Happy New Year!

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We hope you have had the chance to take in the beautiful lights in Richmond's Memorial Park!

We hope you have had the chance to take in the beautiful lights in Richmond's Memorial Park!

Happy New Year Rideau-Goulbourn! As we embark on a new year, I do so with new responsibilities at City Hall. In December, Council approved the roles and responsibilities for the new term of council. After serving last term as Chair of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, I had the privilege of being named the Chair of the Environment Committee. Subsequently, I brought forward a Notice of Motion to change the name of that committee to the Standing Committee on Water, Waste and Environmental Protection. The intent is to ensure that the name of the committee reflects the broad mandate of the committee and its key priorities.

As for other responsibilities, I will continue to sit on Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, Finance & Economic Development Committee and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority. I will also be joining the Ottawa Community Housing Board and the Planning Committee.

2019 Town Hall Series

In the coming weeks, our office will be hosting a series of town hall meetings to help kick off the term of Council. We will host these meetings in Burritt’s Rapids, Pierce’s Corners, Kars, North Gower, Stittsville, Richmond, Munster, Ashton, Manotick, Country Club Village, Fallowfield Village and in the Quinn’s Pointe community in Barrhaven. These meetings will take place between January 9th and March 5th.

The intent of these meetings will be to look at what issues are present currently in our communities, what priorities we want to focus on and any other matters that residents feel requires our attention. It is also an opportunity to discuss how best we can improve communication. We have a number of new initiatives we are going to bring forward in order to better serve our residents. Included in that will be drop in meetings where residents can stop by and visit with our team. We will rotate these meetings around the ward every two weeks.

For the Town Hall meetings, we have the following meetings scheduled:

  • January 9th: Canadian Golf & Country Club, 7:00pm

  • January 12th: St. Patrick’s Church, 10:00am

  • January 15th: Manotick Arena, 7:00pm

  • January 19th: Burritt’s Rapids Community Hall, 10:00am

  • January 23rd: Munster Community Centre, 7:00pm

  • January 28th: North Gower Client Service Centre, 7:00pm

  • February 4th: St. Benedict Elementary School, 7:00pm

  • February 6th: Ashton Christ Church, 7:00pm

  • February 13th: Kars Recreation Centre, 7:00pm

  • February 19th: St. Philip’s Parish Hall, 7:00pm

  • February 26th: Marlborough Community Hall, 7:00pm

  • March 5th: Goulbourn Town Hall, 7:00pm

I very much look forward to these meetings, as does our team. I hope you will be able to attend.

 *****

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. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

Park Updates, McBean Street Bridge Replacement & the Stonebridge Development Proposal

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Richmond Bridge drawings.jpg

It is a busy year for Rideau-Goulbourn parks. Blue Rock Park in Kars is currently undergoing renewal while staff work toward the renewal of the play equipment at Richmond Lions Park, in addition to the planned outdoor rink to be located there this year. Planning also continues on Sarah McCarthy Park in Richmond and Ivy & Gordon Scharf Park in Manotick. All the while on Fairmile Road, we inch closer and closer to being able to add play equipment after the acquisition of some land and the progress on a road closure.

With all of that going on, the City, working with Councillor Michael Qaqish’s office and our Rideau-Goulbourn team, have just embarked on an update to the Beryl Gaffney Park concept plan culminating in some new investments in the park. We had our public open house last week with over 60 residents in attendance. In the coming weeks, we will formalize the method for feedback. Please stay tuned to this column and that of the Manotick Village & Community Association for more information.

McBean Street Bridge

The most significant infrastructure project to hit Richmond in some time has begun with the reconstruction of the McBean Street Bridge. In recent weeks, preparatory works began on site. These included some tree removal and the relocation of Bell lines. Aecon Construction has been contracted to carry out the bridge replacement project. The Commence Work Order was issued on June 20th and their completion date is scheduled for December 19th, 2019.

While the project itself will take up to 18 months, the impact on heavy vehicles and transit should only be approximately six months. As soon as one side of the bridge is complete and open, that newly constructed side will not have the weight restrictions any longer. For all other traffic, including cyclists and pedestrians, one lane of traffic will be available, except for a couple of occasions where a full closure may be necessary. The first full closure could occur within the next couple of months but the contractor is aware of significant Richmond events, such as the Fair and the Santa Claus parade and will ensure those are not impacted negatively.

If you happen to be a transit rider and frequently use the 283, there is a detour in place for the duration of the first phase of construction. The detour has been designed in a way to minimize the delay on the fewest number of riders. Simply put, riders from Munster and those who live on the South Carleton side of the Jock River will experience a longer commute. I thank those riders for their patience as we undertake this important project.

Stonebridge Development Proposal

In recent weeks, some of you may have heard my name being thrown around regarding Mattamy’s proposal to alter the Stonebridge Golf Course and build 158 additional units on the golf course property. The reason why I am mentioned is quite interesting as the development application actually falls entirely within Rideau-Goulbourn’s ward boundary. Similarly, there is a street in Stonebridge called Stromness Private, which also falls within Rideau-Goulbourn.

When the current boundaries were created in 2005, holes five through eight were considered to be outside the urban boundary. The urban boundary set the ward boundary lines. With the urban boundary changes that were approved in and around 2010, certain lands in Stittsville and Barrhaven that I now represent became developable, including this portion of Stonebridge. The intention is to correct these lines in 2019 with a ward boundary review. In the meantime, I will be working with Councillors Jan Harder and Michael Qaqish on the issues that impact our Barrhaven consituents.

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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. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

ARAC & Additional Infrastructure Improvements

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Photo from the ward: This photo was submitted to the MVCA's 'Going to the Dogs' photo contest. Dude, a 3 year old Bernese Mountain Dog, loves David Bartlett Park, especially in the winter!

Photo from the ward: This photo was submitted to the MVCA's 'Going to the Dogs' photo contest. Dude, a 3 year old Bernese Mountain Dog, loves David Bartlett Park, especially in the winter!

To begin this week, I would like to thank residents for taking the time to attend the open house last week for the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Barnsdale Road & Prince of Wales Drive. The feedback was quite positive to the rationale and design. Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in 2019 pending budget approval. Staff will now move to detailed design. For more information, please visit www.rideaugoulbourn.ca/barnsdaleroundabout. Any comments may be sent to Kunjan Ghimire via email at [email protected] or by phone at 613-580-2424, ext. 21685.

While at the open house, many residents also asked about the intersection of Prince of Wales and Bankfield Road. You may recall that I had been working on a plan for 2018 to implement turning lanes on Bankfield Road. Through further discussion and examination, staff have come back with a more comprehensive plan that also brings in the required upgrades to the First Line Road and Bankfield Road intersection. The plan is still being finalized and I will share that when it is available. What we are now looking at are new turning lanes in all directions at Prince of Wales and Bankfield in addition to signalization of the First Line Road intersection. Staff are currently working toward a spring 2019 timeline for construction.

Previously, the City approved plans for a roundabout at Prince of Wales and Bankfield as well as a realignment of First Line Road into a new roundabout 300m south of Bankfield on Prince of Wales. While still the plan for the future, it simply is not affordable in the short term. Through the next Development Charge By-Law review, staff will recommend these projects for inclusion in that by-law so that all future development in Manotick is paying into the plans for those improvements.

Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee

The March 1st meeting of the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee has only two items on the agenda. Both affect Rideau-Goulbourn. The main item will be the Engineer’s Report on the Cranberry Creek Municipal Drain, in North Gower and Kars. The second item is an amendment to the Zoning By-Law for the Caivan development at 6350 Perth Street in Richmond. That report just fixes the various zoning boundaries within the development to align with the blocks and lots within Phase 1 of the subdivision.

The Cranberry Creek Municipal Drain item dates back to 2012 and beyond. After a very wet spring in 2012, landowners on this Municipal Drain (MD) raised concerns about the maintenance of it. As of approximately 1991, the MD actually lacked a pump and dyke system that allowed it to operate as per the approved Engineer’s Report. In essence, the MD has not been properly functioning since that time.

The drain itself was originally constructed in 1895 but the pump and dyke were installed following an updated Engineer’s Report in 1969. That system remained in place for over two decades but it was considered insufficient based on the volume of water it could handle. An updated report in 1991 recommended upgrades to the pump and dyke at that time but it was not accepted by Rideau Township and the landowners at that time. As mentioned above, the matter resurfaced nearly six years ago leading to our current report.

In September 2014, the City appointed Robinson Consultants to update the Engineer’s Report and bring forward a plan to have the MD function as was intended and also to clean it out to its original depths. This report brings that forward. Landowners assessed by this MD received the Engineer’s Report in recent weeks which outlines the proposed works as well as the assessment values. Being a significant watershed, there are many properties affected by these drainage works.

While the Cranberry Creek MD Engineer’s Report comes to our Committee for approval, it is actually the Drainage Act that outlines the process. I understand that the assessments can create undue burden on affected landowners and I have committed to doing what I can to find some financial assistance to lower those assessments. That work will likely continue right through into April when this matter returns for the Court of Revision process.

The purpose of the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee meeting will be to discuss the Engineer’s Report. Andy Robinson, Drainage Engineer, will be presenting to the Committee. For those wishing to appeal assessments, that opportunity comes during the Court of Revision, which is scheduled for Monday, April 23rd at the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre in North Gower.

The Thursday, March 1st meeting of ARAC takes place at 10:00am at Ben Franklin Place.

2018 Additional Infrastructure Improvements

During the 2018 Budget deliberations, City Council was made aware of a $10M surplus, which was then directed to infrastructure renewal. At the Finance & Economic Development Committee of February 5th, staff brought forward a report on how the $10M would be spent in 2018. I am pleased to report that nearly $2M of that amount will be spent in Rideau-Goulbourn.

Approved at the February 14th meeting of City Council, the report includes pavement preservation projects on Eagleson Road (Perth to Brophy), Old Richmond Road (Fallowfield to Hope Side Road) and Dwyer Hill Road (Fallowfield to Highway 7).  The report also includes the resurfacing of Potter Drive and the portion of Barnsdale Road, between Moodie Drive and Twin Elm Road. On that, I have asked staff to take a second look and determine whether it would be more beneficial to resurface a portion of Barnsdale Road east of Moodie Drive instead. They are currently looking into that.

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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. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

City of Ottawa's 2018 Budget

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2018 Budget.jpg

On December 13th, City Council approved the 2018 budget. This budget maintains the predictability of the previous seven budgets in that it focuses on priorities that matter the most and carries a 2% property tax increase. You likely heard talk of a proposed 2.5% increase but that was withdrawn following the announcement that the City had a surplus for the second straight year and $10M of that surplus would be dedicated to infrastructure renewal.

In Parks & Recreation, planning and consultation will be undertaken for improvements to Beryl Gaffney Park using the master plan for that plan and the $560,000 identified in the budget. Blue Rock Park, in Kars, will see improvements, as will King’s Grant Park and Richmond Lions Park and Gordon & Ivy Scharf Park in Manotick. New parks will be created in the form of Lela Scharf Park, Mud Creek Park and the Spring Pond Parkette, all in Manotick. Also in Manotick, a new park is planned for construction in the new Riverwalk development. Sarah McCarthy Park will be constructed in Richmond. The total funding commitment for these parks, using 2017 and 2018 budget dollars, is $1.7M.

When it comes to traffic improvements, planning is slated for the intersections of Prince of Wales Drive & Bankfield Road, Prince of Wales Drive & Barnsdale Road, First Line Road & Bankfield Road and Rideau Valley Drive & Barnsdale Road. Previously budgeted works are also expected to be carried out this year at Moodie Drive and Fallowfield Road.

The biggest issue across the City, and in every other municipality for that matter, is infrastructure renewal. For 2018, Rideau-Goulbourn will see the resurfacing of Rideau Valley Drive South as well as a small portion of Fallowfield Road around Moodie Drive. Another major renewal project for 2018 is the McBean Street Bridge. There will also be many culvert replacements throughout the ward. In cases like Rideau Valley Drive North, these culvert replacements are the precursor to full resurfacing. The previously mentioned $10M injection into renewal will be discussed early in the new year as recommendations are presented to the Finance & Economic Development Committee on how to allocate those funds.

In other areas, the 2018 budget adds 25 new Ottawa Police officers, 14 new paramedics, $100,000 for rural transportation to be distributed through service agencies, including Rural Ottawa South Support Services. This budget also sees increases to social services spending and increased transit to suburban growth areas as OC Transpo continues to prepare for the opening of LRT in 2018.

If you have any questions about any of the items listed above or anything else on the budget, please do not hesitate to contact me.

North Gower Client Service Centre

Please note that the Client Service Centre in North Gower will be closed on Thursday, December 28th and Thursday, January 4th. Normal hours will resume on Thursday, January 11th. With that said, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Onward and upward to 2018!

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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. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

5514 Manotick Main, 1353 Scharfgate And Other Ward Updates

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5514 Manotick Main Street

Last week, we held the last meeting of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee until September. While there were only two items on the agenda items from Rideau-Goulbourn, they were both zoning applications within the village of Manotick. 5514 Manotick Main Street, also known as the Falls House property, has been featured prominently in this column for over two years. The proposal, as many of you know, is for a new three storey office/commercial building at the corner of Bridge Street and Manotick Main Street. This replaces the former Falls House that was demolished last fall. The zoning application seeks to realign the zoning of the existing property with a parcel of land that was added to it so that the entire property has a uniform zoning and can meet the parking requirements for development. There are also some minor changes to setbacks and height but the building retains the three storey limit as set out in the Manotick Secondary Plan. In recent months, community leaders have assisted me in refining the design and developing a softer look to the building. While there are still some modifications to be made, the most recent design and background on the property can be found at www.rideaugoulbourn.ca/fallshouse. I encourage you to visit the site and see the updated design.

The owner and the architect are still making refinements in collaboration with various community leaders that have been instrumental in softening the design of the original proposal and creating something that is more in tune with the community’s vision for the village core. Further refinements will include two chamfered corners as well as a hanging clock/sign on the southeast corner of the property.

The wall proposed at the edge of the southeast corner is planned to be built using the existing foundation stones from the Falls House. This will allow the property to front the intersection nicely and will also provide a buffer between the road and proposed patio. It will also provide some uniformity with the two other gateway features at this intersection. Removal of the guard rail will also take away some of the industrial feel of the intersection.

While the zoning application was approved last week, the design will be finalized in the weeks that follow. I want to take this opportunity to thank representatives from the Manotick Village & Community Association, the Manotick Culture, Parks & Recreation Association, the Manotick BIA and the Rideau Township Historical Society for their input throughout this process. We also had two other community leaders assist and I owe a debt of gratitude to them as well. Thanks as well to the community for their input in recent months on this proposal.

The other local item is the 1353 Scharfgate report. This is a development application from Cavanagh and John Gerard Homes in the pre-existing development off of First Line Road. The address is misleading as the current property does not, and will not, have access onto Scharfgate Drive. The development will see McManus Avenue extended through it with the creation of 16 new lots and a park. One of the main issues that came up during consultation was the proposal to build the development with open ditches. Nearby residents were concerned about this lack of conformity with the rest of development. Following this, we were able to work with the developer on achieving that conformity. Therefore, all 16 lots will feature closed ditches.

McLean Bridge Renewal

Work continues to progress on the McLean Bridge Rehabilitation project on the Barnsdale Road in Manotick. Over the last two weeks, the portable temporary traffic control signals (PTTS) were set up and vehicular traffic, pedestrians and cyclists are moving well. The temporary sidewalk on the north side was also installed.

The existing asphalt surface on the south side of the bridge deck was removed and had its surface prepared for new asphalt. The turbidity curtain was placed in the Rideau River. The installation of the turbidity curtain is an environmental protection measure that is required on bridge rehabilitation projects over water.  The re-facing of the pier caps below the bridge deck also started. The old bridge railings on the south side of the bridge have been removed and the suspended platform that allows for worker access has been installed.

Over the next two weeks, the re-facing of the pier caps below the bridge deck will continue and the removal of the old sidewalk on the south side of the bridge will be started.  Next week, work will commence on the removal and replacement of the bridge expansion joints.  

Richmond Forcemain Project

Construction is continuing on the Richmond Forcemain project. Bypass pumping of the Richmond Sewage Pumping Station into lagoon cell ‘C’ has started and will continue until the week of July 24th. This allows for the repairs to the existing forcemain to be carried out. In the coming weeks, there will be localized works along the property line behind the Dallaire Street properties.

The contractor will continue to bring in construction materials to site such as granulars, pipes and fitting materials and they will continue the installation of a granular access road from Eagleson to the west limit of lagoon cell ‘C’. Streets in the construction zone will be monitored daily for construction debris and clean as required.  

If you would like to receive regular updates about this activity, please contact David Brown at [email protected].

Lyme Disease Kits

Ottawa Public Health has been advising Ottawa physicians and the public since April 2017 that all parts of Ottawa should be considered risk areas for Lyme disease. The prevalence of Lyme disease in blacklegged ticks will fluctuate in time and geographically throughout the Ottawa region. However, as mentioned, all of Ottawa is considered a risk area for Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is an infection caused by a bacteria transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. Not all ticks carry Lyme disease. In Ontario, Lyme disease is spread by the bite of a black-legged tick, commonly known as the deer tick. Most humans are infected through the bite of an immature tick called a nymph, which is very small and are most active in the spring. Adult ticks are larger and active during the late summer and fall.

Ottawa Public Health has put together Lyme disease “kits”, which are available for pickup free of charge at the North Gower Client Service Centre for your information, use and distribution. Each “kit” includes a Lyme disease factsheet, which offers details related to the symptoms of Lyme Disease, tick removal processes, testing protocols and ways to prevent tick bites. The kits also include a tick key, which is designed to help remove any tick that may have attached themselves to a person, a family member, friend or pet. The Client Service Centre is only open on Thursdays. If you are interested in receiving a kit, you can also contact Wendy Eberwein at [email protected].

For more information on how to protect yourself and your family, please visit www.ottawa.ca/lymedisease.

Blue Rock Park Renewal

The City is currently working on the design of Blue Rock Park in Kars with the intent on renewing the park in the spring. Unfortunately, due to printing timelines, I wasn’t able to provide as much notice via this column as I would have liked. However, comments are still being accepted until July 14th. You can find out more about the proposed options at www.rideaugoulbourn.ca/blue-rock-park.

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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. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

Looking back at 2016

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With 2017 and Canada’s 150th year-long birthday celebration merely days away, it’s time to look back at 2016 for a year in review. The past twelve months were busy with many issues directly impacting rural Ottawa. It was also a year for progress on several files and increased planning on many more.

2016 was a year of progress. More of Rideau-Goulbourn’s roads saw improvements with varying degrees of upgrades conducted on Bridge Street, Royal York Street, Ottawa Street, Moodie Drive, Mackey Road and Flewellyn Road. The village of Kars finally saw the end of construction on Rideau Valley Drive South and the end result was a main street that actually feels like a village main street. We reached a conclusion in our efforts to protect and promote Dickinson Square as a heritage district with the retention of the Carriage Shed and Dickinson House in City ownership. We also began construction on the new Remembrance Park on Dickinson Street, a beautiful addition to the Square. In North Gower, the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre was the recipient of a new canteen building and new play equipment.

2016 was a year of controversy. City Council had many issues before it that were polarizing. In April, we brought forward a Vehicle-For-Hire By-Law creating a new policy in which ridesharing companies like Uber could legally operate within the City of Ottawa. At the same time, we loosened some of the regulations on the taxi industry recognizing the fact that, over the years, the industry had become over-regulated. In October, Council instituted a new Water, Sewer and Stormwater Rate Structure creating a system where the water and sewer rate budget can be managed in a more predictable manner with the aim of avoiding large rate hikes in the future. The new structure also balanced cost recovery of stormwater services across the City imposing a new fee on approximately 45,000 properties and lowering the fee on others. Earlier this month, Council approved an update to the Land Evaluation & Area Review which saw several changes to land designations, altering some from General Rural to Agricultural Resource Area and vice versa. Last, but not least this year, the City’s Public Library Board proposed a site for the future home of the Central Library. The new home is proposed to be at 557 Wellington Street, approximately 1.2 km west of the existing home at 120 Metcalfe.

2016 was also a year for community collaboration. The Remembrance Park became a reality thanks to the hard work of local residents and various community organizations, including the Manotick Legion. The preservation of Dickinson Square wouldn’t have been possible without Dickinson Square Heritage Management Inc., a group that represents over a dozen local organizations. The Manotick Arena Expansion is inching closer to construction thanks to groups like the Manotick Culture, Parks & Recreation Association. Community groups in Richmond have all come together to start planning the village’s bicentennial celebrations in 2018. Community organizations are what make our communities ever greater. My job would be impossible without them for which I am grateful. Whether it’s Burritt’s Rapids, Ashton, Fallowfield Village or any community in between, the countless local organizations work in partnership with my office, each other and the City to the benefit of all of us and that was never more obvious to me than in these past twelve months.

I hope that everyone had a pleasant Christmas and I wish you all a Happy New Year. See you in 2017!

*****

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. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

Woodroffe Avenue closure

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An issue of concern for many residents south of Barrhaven is coming to Planning Committee on Tuesday, February 11th.  The closure of Woodroffe Avenue will be on the agenda.  This closure dates back to pre-amalgamation Nepean in which the Council of the day approved closing Woodroffe Avenue at Prince of Wales Drive contingent on the extension of Strandherd Drive to Prince of Wales Drive.  Since that is now open, the closure has come forward with public consultation having been conducted in recent months.  I have heard many concerns from residents in our area on the closure and if you would like to speak on this issue at Committee, the meeting will be held in the Champlain Room at Ottawa City Hall at 9:30am.  As I have stated in the past, I am opposed to the closure as Woodroffe Avenue has historically been a vital connection into the city from the rural area, especially such destinations as the Nepean Sportsplex and Algonquin College.  The counter argument to my position is that taking Prince of Wales/Strandherd as an alternative is only 700m longer.

Manotick Local Improvement

In response to a Letter to the Editor in the December 19, 2013 issue of the Manotick Messenger, I just wanted to provide some details on the cost breakdown of the Manotick Core Local Improvement.  The Letter asked why Manotick properties were paying for something that benefits Minto more than anyone else.  First of all, it is important to note that the drive to bring sanitary services to the Village Core was done so through a petition presented to the City by the property owners, not at the request of any future developer.  However, as future development would certainly benefit, the cost breakdown took that into consideration.

In a report to Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee on March 12, 2008, the following was included: “The total estimated cost for the Local Improvement works is $26.96M with $12.06M applicable to the petition areas and the balance of $14.90M to be recovered from future servicing areas.  Based on the $12.06M applicable to the petition areas, the City and non-City share is $6.165M and $5.895M, respectively.”  The $26M figure covers both Hillside Gardens and the Core.  Therefore, only 22% of the total servicing costs were assessed to the properties that originally petitioned for the work.  The City covered 23% while 55% of the total costs will be assessed to future development or other future connections.

I hope this clarifies the issue.  If you have any further questions on this, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Generations Youth & Seniors

A fun Family Day event for youth and seniors is being organized for Saturday, February 15th between 10:00am and 4:00pm.  Rural Ottawa South Support Services and the Osgoode Youth Association are teaming up to offer this is event which will feature an art workshop, baking workshop, afternoon tea social and a delicious lunch.  Seniors over 65 years old and youth, between the ages of 11 and 18, are invited to this FREE event.

Spots are limited so please register as soon as possible.  Youth can register in person at the O-YA Centre of by email at [email protected] and seniors can register by contacting Terry at 613-692-4697 or [email protected].

Seniors Valentine’s Luncheon

The annual Seniors Valentine’s Luncheon at the Kars R.A. Hall is on Thursday, February 13th.  Always well attended, this event features a delicious home cooked meal for only $10 per person.  Live music and entertainment will be provided by the Mellowtones.  Lunch starts at noon so get there early!  The Kars R.A. Hall is located at 1604 Old Wellington Street, just off of Rideau Valley Drive South.

Kars Family Fun Day

Bring the family and join the Kars Recreation Association for some indoor & outdoor activities on Saturday, Feb 15th starting at 10:00am.  For the outdoor enthusiasts there will be skating and snowman making (weather permitting).  If you are looking to remain indoors, have fun soap carving, speed stacking, in addition to other arts & crafts.  Junkyard Symphony & Little Ray’s Zoo will also be in attendance to provide fun for the whole family. The event takes place at the Kars R.A. Hall at 1604 Old Wellington, Kars. There is a charge of $5.00 per adult which includes shows and lunch, children are free. www.kars.ca

Help Richmond win Kraft Hockeyville 2014

The nominations for Kraft Hockeyville close on February 9th at midnight so don’t forget to visit hockeyville.cbc.ca, join the Richmond Memorial Community Centre group and help support Richmond’s bid to be named Kraft Hockeyville 2014!  On February 8th, Creekside Gardens is hosting a Hockey Festival Day on their outdoor rink.  There will be a BBQ and hockey games throughout the day so come out and enjoy the fun.  Creekside Gardens is located at 5901 Ottawa Street.

Blood Clinic

Canadian Blood Services has activated the blood signal - which is a call to action to inform Canadians that there is an urgent need for blood right now. They are asking Canadians to rally together to give blood at their local clinics in the coming weeks. Canadian Blood Services are looking to fill 33,000 open appointment slots nationally.

The clinic in Richmond needs to collect 38 units of blood. Canadian Blood Services is hosting a donor clinic on Monday, February 10th at St. Philip’s Catholic Church between 4:30pm and 8:30pm.  Donors can book an appointment at www.blood.ca or by calling 1-888-236-6283.

Free Family Day Event at Goulbourn Museum

Family Day at Goulbourn Museum will feature an array of free activities for all ages. Families can pose for a photo keepsake in the Old-Fashioned Photo Booth, get creative at the craft station, play games, win prizes, and step back in time in the Museum’s replica village shop.

Visitors will also be the first to glimpse a piece of military history that was once pinned to the chest of one of Goulbourn’s War of 1812 heroes. After being passed down from generation to generation for 160 years, the family of Colonel George Burke has entrusted the Museum with his silver military medal. Burke’s medal will be added to the Museum’s 100th Regiment of Foot exhibition which is undergoing renovations to make the displays more accessible. Both the medal and the refreshed exhibit will be unveiled during the Museum’s Family Day event.

The Family Day festivities take place Monday, February 17 from 10:00am to 3:00pm. All ages are welcome, admission is free and light refreshments will be served. The Goulbourn Museum is located at 2064 Huntley Road, just south of Stittsville, at Stanley’s Corners. For more information, please visit http://goulbournmuseum.ca/whats-happening/ or call 613-831-2393 or join Goulbourn Museum on Facebook for regular updates.

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

Richmond for Hockeyville 2014!

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Since 2006, Kraft and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation have presented a nationwide contest that, each year, names one community as Hockeyville.  This year, a group in Richmond has launched their bid to become Hockeyville 2014 and they need your help.  To support Richmond, please visit hockeyville.cbc.ca and join the Richmond Memorial Community Centre group.  Nominations close on February 9th at midnight.

This year’s competition will result in 16 hockey communities across Canada receiving prize money that will go toward arena upgrades.  The grand prize winner will not only win $100,000 in arena upgrades but will also win the right to host a 2014-15 NHL Preseason game and a visit from CBC.

Richmond has a rich hockey tradition that includes being the birthplace of the International Silver Stick Hockey Association.  Silver Stick Hockey was founded in 1958 and found its home in Richmond as the village had one of the very few indoor rinks at that time.  The philosophy of the Silver Stick tournament was to help develop “Citizenship and International Goodwill through Hockey.”  The first ever Silver Stick games took place on February 6, 1958 and featured the Richmond Peewees and the Woodroffe Bantams playing teams from Potsdam, New York.

Richmond also features a strong high school hockey history with South Carleton High School having won the Provincial Championships in 1977.  No other Ottawa area team has won that championship since.  In closing, help Richmond become Hockeyville 2014 and support the historic hockey tradition in this great community.

Seniors Valentine’s Luncheon

The annual Seniors Valentine’s Luncheon at the Kars R.A. Hall is on Thursday, February 13th.  Always well attended, this event features a delicious home cooked meal for only $10 per person.  Live music and entertainment will be provided by the Mellowtones.  Lunch starts at noon so get there early!  The Kars R.A. Hall is located at 1604 Old Wellington Street, just off of Rideau Valley Drive South.

Richmond Village Association AGM

The Annual General Meeting for the Richmond Village Association is slated for Tuesday, February 4th.  The AGM will take place at the St. Paul’s United Church in their meeting hall and begin at 7:30pm.  Doors open at 7:00pm for a meet and greet.

All Richmond residents/business owners qualify to vote and stand for election for the new 2014 RVA Board of Directors. There are eight positions to be filled. Please join your friends and neighbours for a cup of coffee, to see what your RVA is up to and help elect the new Board.  The Richmond Village Association has a very strong focus on community and stays actively involved by organizing the Spring Clean-Up, Great Garage Sale, Family Fun Day, Santa Claus Parade and the Lighting of the Park.

Seniors Valentine’s Luncheon

The annual Seniors Valentine’s Luncheon at the Kars R.A. Hall is on Thursday, February 13th.  Always well attended, this event features a delicious home cooked meal for only $10 per person.  Live music and entertainment will be provided by the Mellowtones.  Lunch starts at noon so get there early!  The Kars R.A. Hall is located at 1604 Old Wellington Street, just off of Rideau Valley Drive South.

Snowmobile Safety

Snowmobiling is a fun outdoor winter activity, but remember there's always a danger.  A number of accidents are reported every year. Snowmobiling fatalities often involve alcohol, unsafe ice, excessive speed, and riding outside trails and rider abilities.  Accidents are preventable if proper safety precautions are followed.

Stay on approved trails and do not trespass. Riders are reminded that the maximum speed on trails is 50 km/h, and 20km/h where posted. Snowmobilers should plan their route, and advise someone of the plan and arrival times. Carry a cell phone, and GPS if possible. Riders travelling across ice should also wear a floatation device or a floater suit in case they go through the ice. Riders should also practice defensive snowmobiling techniques. Keep an eye out for obstacles on trails such as trees and tree branches, trail washouts, and snow banks.

The Ottawa Police Service Marine, Dive and Trails Team will be hitting the trails this winter to do prevention, education as well as enforcement. For more information, visit ottawapolice.ca.

Kars Family Fun Day

Bring the family and join the Kars Recreation Association for some indoor & outdoor activities on Saturday, Feb 15th starting at 10:00am.  For the outdoor enthusiasts there will be skating and snowman making (weather permitting).  If you are looking to remain indoors, have fun soap carving, speed stacking, in addition to other arts & crafts.  Junkyard Symphony & Little Ray’s Zoo will also be in attendance to provide fun for the whole family. The event takes place at the Kars R.A. Hall at 1604 Old Wellington, Kars. There is a charge of $5.00 per adult which includes shows and lunch, children are free. www.kars.ca

Chapman Mills Sound Connection

The Chapman Mills Sound Connection is a women’s barbershop chorus in its third season.  Based in Barrhaven, the twenty five member chorus sings with Music Director Karen Taylor. The chorus is a charter member of the international organization, Harmony Inc. and competes regularly with other barbershop choruses from New England and Eastern Canada.  Last year Sound Connection came 1.5 points from being able to compete in the Internationals in Orlando, Florida.  This is quite a feat for such a new chorus.  Barbershoppers sing “a cappella”, with no instrumental accompaniment, in four part harmony. The Sound Connection repertoire covers a wide range of music from gospel to jazz standards to rock ‘n roll. They enjoy performing at community and private events.

Women who love to sing are invited to join The Sound Connection for our upcoming Prospective Members’ Nights. Come for an evening and hear our sound, sing along and meet new friends.  The next prospective members’ night is on Tuesday, January 28th at 7.30pm at Jockvale Heritage School, 3131 Jockvale Road, Barrhaven.

For further information check our website http://soundconnection.yolasite.com/ or contact Maxine Mercer, [email protected], 613-435-7441

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

Updates on LRT and the OLG

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I hope everyone had a great Canada Day weekend and let’s hope the rest of the summer is a little less wet than June was.  According to farmzone.com, the average rainfall in Ottawa in June is 85mm whereas we received nearly 130mm of precipitation in June of this year.  For our local farmers and for the enjoyment of summer, hopefully we’ll have a much better July and August.

While summer is officially upon us, there is still some work to do at City Council in the coming weeks including a vote on the plan for LRT between Tunney’s Pasture and Baseline Station and another vote concerning a casino in Ottawa. I’d like to take this opportunity to discuss the upcoming vote on the casino issue that will come before the Finance & Economic Development Committee (FEDCO) on Tuesday, July 9th and rise to full Council on Wednesday, July 17th. 

For those new to the issue, Council first considered whether or not Ottawa was to be a willing host to a new or expanded casino in October 2012.  This was due to the Modernization Plan put forward by the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation (OLG) that suggested new locations for casinos throughout Ontario.  Council voted 19-5 in favour of being a willing host, sending the message to the OLG that Ottawa should be considered for a new casino.  At that time, and with the support of residents throughout Rideau-Goulbourn, I voted against the idea as I felt the only desire of the OLG was a downtown casino and this would come at the cost of the existing Rideau-Carleton Raceway (RCR).  RCR is an integral part of our rural communities and its potential closure would result in the loss of nearly 1000 jobs, which, in my mind, would be completely unacceptable.  My opposition was not against the idea of expanding gaming, but against the potential loss of the RCR.  I was always of the mind that if we expand gaming in Ottawa or if we build a new casino in Ottawa, that it should be on the same grounds at RCR.

This brings to us to a motion before FEDCO on July 9th, put forward by Mayor Jim Watson, which states “that the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation be informed, prior to the start of the RFP process, that the only location acceptable to the City of Ottawa for an expanded gaming facility is the current location at the Rideau Carleton Raceway.”  This is a welcome change in direction from the support of a downtown casino that responds directly to the overwhelming support of RCR from the residents of Ottawa.  From October until today, I have consistently heard from residents across the City, either via email or in person, if we are to see a new or expanded casino that it should be at RCR.

In recent weeks, we’ve seen one individual come forward and suggest that he should be allowed to bid on a casino for him to build on land that he currently owns.  However, at no point in the last eight months have we heard from residents of Kanata/Stittsville, or any other community for that matter, indicating that they want a new casino in their community.  A new casino in a community like Kanata/Stittsville would decimate existing restaurant and hotel businesses and create a gambling environment in a community where that environment does not currently exist.  Without the support of the people that actually live in the community, I would not support the construction of a new casino in it and nor should the elected officials that represent that community.

Rideau Carleton Raceway was established long before any new developments have encroached upon it and a considerable buffer still exists between Findlay Creek and their site on Albion Road.  It is the logical choice for an expanded casino operation and I am happy to support our call to the OLG that this be the only location considered.  I strongly encourage my colleagues on Council to do the same.   I look forward to this vote and I want to thank all of you for the support you have shown for Rideau Carleton in recent months.

Watson's Mill Beer Tasting

Join the good people at the Watson’s Mill in Manotick on Friday, July 12th, between 7:00 and 10:00pm, for their annual beer tasting event.  Your $30 event admission will include five 4oz. sample tickets redeemable at any of the brewery stations with additional sampler tickets available during the event.  Approximately 8-10 local craft breweries will be in attendance, including Hog’s Back, Kichesippi, Mill Street, Beau’s, and others.  There will be appetizers and live jazz music provided by the Swamp Water Jazz Band. Each admission ticket will be given one ballet to vote for their favourite brewery and the winning brewery will win an intimate pairing and tasting session with Indulge’s renowned Chef David Godsoe, which will take place at Watson’s Mill later in the fall. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/WatsonsMill2013CraftBeer

Treats, Treasures and Open Market

The Kars Recreation Association wants to invite local residents to stop by the RA grounds between 9:00am and 3:00pm on Saturday, July 20th to mingle, browse and purchase art, crafts and homemade edibles from people in your community. Admission and parking are free.  This event coincides with the annual International Dog Show taking place on the Kars RA Grounds from Friday, July 19 until Sunday, July 21st.  The Kars RA is located at 1604 Old Wellington Street in the beautiful village of Kars.  For more information, please visit www.kars.ca

Flewellyn Road Closure

I’d really like to thank everyone on Flewellyn Road for their patience this summer as construction will affect this particular road due to three separate projects stretching the entire length of the road.  Earlier, we announced closures between Huntley Road and Eagleson Road due to the Enbridge Gas pipeline reinforcement project.  Beginning this month, we’ll also begin the resurfacing of Flewellyn Road, between Munster Road and Ashton Station Road.  The latest notice of closure is concerning the portion between Munster Road and Dwyer Hill Road for the renewal of a bridge.  This closure will begin July 2 and last until August 22.  Local and emergency traffic will maintain access and a signed detour will be in place.  Thank you again for your patience.

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

OC Transpo rural shoppers’ bus

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OC Transpo has five once-a-week rural shuttles to major malls that are free of charge.

West end shoppers' routes

On Mondays, Route 201 runs from Richmond and Stittsville to the Bayshore and Carlingwood Shopping Centres. Wednesdays, shuttle Route 203 runs from Dunrobin and Carp to Bayshore and Carlingwood Shopping Centres. Fridays, shuttle Route 205 from North Gower, Kars and Manotick to Barrhaven and Carlingwood Shopping Centre.

East end shoppers' routes

On Tuesdays, Route 202 runs from Navan, Sarsfield, Cumberland to Place d’Orléans and St. Laurent Shopping Centres. Thursdays, Route 204 runs from Metcalfe and Greely to South Keys and Billings Bridge Shopping Centres.

Anyone can use the free rural shoppers' routes. Each route runs one trip to the city in the morning, and one trip returning in the afternoon. Pick-up and departure times vary by route, so please visit www.octranspo.com or call 613-741-4390.

Column: Town Hall Meetings - Fall 2012

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Between September and December, I’d like to hold informal town hall meetings in nearly every community in this ward. The idea will be for me to provide an update on what has transpired in the first 24 months and it will also serve as an opportunity for you to raise any issues that you feel I should be focusing on for the next 24 months as well.
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COLUMN: Alastair Munro

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As we all grow up and work our way through school, we rarely develop any meaningful attachment with the Principal of any school.  The Principal is always that ominous figure whose scowl is eerily reminiscent of the dad from that 1990’s TV show, The Wonder Years.  I spent more time than I likely should have in the Principal’s office during my time at Kars Public School and Rideau Valley Middle School so I got to know these individuals quite well.

One such Principal that I got to know in my time at Kars Public School was much different than any other I’ve ever had.  Instead of yelling and punishing for any wrongdoings, he would always give me that “you should know better” lecture and the dreadful “I’m disappointed in you” look.  He was my Principal when I was 5 until I turned 8 and his name was Alastair Munro, or Mr. Munro, as I knew him then.

I was going through some old things this past week and I came across a lot of old report cards with Mr. Munro’s name on them.  I found a letter he wrote to my parents when I was in grade 3 saying that I was “creating a disturbance by distracting the bus driver.”  While I may not have been the most behaved little guy on the bus, there is some irony to this letter.  The driver of the bus was a gentleman by the name of Chris Rybiak, whose wife, Brenda, currently lives in North Gower.  Fast forward 20 years, and both Alastair Munro and Brenda Rybiak had Scott Moffatt signs on their lawn, so I guess my bus misbehaviour didn’t do any long term damage, thankfully.  Another thing I came across was an old tie that Mr. Munro gave me when I was in grade 2.  As troublesome as I was in grade 3, I was equally nerdy in grade 2 constantly wearing dress shirts, ties, and sweater vests to school.  Looking back, it was clear I was pretty cool.  Noticing my affinity for ties, Mr. Munro gave me one of his ties and I’ve kept it to this day, a black and red paisley tie that finally fits me.

In 2006, I got to know Mr. Munro again, but this time, as Alastair.  Alastair was incredibly positive and excited that I was running for City Council back then.  If you ever spent any time around this man, you couldn’t help but smile.  His attitude was contagious and his dedication to community was outstanding.  Nearly a lifelong resident of Richmond, he put a lot of dedicated volunteer hours into the community he loved, primarily as a member of the Richmond Lions.  He was one of the first calls I made when I was planning my campaign for 2010 and my booth at the Richmond Fair.  It was at this time that I discovered Alastair was ill and wouldn’t be able to make it to the Fair that year.  Knowing that he was so strong and passionate about life, I figured he would just fight off any illness and be back in no time.  The 2011 Richmond Fair rolled around and I was excited to run into Alastair once again as he greeted me with his contagious smile.  I’m lucky to have known such a positive individual, someone that taught me many things as a kid and as an adult.

It was with sadness that I learned that Alastair passed away last week at the age of 70.  Having attended his service on Monday, it was clear that he not only touched my life but the lives of many, many more.  From the teachers he worked with and the students in his schools to his neighbours along the Richmond Road and his beloved family, Alastair left behind so many glowing memories for all of us to remember him by for years to come.  The world you leave behind is made better because of the time you were here.  Thanks Alastair.

OC Transpo rural service improvements

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Free service on new rural shoppers’ Routes until June 30! OC Transpo has added four new once-a-week rural shuttles to major malls that are free of charge until June 30. Four routes serving rural communities in the east and west ends run one day a week – these are in addition to the previously existing Friday shuttle Route 205 from North Gower, Kars and Manotick.
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Rural Review update

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Land use planning staff has been conducting a Rural Review for the City of Ottawa. This is an update on some of the components of the project. Other components of the Rural Review to be undertaken in 2012 include Mineral Aggregate Review, Country Lot Subdivisions Review, Drive-through Facilities Study and Review of Severance Policies.
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