he Whitton Awards Ceremony, May 31, was a great success. Assembly Hall at Lansdowne Park was filled as family, friends and neighbours celebrated accomplishments of 29 outstanding Capital Ward volunteers.
It was an honour to present Whitton Awards to Old Ottawa South residents: Community Activism to John Graham; Sports & Recreation to Bob Adamyk, Jeff Hume and John Loop: Business & Commercial Activities to Arthur McGregor and Terry Penner and Arts & Culture to Abby Pollonetsky.
I surprised Mayor Jim Watson with a one-time Special Whitton Award honouring him for his public recognition of volunteers.
Thanks to all sponsors without whom we could not stage this wonderful event. Thanks to Allison Woyiwada and Hopewell School band who entertained marvellously. Thanks also to Brad and Heather Cairns of Framed! for framing the certificates.
I am impressed with efforts to reclaim this part of Windsor Park. The old building, asphalt yard and chain link fence are gone. The City covered the cost saving the community an onerous burden. I also put over $3000 from my budget toward removal of the end of Windsor Avenue and adding top soil, grass and trees.
Since I first waging the fight in early 1998 on behalf of Old Ottawa South, to save this piece of parkland from being sold off, I have not felt such happiness. With shrinking budgets and green spaces, I view my role in returning this park space back to the community as one of my most satisfying achievements. I thank Pat Kealey, Gary Lum, their team of community volunteers and Mayor Watson for his support.
The beautiful new preschool play structure and swings are in place in Windsor Park, thanks to hard work of community volunteers and contractor John Milks. In addition to the $7,500 City Self-Help grant, I contributed over $1,500 from my budget to assist completion. I look forward to the official opening Wed June 14. Thanks to Georgina Hunter, Anne Marie Corbett, OSCA and community donors and volunteers who worked hard on this project.
Recently, I observe an increase in the number of cars parked on each side of Riverdale and a decrease in the traffic speed. I had recommended the community try this easily implemented, effective, cost free (when parked legally) traffic calming measure.
It has advantages fixed measures do not. It effectively narrows a greater portion of the road, it reduces motorists' perception of a wide speedway and it is unpredictable.
Cars cutting through are unable to develop a patterned response because placement of parked cars differs from day to day. It may not be rocket science, but it seems to be having some success. Keep up the good work Riverdale residents!
Following suggestions made by police at a recent OSCA meeting, I agreed to help fund some signs for residents for a lawn sign experiment with cautionary reminders to motorists.
Recommendations made in the Main Street Traffic Calming & Streetscaping study would see the intersection of Riverdale and Main squared off, eliminating the slip-off lanes to and from Main. This should reduce speeds onto Riverdale.
City staff reported on their traffic monitoring and police enforcement on Riverdale at OSCA's May meeting. Average speeds have dropped since installation of the speed hump in 1997. The City will report back in September on other traffic calming measures in place.
A recent report to the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board again recommends school closures. In all options, Mutchmor is targeted for closure. Less threatened but also targeted are York Street, Elgin Street, Viscount Alexander and Centennial.
Alarmed school council reps, trustees, other elected officials and staff met and many concerns were expressed. All agree June 26 is too tight a deadline for public consultation so school communities can respond to the options. We oppose having only one meeting in September for concerns to be delivered and we oppose October as the date for a final decision.
Closure of Mutchmor will overburden local schools like First Avenue and Hopewell. It is imperative all schools and communities stand together in a united front in opposition to the closure options.
Recent predictions of explosive population and economic growth throughout the OCDSB's jurisdiction show closing schools is not a wise planning choice now. And, as seniors downsize and younger families move in, neighbourhood schools will be needed more than ever.
Closing and selling schools without more complete demographic data is short-sighted and will limit diversity, balance and viability of communities. Solidarity between communities inside and outside the Greenbelt is critical.
Ottawa, and all municipalities, should oppose short sighted closures. Hopefully, a majority of regional council can be convinced to pressure the board to withhold the decision on closures until after the next municipal election and until more accurate projections on pre-school populations are forthcoming. I fully support and thank Lynn Graham and all those working on these initiatives.
I enjoyed the Hospice at Maycourt's Tulip Tea and Open House May 7. The Hospice's "House on the River" project will see an existing wing outfitted with 10 overnight beds. Please support this very supportive institution.
It was great fun to visit Hopewell School with the Mayor recently, to speak with students on environmentalism and give out Millennium white pine seedlings. Many students signed an Olympic flag to be given to Canadian athletes going to the Summer Olympics in Australia. The flag will hang in the Canadian athletes compound to remind them all Canadians are cheering them on.
Students from St. Margaret Mary came to Windsor Park to plant trees as part of the Mayor's Task Force on Re-treeing Ottawa and received millennium white pine seedlings. Micheline Martin from the Royal Bank, accompanied by Leo the Lion, presented the Mayor's Task Force on Re-treeing with a $10,000 cheque.
I look forward to seeing you at OSCA's Summer BBQ & Concert, Brewer Park June 22. I will be serving hamburgers and hot dogs as usual. Have a safe, happy, and peaceful summer!
CAN I HELP?
Inez Berg
City Councillor
111 Sussex Dr
Ottawa, ON, K1N 5A1
Tel: 244-5367 Fax: 244-5373
E-mail: bergi@city.ottawa.on.ca