In a recent post I noted that recommendations to develop the AVTC were made by contractors who will eventually benefit in a significant way from its construction. Sadly, this is by no means unusual in the city of Ottawa; note the ongoing controversy surrounding the Westboro convent site and current plans to build a new access road across Byron Park.
In today’s Ottawa Citizen, letter writer Heather Mitchell notes that Councillor Catherine Hobbs originally supported the developer’s proposal to build this road but is now backing away from the recommendation because of the public outcry. However the city is not asking the developer to make changes and Hobbs, along with a majority of Planning Committee, continues to support the developer’s overall plans for this site despite continuing strong concerns expressed by the community.
The closing sentence of Mitchell’s letter says it best: “Why are the developers the force in our neighbourhood, rather than the people who live here and the council who is supposed to lead and protect us?” Amen to that!
Showing posts with label Ottawa Citizen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ottawa Citizen. Show all posts
Monday, May 23, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Democracy at City Hall?
It is not too often that Citizen writer Randall Denley and I see eye-to-eye on the municipal scene but today we are in agreement – Council’s decision hurts local democracy, Ottawa citizen, April 17, 2011. By voting to eliminate detailed written records of council debates the new city council is making it more and more difficult for Ottawa citizens to investigate and understand their decisions.
Audio recordings just do not hack it and put many members of the public in a disadvantageous position. Not everyone has the benefit of broadband internet and as Denley comments “…it means the public will have to listen to hours of audio if they want to track an issue” and what about the plight of individuals with a hearing handicap?
It was also very surprising and disturbing to see that some new council member whom one might expect to respect the democratic process (in particular Councillor Chernushenko) voted in support of this motion; less surprising perhaps that pro-developer members including Councillor Hume and Mayor Watson supported it.
The pretense that economic savings are at the root of this change is false. Perhaps the next step will be to hold all council deliberation in camera!
Democracy is in the air right now at all levels of government in Canada as well as internationally. As some counties in the middle-east struggle to embrace the democratic process, Canada seems to be proceeding rapidly in the opposite direction.
Audio recordings just do not hack it and put many members of the public in a disadvantageous position. Not everyone has the benefit of broadband internet and as Denley comments “…it means the public will have to listen to hours of audio if they want to track an issue” and what about the plight of individuals with a hearing handicap?
It was also very surprising and disturbing to see that some new council member whom one might expect to respect the democratic process (in particular Councillor Chernushenko) voted in support of this motion; less surprising perhaps that pro-developer members including Councillor Hume and Mayor Watson supported it.
The pretense that economic savings are at the root of this change is false. Perhaps the next step will be to hold all council deliberation in camera!
Democracy is in the air right now at all levels of government in Canada as well as internationally. As some counties in the middle-east struggle to embrace the democratic process, Canada seems to be proceeding rapidly in the opposite direction.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Letter to the Editor Ottawa Citizen (not published)
City plans to develop the AVTC confirmed
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.
Monday, October 18, 2010
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.
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.
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!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Ottawa Citizen Poll fails to mention that Doucet has a good solution to transit concerns
A poll for the Ottawa Citizen finds that transit concerns are the top voter issue. Unfortunately the Citizen fails to mention that Clive Doucet is the only candidate articulating a transit plan that provides an alternative to a tunnel.
Surface light rail is inexpensive, will pay for itself, and is cheaper per user as the system grows. Also it is quiet and it is environmentally friendly.
A tunnel will add no new transit service for 20 years, will provide no alternatives or relief for the suburbs and will provide no new revenue. All of this for $2.1 billion plus! This won’t keep you taxes down! There is an alternative. For more details see the O-Train video on Clive Doucet’s web site http://clivedoucet.com/en/video-riding-o-train-clive.
Surface light rail is inexpensive, will pay for itself, and is cheaper per user as the system grows. Also it is quiet and it is environmentally friendly.
A tunnel will add no new transit service for 20 years, will provide no alternatives or relief for the suburbs and will provide no new revenue. All of this for $2.1 billion plus! This won’t keep you taxes down! There is an alternative. For more details see the O-Train video on Clive Doucet’s web site http://clivedoucet.com/en/video-riding-o-train-clive.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Vision and passion
Re: City needs visionary, not another manager: Doucet, Neco Cockburn, The Ottawa Citizen, October 15, 2010.
Candidate Clive Doucet’s claim that he is the most visionary candidate for mayor is well stated. As well as having vision, he also has a passion and honesty that is entirely missing from the three “ex-mayors” O’Brien, Haydon and Watson that reporter Cockburn refers to.
The partisan criticism expressed by right wing MPP Randy Hillier questioning Doucet’s democratic principles is both offensive and ignorant (False understanding, Ottawa Citizen, Letters-to-the-Editor, October 16, 2010). Hillier should reserve his comments for McGuinty and other provincial opponents but they have no place in a municipal campaign.
Concern about where the still large undecided vote will go has been a factor in past municipal campaigns as well as recent federal/provincial ones and it has really not done anything to improve the quality of governments we elect. People should be honest and vote with their hearts. It really is time for a change and Doucet has it all, integrity, honesty, vision and passion.
Candidate Clive Doucet’s claim that he is the most visionary candidate for mayor is well stated. As well as having vision, he also has a passion and honesty that is entirely missing from the three “ex-mayors” O’Brien, Haydon and Watson that reporter Cockburn refers to.
The partisan criticism expressed by right wing MPP Randy Hillier questioning Doucet’s democratic principles is both offensive and ignorant (False understanding, Ottawa Citizen, Letters-to-the-Editor, October 16, 2010). Hillier should reserve his comments for McGuinty and other provincial opponents but they have no place in a municipal campaign.
Concern about where the still large undecided vote will go has been a factor in past municipal campaigns as well as recent federal/provincial ones and it has really not done anything to improve the quality of governments we elect. People should be honest and vote with their hearts. It really is time for a change and Doucet has it all, integrity, honesty, vision and passion.
Friday, October 15, 2010
It’s not only the infrastructure that needs an overhaul
Re; One-time suburb needs infrastructure overhaul, Louisa Taylor, The Ottawa Citizen, October 15, 2010.
While the three candidates opposing Peter Hume for councillor in Ward 18 have different platforms they all agree on one point, along with an increasingly large number of residents. After 19 years with Hume at the helm, it’s time for a representative on council who cares for and respects Ward 18 and it’s residents.
Candidate Clinton Cowan says that “After 19 years, the position of councillor has changed to ward boss rather than city employee….Hume doesn’t respect the wishes of the community.” Hume says these accusations are “patently untrue” and points to the long list of endorsements he has received from residents as proof that’s not the prevailing view on the street.
Hume goes on to say “Ask the people who live near the proposed new bus garage, for example, and they’ll tell you I’m there for them.” But it wasn’t quite like this on the ground. The first time the community really had an opportunity to state its concerns over this garage occurred early this year when an open house was organized to inform people about plans to expand the “proposed” bus garage, when construction was already at an advanced stage.
Concerns were raised forcefully by members of Riverview Park Community Association as well as the local residents Hume refers to. At this time Hume was not too accepting of the communities concern, preferring instead to identify mediation steps that did little to address residents’ concerns directly.
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. Details of the land swap arrangement between the Ottawa Train Yards landowner and the city have not been made public other than to indicate that the deal also involved transfer of a substantial sum of money to the developer.
The developer seems to have benefited from this negotiation two ways: firstly, the contiguous area of land resulting from the exchange will make it easier for Ottawa Train Yards to expand this already large shopping mall; and secondly the owner has new cash in the bank besides.
Despite his claims to the contrary, some of Hume’s votes on council have been against the interests of many of his ward residents but clearly in the interests of developers; for example his endorsement of the Alta vista Transportation Corridor (AVTC) and his abandonment of the international design competition to redevelop Lansdowne Park.
As Clinton Cowan says, “It’s time for a Fresh Start.”
While the three candidates opposing Peter Hume for councillor in Ward 18 have different platforms they all agree on one point, along with an increasingly large number of residents. After 19 years with Hume at the helm, it’s time for a representative on council who cares for and respects Ward 18 and it’s residents.
Candidate Clinton Cowan says that “After 19 years, the position of councillor has changed to ward boss rather than city employee….Hume doesn’t respect the wishes of the community.” Hume says these accusations are “patently untrue” and points to the long list of endorsements he has received from residents as proof that’s not the prevailing view on the street.
Hume goes on to say “Ask the people who live near the proposed new bus garage, for example, and they’ll tell you I’m there for them.” But it wasn’t quite like this on the ground. The first time the community really had an opportunity to state its concerns over this garage occurred early this year when an open house was organized to inform people about plans to expand the “proposed” bus garage, when construction was already at an advanced stage.
Concerns were raised forcefully by members of Riverview Park Community Association as well as the local residents Hume refers to. At this time Hume was not too accepting of the communities concern, preferring instead to identify mediation steps that did little to address residents’ concerns directly.
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. Details of the land swap arrangement between the Ottawa Train Yards landowner and the city have not been made public other than to indicate that the deal also involved transfer of a substantial sum of money to the developer.
The developer seems to have benefited from this negotiation two ways: firstly, the contiguous area of land resulting from the exchange will make it easier for Ottawa Train Yards to expand this already large shopping mall; and secondly the owner has new cash in the bank besides.
Despite his claims to the contrary, some of Hume’s votes on council have been against the interests of many of his ward residents but clearly in the interests of developers; for example his endorsement of the Alta vista Transportation Corridor (AVTC) and his abandonment of the international design competition to redevelop Lansdowne Park.
As Clinton Cowan says, “It’s time for a Fresh Start.”
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Others run for mayor - Part 2
Following is an unpublished letter-to-the-editor of the Ottawa Citizen. The editor was interested enough to phone me and discuss the details of my follow-up letter. He was quite surprised but accepted my word when I confirmed that he made the statements I attributed to him when we discussed my first letter,
He restated the difficulty that any paper would have in dealing with a 20 candidate slate. I suggested that this is the Citizen's problem and that readers expect better than the reporting they are providing. Obviously we agreed to differ but the issue seems to have the attention of other editorial team members at the Citizen. While the letters-to-the-editor editor took the time to phone me he said it is unlikely that it will be published. However, its gone up the chain. Here is the text from my letter:
Letter-to-the editor - Ottawa Citizen October 11, 2010
On September 30 my letter, “Others run for mayor,” was published in the Ottawa Citizen. I comment on media bias and in particular on the Citizen’s continuing focus on the actions and utterances of Jim Watson and Larry O’Brien to the exclusion of the other 18 mayoral candidates.
The day before my letter was printed I received a voice mail from a Citizen editor stating his belief that the Citizen is accurate in its reporting, but that a decision to focus on the “two leading candidates” was taken by editorial staff because it is difficult to focus on all 20 candidates.
I responded with my own voice mail suggesting that this was exactly the point my letter makes and pointing out that there are many important views made by other candidates that go unreported. The Citizen chooses to report irrelevant interchange between Watson and O’Brien instead. My continuing concern is that the Citizen chooses to adopt this policy, even when it is clear that O’Brien is not going to succeed and that other contenders are rising to take his place at the front.
On Friday October 8 on TV Ontario’s Agenda broadcast with Steve Paikin there was a section covering Local elections - Municipal Affairs. The discussion focused on mayoralty campaigns in various cities across Ontario. Joanne Chianello a Citizen reporter represented Ottawa.
Over the 30 minute program segment Chianello mentioned only two candidates O'Brien and Watson. She failed to mention that there is a slate of 20 candidates running for mayor, with some notable challengers including Councillor Clive Doucet, ex-Ottawa/Carleton regional government head, Andy Haydon.
On the topic of light rail she mentioned only the tunnel option that is supported by O’Brien and Watson when there are other viable options being promoted by other candidates. Chianello also made misleading statements about the project by suggesting that the tunnel is a done deal and that there would be penalties in place if it were cancelled. Here is what she said: “We’re going to build a tunnel….We have a financial plan for it…..It cost us over $35 million to cancel a previous plan.”
Such inaccurate, biased and misleading commentary and reporting is unacceptable, particularly for a newspaper of the Ottawa Citizen’s stature. It is time for the Citizen to clean up its act and to report in an accurate and unbiased manner.
I have no problem if the paper’s editorial staff chooses to support particular candidates or political positions in their editorial pages but it is not acceptable for reporters to distort the true facts.
Colin Hine
He restated the difficulty that any paper would have in dealing with a 20 candidate slate. I suggested that this is the Citizen's problem and that readers expect better than the reporting they are providing. Obviously we agreed to differ but the issue seems to have the attention of other editorial team members at the Citizen. While the letters-to-the-editor editor took the time to phone me he said it is unlikely that it will be published. However, its gone up the chain. Here is the text from my letter:
Letter-to-the editor - Ottawa Citizen October 11, 2010
On September 30 my letter, “Others run for mayor,” was published in the Ottawa Citizen. I comment on media bias and in particular on the Citizen’s continuing focus on the actions and utterances of Jim Watson and Larry O’Brien to the exclusion of the other 18 mayoral candidates.
The day before my letter was printed I received a voice mail from a Citizen editor stating his belief that the Citizen is accurate in its reporting, but that a decision to focus on the “two leading candidates” was taken by editorial staff because it is difficult to focus on all 20 candidates.
I responded with my own voice mail suggesting that this was exactly the point my letter makes and pointing out that there are many important views made by other candidates that go unreported. The Citizen chooses to report irrelevant interchange between Watson and O’Brien instead. My continuing concern is that the Citizen chooses to adopt this policy, even when it is clear that O’Brien is not going to succeed and that other contenders are rising to take his place at the front.
On Friday October 8 on TV Ontario’s Agenda broadcast with Steve Paikin there was a section covering Local elections - Municipal Affairs. The discussion focused on mayoralty campaigns in various cities across Ontario. Joanne Chianello a Citizen reporter represented Ottawa.
Over the 30 minute program segment Chianello mentioned only two candidates O'Brien and Watson. She failed to mention that there is a slate of 20 candidates running for mayor, with some notable challengers including Councillor Clive Doucet, ex-Ottawa/Carleton regional government head, Andy Haydon.
On the topic of light rail she mentioned only the tunnel option that is supported by O’Brien and Watson when there are other viable options being promoted by other candidates. Chianello also made misleading statements about the project by suggesting that the tunnel is a done deal and that there would be penalties in place if it were cancelled. Here is what she said: “We’re going to build a tunnel….We have a financial plan for it…..It cost us over $35 million to cancel a previous plan.”
Such inaccurate, biased and misleading commentary and reporting is unacceptable, particularly for a newspaper of the Ottawa Citizen’s stature. It is time for the Citizen to clean up its act and to report in an accurate and unbiased manner.
I have no problem if the paper’s editorial staff chooses to support particular candidates or political positions in their editorial pages but it is not acceptable for reporters to distort the true facts.
Colin Hine
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Others run for mayor
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.
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.
Monday, September 13, 2010
The chicken or the egg?
Commenting on concerns expressed by Heritage Ottawa adviser, Leslie Maitland, that “the city is jumping the gun with respect to heritage” (“Where are the heritage reports?” critics ask before Lansdowne vote, Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, Sept 13, 2010) Councillor Peter Hume, chair of the city’s planning and environment committee says that “Rezoning has nothing to do with the heritage questions. All the rezoning does is to change allowable uses for the site.”
He goes on to suggest that it has no bearing on whether the city will move the Horticultural Building or what the easements – or sight lines – around the Aberdeen Pavilion will be. “Those aren’t zoning issues, those are site plan issues” he says.
Really Councillor, which came first, the zoning or the site plans; the site plans or the zoning? Here is yet another instance of this councillor disrespecting and disregarding the valid concerns expressed by citizens. Is it any wonder that people are so distrustful of this council? Hopefully it won’t be too long before Hume and others are called to account.
He goes on to suggest that it has no bearing on whether the city will move the Horticultural Building or what the easements – or sight lines – around the Aberdeen Pavilion will be. “Those aren’t zoning issues, those are site plan issues” he says.
Really Councillor, which came first, the zoning or the site plans; the site plans or the zoning? Here is yet another instance of this councillor disrespecting and disregarding the valid concerns expressed by citizens. Is it any wonder that people are so distrustful of this council? Hopefully it won’t be too long before Hume and others are called to account.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Challenging the Democratic Process
A recent letter to the Ottawa Citizen suggested that voters should not vote for mayoral candidate Clive Doucet but instead vote for Jim Watson in order to prevent Larry O’Brien from being re-elected. This suggestion was challenged in two excellent letters-to-the-editor a few days later:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/glad+Doucet+taking+right+issues/3492196/story.html
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Insult+voters/3492197/story.html
Both Watson’s and O’Brien’s campaigns receive substantial financial support from the corporate sector. In addition, Watson has strong ties to his former Ontario provincial government colleagues and will likely be susceptible to influence by their political agendas.
Of the three leading mayoral candidates Clive Doucet is the only one who does not have a potential conflict of interest. Clive Doucet is the only candidate who represents the interests of the public, without influence from corporate or external political sources. He truly is the people’s candidate!
Here is my own unpublished letter-to-the-editor:
Dear Sir,
Letter writer Erwin Dreessen’s letter (Doucet should quit, too. Ottawa Citizen, Sep 4, 2010) suggesting that voters should not vote for mayoral candidate Clive Doucet, but instead vote for Jim Watson (even if holding ones nose in the process) in order to prevent Larry O’Brien from being reelected.
It is this type of reasoning that challenges the entire democratic process. Voters are already jaundiced, evidenced by the low voter turn out for elections at all levels of government. People should listen clearly to what the candidates have to say and vote according to their consciences.
Colin Hine
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/glad+Doucet+taking+right+issues/3492196/story.html
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Insult+voters/3492197/story.html
Both Watson’s and O’Brien’s campaigns receive substantial financial support from the corporate sector. In addition, Watson has strong ties to his former Ontario provincial government colleagues and will likely be susceptible to influence by their political agendas.
Of the three leading mayoral candidates Clive Doucet is the only one who does not have a potential conflict of interest. Clive Doucet is the only candidate who represents the interests of the public, without influence from corporate or external political sources. He truly is the people’s candidate!
Here is my own unpublished letter-to-the-editor:
Dear Sir,
Letter writer Erwin Dreessen’s letter (Doucet should quit, too. Ottawa Citizen, Sep 4, 2010) suggesting that voters should not vote for mayoral candidate Clive Doucet, but instead vote for Jim Watson (even if holding ones nose in the process) in order to prevent Larry O’Brien from being reelected.
It is this type of reasoning that challenges the entire democratic process. Voters are already jaundiced, evidenced by the low voter turn out for elections at all levels of government. People should listen clearly to what the candidates have to say and vote according to their consciences.
Colin Hine
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Why should such a small local issue hit the front page?
I was surprised to see that an article about the permanent closure to through traffic on Clemow Avenue in the Glebe (City plan makes two homes impossible to reach – or does it? Robert Sibley, Ottawa Citizen, Aug. 25, 2010) should appear on the front page of the paper. The article discusses a motion that will be presented to City Council today by Councillor Clive Doucet to have city staff “initiate a formal, permanent street closure” of Clemow Avenue where it intersects with Central Park between O’Connor and Bank Streets.
The road has been closed on a “temporary” basis for nearly 40 years and most residents fully support the proposal. Two residents claim that access to their properties will be affected by the change and they say that there has been no public consultation. But public consultation is what Councillor Doucet’s motion is all about. No changes will be made without a public consultation.
Caroline Vanneste indicates that the Glebe Community Association has been looking into this issue for a while and has reported on it in the Glebe Report. They requested that Clemow be permanently closed but did not define the specific area to be greened. Residents were found to be generally in favour of the closure (as noted in the article) but have not agreed on the specific area.
City staff wanted a Council motion regarding the closure before starting the consultation process with the neighborhood. Unfortunately, the map attached to the motion makes it look like the area has already been decided and there won't be consultation on it. This is not the case at all. Vanneste says she will be trying to get this explanation out to affected residents, but will not be contacting the Ottawa Citizen. The GCA is not mentioned in the article – it appears to be a misunderstanding between residents and the City.
The fact that this issue appears on the front page of the paper and that at least one of the complainers, Ian Burney, is the son of ex-senior diplomat and Principal Secretary of Mulroney's office, Derek Burney, suggests that the article which is critical of Doucet is a deliberate attempt to discredit Doucet's current campaign for the mayoralty. It is unfortunate that the press finds it necessary to interfere in the political process rather than to report news in a clear, unambiguous and respectful manner.
The road has been closed on a “temporary” basis for nearly 40 years and most residents fully support the proposal. Two residents claim that access to their properties will be affected by the change and they say that there has been no public consultation. But public consultation is what Councillor Doucet’s motion is all about. No changes will be made without a public consultation.
Caroline Vanneste indicates that the Glebe Community Association has been looking into this issue for a while and has reported on it in the Glebe Report. They requested that Clemow be permanently closed but did not define the specific area to be greened. Residents were found to be generally in favour of the closure (as noted in the article) but have not agreed on the specific area.
City staff wanted a Council motion regarding the closure before starting the consultation process with the neighborhood. Unfortunately, the map attached to the motion makes it look like the area has already been decided and there won't be consultation on it. This is not the case at all. Vanneste says she will be trying to get this explanation out to affected residents, but will not be contacting the Ottawa Citizen. The GCA is not mentioned in the article – it appears to be a misunderstanding between residents and the City.
The fact that this issue appears on the front page of the paper and that at least one of the complainers, Ian Burney, is the son of ex-senior diplomat and Principal Secretary of Mulroney's office, Derek Burney, suggests that the article which is critical of Doucet is a deliberate attempt to discredit Doucet's current campaign for the mayoralty. It is unfortunate that the press finds it necessary to interfere in the political process rather than to report news in a clear, unambiguous and respectful manner.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Blatant promotion of a municipal candidate is not part of a columnist’s job
Re: Council needs business smarts to balance its odd ducks, Randall Denley, Ottawa Citizen, Aug. 24, 2010
Of course Randall Denley is a columnist rather than a reporter, so he will likely claim that he is entitled to express his opinions in his column. But to my mind commenting on performance of people in office is one thing, promoting the potential of a previously unknown candidate to the exclusion of others is another.
I’m sure that if challenged Denley would claim that his article was merely pointing out the value of electing candidates with appropriate skills and experience. But he goes much further than this by strongly extolling the virtues of a single candidate for Kitchissippi Ward, Katherine Hobbs, while invalidating the performance of the current Councillor for the Ward, Christine Leadman. Denley fails to discuss any of Leadman’s experience, focusing instead on Katherine Hobbs.
Denley suggests that real-life business experience is a good attribute for a councillor. But many would argue that this hasn’t paid off very well in the case our current mayor, Larry O’Brien.
Comparing the attributes and performance of all candidates running for election in a ward is one thing. But blatantly promoting one candidate to the exclusion of others is biased and unfair; just give people good comparative information, so that they can decide for themselves.
Of course Randall Denley is a columnist rather than a reporter, so he will likely claim that he is entitled to express his opinions in his column. But to my mind commenting on performance of people in office is one thing, promoting the potential of a previously unknown candidate to the exclusion of others is another.
I’m sure that if challenged Denley would claim that his article was merely pointing out the value of electing candidates with appropriate skills and experience. But he goes much further than this by strongly extolling the virtues of a single candidate for Kitchissippi Ward, Katherine Hobbs, while invalidating the performance of the current Councillor for the Ward, Christine Leadman. Denley fails to discuss any of Leadman’s experience, focusing instead on Katherine Hobbs.
Denley suggests that real-life business experience is a good attribute for a councillor. But many would argue that this hasn’t paid off very well in the case our current mayor, Larry O’Brien.
Comparing the attributes and performance of all candidates running for election in a ward is one thing. But blatantly promoting one candidate to the exclusion of others is biased and unfair; just give people good comparative information, so that they can decide for themselves.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Running for the severance?
Following is a letter to the editor of the Ottawa Citizen (unpublished):
Re: A welcome blast from the past, Randal Denley, Ottawa Citizen, August 15, 2010
I find it offensive to the candidates and to supporters who are working hard and donating money that Peter Clark, or anyone else, should suggest that reputable politicians like Clive Doucet and Alex Cullen are only running to get the severance.
Denley also states that Clark declines to comment on Mayor Larry O'Brien's performance in office. But he fails to note that O'Brien might also be accused of "running to get the severance."
Re: A welcome blast from the past, Randal Denley, Ottawa Citizen, August 15, 2010
I find it offensive to the candidates and to supporters who are working hard and donating money that Peter Clark, or anyone else, should suggest that reputable politicians like Clive Doucet and Alex Cullen are only running to get the severance.
Denley also states that Clark declines to comment on Mayor Larry O'Brien's performance in office. But he fails to note that O'Brien might also be accused of "running to get the severance."
Monday, July 26, 2010
Some words of wisdom for the Lansdowne Partnership
Members of the Lansdowne Partnership Plan should pay attention to the words of Alan Williams, retired ADM Materiel at DND. In his article in last Saturday’s Ottawa Citizen (Flying Solo, July 24, 2010) Alan Williams is highly critical of the federal government’s decision to acquire the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) for DND on a sole-source basis.
He notes that Canada’s involvement in development of the JSF does not compel the government to sole source it’s procurement and says that to do so is incredibly bad business. He criticizes the decision in terms of increased cost, reduced opportunities for Canadian industry and uncertainty as to the JSF is the best solution to meet Canada’s needs.
He also addresses the ethical dilemma that the government puts itself in by going the sole source route: “… Procurement demands not only the highest degree of integrity but also the appearance of the highest degree of integrity. Undertaking sole-source deals leaves the procurement process more vulnerable to fraud, bribery and payoffs, and leaves the federal government more susceptible to such charges.”
It seems to me that all of these issues apply equally to the planned sole-source development of Lansdowne Park by OSEG and the city. Council must pay attention and reconsider its decision to go ahead with this project in its present form.
He notes that Canada’s involvement in development of the JSF does not compel the government to sole source it’s procurement and says that to do so is incredibly bad business. He criticizes the decision in terms of increased cost, reduced opportunities for Canadian industry and uncertainty as to the JSF is the best solution to meet Canada’s needs.
He also addresses the ethical dilemma that the government puts itself in by going the sole source route: “… Procurement demands not only the highest degree of integrity but also the appearance of the highest degree of integrity. Undertaking sole-source deals leaves the procurement process more vulnerable to fraud, bribery and payoffs, and leaves the federal government more susceptible to such charges.”
It seems to me that all of these issues apply equally to the planned sole-source development of Lansdowne Park by OSEG and the city. Council must pay attention and reconsider its decision to go ahead with this project in its present form.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Sewer surcharges and other atrocities
One cannot deny that the water and sewer upgrades now being undertaken (Sewer regulator upgrades lauded, Neco Cockburn, Ottawa Citizen, July 23, 2010) are long overdue. However, Councillor Peter Hume’s statement that ratepayer can expect a 10% annual increase in sewer surcharges over the next 10 years makes me bristle (Residents can expect sewer rate hikes, http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2010/07/22/ottawa-sewer-rate-hikes.html July 22, 2010).
The CBC article also notes that the average Ottawa homeowner now paying $600 a year could end up paying more than $1,300 a year by 2020. However, the way I see it, based on a 10% pa rate increase, a $600 payment in 2010 will result in a payment of $1,556 in 2020, a 159% increase over 10 years.
Residents cannot exist without access to water and sewer services. There would not be a viable city without them; so costs for these services should be covered by basic property taxes. It is incomprehensible that residents are being asked to pay additional surcharges for these services. This city must learn to prioritize its projects (need over wants) so that tax payers are not burdened by surcharges on top of already huge tax bills.
The city as a whole lacks vision, does poor planning and creates irresponsible budgets. In October we need to elect a new council that will listen to residents and act responsibly by finding a way to move forward within the constraints of an affordable budget. This will require reevaluating all major capital projects, planned and existing.
It is interesting to note that the developers profit above all others from capital projects. There is no doubt in my mind that the scope of many of the city’s plans results from the influence of developers; hence the need for election candidates to refuse campaign donations from them.
The CBC article also notes that the average Ottawa homeowner now paying $600 a year could end up paying more than $1,300 a year by 2020. However, the way I see it, based on a 10% pa rate increase, a $600 payment in 2010 will result in a payment of $1,556 in 2020, a 159% increase over 10 years.
Residents cannot exist without access to water and sewer services. There would not be a viable city without them; so costs for these services should be covered by basic property taxes. It is incomprehensible that residents are being asked to pay additional surcharges for these services. This city must learn to prioritize its projects (need over wants) so that tax payers are not burdened by surcharges on top of already huge tax bills.
The city as a whole lacks vision, does poor planning and creates irresponsible budgets. In October we need to elect a new council that will listen to residents and act responsibly by finding a way to move forward within the constraints of an affordable budget. This will require reevaluating all major capital projects, planned and existing.
It is interesting to note that the developers profit above all others from capital projects. There is no doubt in my mind that the scope of many of the city’s plans results from the influence of developers; hence the need for election candidates to refuse campaign donations from them.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Developers’ influence on the city
In a letter to the Ottawa Citizen (Developers’ influence on the city a big deal, July 17, 2010) Councillor Clive Doucet illustrates how developers’ contributions to municipal election campaigns become a “big deal.” A large majority of Councillors accepted donation from corporate sources or from people with corporate interests in the 2006 municipal election. Here are two examples:
Some 80% of Councillor Doug Thompson’s campaign donations came from corporate sources, mostly from the construction and development sectors.
Over 62% of Councillor Peter Hume’s campaign donations came from individual owners, executives or senior managers of businesses in the construction and development sectors. There were no direct contributions from corporations however.
It is apparent that many candidates do not consider the ethical dilemma they place themselves in by accepting donations from corporations as well as from individuals whose businesses might later benefit from decisions and action taken by city council. This has got to change.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Sustainable development in the suburbs
Columnist Randall Denley makes the point that new suburbs and their residents should be able to expect a standard level of service from the city (Suburbs deserve better than sub-standard service, Randall Denley, Ottawa Citizen, July 13, 2010). In the article he refers to Planning and Development Committee’s recommendation ion to change a policy that dictates that 100% of the cost of community facility development costs being collected from new residents before construction starts. The proposal would allow the city to borrow money so that construction of new community based recreational facilities can start once 50% of the funds are collected.
Denley makes the point that “The longer the city does nothing, the less developers are obliged to contribute for future recreational needs.” He suggests that the city should also be putting in its rinks, libraries, pools and parks at the beginning of development, not years later.
I would suggest the city go a step further by insisting that suburb developers’ plans make provision for appropriate levels of retail and commercial space so that residents can expect to shop and work in their communities as they develop; thus reducing pressure on roads required to service new communities.
Denley makes the point that “The longer the city does nothing, the less developers are obliged to contribute for future recreational needs.” He suggests that the city should also be putting in its rinks, libraries, pools and parks at the beginning of development, not years later.
I would suggest the city go a step further by insisting that suburb developers’ plans make provision for appropriate levels of retail and commercial space so that residents can expect to shop and work in their communities as they develop; thus reducing pressure on roads required to service new communities.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Some Breaking News re Ottawa Senators concern on Lansdowne deal
This information was forwarded Shawn Menard on behalf of "Our Ottawa" today. Please pass this information along:
There was a short TV text clip tonight that Cyril Leeder, President, Ottawa Senators has claimed that the Lansdowne group are seeking a 30 year monopoly over sports and entertainment in Ottawa. The Senators must have finally awakened to the two conditions in the legal framework whereby the city agrees not to build a stadium with more than 5,000 seats for the first thirty years which competes with the Lansdowne stadium - unless the city exercises its termination for convenience right.
Moreover, the CFL team will be granted a right of first opportunity to lease the competing new stadium ..if it contains football facilities. Same goes for the hockey team. There is no press release on the Senators site about this. It will be interesting to see if the city suddenly changes the terms of the legal framework. I find it hard to believe that the city has agreed to such a restriction on future city development .
Some articles on this today.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Lansdowne+proposal+gives+developers+year+monopoly+stadium/3200107/story.html
http://www.ottawasun.com/news/columnists/susan_sherring/2010/06/24/14508756.html
This could be the deal-breaker. It needs to pushed hard. It confirms suspicions of residents who were previously in favour. Our Ottawa may out a press release today.
There was a short TV text clip tonight that Cyril Leeder, President, Ottawa Senators has claimed that the Lansdowne group are seeking a 30 year monopoly over sports and entertainment in Ottawa. The Senators must have finally awakened to the two conditions in the legal framework whereby the city agrees not to build a stadium with more than 5,000 seats for the first thirty years which competes with the Lansdowne stadium - unless the city exercises its termination for convenience right.
Moreover, the CFL team will be granted a right of first opportunity to lease the competing new stadium ..if it contains football facilities. Same goes for the hockey team. There is no press release on the Senators site about this. It will be interesting to see if the city suddenly changes the terms of the legal framework. I find it hard to believe that the city has agreed to such a restriction on future city development .
Some articles on this today.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Lansdowne+proposal+gives+developers+year+monopoly+stadium/3200107/story.html
http://www.ottawasun.com/news/columnists/susan_sherring/2010/06/24/14508756.html
This could be the deal-breaker. It needs to pushed hard. It confirms suspicions of residents who were previously in favour. Our Ottawa may out a press release today.
Monday, June 14, 2010
It is more than a choice of a transit mall versus a tunnel
Councillor Peggy Feltmate in her letter to the Ottawa Citizen June 14, 2010 (It is a choice of downtown transit mall or tunnel) compares the options of a downtown LRT tunnel with the alternative of turning Albert or Slater Streets into a transit-only mall. The transit mall should save considerable expense and make the project affordable. However, it would need to be sold to the federal government’s current mouthpiece on this file, John Baird. This is likely to be a difficult task.
Also this approach assumes that the present plan to establish a core LRT link between Blair and Tunney’s through the downtown core is the right way to go in the first place. As I noted in my earlier post on this topic a great deal more analysis and planning is needed before a shovel is put in the ground for the light rail project.
Some will argue that the transit plan has been studied to death already. However as I previously noted, studies undertaken to date have largely addressed preconceived solutions. Broadly based investigations to determine the overall needs of the community have still not been undertaken.
Also this approach assumes that the present plan to establish a core LRT link between Blair and Tunney’s through the downtown core is the right way to go in the first place. As I noted in my earlier post on this topic a great deal more analysis and planning is needed before a shovel is put in the ground for the light rail project.
Some will argue that the transit plan has been studied to death already. However as I previously noted, studies undertaken to date have largely addressed preconceived solutions. Broadly based investigations to determine the overall needs of the community have still not been undertaken.
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