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.

City of Ottawa's Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund, TD Park Grant and Other Updates

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Rideau-Goulbourn was home to multiple Winter Carnivals including Fallowfield Village's Annual Winter Carnival, Manotick's Shiverfest, Munster Winter Carnival and North Gower's 56th Winter Carnival. Thank you to Grace Thrasher from the Manotick Village & Community Association for the photo from Shiverfest and to Jessica Breckenridge from the Munster Community Association for the photo from the Munster Winter Carnival. For more photos from Winter Carnivals in Rideau-Goulbourn, visit: www.facebook.com/rideaugoulbourn.

Rideau-Goulbourn was home to multiple Winter Carnivals including Fallowfield Village's Annual Winter Carnival, Manotick's Shiverfest, Munster Winter Carnival and North Gower's 56th Winter Carnival. Thank you to Grace Thrasher from the Manotick Village & Community Association for the photo from Shiverfest and to Jessica Breckenridge from the Munster Community Association for the photo from the Munster Winter Carnival. For more photos from Winter Carnivals in Rideau-Goulbourn, visit: www.facebook.com/rideaugoulbourn.

The City of Ottawa is asking residents to weigh-in on how to spend more than $450,000 in the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund. Residents can have their say by completing an online survey. The Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund Consultation Questionnaire is available on ottawa.ca from January 24 to February 16.

Money in the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund is generated through a voluntary surcharge paid by private transportation companies (PTC), such as Uber Canada. The surcharge was implemented because many PTCs cannot currently accommodate persons who use mobility devices including power wheelchairs and scooters.

Money from the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund will be spent to support accessible transportation in the city of Ottawa. These programs and services may include:

  • accessible transportation services provided directly by wheelchair accessible vehicles such as OC Transpo, Para Transpo and taxis
  • City and community-based programs and services that support or enhance the ability of persons of all ages with physical disabilities who require the use of a mobility device to move around the city regardless of the mode(s) of transportation used

In order to receive funding from the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund, programs and services must also be:

  • accessible
  • safe
  • available
  • affordable
  • timely
  • sustainable

An information package that includes background, details and definitions of all these terms can be found on the public consultation page of ottawa.ca. Please note that I have encouraged Rural Ottawa South Support Services to seek funding through this Fund to help with their transportation efforts. Similar suggestions from residents in the rural area would go a long way.

Barnsdale Road & Prince of Wales Drive

As a reminder, there is an open house upcoming to discuss plans for a roundabout at the intersection of Barnsdale Road & Prince of Wales Drive. Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in 2019 pending budget approval.

The open house is scheduled for Thursday, February 15th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm and will be held at the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority building at 3889 Rideau Valley Drive. 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. Comment on this open house should be submitted by Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

TD Park Grant

The TD Park People grant program was created to support community groups to host events in urban parks or public green spaces. Through this grant, TD hopes to lay the groundwork for long-term sustainable community partnerships in parks across each of the selected cities (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Ottawa). Groups who demonstrate the ability to successfully organize and host events, as well as sustain their group beyond this grant cycle, are encouraged to apply.

Their expectation is that successful applicants host at least three events between April and December 2018 with each event open to all members of the larger community. Eligible groups include volunteer-based park groups, local agencies, resident associations and non-profits that are active in their local parks.

Eligible expenses include honoraria for volunteers, event materials, supplies and equipment, printing of promotional materials with provided templates. Essentially, any reasonable event expense can be covered by the grant.

To apply, visit https://parkpeople.ca/parkgrants/. Applications are due by the end of the day on March 5, 2018. Funding decisions will be made in April, with cheques sent in May.

Richmond 200 Events

Richmond is currently celebrating its bicentennial. A variety of exciting events have been planned for 2018, including but not limited to:

  • Major Events Weekend (June 15-18, 2018)
  • Richmond’s Got Talent
  • Canoe Race
  • Curling Bonspiel
  • Historical Display
  • Genealogy Workshop
  • Car Rally/ Scavenger Hunt
  • Fashion Show

I am also currently working with the Potsdam Junior Hockey Association and Richmond Munster Minor Hockey Association on celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the original Silver Stick Tournament that was held in Richmond in February 1958. Games are tentatively scheduled between the two clubs for Sunday, February 25th between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm followed by the Richmond Royals Junior B game vs. Winchester Hawks. We are still confirming which teams will be playing.

For more information on these events, please visit: richmond200.ca.

Community Dancing in Manotick

 Interested in a fun, interactive session of dance, laughter & music? Join the Ever Hopeful Stringband and caller Pippa Hall for a family-friendly, alcohol-free evening of community dancing, including circles, squares and contras on Friday, February 23rd from 7:00pm to 9:30pm at the Manotick United Church. Each dance is taught and the whole family is invited. The evening begins with simple dances, followed by dances that build on skills as the evening progresses. Adults are $10, children aged 12-18 are $5 and anyone under 12 is free. There is a family max of $20. For more information, please call 613-692-4576 or visit http://dance.manotick.net.

Shrove Tuesday

On February 13th, from 5:00pm to 7:30pm at the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre, come and enjoy a hearty supper of pancakes and syrup, ham, sausages, baked beans, fruit salad and homemade pies, with coffee, tea, juice or water. Cost is just $10 per adult, $5 children 6-12, and children 5 and under free. This supper is hosted by Holy Trinity Anglican Church, North Gower. For more info, call 613-489-2207.

Munster United Church 7th Annual Spaghetti Dinner

The Munster United Church invites you to their 7th Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, February 24th between 4:30pm and 7:30pm. Your spaghetti dinner includes a Caesar salad, rolls, ice cream, cookies and coffee or tea. Gluten free pasta is also available.

There is no charge for the dinner but the church will be accepting donations. Take out is also available. The Munster United Church’s youth group will be on hand collecting tips for Big Sky Ranch.

*****

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.

Backyard Fires in Munster & Update on the Proposed Site Alteration By-Law

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Fires in Munster.jpg

Over the last seven years, I have received questions about backyard campfires in Munster. It is something that has always puzzled me when looking at the Open Air Fire By-Law. Every single village in the City of Ottawa’s rural area permits backyard fires except for Munster. I realize that has not always stopped residents from enjoying a backyard fire in Munster but, sadly, they were restricted and the City would not issue burn permits to Munster residents.

A few months ago, Ottawa Fire Services informed me that they were updating their maps and this begun a conversation about Munster once again. Through the efforts of Ottawa Fire Services and looking at villages with similar lot fabric, it was determined that Munster’s designation could be changed from “Restricted” to “Outdoor Fireplaces and Campfires Permitted.” The information online and the maps appended to the Open Air Fire By-Law have now been updated to include this new designation for Munster. As a result, while the good people of Richmond and Ashton are enjoying their backyard fireplace, Munster residents can now do so as well (legally).

Open Air Fire Permits are available at the Stittsville Fire Station on Stittsville Main Street between 8:30am and 4:00pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If you are feeling adventurous, you may also pick one up at the North Gower Client Service Centre on Thursdays between those same hours.

Proposed Site Alteration By-Law

The public consultation component of the Draft Site Alteration By-Law has now closed. I would like to thank residents of Rideau-Goulbourn for submitting their comments to the City over the last month. Of all the submissions that the City received, the overwhelming majority came in from our ward, which speaks volumes about our engagement on city-wide issues.

In the coming weeks and months, staff will be working on the final report and doing their best to address the comments received. I have met with staff and reviewed these comments as well. My office remains committed to ensuring this proposed by-law meets the original intent and does not create undue burden on farmers and landowners alike.

While this report was originally scheduled to come to Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee this fall, I now understand that the target date for the report is in the first quarter of 2018. The report will also go to Planning Committee at that time. If you have any questions on this proposed by-law, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.

*****

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.

Bob Easy receives Mayor’s City Builder Award

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In last week’s column, I included information on the upcoming meeting of the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee. Please note that, due to a small and non-urgent agenda, the meeting for March 2nd was cancelled and the two agenda items will be deferred to our April 6th meeting.

Bob Easy receives Mayor’s City Builder Award

At the City Council meeting of February 22nd, I had the pleasure of joining Mayor Jim Watson in presenting the Mayor’s City Builder Award to Munster’s Bob Easy.

Bob Easy has been involved in building and supporting youth in the communities of Munster and Richmond going back to the 1970s. The sense of community and of family he established among the teams he coached was sadly evident in 2012 when one of Bob's players, Tyler Kerr, died tragically during a game due to a heart condition. Bob took it upon himself as head coach to support the boy's family, his team and coaches, and the opposing team, by arranging grief counselling. He also organizes fundraising events to assist local players whose parents are unable to fully afford the cost of a hockey season; players who have been given the opportunity to play at a higher competitive level but whose parents are not able to pay the fees associated with that.

In 2001 Bob was presented with a plaque in recognition of his outstanding service to Minor Hockey under the Ottawa District Minor Hockey Association. In 2009-10 he was honoured as Coach of the Year by the Richmond Munster Minor Hockey Association for his special dedication to player development and team play. In 2014 Bob was presented with the Bill Kitchen Award for his devotion of time and effort to strengthening minor hockey in the community.

Bob was also involved in umpiring for fastball in Kanata for many years, and in slo-pitch in North Gower, Richmond and Munster in his later years. He is also involved in the Munster Co-operative Nursery School's annual ball tournament in June. There aren’t too many community events in which you don’t see the always recognizable Bob Easy involved in some way. Just recently, Bob and I both took a few pies in the face at the Munster Harvest Fest. Fortunately for me, I don’t have Bob’s beard so the clean-up was much easier.

Congratulations Bob! It is a well deserved honour.

*****

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.

Coach Houses and Land Evaluation and Area Review (LEAR)

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To begin this week, I just wanted to correct a comment that I have made in recent weeks.  When providing background on the stormwater issue, I had said that Council made the decision to shift all stormwater costs to the water and sewer rate in April of 2001.  In fact, it was the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee that dealt with the issue in April. They ended up deferring the matter to their July 3rd meeting and Council did not approve it until their July 11th meeting.

The report was titled “Financing Methods – Funding City Services” and included two key points that led us to the situation we are in today.  One was that the General Tax Levy “include all services formerly included in the general levies of the area municipalities except…stormwater management.” Further along in the same motion, the Committee recommended to Council that “the stormwater management and sanitary sewerage programs be totally funded from sewer surcharges.” This passed at Committee and again at Council.  Interestingly enough, Councillor Janet Stavinga actually voted against the matter at Committee.  We are only dealing with this matter today because the rest of Council did not follow her lead. If you would be interested in reading the minutes or the report for yourself, please contact my office.

For those of you who have attended one of our Mid-Term Town Hall meetings, you will know that we discuss the stormwater issue there.  Although this item has been discussed at Committee this past Tuesday, I will continue to focus on the matter at future town hall meetings. With meetings in North Gower and Munster having occurred earlier this week, our next Town Hall meeting will take place at the Christ Church in Ashton on Wednesday, November 1st followed by our rural Stittsville meeting at the Goulbourn Town Hall on Monday, November 7th.  Both meetings will begin at 7:00pm.

Coach Houses

The report on Coach Houses came before the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee on Thursday, October 6th.  Some of the recommendations contained in the report stemmed from consultations in the urban area but the ensuing recommendation had a city-wide impact.  As a result, ARAC voted to alter a recommended decrease in accessory building heights because this was not a prevalent issue in the rural area.  Further, we discussed the minimum lot size for a coach house.  The recommendation calls for a minimum lot size of 2 acres on private services.  This is something that we are reviewing and, at the very least, members of ARAC will be pursuing a decrease in that minimum to 1 acre at the October 26th meeting of Council.

The main point, however, is that the City has developed a process that will permit the addition of coach houses in the rural area and across the city.  All that is left to work out are some fine details surrounding lot sizes and permitting.  I will keep you updated on the matter in future columns.

Land Evaluation and Area Review (LEAR)

In November, the updated report on LEAR will come to both the Planning Committee and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.  As Chair of the LEAR Working Group, this is something we have been working on for the better part of four years.  The most interested parties in this endeavour would be landowners in or adjacent to lands already designated as Agricultural Resource Area on Schedule A of the City’s Official Plan.

The Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton identified the existing Agricultural Resource Area in 1997 using a Land Evaluation and Area Review (LEAR) system. Key components of the LEAR system are soil capability for agriculture, land use and parcel size. New soils mapping and changes in land use and the size and nature of farms in the city over the last 20 years warrant re-examining and updating the existing LEAR system.  The Ontario Municipal Board has also directed the City to complete this update. 

The LEAR Working Group is finalizing the changes to the LEAR system. Recommendations on possible changes, if any, to the Agricultural Resource Area will be made and notice of changes will be sent to all affected land owners. A draft Official Plan Amendment will be advertised, circulated and presented to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Planning Committees in November 2016 and Council in December 2016/ January 2017.

If you have any questions on this review, please contact Bruce Finlay, Planner, at 613-580-2424, ext. 21850 or by e-mail at [email protected].

*****

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.

Falls House And More Updates from Rideau-Goulbourn

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Our Mid-Term Town Hall series continues next week with meetings in North Gower and Munster. Residents are invited to come out to the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre on Monday, October 17th and/or the Munster Community Centre on Wednesday, October 19th. Both meetings begin at 7 p.m. The meetings are general in nature and will discuss various city-wide issues as well as local issues. The stormwater matter comes to Environment Committee on Tuesday, October 18th so the North Gower meeting would be good to attend if you wish to chat with me in person prior to any vote on the proposed stormwater fee.

5514 Manotick Main Street

As you have read in this column previously, the owner for the building known as the Falls House at the corner of Bridge Street and Manotick Main Street had applied for a demolition permit. The demolition permit was officially issued on September 26th. This week, you will likely begin to see some work around the property as the owner will be removing parts of the home that can be reused in any future development.

Over the last few weeks, I have been working with the owner on some last ditch efforts to salvage the home, including relocating it to the other vacant parcel across the road. Unfortunately, that effort proved fruitless. From the standpoint of documenting the property, I did another walk through on Thanksgiving Monday and took pictures and video of the interior. My office will get the video and the pictures on our website as soon as possible so that every resident can take a virtual walk through.

In the meantime, I continue to work with the property owner on design for the replacement office building. As of now, nothing is set in stone while we carry out these discussions. My work on this involves consultation with the same community leaders that first toured the property with me several months ago. Community organizations that are represented in this group include: the Manotick Village & Community Association; the Manotick Culture, Parks & Recreation Association; the Manotick Business Improvement Area; and the Rideau Township Historical Society. They have all been a tremendous resource for guidance as we move forward on this difficult file.

Manotick Arena Expansion

Over the last couple of years, the community has been working on a plan to expand the dressing rooms at the Manotick Arena. I always hear rumours out there so wanted to provide a brief update. The City has been finalizing floor plans for the four new dressing rooms in recent weeks in partnership with our local committee and the Osgoode-Rideau Minor Hockey Association. The second floor expansion plans were coordinated with Rural Ottawa South Support Services and the Youth Association of Manotick.

The finances are in place for this and once we get the design finalized, we'll move into the tendering phase. Construction is slated to begin in March or April. Should the dressing rooms not be completed by October, the City will take the necessary steps to find alternative rooms on a temporary basis. I do know that the Manotick Culture, Parks & Recreation Association plans to host a meeting with the community to showcase the final plans as soon as they are available. I will be working with them to co-host this meeting. Stay tuned to this column for updates.

Richmond Youth Centre Open House

The Richmond Village Association and the Richmond Youth Centre Volunteers are excited to announce the expansion of the youth centre to everyone between the ages of 8 and 11.  As a result, they want to invite everyone to stop by and check out their Open House on Friday, October 14th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This will be an opportunity to meet the facilitator and volunteers as well.

The Richmond Youth Centre’s new programming will begin on October 28th.  The program will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for ages 8-11 and from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. for ages 12-16. The Youth Centre is located on the second floor of the Richmond Memorial Community Centre and is free 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.

Western Development Lands

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Public Meeting on Western Development Lands

In December, I mentioned that there was a tentative date set for a public meeting on a portion of the Western Development Lands. That tentative meeting date has since been confirmed. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 13 from 7:00-9:00pm at the Richmond Arena. This meeting is for an application of a subdivision at 6335 Perth Street and the developer is Caivan Developments.

The Western Development Lands stretch from the Jock River to the northwestern corner of the village, north of Perth Street. Caivan Communities is the landowner for 60% (53 hectares) of these lands, for which this development application accounts for. The remaining 40% of the lands on the Jock River portion are owned by Mattamy Homes and no application is currently before the City at this time.

In its present form, this application calls for approximately 1000 homes on 25 hectares of the 53 ha owned by the developer. 2.6 ha would be a drainage channel, 1 ha would be dedicated as an active park, 5.9 ha would be the storm water pond and 6.3 ha would be natural areas, otherwise known as passive open space. The remaining 12 ha would be streets. All of these figures are taken from the concept plan. The proposed development is made up of 60-70% single detached homes, with attached townhouse units making up the remainder of the development. Build out will be phased, with approximately 50-100 units completed per year.

There are plenty more details that need to be discussed and looked at, though, and this meeting will be an opportunity for residents to ask questions on the issues that matter most to the village. Further, it is important to note that this development cannot move forward until there is a major upgrade to the pumping station and the pipes that connect Richmond into the rest of the system in Kanata. These upgrades have not yet been finalized.

Winter Carnival Time!

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Winter Carnival season continues this weekend with the North Gower Winter Carnival.  I’d like to thank everyone who came out to Shiverfest in Manotick this past weekend; it was nice that it warmed up…a little.  Congratulations on a successful weekend to the Manotick Village Community Association and all Shiverfest sponsors, including the Kiwanis Club, the Lions Club, the Manotick Legion and the Ottawa Fire Department.

North Gower Winter Carnival

The fun continues this weekend in North Gower with the 51st Winter Carnival.  Events include a Spaghetti/Shepherd’s Pie dinner on Friday evening, beginning at 4:30pm, followed by the Talent Show at 6pm, skating on the outdoor rink, and a movie night at 7:30pm.  On Saturday, come back to the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre for a pancake breakfast at 8am and sleigh rides, tobogganing, skating and indoor games throughout the day.  The Carnival concludes on Saturday evening with a Pig Roast dinner at 4:30pm followed by a great performance from local resident and six-time Juno Award winner, Keith Glass.  Tickets for the dinner and concert are $10/person, $5 for kids under 10.

Munster Winter Carnival

This weekend is the annual winter carnival in Munster.  Hopefully, residents of Munster can come join me at the Opening Ceremonies on Friday, February 1st at 7:00pm at the Munster Community Centre, followed by public skating on the outdoor rink and a screening of Madagascar 3.

On Saturday, February 2nd, the festivities continue with a pancake breakfast in the basement hall of the Munster United Church at 8:00am, followed by outdoor games at the rink at 10:00am.  Over at the Munster Elementary School the fun begins at 1:30pm with the Little Tyke Zone.  The evening is capped off with a bonfire and fireworks at the Community Centre.  Let’s hope for great weekend weather and get out and enjoy the incredible community spirit Munster has to offer!

The Royal Ottawa’s “Power to the Parents”

As parents and caregivers, you have got the power to transform your child’s experience with mental health. Join The Royal Ottawa February 5th at 7pm in the auditorium for the Power to the Parents mental health information session. The Royal will provide you with practical tips and tools to empower you to reach out and connect with your children through meaningful conversations around mental well-being. The Royal’s Annmarie Nicholson along with Ian Fisher from the Ottawa Police Service will share their experience as parents supporting a child through mental health concerns and crisis.

In addition to learning practical tips and tools, the session will give you an understanding of:

  • the realities faced by youth today
  • how to lay the foundation for open communication
  • how to recognize when a child might be in distress
  • how to take a reasoned and responsive approach

With a final note on self-care, parents will leave the workshop feeling ready, willing and able to reach out to their youth and also care for themselves while doing so.

This event is free and you can register at www.theroyal.ca.  The Royal Auditorium is located at 1145 Carling Avenue.

City of Ottawa March Break Camps

School will be out for a week of fun March 11 to 15 during March Break and the City is offering more than 100 action-packed camps in sports, arts, water fun and more.

Find your neighbourhood adventure and register online at ottawa.ca/recreation:

  • Take to the ice with hockey, skating and curling camps
  • Try aqua camps, indoor soccer or rock climbing
  • Wow family and friends with talents developed in computer, magic or movie camps
  • Star on stage in acting, singing and dance camps
  • Get messy with clay, paints and glue
  • Work on your leadership skills and make new friends

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

How Munster residents should handle upcoming fire hydrant testing

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A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that the City of Ottawa would be testing fire hydrants throughout the village of Munster. That work was rescheduled and will now occur on November 16, 2012 between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Testing ensures that hydrants are working well and verifies their flow capacity, facilitating future upgrades to the Munster-Hamlet drinking water pumping station.

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Budget 2013 Consultations Begin

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Wednesday, October 24 marks the final Mid-Term Town Hall prior to the break for budget meetings. The City of Ottawa’s 2013 Budget will be tabled the same day as my Town Hall in North Gower. There will be public consultation on the budget in four different locations. The closest two will be at the Nepean Sportsplex on Monday, October 29th and at the John G. Mlacak Community Centre at 2500 Campeau Drive in Kanata on Wednesday, November 7th. Both consultations will feature local Councillors and the Mayor and will go from 7-9pm. Following these consultations, the budget will then pass through ten committees and boards of Council before full consideration of City Council on November 28. To comment on Budget 2013, e-mail [email protected], use the Twitter hashtag, #ottbudget, call 3-1-1 (613-580-2400), or fax 613-560-2126.

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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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Annual Drinking Water System reports

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The 2011 Annual Drinking Water System reports confirm that Ottawa delivers safe drinking water that exceeds all expectations for meeting provincial standards and federal guidelines.

These Ontario Ministry Environment reports, including those for Carp, Munster, Richmond (Kings Park), Greely (Shadow Ridge) and Vars, are now posted online at ottawa.ca. They summarize water quality testing results for 2011 for all drinking water systems in Ottawa and include information such as the description of the water system and test results for each water quality parameter.

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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