Ken Gray’s editorial comment in today’s Ottawa Citizen (Some advice for Larry O’Brien, August 12, 2009) is interesting and entertaining but not all of his advice is good. He suggests sending Councillor Peter Hume to Queen’s Park to solicit financial support from the provincial government.
Despite Hume’s apparent popularity with the McGuinty family dynasty it should be remembered that Councillor Hume has been a player on city council throughout the various incidents of sewer flooding that have occurred in Kanata and elsewhere. During this time, much of it as chair of the city’s Environment and Development Committee, he has been in a position to initiate action. Only now and only to criticize a potential opponent for the 2010 mayoralty campaign is he making himself heard on this issue. Why should we believe him now?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
More on the sewage spill crisis
An interesting letter in today’s Ottawa Citizen (Sewage spill record is our national shame, Tor Rustad, Nepean, Aug 11, 2009) reacting to Councillor Peter Hume’s response to Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson’s concerns. Rustad notes that “If Hume believes that this track record is something he can be proud of, we should all be very concerned.”
For the record, I shall not be supporting either Peter Hume or Jim Watson, should either of them run in the 2010 mayoralty campaign. The have both been in municipal politics far too long and should now be put out to pasture.
For the record, I shall not be supporting either Peter Hume or Jim Watson, should either of them run in the 2010 mayoralty campaign. The have both been in municipal politics far too long and should now be put out to pasture.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Flooding follow-up
Kathleen Petty interviewed Councillor Peter Hume on CBC Ottawa Morning today (Aug 10, 2009). The key issue was insurance industry concern over the large increase in claims due to storm related flooding. Hume did not really have anything new to say, but instead used the interview as an opportunity to attack Jim Watson. He agreed with most of Kathleen Petty’s observations and acknowledged that the Fernbank development might require rethinking. But no evidence of any real plans was offered.
Councillor Gord Hunter is also weighing in on this issue; suggesting that home buyers likely could not afford increased home prices that would result if builders were required to install sewage/storm drainage pipes and infrastructure that would handle the types of flooding that has occurred recently. Really! Does this mean that we can look forward to continuing construction of homes and subdivisions without adequate drainage infrastructure? And what about all the existing homes that are susceptible to flooding? Again, no talk of real plans!
The term “hundred year storm” has been used many times recently in connection with recent flooding events. This term is clearly misused in the context of changing weather patterns resulting from climate change. Neither the City of Ottawa, nor City Council, has the required skills or the necessary resources to mange this issue alone. Long term solutions are needed and this needs cooperation from all levels of government.
Councillor Gord Hunter is also weighing in on this issue; suggesting that home buyers likely could not afford increased home prices that would result if builders were required to install sewage/storm drainage pipes and infrastructure that would handle the types of flooding that has occurred recently. Really! Does this mean that we can look forward to continuing construction of homes and subdivisions without adequate drainage infrastructure? And what about all the existing homes that are susceptible to flooding? Again, no talk of real plans!
The term “hundred year storm” has been used many times recently in connection with recent flooding events. This term is clearly misused in the context of changing weather patterns resulting from climate change. Neither the City of Ottawa, nor City Council, has the required skills or the necessary resources to mange this issue alone. Long term solutions are needed and this needs cooperation from all levels of government.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Methinks thou doest protest too much
It is interesting to see Councillor Peter Hume re-emerge, responding to Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson’s “attack” on the city’s performance (Councillor seething over minister’s sewage remarks, Ottawa Citizen, Aug 8, 2009). Hume challenges the accuracy of Watson’s remarks; he notes that the city has a five year, $203 million plan to stop spills and reduce the number of overflows following storms. But he misses the point that the city continues to be tardy addressing sewer problems in Ottawa overall. Witness the lack of a solution to the latest round of flooding in Kanata. Further to this, it is likely that city plans to develop the Fernbank community will lead to further flooding problems in this area. Expansions like this can only contribute to an already overloaded sewer system.
Watson makes the point that the problem is getting worse and that much of the work will not even be started before 2010. So we can expect flooding and overflow problems to persist for years. How come things were ever allowed to come to this point? Perhaps because councillors and bureaucrats prefer to punish farmers posting quirky homemade signs and people who don’t manicure their lawns to some imaginary standard! Clearly the city continues to have its priorities wrong.
Hume’s salvo signals a start to his mayoralty campaign. All he is signaling is his ongoing disinterest in, and aggression toward, anyone who speaks out about the deteriorating state of the city and suggests that there is a better way forward.
Watson makes the point that the problem is getting worse and that much of the work will not even be started before 2010. So we can expect flooding and overflow problems to persist for years. How come things were ever allowed to come to this point? Perhaps because councillors and bureaucrats prefer to punish farmers posting quirky homemade signs and people who don’t manicure their lawns to some imaginary standard! Clearly the city continues to have its priorities wrong.
Hume’s salvo signals a start to his mayoralty campaign. All he is signaling is his ongoing disinterest in, and aggression toward, anyone who speaks out about the deteriorating state of the city and suggests that there is a better way forward.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Kudos to VIA Rail and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference
An excellent letter in the Ottawa Citizen today (http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Desirable+relations/1839388/story.html). I was mulling over writing one in a similar vein, but Keith Egli beat me to it! I never expected to be singing the praises of VIA Rail but OC Transpo and the Amalgamated Transit Union could certainly learn something about consideration of public interests from this example.
A viable alternative to Rogers
We’ve decided to cancel our Rogers cable subscription and are investing in an Over the Air (OTA) antennae system that gives us excellent reception of local stations (these are the ones we view most often anyway). In a few months we will recover our initial investment in the antennae and will be viewing television for free, released from steep monthly fees from Rogers, mostly for the many channels we never view anyway. This move will also simplify the change-over to DTV that will take place in 2011.
Message to Rogers: Your inconsiderate decision to eliminate Cable Channel 64 (PBS Watertown N.Y.) precipitated this decision and we are encouraging friends to take similar action. Our cell phone service from Rogers is the next on our list to go.
Update, July 30, 2009: I am very pleased to learn that today Rogers backed down on the WPBS Watertown issue. However, this will not influence our decision to give Rogers the boot. This firm, like other TV and cellphone service providers is a deal to greedy and arrogant.
Message to Rogers: Your inconsiderate decision to eliminate Cable Channel 64 (PBS Watertown N.Y.) precipitated this decision and we are encouraging friends to take similar action. Our cell phone service from Rogers is the next on our list to go.
Update, July 30, 2009: I am very pleased to learn that today Rogers backed down on the WPBS Watertown issue. However, this will not influence our decision to give Rogers the boot. This firm, like other TV and cellphone service providers is a deal to greedy and arrogant.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Putting greed before need
A lot of folk are expressing anger about Rogers’ unilateral decision to eliminate Cable Channel 64 (PBS Watertown N.Y.) and to force them to subscribe to digital channels if they want access. Their response, or lack of response, to Ottawa resident’s complaints demonstrates what their real priority is (increased profits, no matter what!).
Rogers is inconsiderate to customer concerns and needs in so many ways. Another issue that came to my attention recently relates to their “pay as you go” cell-phone service. Subscribers are being bombarded by unsolicited junk calls for which they are charged. Rogers is benefiting from this unexpected revenue stream at subscribers’ expense and inconvenience. It’s time to change and to look for viable alternatives.
Rogers is inconsiderate to customer concerns and needs in so many ways. Another issue that came to my attention recently relates to their “pay as you go” cell-phone service. Subscribers are being bombarded by unsolicited junk calls for which they are charged. Rogers is benefiting from this unexpected revenue stream at subscribers’ expense and inconvenience. It’s time to change and to look for viable alternatives.
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