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Inside NEWS
An advocacy group wants the city to act quickly to protect area ash trees from the deadly emerald ash borer. – Page 5
CITY HALL FEATURE
Metroland reporters explore the perils of commuting on a bike in the second week of our Cycling the Capital series. – Page 7
COMMUNITY
The second annual Manotick Soapbox Derby is on a roll. New this year, three sponsored carts are available. – Page 9
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012
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Last minute options added to Manotick water main study Community leader says one could open door to box store development Emma Jackson emma.jackson@metroland.com
EMC news – A last minute change to Manotick’s proposed water main study could spell disaster for the village, said Klaus Beltzner, president of the Manotick Village Community Association. Two new alignment options have been added to the project’s environmental assessment, one of which travels along Spratt Road from Earl Armstrong Road to Mitch Owens Road, with sub-options breaking off at Bridge Street. If the city moves ahead with the Spratt Road route it could open the door to expansion of the village boundary and approval of Trinity Development Group’s longstanding plan to build a box store plaza in that area, said Beltzner. “The provincial policy statement that says if you have services you need to use them. So that will lead to the acceptance of the village boundary going across the river and then they can build their shopping plaza,� Beltzner said. Consultant group Morrison Hershfield Ltd is currently conducting the environmental assessment for a water main that would provide more access to the central water system through Manotick’s core and in the village’s Minto development. Along with the Spratt Road option, the city has also added a possible alignment along Long Island Road, with suboptions turning west along Bridge Street or continuing down Van Vliet Road. Beltzner said the Spratt Road option may seem the
better choice for the community as there would be less impact on traffic, but in reality it sets the stage for big-box development. Originally the study area only included alignment options along River Road, all beginning at Earl Armstrong Road and heading south before breaking off at Bridge Street. This proposed study area was open to public comment until July 31. However at a July 25 meeting the city’s technical advisory committee suggested other options be considered, according to city engineer John Bougadis. “This is a provincial environmental assessment process and it requires thorough examination of all possible options,� he said in an email statement. It was not clear why the options were not included at the beginning of the study. Although the consultation period has officially closed, Bougadis said information about the updated project will be posted at www.ottawa.ca/ manotickwater “in the near future� and residents will be able to comment. Those who have already commented will be emailed the new information. An open house will be held in the fall “once a preferred alternative has been identified,� Bougadis said. COMMUNITY BENEFIT
Beltzner said the Long Island Road option could become an incredible coup for the village. See LONG, page 2
Emma Jackson
The magic of youth Fourteen-year-old magician Gabe Roberge will take the stage both weekends at Midway Magic at the Rideau Carleton Raceway this August, beginning Saturday, Aug. 18. It’s the teenager’s biggest gig ever, and he’ll share the stage with well-known illusiionists like hypnotist Fernandez and Ottawa magician Ian Quick. It’s also the second annual event’s first year at the raceway. For the full story, see page 5.
Greely Players bursary supports performing art students Emma Jackson emma.jackson@metroland.com
EMC news – Two burgeoning young performers will head to school with 1,000 extra dollars in their pockets, thanks to the Greely Players theatre group. Greely actress Stephanie La Rochelle and Carp clarinet player Natalie Hart both received the amateur theatre group’s annual bursary this summer. Every year, the Greely Players gives bursaries to young performers who will study their craft at a post-secondary institution that fall. Bursary size depends on how many applicants there are,
and how successful the spring production was. Last year, there were eight recipients who each received $500. This year, the young women will get at least $1,000, although group director Anne Peterson said the amount could go up. Hart is a graduate of Canterbury Arts High School’s music program, and is a clarinet player for the Greely Players pit orchestra. She is also active in area orchestras including the Ottawa Youth Orchestra. She will start her Bachelor of music in clarinet at Indiana University this September.
La Rochelle, 17, graduated from St. Mark High School in Manotick this June and is heading to Sheridan College’s performing arts preparation program – that is, unless she is named one of the top 10 competitors vying for the role of Dorothy in CBC’s voter-based talent show, Over the Rainbow airing this September. The show is similar to Canadian Idol, but pits young actresses against each other for the chance to play the lead role in Mirvish’s December production of Wizard of Oz in Toronto. See YOUNG, page 2
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