My letter on media bias appear in the Ottawa Citizen today (Others run for mayor, Ottawa Citizen, Letters-to-the-Editor, September 30, 2010). A telephone call from the editor resulted in a decision to make a small editorial change. The change actually enhances the letter’s message but one comment made by the editor serves to confirm the accuracy of my message.
The editor believes that the Citizen is accurate in its reporting, but that the decision to focus on the two leading candidates is an editorial decision because it is difficult to cover all 20. Isn’t this the point I was making? Others have important views that deserve to be reported on so that voters are well informed. One of the observations in my letter is that while other candidates made important points the article concentrated on the ongoing and irrelevant interchange between Watson and O’Brien that has plagued this campaign so-far.
Another article that appears in today’s Ottawa Citizen serves to confirm the biased reporting that I am referring to (A slow day on the hustings for mayoral candidates, Joanne Chianello and Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, September 30, 2010). While there is brief mention of some other candidates, including the other lead contender Clive Doucet, the article focuses on “the two front runners,” Watson and O’Brien. It appears that instead of keeping readers well informed the editorial staff is suggesting who we should be voting for.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Following interesting Ward Councillor competitions
On this morning’s CBC Ottawa Morning broadcast commentators Vicki Smallman and Walter Robinson identified Ward Councillor competitions that they find to be of particular interest. One competition they did not mention is the competition for Councillor in Ward 18 (Alta Vista/Canterbury/Riverview) where three candidates are running against incumbent Councillor Peter Hume.
I think that this competition is of particular interest because, for the first time ever, Hume is being opposed by a viable candidate, Clinton Cowan. Cowan is a likeable, intelligent candidate who has been campaigning hard in the ward for some months. He has built up a strong following and his campaign is moving into high gear.
Peter Hume has made some controversial voting decisions on council and in his role as chair of Planning and Environment Committee over the past four years, and has more often than not disregarded the views and concerns of communities within his ward.
This contest has legs. It should be very interesting to watch.
I think that this competition is of particular interest because, for the first time ever, Hume is being opposed by a viable candidate, Clinton Cowan. Cowan is a likeable, intelligent candidate who has been campaigning hard in the ward for some months. He has built up a strong following and his campaign is moving into high gear.
Peter Hume has made some controversial voting decisions on council and in his role as chair of Planning and Environment Committee over the past four years, and has more often than not disregarded the views and concerns of communities within his ward.
This contest has legs. It should be very interesting to watch.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
2010 election special
2010 Election Special – this is the introductory title to Peter Hume’s flyer detailing his past accomplishments and future plans. I take a very jaundiced view of most of his claims. For example:
Negotiated Browning Corridor exclusion as a high-speed bus route: In my view the inclusion of this route was always a red herring and Hume was on safe ground knowing that it would be eliminated from consideration. In fact, the contributors who identified viable solutions to the high speed bus corridor were individual residents of the Riverview Park community. They accomplished this by attending open houses on the project, communicating with the study consultants and writing articles in local community newspapers. On the topic of roads and transit, one wishes that Hume might have actively campaigned to exclude the Alta Vista Transportation Corridor from the city’s official plan.
Hosts annual Riverview Park Corn Roast…: Firstly, this annual event is funded partly using (wasting) tax payers’ dollars. I fail to see this and similar events to be more than a photo-op and an opportunity to watch the councillor eat!
Led major improvements to the Lansdowne Park redevelopment and design: Unfortunately Hume broke his commitment with Councillor Clive Doucet for an international design competition for the entire park (not just the grassy bits). Instead, he approved a sole-source contract agreement with a group of developers; several of whom donated to his election campaigns on 2003 and 2006 either as corporations or individuals.
Altered Ottawa Train Yards development to improve aesthetics: What Hume fails to acknowledge is that the Ottawa Train Yards development is largely populated by retail chains, most of them U.S. owned, that take away business from established businesses that are just blocks away. The inclusion of a WallMart store as the anchor tenant of a mall that is only 10 minutes from down-town and less than 5 minutes from St. Laurent Shopping Centre further dilutes revenue streams for established businesses. There is only so much retail money to spread around and adding acres of new retail space does not help. Most of the local jobs resulting from the Train Yards development are low paying (minimum wage). The original plans for this site included space for businesses that would employ skilled people, thus making it possible for some local residents to find attractive work opportunities close to home. It is unclear if or when this might happen.
President of Association of Municipalities of Ontario: Hume’s involvement with this group has resulted in him having among the worst attendance records at city council meetings. Some might say that his participation was for the greater good, but in reality it has resulted in his neglecting the needs and concerns of ward residents.
I could go on but the truth is that this councillor has been in office too long and is taking us for granted. In Hume’s flyer, ward resident Sam Ibrahim claims that Hume’s incumbency at city hall is not a weakness. For some Councillors this might be correct, but in the case of Councillor Hume it’s time for a Fresh Start.
Negotiated Browning Corridor exclusion as a high-speed bus route: In my view the inclusion of this route was always a red herring and Hume was on safe ground knowing that it would be eliminated from consideration. In fact, the contributors who identified viable solutions to the high speed bus corridor were individual residents of the Riverview Park community. They accomplished this by attending open houses on the project, communicating with the study consultants and writing articles in local community newspapers. On the topic of roads and transit, one wishes that Hume might have actively campaigned to exclude the Alta Vista Transportation Corridor from the city’s official plan.
Hosts annual Riverview Park Corn Roast…: Firstly, this annual event is funded partly using (wasting) tax payers’ dollars. I fail to see this and similar events to be more than a photo-op and an opportunity to watch the councillor eat!
Led major improvements to the Lansdowne Park redevelopment and design: Unfortunately Hume broke his commitment with Councillor Clive Doucet for an international design competition for the entire park (not just the grassy bits). Instead, he approved a sole-source contract agreement with a group of developers; several of whom donated to his election campaigns on 2003 and 2006 either as corporations or individuals.
Altered Ottawa Train Yards development to improve aesthetics: What Hume fails to acknowledge is that the Ottawa Train Yards development is largely populated by retail chains, most of them U.S. owned, that take away business from established businesses that are just blocks away. The inclusion of a WallMart store as the anchor tenant of a mall that is only 10 minutes from down-town and less than 5 minutes from St. Laurent Shopping Centre further dilutes revenue streams for established businesses. There is only so much retail money to spread around and adding acres of new retail space does not help. Most of the local jobs resulting from the Train Yards development are low paying (minimum wage). The original plans for this site included space for businesses that would employ skilled people, thus making it possible for some local residents to find attractive work opportunities close to home. It is unclear if or when this might happen.
President of Association of Municipalities of Ontario: Hume’s involvement with this group has resulted in him having among the worst attendance records at city council meetings. Some might say that his participation was for the greater good, but in reality it has resulted in his neglecting the needs and concerns of ward residents.
I could go on but the truth is that this councillor has been in office too long and is taking us for granted. In Hume’s flyer, ward resident Sam Ibrahim claims that Hume’s incumbency at city hall is not a weakness. For some Councillors this might be correct, but in the case of Councillor Hume it’s time for a Fresh Start.
Integrity and ethics
Mayoral candidate Jim Watson makes a big issue about his integrity plan and points a finger at one of his opponents, Larry O’Brien, citing his connections with Calian Technologies, a firm that does a lot of business with the City of Ottawa. However, Watson leaves himself open to criticism because he accepts donations from corporate sources, including the development community.
Watson also descends into the mire of unethical conduct by exposing communications between Mayor Larry O’Brien and himself in his role of Ontario minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (Mayoral candidates trade barbs as election looms, CBC Ottawa news, Sept. 22, 2010).
Of the leading candidates for mayor, only Clive Doucet has declared publicly that he will not accept corporate donations; in fact this is a key plank in his platform. Also, his campaign takes the high-road, avoiding making inappropriate comments. Instead, he focuses on the issues that serve to distinguish him from his competitors.
Watson also descends into the mire of unethical conduct by exposing communications between Mayor Larry O’Brien and himself in his role of Ontario minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (Mayoral candidates trade barbs as election looms, CBC Ottawa news, Sept. 22, 2010).
Of the leading candidates for mayor, only Clive Doucet has declared publicly that he will not accept corporate donations; in fact this is a key plank in his platform. Also, his campaign takes the high-road, avoiding making inappropriate comments. Instead, he focuses on the issues that serve to distinguish him from his competitors.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Shame, shame, shame!
Shame on Ottawa City Council for voting against Councillor Clive Doucet’s motion (Sep 22, 2010) to put planning committee’s decision to re-zone Lansdowne Park and Sylvia Holden Park on hold (Sep 14, 2010).
Shame on Mayor, Larry O’Brien, for turning up unexpectedly at planning committee to cast a deciding ballot on this vote. I hear this mayor comment that he only has one vote, but he clearly has two!
Shame on planning committee chair, Peter Hume for endorsing this strategy, especially after the statements he made in his June 28, 2010 Ottawa Citizen Article, “We are on the verge of something wonderful – we must not turn back:…”
“…Myth No. 4: Sylvia Holden Park will become part of Lansdowne and the community facilities will disappear.
“Greg Smallenberg, one of Canada’s best park designers, has been chosen to create Lansdowne’s new park and open space. He has been very clear his concept was to infuse the community park with the kind of beauty and program it deserves while ensuring it maintains it’s community park feel and use.
“This is why Smallenberg proposes to keep the community facilities – including the wading pool – and invest more than $7 million in improvements, such as community gardens and heirloom apple orchards, to Sylvia Holden Park. Just as they do today, the city’s Parks and Recreation department will retain complete control over the programming and operation of Sylvia Holden Park.”
Council’s high-handed decision to move ahead before outstanding legal and heritage issues have been fully explored and resolved is unacceptable. Quoting from mayoral candidate Clive Doucet’s Sept 22, 2010 press release: “…Doing away with a Sylvia Holden Park and disrespecting Lansdowne’s heritage are symptomatic of a larger problem: the complete lack of leadership at City Hall to protect public funding, public land and public procurement.
Shame on Mayor, Larry O’Brien, for turning up unexpectedly at planning committee to cast a deciding ballot on this vote. I hear this mayor comment that he only has one vote, but he clearly has two!
Shame on planning committee chair, Peter Hume for endorsing this strategy, especially after the statements he made in his June 28, 2010 Ottawa Citizen Article, “We are on the verge of something wonderful – we must not turn back:…”
“…Myth No. 4: Sylvia Holden Park will become part of Lansdowne and the community facilities will disappear.
“Greg Smallenberg, one of Canada’s best park designers, has been chosen to create Lansdowne’s new park and open space. He has been very clear his concept was to infuse the community park with the kind of beauty and program it deserves while ensuring it maintains it’s community park feel and use.
“This is why Smallenberg proposes to keep the community facilities – including the wading pool – and invest more than $7 million in improvements, such as community gardens and heirloom apple orchards, to Sylvia Holden Park. Just as they do today, the city’s Parks and Recreation department will retain complete control over the programming and operation of Sylvia Holden Park.”
Council’s high-handed decision to move ahead before outstanding legal and heritage issues have been fully explored and resolved is unacceptable. Quoting from mayoral candidate Clive Doucet’s Sept 22, 2010 press release: “…Doing away with a Sylvia Holden Park and disrespecting Lansdowne’s heritage are symptomatic of a larger problem: the complete lack of leadership at City Hall to protect public funding, public land and public procurement.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Cycle friendly city?
Following is a letter-to-the-editor I sent to the Ottawa Citizen ( recognized but unpublished):
I was disappointed by the arrogant tone adopted by Councillor Peter Hume in his Letter-to-the-Editor (Council made progress on a cycle-friendly city, Ottawa Citizen, September 15, 2010).
In his letter Hume outlines a number of cycle/pedestrian pathway and sidewalk initiatives that are being installed in his Alta Vista Ward communities this year. Nice as it is for the Alta Vista/Canterbury/Riverview communities to have these new facilities, it should be noted that they have not come about easily, and certainly not for entirely altruistic reasons.
Plans for work on the Riverview community to Hurdman transit station link and the sidewalks on Industrial Avenue were not high on the city’s priority list until Hume faced anger from Riverview Park residents earlier this year over plans to further expand the O.C. Transpo bus garage on Industrial Avenue. Then all of a sudden they became a priority.
At the time the city was unwilling to make significant changes to the bus garage site that would address residents’ concerns. So prioritizing plans for cycling and pedestrian infrastructure presented a way to placate local residents, or so they hoped!
As it turned out, residents were far from satisfied by these offsetting benefits and Hume and the city have now had to take additional measures in order to minimize the negative impact that the “garage mahal” will have on the community. These new measures have not come without significant cost to the taxpayer and will not be in place for some time after the garage/maintenance facility becomes operational this fall.
It can hardly be a coincidence that much of the sidewalk and recreational pathway work is being undertaken during the 2010 municipal election campaign period.
Colin Hine
I was disappointed by the arrogant tone adopted by Councillor Peter Hume in his Letter-to-the-Editor (Council made progress on a cycle-friendly city, Ottawa Citizen, September 15, 2010).
In his letter Hume outlines a number of cycle/pedestrian pathway and sidewalk initiatives that are being installed in his Alta Vista Ward communities this year. Nice as it is for the Alta Vista/Canterbury/Riverview communities to have these new facilities, it should be noted that they have not come about easily, and certainly not for entirely altruistic reasons.
Plans for work on the Riverview community to Hurdman transit station link and the sidewalks on Industrial Avenue were not high on the city’s priority list until Hume faced anger from Riverview Park residents earlier this year over plans to further expand the O.C. Transpo bus garage on Industrial Avenue. Then all of a sudden they became a priority.
At the time the city was unwilling to make significant changes to the bus garage site that would address residents’ concerns. So prioritizing plans for cycling and pedestrian infrastructure presented a way to placate local residents, or so they hoped!
As it turned out, residents were far from satisfied by these offsetting benefits and Hume and the city have now had to take additional measures in order to minimize the negative impact that the “garage mahal” will have on the community. These new measures have not come without significant cost to the taxpayer and will not be in place for some time after the garage/maintenance facility becomes operational this fall.
It can hardly be a coincidence that much of the sidewalk and recreational pathway work is being undertaken during the 2010 municipal election campaign period.
Colin Hine
Friday, September 17, 2010
Lucky there is an election campaign on!
The tenants of the Heron Gate community in Alta Vista Ward are fortunate that there is an election campaign on, and that the incumbent councillor, Peter Hume is running for re-election. Otherwise, it is unlikely that their complaints would be receiving the high level of attention they are currently receiving from the city and from this councillor (Hotline lets tenants beef about landlord, CBC News, September 16, 2010).
Since 2009 residents have been complaining about problems from infestations, heating systems, litter, burned out vehicles, graffiti and others, and the landlord has done little to help. But Councillor Hume made a big slash on CBC Ottawa radio and TV news programs this week about the “hotline’ he has established (Isn’t this what 311 is supposed to be for?), together with some guidelines for residents to follow in order to get attention to their complaints.
This problem was previously reported on by CBC last April, but it has taken Hume to this point (in his re-election campaign) to act on behalf of this community. I’m not excusing the building complex owners, Transglobe Property Management, and the building managers, Berkley Property Management, for their failure to act, but the city and this councillor have also failed to respond effectively. Perhaps Hume is normally too busy helping developers and dealing with out-of-town committee affairs to do this important part of the job he was elected to do!
Since 2009 residents have been complaining about problems from infestations, heating systems, litter, burned out vehicles, graffiti and others, and the landlord has done little to help. But Councillor Hume made a big slash on CBC Ottawa radio and TV news programs this week about the “hotline’ he has established (Isn’t this what 311 is supposed to be for?), together with some guidelines for residents to follow in order to get attention to their complaints.
This problem was previously reported on by CBC last April, but it has taken Hume to this point (in his re-election campaign) to act on behalf of this community. I’m not excusing the building complex owners, Transglobe Property Management, and the building managers, Berkley Property Management, for their failure to act, but the city and this councillor have also failed to respond effectively. Perhaps Hume is normally too busy helping developers and dealing with out-of-town committee affairs to do this important part of the job he was elected to do!
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