta Side Road. Further information and specific Ward highlights please consult my website as full information will be available shortly- shadqadri.com. Swing equipment at Cypress Gardens Park The swings at Cypress Gardens Park were recently removed. However, please be assured that the swings will be reinstalled. The Parks Department recently removed the swings and swing structure from the playground in order to have them repaired. It is currently being welded and will be thoroughly inspected prior to being replaced in the playground. Parks staff are hoping to have the repairs completed this week and the swings reinstalled by the end of next week. Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from the Seasonal Flu The flu vaccine is safe, free and the most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu. Getting the flu shot is an easy way to avoid missing school or work, or passing on the flu to those around you. The web link, listed below, also includes a list of times of locations for upcoming flu clinics. Ottawa Public Health also reminds Ottawa residents of these key steps to avoid the flu:
http://www.ottawa.ca/health_safety/conditions/flu_clinic/clinics_en.html Fundraising Event: Ladies Night Out Are you looking for unique Christmas gift ideas? Would you like to enjoy an evening of shopping, refreshments and fun? The Stittsville Cooperative Nursery School (SCNS) will be hosting Ladies’ Night Out: A Stittsville Women’s Show on Monday, November 7th from 7-9pm at the Stittsville United Church (6255 Fernbank Rd.). The evening will offer over 30 local artisans and entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their products and services, as well as offer moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters, neighbours, friends and the Stittsville community at large a fun evening and the chance to purchase local and hand-made Christmas gifts. You will find hand-made jewellery, purses, and clothing for adults and children, organic and all-natural make-up and skin care products for moms, babies and children, tasty treats and so much more! Admission to the event is free. For more information, please visit www.scns.ca. Share your opinion about updating Ottawa’s smoke-free by-laws Following the Ottawa Board of Health’s request that Ottawa Public Health (OPH) conduct public consultations on the expansion of the City of Ottawa’s smoke-free by-laws, OPH has developed a comprehensive consultation plan which will run from October 18, 2011 to January 20, 2012. The objective of the consultations is to ensure residents, businesses and other community representatives have an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed expansion of the City’s smoke-free by-laws to include all public beaches and parks, all municipal properties and all outdoor patios and terraces. These groups will also provide their feedback on other options that would protect the public from the harms of second-hand smoke, including new regulations relating to the use of water-pipes in public establishments. For a list of methods to share your opinion, please consult the full information under the ‘Important Information’ icon on my website – shadqadri.com. 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 situated in the Goulbourn Recreation Complex, located at 1500 Shea Road. Please note the summer hours of operation are Mondays 9-2pm, Wednesdays 3-8pm, Fridays 9-5pm, and Saturday 9am-1pm. Please do not hesitate to pay us a visit. I welcome your call or email to arrange an appointment. If you are not part of my electronic outreach list and would like to be added, please contact my office to ensure you receive pertinent information concerning our community. Further information about any of these articles can be found on my website or you can contact my office to obtain details. |