We’ll start this week with another update on the Rideau Valley Drive South project.  As mentioned last month, Cornwall Gravel Company was awarded the contract to undertake reconstruction of Rideau Valley Drive South, through the village of Kars.  As of last week, the contractors Sediment and Erosion Control plan was approved by the Ministry of the Environment and the contractor will be mobilizing this week.

Manotick Traffic Meeting

I just want to thank everyone who attended the meeting that the MVCA and I co-hosted last week.  It was a good opportunity to go over some of the issues that were raised throughout the Secondary Plan process, as well as some long standing issues that predate the Secondary Plan consultations.  The intent of the meeting was to present issues as we heard them and discuss potential solutions.  Two such proposed solutions include lowering the speed limit on Manotick Main Street from 50km/h to 40km/h, north of Eastman Drive, and lowering the speed limit on Bankfield Road, between the village boundary and Colony Heights, from 80km/h to 60km/h.

As for other issues discussed at the meeting, I’ll summarize those in future columns so that everyone is aware of the discussions that took place at the meeting and can provide further comment.

Give us your feedback on Drinking Water Advisories

As the residents in the Glen know, the City of Ottawa had to implement a precautionary boil water advisory on September 24th, 2015 for the King's Park Communal Well System. In follow up, the City is conducting a survey about the advisory.

The purpose of this survey is to evaluate current Drinking Water Advisory processes and protocols and to identify opportunities for continual improvement. The City of Ottawa would like to know if you received information about the drinking water advisory, how you received the information, what future information would be helpful in similar situations, and if you have enough information about what to do during a drinking water advisory.

The survey includes 9 questions, and should take less than 10 minutes to complete.  There is an option to complete the survey in English (haveyoursayottawa.ca) or French (donnezvotreavisottawa.ca). All responses will remain anonymous and confidential. If you have any questions, please call Ottawa Public Health Information Line at 613-580-6744.

Steer Your Career by becoming an OC Transpo Bus Operator

The City is presently accepting applications for OC Transpo bus operators. The City invites potential employees to share in this exciting opportunity as the future of transit in Ottawa, the O-Train Confederation Line, is rapidly progressing with a scheduled launch in 2018.

Visit ottawa.ca/careers for more information and to apply online. The application deadline is Tuesday, November 10.

‘Let’s Chat: Priorities’ on November 5th

The Ottawa Police Services Board and Ottawa Police Service are currently developing the 2016-2018 OPS Business Plan. The plan will outline the future direction of our police service. OPS is looking to hear from the members of the communities they serve.  This opportunity to explore the future of policing in Ottawa as OPS develops the 2016-2018 Business Plan takes place on Thursday, November 5, 2015, from 6:00-9:00pm at St. Elias Centre, 750 Ridgewood Avenue, Ottawa.

The community consultation is an opportunity for community policing partners and residents to contribute to a three-year plan through discussions around three priority areas: Community, Members and Service. It is also an opportunity to explore questions and issues that matter to you in small group table chats.

You can register today. For more information, visit ottawapolice.ca/businessplan.  If you are unable to attend, an opportunity will be available for you to submit your feedback and ideas online from November 1-15, 2015.

New Ottawa Archives Exhibit

Taverns and Troublemakers, the newest exhibit at the City of Ottawa Central Archives, is now open. 

Taverns and Troublemakers gives you a seat at the bar to drink in the history of Ottawa’s taverns, and a front-row view of the battle with the Temperance Movement, the troublemakers who had a different plan for society.

The Temperance Movement called for moderation or abstinence from alcoholic beverages. Its goal was social reform, but the movement not only created a complicated road to regulating the sale and consumption of alcohol, it also created opportunities for bootleggers and the sale of illegal moonshine. 

Taverns and Troublemakers runs until March 19th, 2016 in Gallery 112 at the City of Ottawa Central Archives, James Bartleman Centre, 100 Tallwood Drive. Admission is free. 

Gallery 112 is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Saturdays from 10:00am to 5:00pm and closed Sundays and statutory holidays.  For more information about the City of Ottawa Archives, visit ottawa.ca

Trick or Treat with the Mayor

Join Mayor Jim Watson on Saturday, October 24th at Ottawa City Hall for the Mayor’s ninth annual Halloween gathering in support of the Ottawa Food Bank’s Baby Supply Cupboard. With the support of corporate sponsors, Trick or Treat with the Mayor, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, provides safe Halloween fun for everyone, and is a wonderful opportunity for local families to help others by donating essential food and supplies to the Baby Supply Cupboard.

Trick or treat with the Mayor and your favourite costumed characters, who will be handing out treats in Jean Pigott Place, and visit the spooky witches’ den in Andrew S. Haydon Hall. The excitement continues outside on Marion Dewar Plaza where children can decorate their very own miniature pumpkin in the outdoor pumpkin patch, take photos in the fun, fall-themed photo booth, and ride the Giant Tiger train.

Admission to the Halloween party is a non-perishable donation to the Baby Supply Cupboard. The Baby Supply Cupboard helps parents in need by providing items in high demand such as non-perishable baby food, formula, cereals, diapers and wipes. Chronic shortages of donations of these basic needs make stocking the Baby Supply Cupboard one of the Food Bank’s most expensive, but most precious priorities.

For more information, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1.

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If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491.