Newsletter - July 20
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
Over the last few weeks, my office and I have been finding time to knock on doors in the community to get to know residents, hear their concerns, and offer our assistance in addressing issues that matter most to them. So far, we have spoken to residents in Munster, North Gower, Richmond, Carleton Golf and Yacht, and some rural roads throughout the ward. We also hosted a free BBQ as part of the Kars Family Fun Day, serving free food to dozens of families and well over 100 individuals.
I wanted to take a moment to share some of the feedback that we have received from the community through door knocking and events and discuss some common challenges facing residents in the ward.
Residents have comments and feedback regarding infrastructure and road maintenance, recreation opportunities in the community, drainage challenges, tree and brush management, safety and security matters in the community, and more. Generally, we heard from folks that they were grateful to connect with us directly at their doorsteps, to hear about what’s going on at City Council, and to have the opportunity to get their priorities on the agenda with my office.
Though residents are happy to meet the team and share their views, many are also quite honest about what they see as challenges with the City. High tax rates for low services in rural Ottawa remains an ongoing issue. There is a real sense that rural Ottawa has for too long been funding the priorities and excesses of the urban core; I will make sure that at Council, I am always putting our communities’ interests first.
Additionally, one of the biggest concerns that we’ve heard from the communities in our ward so far is with respect to traffic issues. On nearly every street and rural road where we spoke with residents, issues regarding speeding and traffic management were mentioned. Traffic issues are the most frequent concerns that we hear about both in person and via emails and phone calls.
My office is currently working on addressing over 70 specific requests that we have received since November for traffic calming or traffic infrastructure measures throughout the ward. A major challenge in addressing these concerns stems from current City-wide policies. The ward budget for new traffic calming measures only allows us to add between 5 to 10 measures every year, depending on their cost. Measures such as stop signs, stop lights, and roundabouts are based on warrant conditions and the determination of where and when these measures are introduced is determined by City staff.
To address these issues, my office is working on developing and passing through Council a new policy framework that would significantly increase traffic calming budgets in each ward, would allow rural Councillors to more easily request necessary and cost-effective infrastructure like stop signs, and would expand the use of automatic speed enforcement in rural villages.
Going door to door has given me and my team fantastic opportunities to hear from many residents who might not otherwise have reached out. We have been grateful for the time and interest that folks have had in hearing about what we are working on for residents, and we are also truly fortunate to be able to get so much feedback to help shape our priorities in the years to come. Based on the response from the community, focusing on traffic and infrastructure remain my top priorities.
For those who have yet to see me and my team at the doors, thanks for your patience. We are trying our best to balance the need to be responsive to residents’ requests with the need to be proactive in introducing ourselves to the community. I look forward to meeting you at your door to discuss the issues that matter most to you and your family and how my office can assist.
Ward Updates
Street Lights in Munster
For the last few months, my office has been coordinating with staff and residents to address issues with street lights in Munster. According to City staff, the issue in Munster is due to an underground fault in the wiring. Sega Electric has been awarded a tender to conduct work to fix the issue. Staff presently estimate that work may start as soon as 3 weeks from now, but residents should note that there is no official start date for construction. Residents near where work will be undertaken should receive notification letters soon providing further details on the project.
Information session re 5646 & 5650 Manotick Main
A public, in-person information session about the proposed development at 5646 and 5650 Manotick Main is scheduled for July 31st with doors opening at 6:30 pm. The event will be held at the Manotick Arena. Learn more
Capital Partnership Application Input
The City is seeking public input on the major capital partnership applications that were received for the March 1, 2023, deadline, including an extension of the park at the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre and an Outdoor Pavillion at the Richmond Fairgrounds. Provide your input
ROSSS Program/Service Cancellation
Our friends at ROSSS are moving, as such all programs and services will be cancelled from July 17 to July 21, as they relocate to their new building. They will re-open on July 24th at their new location at 1096 Bridge Street, Manotick.
Anxiety & Stress Program for Teens
The Y Mind program is a free 7-week program that offers support for those who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety or stress. Participants learn evidence-based coping skills based on Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, self-compassion, and connect with peers who are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings. More information can be found at: Mental Wellness Programs | YMCA of the National Capital Region
Recruiting Public Members for City committees
Make a difference in your community by becoming a public member on the French Language Services Advisory Committee (up to 11 positions) or the Planning Advisory Committee (9 positions, including 3 designated professionals). Learn more
Construction Updates
Scheduled Resurfacing & Repair Work in Ward 21
McCordick Rd from Roger Stevens to 80m south of Church St - granular road base placement and base asphalt has been completed and final lift anticipated next week followed by granular shouldering.
McCordick Rd from 30m north of Pierce Rd to 140m South of Pierce Rd – granular road base and base asphalt has been completed and final lift anticipated next week followed by granular shouldering.
McCordick Rd from 14m North of Lockhead Rd to 104m North of Lockhead Rd – granular road base and base asphalt has been completed and final lift anticipated next week followed by granular shouldering.
McCordick Rd from 362m South of Lockhead Rd to 673m South of Lockhead Rd – granular road base and base asphalt has been completed and final lift anticipated next week followed by granular shouldering.
McCordick Rd from 310m North of Mackey Rd to 370m North of Mackey Rd – granular road base and base asphalt has been completed and final lift anticipated next week followed by granular shouldering.
Settler’s Way from Paden East to Paden West – pulverizing, granular road base placement and base asphalt have been completed and final lift asphalt to start next week followed by granular shouldering.
McCartney St from Settlers Way (West) to Setter’s Way (East) – pulverizing, granular road base placement and base asphalt have been completed and final lift asphalt to start next week followed by granular shouldering.
Cambrian Rd from 25m west of Twin Elm Rd to 370m East of Twin Elm Rd - granular road base placement, base asphalt and final lift asphalt have been completed this week and granular shouldering will follow.
Twin Elm Rd from 370m South of Cambrian Rd W to 15m North of Cambrian Rd West – granular road base placement, base asphalt and final lift asphalt have been completed this week and granular shouldering will follow.
Road Closures
Ottawa Street from Eagleson Road to King Street will be closed on July 28 to replace asphalt over the Via Rail track.
Shea Road Southbound, from Fernbank to Flewellyn, until Monday, July 31, 2023.
Eagleson Road Northbound, from Perth Street to Fallowfield, until August 25, 2023.
Renewal of Fourth Line Road Bridge to Begin in August
Construction to replace the Fourth Line Road Bridge over the Crawford Hill Municipal Drain is tentatively scheduled to commence in August, and will require that Fourth Line Road be closed for the duration of construction, approximately 10 weeks. A detour using Pollock Road, McCordick Road and Century Road West will be in place.
Upcoming Events
Farmers' Markets:
North Gower: every Saturday, from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. Learn more
Manotick: every Saturday, from 9 am until 2 pm, until October 14, at the Carriage Shed. Learn more
Richmond: on July 22, from 10 am until 3 pm, at 67 Fowler Street. Learn more
Library Programs: Check out what programs are happening this month at your local Ottawa Public Library branch. Learn more
Hamlet in the Park: Join a Company of Fools as they present their version of Hamlet on July 20, at Centennial Park, at 7 pm. This fast-paced 90-minute rendition of the Bard’s greatest tragedy will feature disemboweled puppets, a sword fight to the death, live underscoring, and 5 actors taking on 15 different roles. Learn more
Youth Drop-in Nights in Munster
Do you have anyone in your household between the ages of 9-17 looking for some fun? The MCC will be the coolest place to be on the evenings of Friday, July 21, and Saturday, July 22. Learn more
Movies in Munster Park
Bring your chair or blanket (and bug spray!) to Munster park on July 29, at dusk, to enjoy the MCA's inaugural MOVIES IN THE PARK, including Ghostbusters and Dazed and Confused. Learn more
Annual Plowing Match
The Ottawa Carleton Plowmen's Association is holding its annual plowing competition on August 25th and 26th, across the road from 3285 Eagleson Road. Learn more
Trauma Talks – Breakfast Fundraiser
This inaugural ‘Trauma Talks’ fundraiser will help break the silence of male trauma survivors, on September 26, at 7:30 am, at Ottawa City Hall, Jean Pigott Place. Learn more
Stay in touch
I want to hear from you! Connect with the team and stay informed by:
Following us on social media by clicking the icons below
Emailing your concerns to ward21@ottawa.ca
Calling the office at 613-580-2491
Meeting with Councillor Brown at the North Gower office every Thursday. Email ward21@ottawa.ca to book an appointment.