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!