Letter to the Editor Ottawa Citizen (not published)

City plans to develop the AVTC confirmed

OC Transpo’s proposed changes to bus routes and schedules (OC Transpo plans to save $22M by 2011, Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, March 24, 2011) confirm the arrogance of city council’s recent vote to continue with development of the hospital link section of the Alta Vista Transportation Corridor (AVTC). OC Transpo plans indicate that the General Hospital campus will now only be serviced by one bus, the 106, and this bus will operate a reduced schedule.


It hardly seems credible that the provision of a lightly scheduled shuttle bus service between the General and Hurdman (10 minutes at peak and 15 off-peak) justifies construction of a $62M, 1.2 Km road unless there is an ulterior motive. Notwithstanding comments from Mayor Watson that he does not support the AVTC development and similar comments from Alta Vista/Riverview Park Ward Councillor Hume it is clear that the city intends that this road will eventually be constructed in its entirety.

Recommendations to develop the AVTC were made by contractors who will eventually benefit in a significant way from its construction. It is clearly time to eliminate the possibility of corporate influence from city management and council decisions. New rules need to be applied at both municipal and provincial government levels to eliminate corporate financial support and influence in the electoral process.

Interestingly if council were to cancel plans to construct the hospital link and to remove the AVTC from the master plan, there would be more than adequate funds available to finance OC Transpo with no need for radical changes to bus services nor for increased taxes.

Letter to the editor from RPCA President

Dear Editor,


Eleven Community Associations of Ottawa (representing 100,000+ residents), and the 850 citizens from across our lovely city, who are working to stop the development of the Alta Vista link road, applaud your recent editorial critiquing the City’s plans to implement an outdated solution via the Alta Vista Link Road.

 

We would now like to offer a few clarifying facts:

• the City planned spending on the link road is actually $65 million ($55 “new money” plus the funds previously allocated to this project) and the spending plan for 2011 is $12.1 million;
• in 2006 City Council voted against implementing the entire Alta Vista Corridor except the currently proposed 1.2 km link (between Riverside and the hospitals) which is now being considered by Council;
• Mayor Watson along with our Councillors Peter Hume and Chernoshenko have all publicly stated that they are against building the full Alta Vista Corridor;
• the construction of the proposed “link” road will flow traffic from the 417 to the hospital only and will not resolve any traffic issues on Alta Vista Drive, simply shift them a few blocks; the development of this link road will preclude future light rail in the corridor - a rather short sighted and environmentally unfriendly decision (note: Council only fleetingly considered light rail for this corridor); the NDMC lands will not be available for redevelopment until sometime in the next decade; and finally
• the link road will destroy neighbourhood greenspace.

 Given these facts and facing rising gas prices, we believe that City Council should be seeking a public transportation solution in line with the Ottawa 20/20 planning principles, which encourages a modal shift away from cars. It’s time to listen to the citizens of Ottawa.

 

Karin Keyes Endemann
President, Riverview Park Community Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letter to the Ottawa Citizen

A Riverview Park resident sent this letter to the editor.  It appears in today's paper.  The on-line edition also incorporates a video http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/todays-paper/pave+backyard+yours/4388778/story.html.  There is also an interesting post on the Spacing Ottawa blog site by another Riverview Park resident http://spacingottawa.ca/2011/03/04/back-to-the-60s-council-votes-on-retro-road-for-southeast-commuters/. 

Don't pave my backyard, or yours

The question of what will happen in the Alta Vista Corridor has been a hotly debated topic at the city level over the last 10 years. Because of strong opposition from city residents, Ottawa city council promised several years ago that the old-style 1950's plan to build a commuter highway through the middle of residential Alta Vista would be permanently shelved. Apparently this is not so, because once again we are discussing road-building in the AVC.


A $55M price tag for a 1.2 km stretch of roadway is absurd if the only goal is to make a better connection between Riverside and the Ottawa Hospital General Campus. There are two existing connections (at Industrial and at Smyth) which are only three city blocks apart on Alta Vista. The connection between Riverside and Smyth could be upgraded, with traffic directed north at the intersection of Smyth and Alta Vista - then a much less expensive connecting road from Alta Vista to the hospital ring road could be constructed through the NDMC lands. This solution would re-route traffic past office buildings, rather than residential properties, and would still make an efficient bus and car connection to the hospitals.

Unfortunately, the proposed $55M link seems to be a back-door way to begin construction on an Alta Vista Parkway - something the city promised that it would not do. The charges of NIMBY-ism are misplaced. The group opposing the construction of a commuter highway through residential neighbourhoods definitely doesn't want a highway in their backyards - but they don't want one in your backyard either (or the side, or the front). People who live in city center neighbourhoods have chosen to pay a premium to live in smaller houses closer to their work and other amenities, so they don't have to drive their cars everywhere. People who live farther from the city center need to get to work, but they don't need to drive there one by one in their cars. The city says it values a clean urban environment, and that it wants to grow in a green way, with transit, cyclists and pedestrians first - let them show that by the decisions that they take with the AVC.

Let's not pave over anyone's backyard.

John and Sheila Bell

Letter to Councillor Peter Hume

Re: Group opposes Alta Vista corridor plans, Eddie Rwema, Your Ottawa, Feb 3, 2011


Councillor Hume,

I am writing in response to your statements concerning the planned AVTC development as reported in Your Ottawa. Unfortunately your statements are not supported by the facts. Further, you fail to acknowledge the strong opposition to the development of the AVTC by residents and community associations across the municipality over many years.

Firstly, your statement that “The opposition to the hospital link is mostly concentrated within the executive of one community association...” is inaccurate. A large percentage of Riverview Park residents is in opposition to this development and they have made their views and concerns know to the Alta Vista Community Association (AVCA). Further, past members (individuals and community associations) of Citizens for Health Communities (CHC) who campaigned against development of this road for many years remain opposed to the development. I have no doubt that you will be hearing more from them during the budget review process.

You go on to say that other community associations in Ward 18 are supporting the project because they believe in the greater good of the city and that “they know that the people of Ottawa will need a proper road and transit route to the Ottawa Hospital as it grows.” You also say that “the easy position would be to oppose that hospital link and offer my full support to that position. However, the easy decision is not always the right decision....There are times when elected officials must think beyond the boundaries of their constituency and take what must be the unpopular decision. I've learned that you can't please everyone all the time but you can't go wrong when you do the right thing.”

It is my recollection that you sat on the fence for many years as the environmental assessment phase progressed, at the same time giving residents and CHC members the impression that you opposed the development. However, when it came time to vote on the issue it is no surprise you respected the wishes of the developer community who have provided substantial financial support to you past election campaigns. You did the right thing for the developers, not the Ward 18 residents. This line of thinking is also reflected in many of your past actions, city wide, as chair of the city's planning and environment committee as well as in your present role as chair of planning committee.

I request that you respect the concerns of Riverview Park residents and others by asking city council to delay any budgetary allocations for this project pending a full and open review of the detailed plans for this road with members of the community. There are many practical and less costly alternatives that need to be considered before proceeding with this development.

Yours sincerely,

Colin Hine

Press Release

Ottawa, November 18. 2010


Colin Hine today announced he is withdrawing from his position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Green Party of Canada (GPC), Ottawa South, Electoral District Association (EDA). He also resigned his membership from the GPC. Hine’s resignation follows the resignation of Dr. Qais Ghanem, nominated candidate for the Green Party of Canada, Ottawa South.

These resignations result from GPC Leader Elizabeth May’s decision to criticize and not support Dr. Ghanem and other members of the “Ottawa Group of Four” in the media regarding the October 28, 2010 Just and Sustainable Peace Conference organized and hosted by the group. In responses to Dr. Ghanem and Mr. Hine she made further critical statements and accusations, making it clear that she will not support independent peace building activities by members of her party.

Dr. Ghanem is a founding member of Potlucks for Peace, a group of Jews and Arabs that has worked together for many years to help find a peaceful solution to conflict in the Middle East. He is a long time human rights and peace activist and is well known in the community both nationally and internationally. Also, he is the creator and host of “Dialogue with Diversity,” a radio show that promotes peace and respect among different ethnic and religious groups.

Regrettably, May’s comments to the media have been interpreted by some as implying that the Group of Four’s actions are helping spread anti-Semitic propaganda. This is untrue and unacceptable.

Without the trust, support and endorsement from the Green Party Leader or the party, it is with great regret that the resignations of Qais Ghanem and Colin Hine from Ottawa South are hereby announced.

For further information contact:

Colin Hine: 613-739-2784
chmorland706@gmail.com

Why do we have to watch city hall so closely?

For the past four years council’s antics at city hall have required many conscientious citizens to spend an inordinate amount of personal time communicating with individual councillors, speaking at delegations, and mounting protests and rallies. A modest amount of such action indicates a healthy engaged community. However, when it becomes the order of the day because local government is acting irresponsibly it indicates that it is time for a major change.


Unfortunately a large number of incumbent councillors are still running for office, so unless we are vigilant at the polling booth we will be faced with four more years of irresponsible government at city hall. A change of mayor appears to be on the cards but changes at the ward level are equally, in fact more, important.

I started this blog because of my concerns about the performance of my own ward councillor, Peter Hume. His time has passed; we need a fresh face, a fresh start! We need a representative who puts community interests first rather than those of developers who have contributed heavily to past campaigns.

It is my fervent hope that an alternative candidate will be successful, so that I can shut this blog down. We can make this happen. I have thrown my support behind Clinton Cowan. His Fresh Start campaign is right on the mark for Ward 18. Hopefully with new councillors like Cowan at the wheel we can all spend more time enjoying the pleasant pastimes that Ottawa has to offer.

If your not an incumbent give up hope

In the last week of the 2010 Ottawa municipal election campaign the Ottawa Citizen is releasing a series of editorial pieces identifying their choices for council in the various wards across the city. If their choices continue to favour incumbent councillors for re-election, as they have today (October 18) then newcomers don’t stand a chance and change in Ottawa will never happen.

 

 In almost every case the Citizen cites lack of experience as the main reasons for rejecting newcomers, even though in some cases they have some new ideas. If we don’t vote some of the newcomers in how will they ever gain experience and how will we ever see any improvement in the way council behaves and performs?

 

 The Citizen accuses candidate Clinton Cowan of talking in platitudes. This is interesting because Hume’s campaign is almost entirely based on platitudes. In an October 5 press release Hume claims that he has created a comprehensive development program to position Ottawa as a world class city:

• Firstly he wants to “pre-zone” areas to introduce fixed height restrictions. It is surprising that he has been chair of planning and environment committee for so long and is only now suggesting that changes are needed.
• Secondly he says that Ottawa has the potential to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing capitals in the world if the planning process is overhauled. Has Hume seen some of the strip mall and big box mall development that is taking place on every open space and suburban development across the city; development approved by planning committee under his watch? How can Hume miss the fact that Ottawa is one eyesore after another for miles along Carling, Richmond and Baseline? Now he wants yet another eyesore on the canal at Lansdowne Park.
• Hume picks up on one of Larry O’Brien’s ideas, citing Sparks Street as an example of poor development in the city centre. Existing and past municipal councils, of which Hume has been a member, have failed to communicate effectively with senior levels of government on this and other issues for years and years. Why should voters believe him now?
• Hume quotes urban designer George Dark’s praising of Hume’s planning initiatives. Interestingly, Dark is being paid by the city for work he is performing on Hume’s portfolio. No wonder he sings Hume’s praises!

As a resident of Ward 18 (Alta Vista/Canterbury/Riverview) I was particularly incensed by the Citizen’s rationale for supporting Peter Hume. I happen to support one of Hume’s opponents, but for the first time ever all of the three candidates opposing Hume are viable and have good platforms. The only thing any of them lack is the level of financial contribution needed to mount a large campaign. This is no problem for Hume, having a war chest from past campaigns – a war chest built largely by the developer community.

 

Cowan is right in saying that troublesome areas have crept into the culture at city hall; the power of special interest groups; and the failure of councillors to consult the community regarding past developments. “People now feel that special interest groups have hijacked our seat at council and at the Planning and Environment Committee….” says Cowan.

 

The Citizen editorial writer cites the televised debate on Rogers. My recollection of the debate is that Hume blustered and interrupted at every opportunity, attempting to put his opponents off-base. Any credibility Hume may have had before that debate, which was zero to precious little, completely evaporated and left him looking like the small, aggressive bully he is.

 

Had the writer attended the all-candidate event hosted by Riverview Park Community Association last week in Ward 18 he/she would have seen a high level of enthusiasm for Hume’s opponents and Hume’s handling of questions from the Riverview Park community was pitifully off-base.