Manotick Messenger September 22, 2023

The 178th Richmond Fair took place at the Richmond Fairgrounds Sept. 14-17. In addition to the heavy horses, there were livestock shows, sheep shows, small horse shows, agricultural contests and awareness programs, a midway, entertainment and great food

MPP wants to hear form you if you are concerned about trustee behaviour

I want to start off this week by saying thank you to everyone who attended the annual Carleton Community BBQ at the Richmond fairgrounds Sat., Sept. 9. More than 400 people showed up to the event to enjoy the hamburgers, hot dogs and corn cooked up by the Richmond Volunteer Fire Department, Fries for Charity, the cupcakes and cakes from King’s Your Independent Grocer, the veggies from The Kitcheness, the SunTech tomatoes, vegetable samosas from Blue Diamond, the entertainment, face painting from Pina Cava Face Paint, Swords and Ploughshares Museum, the Firefighting Ghostbusters, the Jock River Alpaca and Llama Farm, Aroha Dance, and the bouncy castle.

Bobby B provided the music for the day, Dr. Kaboom was a big hit, and Ottawa Redblacks mascot Big Joe had a high five for everyone.

It was also an opportunity

for people to sign the petition to start the process to re-open Munster Elementary School.

Jennifer Bugden of Munster spoke about the positive impact that re-opening Munster Elementary School would have for the community.

Cheri Nixon of Osgoode also spoke about the difficulties facing local families who have had their school buses cancelled due to a shortage of drivers in the area. Adding to the problem was that the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority did not inform the parents of the school bus cancellations until just a few days before the start of school.

I can’t thank Jennifer and Cheri enough for rallying the community on these import-

ant issues and taking the time to meet with me. At the BBQ, I was pleased to announce that the Ontario Ministry of Education is providing an additional $1.8 million to the OttawaCarleton District School Board and Ottawa Catholic School Board to help with their transportation pressures.

I was also pleased to announce that I had a very encouraging discussion with the Ottawa Catholic School Board. If the OCDSB will not entertain re-opening Munster Elementary School, perhaps another board can buy the school from them.

And last but certainly not least, I want to thank the staff in my constituency office and the many volunteers who helped make this event possible. Volunteers are the backbone of any community event or organization, and this BBQ was no different. We could not have put on this event without our volunteers, and I am truly grateful

of their time and hard work on Saturday. Thank you to all of you!

OCDSB Trustee Behaviour

If you are concerned about the behaviour and performance of the trustees at the OttawaCarleton District School Board, I would like to hear from you.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be compiling feedback from local residents regarding the behaviour of the OCDSB trustees at their meetings. The report will be submitted to Ontario Minster of Education Stephen Lecce and Ontario premier Doug Ford.

Last week I was interviewed on the radio by both Sam Laprade and Bill Carroll, two excellent radio hosts who both happen to be residents in the Carleton riding. I told them there are four school boards in Ottawa, and I have a great relationship with three of them. I have the Minister of Educa-

tion on speed dial because of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, and the issues I have had to deal with because of them in the past five years.

This is a board that received funding to build a public high school in Stittsville long before the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s still not done. They received funding to build a public high school in Riverside South in 2020, and they’ve just put shovels in the ground. They refused to prioritize building a second elementary school in Findlay Creek when the recently opened Vimy Ridge Public School has well over 20 portables. This is a school board that shamed local parents who were concerned about bathroom safety for their children. This is a school board who told a mother of a Grade 1 student in our riding who is an Ottawa Police Service officer that she is not welcome to the Grade 1 career day if she comes to the school in uniform and now, they

are suggesting divorced parents affected by the OSTA school bus cancellations to change the custody arrangements of their children as a resolution.

I have been monitoring this situation for a long time, and I have made sure that Minister Lecce is also aware of what is going on. If you have an opinion on the OCDSB and you want to be heard at Queen’s Park, this is your chance.

Please send your comments to: www.goldiempp.ca/contact/

Congratulations to the Richmond Fair

It’s hard to believe that the Richmond Fair is 11 years older than the City of Ottawa, and 23 years older than Canada.

More than any other event in South Carleton, the Richmond Fair brings the community together. There are a lot of people who worked hard to make this fair the best to date.

goldie continues on page 3

goldie continues from page 2 Some of the people to thank for their hard work are Dave Seabrook – President of the Richmond Agricultural Society; Doug Seabrook – 1st Vice President, Richmond Agricultural Society; Duncan MacGibbon – 2nd Vice President, Richmond Agricultural Society; Cathy Craig – Homecrafts President, Richmond Fair; Ron McRostie – General Manager, Richmond Agricultural Society; Matt Covey – Treasurer, Richmond Agricultural society; Eleanor Kelly – Bookkeeper, Richmond Agricultural Society; Cydney Greene and Maryam Wammes – Co-Chairs of Richmond Legacy Pavilion; Cindy Brown and everyone from the Richmond 4H Club. Many young 4H-ers will be showing their cattle, horses and sheep for the first time at the fair this year. The 4H Club, along with Mikhaila and Mike Kavanagh and Queen of the Furrow Rhianna Gallagher, have

worked tirelessly to promote and raise awareness for agriculture in South Carleton.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of more than 175 fall fairs in Ontario. The Government of Ontario understands that groups like the Richmond Agricultural Society are the backbone of rural communities throughout the province. The Government invested $1 million to ensure that fall fairs throughout Ontario would continue on into the post-pandemic era.

Last year, I was thrilled to join the Richmond Agricultural Society for an announcement that they had received a $54,500 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation Resilient Communities Fund. The grant was used to make improvements to the fair office and to create a year-round meeting room for the Richmond Agricultural Society, including the installation of heating and cooling systems.

But what the Richmond Fair means to every family is the magic of fun. A level of fun that makes forever memories. We often hear parents talk about the excitement of bringing their kids to the fair, and they reminisce about how they attended the fair when they were kids. Now, of course, the rides are better, the food is better, and the entertainment is better, and there is such a thing as wi-fi and QR codes, but the Richmond Fair will always be the Richmond Fair. That could not happen without the incredible support from the Richmond Agricultural Society, the Richmond 4-H Club, the Richmond Lions Club, and the many other volunteers. I want to say, from the bottom of her heart, and on behalf of the Government of Ontario, a big thank you to all of the volunteers and organizers for making the Richmond Fair one of the biggest and best rural fairs in Ontario!

Starting at $3,650/mo all inclusive!

Office Notice:

My office is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. If you require assistance on any matter, please

contact me at any time. My staff and I will be happy to assist. Even if it’s not a provincial issue, I’ll make sure to connect

you with the proper office.

Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari poses for a photo with Ottawa Redblacks mascot Big Joe during the Carleton Community BBQ Sat., Sept. 9.

Community rallying to get Munster Elementary School re-opened

What was planned to be a simple family barbecue to celebrate the end of summer turned into an emotional rally to get Munster Public School reopened and to raise awareness about the hundreds of families in the area who have no means of getting their children to school.

Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari hosted her annual Community Barbecue at the Richmond Fairgrounds Saturday, Sept. 9. A crowd of close to 500 enjoyed the free burgers, hot dogs and corn served up by the Richmond Volunteer Firefighters, face painting, a bouncy castle, a petting zoo, music, entertainment by Dr. Kaboom, and even a visit from Ottawa Redblacks mascot Big Joe. While the event is nonpartisan and non-political, the crisis regarding the cancellation of local school bus routes by the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority became a rallying point for the community. The Munster

Community Association had a booth set up with a petition for people to sign to have the school re-opened. A group who wanted to set up a picket line to protest the cancellation of bus routes met with Ghamari the night before the event. They were invited into the barbecue and given a booth to voice their displeasure with the OSTA, OttawaCarleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board for the cancellations.

When it was time for the speeches and thank yous, Ghamari had some news to share with everyone.

“Yesterday, I had a discussion with the Ottawa Catholic School Board, and they are interested in looking at Munster Elementary School,” she said, adding it was a good first step to finally getting the school re-opened.

munster continues

Jennifer Bugden addresses the crowd at the Carleton Community BBQ, hosted by MPP Goldie Ghamari, Saturday. Bugden started a petition to re-open Munster Elementary School.

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Munster Elementary School was closed in 2015 due to low enrollment. Despite an outcry from the community, the OCDSB and Ontario’s Wynne Government would not visit requests to reconsider the closure. During the 2022 provincial election debate at the Richmond Fairgrounds Dining Hall, the school came up in a question from the floor. Ghamari said she would fight to get the school re-opened, while Liberal candidate Tom Dawson said that the school was closed at the request of the parents.

While re-opening the school would not happen in this school year, Ghamari said there is definitely interest. “With the growth in the area, the numbers appear to be there,” she said.

Munster parent Jennifer Bugden started the petition, which Ghamari will present to the Queen’s Park Legislature later this month.

“We are about 15 kilometres west of Richmond,” Bugden said. “Our elementary school kids are put on a bus, if

they’re lucky to have a bus because our public school kids do not have a bus to Richmond; our Catholic school kids do.”

Bugden said her three-yearold is on the bus for 47 minutes.

“That’s a long time for anyone to sit in a vehicle,” she said.

The subject of the school has been in the forefront in the village for years. Bugden said it was time for action and to try and reopen the school.

“We have a school that is in Munster,” she said. “It’s walking distance for all the kids that live within the Munster boundaries. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board closed the school in 2015. They forced the parents who wanted their kids to go into French Immersion to go to A. Lorne Cassidy in Stittsville. Therefore, enrollment steadily dropped, and they said ‘OK we’re done.’”

Bugden said the community has been fighting every year to get the school re-opened. She learned the day before the BBQ that the city’s Catholic

board was interested in doing research to see if purchasing the school was an option.

“They’re not committing to anything at this point but they’re exploring it, and it is the best news we have had for our community in years,” Bugden said. “We are a village, and having our kids together is so vital to the survival of our small community,” she said.

“We are excited that Goldie is behind us and willing to bring this to Queen’s Park in a couple of weeks, and fight for us.”

While Ghamari spent a lot of time leading up to the barbecue on Munster Elementary

School, she also spent a lot of time on the bussing problem.

“I met with Education Minister Stephen Lecce, and the province is going to provide $1.8 million to the school boards to assist with the pressures of transportation funding,” she said. “This is in addition to the $75 million in funding the province had already provided to the boards for transportation, which is an increase over last year.”

Osgoode parent Cheri Nixon was vocal on Facebook about the bus cancellations. She has a child who attends Canterbury High School and

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has been working on a carpooling arrangement with other parents.

“We need viable solutions for rural families who do not have access to OC Transpo,” Nixon said. “We need changes in the combinations to routes to maximize access by filling seats. And we need solutions for young students who cannot ride OC Transpo unsupervised.”

Nixon said she has been pushing for a solution that does not come at a financial or emo-

tional price to local families.

“We need a solution now,” Nixon said.

Councillors David Brown and George Darouze also addressed the crowd. Both thanked Nixon and Bugden for their hard work and advocacy in the community, as well as MPP Ghamari for her work in fighting for the community on the two issues. They also thanked the many volunteers who worked behind the scenes to make the community BBQ possible.

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Braid ‘shocked’ over right wing editorial from ‘neocon nitwit’

The Editor, I have to confess that I was genuinely shocked by what I read on the editorial page of the August 25 edition of the Messenger. Buried in the latest polemic from the extreme rightwing Frontier Centre for Public Policy (yet another pro-Tory advocacy group masquerading as a “think tank”) was a reference to the opinion of one Tom Flanagan, the former longtime advisor to Stephen

Harper and retired Political Science professor at the University of Calgary. For those who may have forgotten, Flanagan fell out of favour way back in 2013, when a statement he had made in 2009 came back to haunt him. At that time, he had famously argued that aficionados of child pornography shouldn’t face jail time, stating, “what’s wrong with child pornography, in the sense that they’re just pictures”?

Given the opportunity to walk back that comment, Flanagan doubled down, further stating that, “I do have some grave doubts about putting people in jail because of their taste in pictures.” Apparently lost on the neocon nitwit was the fact that in order for the “pictures” to even exist, some child, somewhere has to have been subjected to soul-destroying abuse. Looking at these kinds of “pictures” is hardly a vic-

timless crime.

The entirely predictable response was immediate, as his many former chums in Canada’s various conservative parties turned on him like rabid dogs, such as then Prime Minister Harper’s director of communications, who described Flanagan’s comments as “repugnant, ignorant, and appalling,” as well as current Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who said in 2013 that, “there is no

language strong enough to condemn [his] comments”.

Flanagan was also dumped by the CBC’s Power and Politics, where he had for many years functioned as their go-to, pro-Tory pundit.

I would have thought Flanagan’s career would have been well and truly relegated to the scrap heap of history and that we’d heard the last from him, and then his name pops up in a Messenger editorial

by a right-wing libertarian advocacy group. It would appear that Canada’s extreme right feels that sufficient time has passed and now might be the appropriate time to bring Flanagan back into the fold, but I, for one, am not so sure. Like most Canadians, I do believe in freedom of speech, but I think we have to draw the line at defenders of those who indulge in Kiddie porn.

Andy Braid

Will Canada commit to putting an end to tuberculosis?

The Editor, While there has been a reduction in Tuberculosis (TB) diagnoses in 2020 and 2021, this apparent decline does not signify a shrinking TB problem as mentioned in the recent report of the World Health Organ-

ization. Instead, it points to a concerning issue - a growing population of undiagnosed and untreated individuals, leading to an alarming rise in TB-related death.

Among the estimated 10.6 million people af-

fected by TB annually, a staggering 4.2 million are left unaccounted for by healthcare systems. This means they do not receive both diagnosis and essential care.

Fortunately, there is part of a solution at hand. By

ensuring equitable access to non-sputum-based diagnostic tests in TB-affected regions, there is an opportunity to prevent countless cases from remaining untreated.

To make this vision a reality, it’s imperative that

Canada actively participates in the United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB. Furthermore, if Canada commits an impactful 0.15% of its annual research and development budget to the creation and dissemination of new tools

for TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This investment has the potential to transform the lives of millions affected by this deadly infectious disease, bringing us one step closer to a TB-free world.

Peace Mukazi,

Kemptville District Hospital welcomes Dr. Tammy LeRiche

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is pleased to announce a new specialist providing services in its outpatient clinics: Dr. Tammy LeRiche, a highly respected obstetrician/ gynecologist, has recently established a Gynecology Clinic.

Dr. LeRiche will be seeing patients from the local communities KDH serves as well as those under-

going Gynecology surgery at KDH. She will be providing services related to contraception, fibroids, polyps, dysfunctional bleeding/menstrual irregularities, post-menopausal bleeding, and ovarian/adnexal masses.

Dr. Tammy LeRiche earned an undergraduate degree in Science at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia

before earning a Master of Science degree in Bioanalytical Chemistry at the University of Ottawa. She worked as a research chemist for three years before deciding to go to medical school. Dr. LeRiche completed medical school at the University of Ottawa, graduating in 2007. She subsequently finished her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Ottawa in 2012.

Shortly thereafter, Dr. LeRiche began practice in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Brockville General Hospital (BGH); through its affiliation with Queen’s University she was appointed assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Dr. LeRiche was head of the Women’s and Children’s Program at BGH for a number of years and received several teaching awards for her mentorship with medical students and residents.

“KDH is very fortunate to have Dr. Tammy LeRiche join us as a surgeon and program lead for Gynecology services, said Dr. Colin Sentongo, KDH’s Chief of Staff. “She is an accomplished surgeon who has led the way to develop and enhance surgical services in ORs and community hospitals such as KDH. “

Dr. LeRiche responded, stating, “I am excited to be joining and expanding the KDH team to enhance the gynecological services provided to the local com-

munity and the Ottawa region.”

The new Gynecology clinic is the natural next step following the introduction of Gynecology surgery at KDH in the fall of 2022, under the leadership of Dr. Sony Singh, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), and KDH’s Surgical Leadership team.

“With the new Gynecology clinic and Gynecology surgery, we continue to expand our strategic partnership with The Ottawa Hospital to help us achieve our longer term goal of bringing back Gynecology and Women’s Health services to the communities we serve,” explained Frank Vassallo, KDH’s CEO. Vassallo was referring to

the hospital’s former Obstetrics program, which closed in 1990.

While KDH’s Gynecology clinic will see a variety of patients and patient conditions, KDH will strive to build capacity for laparoscopic hysterectomies (on both an inpatient and day surgery basis), which will build upon the successful day surgery laparoscopic hysterectomy service model Dr. LeRiche established in Brockville. Planned investments in additional equipment for the operating rooms and outpatient clinics will increase surgical capacity and offer services closer to home.

Physicians may fax referrals for the new Gynecology clinic to 613-2584997.

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Dr. LaRiche stands outside the entrance to the Clinics at KDH.

His Excellency Whit Fraser coming to Manotick for an afternoon at MACW

The Manotick and Area Centre for the Arts and Wellness (MACAW) has invited His Excellency

Whit Fraser to come to Manotick to discuss his award-winning book True North Rising. This Book

Talk is part of a Writer’s Forum that will take place on Tuesday, October 10th at 2 p.m. at Manotick United Church.

Mr. Fraser is an author and a storyteller who has had a front seat to many of the historic events in the last half century in the Canadian Arctic. His passion for the Arctic and its peoples began more than five decades ago when he relocated from Nova Scotia to the Canadian Arctic to work as a journalist with CBC North. From his base in Iqaluit (then called Frobisher Bay) and later Yellowknife, Mr. Fraser travelled to the far corners of the Canadian North, as well as to Alaska and Greenland, to share important stories for Indigenous peoples and other northerners on TV and radio. His coverage included the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry, the negotiations leading to the signing of

comprehensive Inuit land claims agreements, and the historic First Ministers’ meetings in the 1980s where Indigenous rights were affirmed in Canada’s constitution. In all, Mr. Fraser spent 25 years with the CBC, including 8 years as a national Parliamentary reporter in Ottawa.

In the years following his extensive journalistic career, Mr. Fraser remained closely connected to the North. He was the founding chair of the Canadian Polar Commission from 1991 to 1997, working with the board of directors on a series of recommendations and measures aimed at enhancing science policy in the polar regions and improving human health and social issues in the North.

According to CBC Books, “In True North Rising, Whit Fraser delivers a smart, touching and astute living history of five dec-

ades that transformed the North, a span he witnessed first as a longtime CBC reporter and then through his friendships and his work with Dene and Inuit activists and leaders. Whit had a front-row seat at the MacKenzie Valley Pipeline inquiry, the constitutional conferences and the land-claims negotiations that successfully reshaped the North; he’s also travelled to every village and

town from Labrador to Alaska.”

There is no charge for this event thanks to the funding MACAW receives from the New Horizons for Seniors Funding provided by Employment and Social Development Canada. Those interested in attending should contact Lisa Richards at 613-6924576 or admin@manotickunitedchurch.com to register.

Whit Fraser will be speaking at the Manotick United Church Tues., Oct. 10.

Reminiscing about the good old days of radio

Radio is one of our most important means of communication, and it enables people to send spoken words, music, codes, and other communication signals through the air to any part of the world. By using radio, people can also communicate far into space. There are two-way radio communications used by the military, air traffic controllers, truckers, police, firemen, con-

THis week, THIS MONTH

by Larry Ellis

struction workers, sportsmen and security officers. The most familiar use of radio is broadcasting; everyday millions of people throughout the world listen to radio

programs in hundreds of languages. The radio is in the home, car, boat, aircraft, park and the beach. Radio broadcasting once had much the same entertainment role the television has today.

There is at least one radio station in every country in the world and altogether there are more than 30,000 stations. The world’s first radio station was XWA Montreal in 1919, now CFCF, and

claims to be the oldest radio station in the world still broadcasting. In 1927, Canada’s Diamond Jubilee was marked by the first coast to coast radio network broadcast.

The “glory days” of radio are considered to be from the mid 1930s to the early 1950s.. Those were the days we heard Foster Hewitt broadcast the NHL hockey games; the World Series when almost nobody won except

the Yankees; the heavyweight boxing matches when Joe Louis won the heavyweight crown every year from 1937 to 1948.

We listened to the wonderful sounds of the “Big Bands”; there was the Happy Gang with Bert Pearl; Fibber McGee and Molly; George Burns and Gracie Allen.

Dramas included Buck Rogers and the 25th Century; The Shadow;

The Lone Ranger with Tonto; The Green Hornet and Superman. Soap Operas included The Guiding Light, John’s Other Wife, One Man’s Family, and Ma Perkins. Radio’s famous comedians included Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Eddie Cantor and Bob Hope. Your impression of the people behind the voices on radio was, and may still be, limited only by your imagination.

With the return to school for Ottawa’s English and Catholic school boards this month, there are thousands of students who do not have a ride to school due to bus route cancellations and driver shortages.

There are more students in Ghamari’s Carleton riding without bussing to school than any other riding in the city, and in the province.

“This is absolutely unacceptable,” said Ghamari. “Our riding has a huge rural area. Putting high school

Many did not come back, leaving the Ottawa Student Transit Authority (OSTA) with a shortage of drivers. According to the Ministry of Education, the extreme shortage of drivers is a problem that is local to Ottawa, particularly in the western communities and rural areas of the city.

The shortage is not a new thing. Many routes in the Carleton riding were cancelled in June due to drivers not wanting to work with the poor air quality issues caused by forest

that were cut because of the driver shortage were cut in rural areas, where families rely on school buses the most.”

Ghamari said she first heard about the problem when she saw the media reports last week. By the next day, she said the inbox at her constituency was filled with emails from parents who were desperate for a solution.

“I want to know why that contract was not finalized, and I want to know why many of the cancelled

From there, all decisions regarding student transportation including procuring and managing contracts are made by member school boards at the local transportation consortium level. While school boards are entirely responsible

for student transportation, the province has increased funding to school boards, enhanced wages for bus drivers and invested in strengthening safety of school buses to ensure kids can reliably get to and from school. Transportation

funding for Ottawa Catholic District School Board and Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is over $75 million for the 2023-24 school year.

Many local families are still without school bus service for their children.

otsa continues from page 12

In Ontario, school boards and student transportation consortia procure contracts with independent businesses, bus operators, to deliver transportation services to students. The ministry does not have a role in matters related to procuring contracts, this rests with school boards and student transportation consortia and bus operators.

During the first week of school, Ghamari spent most of Thursday and Friday trying to find answers and solutions to the problem. She said she was communicating with OCDSB Trustee Lynn Scott, OCSB Trustee Scott Phelan, and the Ministry of Education. MPP Ghamari said that the majority of the complaints and inquiries received at her constituency office came from OCDSB schools. She added that it is another example of how the school board has lost focus on the most fundamental issues they are responsible for.

“The board has been disrespectful to the police, and

disrespectful to parents of female students who were shut down and called transphobic for simply raising concerns about their daughters having to share washrooms with male students who identify as female. Now, they are being disrespectful to rural families in Ottawa by not prioritizing and solving this problem.”

Schools have been the number one priority for MPP Ghamari since she was first elected to represent the newly formed Carleton riding in 2018. She has worked at Queen’s Park to secure the funding for new construction or expansions for nine different schools in her riding.

“I worked hard – sometimes tirelessly – to fight to get more schools and more classrooms in Carleton,” said Ghamari. “This is the most important issue for families in our riding. I am not going to accept families being stuck with no school bus transportation for their children. The school boards

should be ashamed of this mess.”

OSTA Meeting

On Sept. 13, the OSTA held a meeting with local trustees and politicians that got heated, as OSTA Chair Vicky Kyriaco kicked West Carleton Councillor Clarke Kelly out of the meeting.

Kelly interrupted Kyriaco’s presentation, and then questioned her in a Q and A session afterward about compensation to families who are out of pocket for paying for their children’s transportation to school. His argument was that families are already paying taxes which schools and transportation should be part of, so they should not have to pay twice. Kyriaco cut him off and yelled at him, and when he responded she removed him from the meeting.

“I hope you lose your job soon,” was what Kelly said to her before he signed off.

OSTA sent a statement to CTV Ottawa regarding the incident, saying that its goal is to be transparent with

elected officials and the public, and that city councillors are not responsible for transportation but were invited out of courtesy.

“Councillor Clarke Kelly interrupted the presentation several times, at which point he was told this was a presentation and not an open forum. After the presentation was delivered, an open forum was provided for Councillors to ask questions,” OSTA said in the statement to CTV Ottawa.

“Councillor Clarke Kelly then became verbally aggressive and disrespectful. OSTA then removed Councillor Clarke Kelly from the forum.”

Ghamari said she was surprised at how the meeting ended.

“I have never seen a meeting where an employee has kicked an elected official out of a meeting before,” she said.

Ghamari added that the Minister of Education has called for a third party review of OSTA and how it operates.

“We want to take a look at OSTA and how it operates and how it uses its finances,” Ghamari said. “We want to see if there is a way we can help, and what we can do to ensure that this situation does not happen again.”

During the presentation, Kyriaco said that she is welcoming the third party review so that the province can see how efficient the organization is.

Despite its efficiency, there is no end in sight for the shortage of bus drivers in rural west and suburban Ottawa.

Councillor David Brown said he was disappointed to hear that the company that did not sign a contract for the area walked away from the table and is apparently not an option for this year. While there are options within the city to get students to school, that is not the case for schools in his ward. Among the hardest hit schools for the busing problem in South Carleton High School.

“I asked her if that means

there is no solution for this school year for people in the Rideau-Jock Ward, and she said ‘that’s correct’,” Brown said. Some of the reasons the councillor was given for the problem in his area were that the vast geography of rural Ottawa made it difficult to attract drivers, and many drivers didn’t want to drive on rural roads with steep ditches that are considered dangerous in the winter. Another factor given was that seniors in Ottawa are in a more comfortable financial situation than seniors in other parts of the province.

Last week, three of OSTA’s bus drivers quit after they were berated on the job by angry parents in Stittsville over the situation, despite the fact that they were drivers who were working, not drivers who left their jobs. Another issue left people angry as some parents in the Rideau-Jock Ward received tickets in excess of $100 for improperly navigating overcrowded drop-off and pickup zones.

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Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari and Councillors David Brown and George Darouze welcomed the crowd at the BBQ.

The Richmond Volunteer Firefighters cooked up lunch for close to 500.

The Munster Community Association had petitions for people to sign for the re-opening of Munster Elementary School.

Big Joe hams it up for a photo.

The Pina Cava Facepainting booth was a busy spot throughout the day.

Dr. Kaboom entertained the crowd with music, magic and balloon animals.

Dancers from Aroha Dance entertained the crowd.

Big Joe poses for a photo with the Firefighting Ghostbusters.

Nominations open for 12th Annual Order of Ottawa and Brian Kilrea Award

The City is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Order of Ottawa and the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching.

You can complete nominations for both awards either online or by downloading a nomination form from the Order of Ottawa award webpage. The submission deadline is Friday, September 8 at 11:59 pm. Nominations will be considered every year for five consecutive years from the date of submission.

The Order of Ottawa, now in its 12th year, recognizes the professional achievements and outstanding service of exceptional Ottawa residents – those who have made significant contributions through their professional endeavours, to life in the city in any of the following areas: arts and culture, business, philanthropy, health care, education, public service, labour, communications and media, science, sports and entertainment and other fields that benefit Ot-

tawa.

This prestigious civic award honours up to 15 of Ottawa’s most deserving individuals each year. You may nominate any resident of Ottawa who has made a significant contribution in a professional capacity that has been of benefit to our community.

The Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching, which will be presented at the Order of Ottawa awards ceremony in the fall of 2023, recognizes the contribution of an

amateur coach who exemplifies the qualities of leadership and commitment that have been the hallmarks of Brian Kilrea’s career. Mr. Kilrea is a retired hockey head coach, general manager and player, and is best known for his 35year association with the Ottawa 67’s. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, has played and coached in the NHL and, with more than 1,000 career victories, he is the most successful coach in Canadian junior hockey his-

A Taste of Manotick to take place

One of the most popular annual events in Manotick takes place Sat., Sept. 23.

A Taste of Manotick will take over Manotick Main Street from 2-8 p.m. The event was previously held in mid-August, but the Manotick BIA decided to change things up this year and take advantage of the fall harvest season.

The event was created to give local residents and

visitors a taste of what the village has to offer. It goes beyond restaurants, as it includes businesses, services, shops – just about everything Manotick has to offer. The hope for the BIA is that local residents will get a chance to experience the different businesses in their own back yard, while visitors to the community will get to experience the village and want to return.

The highlight of the

day is the samples offered by many of the village’s restaurants and shops. There will also be music and entertainment throughout the Main Street and Mews for the day. Proceeds from the event will go toward supporting the Manotick Food Cupboard.

The 2019 A Taste of Manotick was the best-attended in the event’s history.

tory.

A list of Order of Ottawa inductees is prominently displayed on a wall on the first floor of Ottawa City Hall and posted online. Nominations from the public are reviewed and recipients of the Order of Ottawa are chosen by a Selection Committee that includes the Mayor, City Clerk, Chief of Police, City Archivist, Chief Executive Officer of Library Services and the Chief of Protocol (ex-officio member).

You can find more information about both awards on the Order of Ottawa award webpage.

Nominations by immediate family members, self-nominations, and posthumous nominations will not be accepted. Elected municipal, provincial and federal officials are not eligible while in office. For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613580-2400.

Baxter launches Forest School session for pre-teens

If you’ve got a junior naturalist at home always itching to be outside, Baxter Conservation Area may be able to help scratch the itch.

The conservation area south of Kars will add a new session for kids ages 10 to 13 to its popular Forest School program this fall.

The full-day preteen program will run each Monday between Sept. 11 and Dec. 11. Students will spend their days outside learning in nature, through nature.

The new sessions

unlock outdoor learning opportunities for a whole new age group, as the program’s previous age cut-off was 10.

“We’re thrilled to welcome older kids to our Forest School program,” said acting site supervisor Amy Tenbult. “Spending time in nature is proven to help kids with anxiety, mood regulation and focus, and these become even more critical as kids enter their teenage years.”

The older group will develop new skills, independence, teamwork, and responsibil-

ity while applying academic skills such as math, problem solving and literacy in a natural setting. The students will also explore science themes such as biology and ecology through inquiry-based learning throughout the day.

Registration is now open for the fall session. Late registrations accepted. Visit https:// www.rvca.ca/outdooreducation/baxter/baxter-forest-school for more information and to start the registration process. Contact baxter.supervisor@rvca.ca

Manotick Kiwanis has long interclub relationship with Norwood NY Kiwanis

B y R alph Tweedie , M ano T ick k iwanis c lu B

For over 50 years, the Kiwanis Club of Manotick has enjoyed a strong relationship with a sister Kiwanis Club in Norwood, New York. This summer, after a three-year hiatus due to covid, we restarted

this cherished tradition.

On Monday, August 21st, a group of Manotick Kiwanis members drove to

Norwood, NY for an interclub meeting and BBQ.

The Norwood club has been hosting this annual international interclub since at least the 1970s.

The original organizer was Monty Montabone a past President of the Manotick Club. Monty competed in the high hurdles

in the 1924 and 1928 Olympics. He traveled the world as an Olympic “ambassador” and visited many Kiwanis Clubs along the way.

A bus was rented and other Ottawa area clubs were invited and joined in. When our bus arrived for dinner the Norwood members and Canadian guests would mingle in

the restaurant, meeting old friends and making new ones. In the early years, the trips sometimes included a golf tournament.

I’m told the Manotick members often returned with the top prizes.

Over the years it became a very cherished event with the Norwood Club reciprocating, often attending our charter night

in the fall.

The event has become less formal and is now often a BBQ held in a park or at someone’s home. This year’s group of participants was small but had a great time. A cruise around Norwood Lake was part of the fun. Hopefully we can carry on with this great tradition for years to come.

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The highlight of this year’s Manotick Kiwanis Club visit to Norwood, NY was a cruise around Norwood Lake.

The Norwood Kiwanis Club has been hosting an interclub event since the 1970s.

David Bagnell, Funeral Director with Capital Funeral Home & Cemetery on Prince of Wales Drive, presented a $2500 cheque to Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind in Manotick last week. Capital Funeral Home & Cemetery is a member of Arbor Memorial Services which has a charitable foundation under the name of the Arbor Memorial Foundation (AMF). “Each year all Arbor employees are asked to submit requests for many assorted charitable organizations in the communities we all live and work in, and this year I chose Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind,” stated Bagnell. “The AMF approved my request.”

ThAnkSGiVinG Dinner Turkey Dinner

Turkey Dinner- $20.95 +tax includes: Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Gravy & Mixed Vegetables

City of Ottawa invites you to get involved in Draft Budget 2024

You will have several opportunities in the coming weeks to inform the City’s draft budget for 2024. Resident feedback is integral to the development of the City’s budget. It’s your city and your budget(link is external), so have your say!

Visit the Engage Ottawa Budget 2024 page at Ottawa.ca today to complete a survey so we can first hear from you on your budget priorities. The survey will close at the end of October and the results will be posted on Engage Ottawa.

Important dates and information

Ongoing: Residents pro-

vide feedback and questions related to Draft Budget 2024 through social media (using #OttBudget), 3-1-1, your local Councillor and feedback tools on Engage Ottawa.

- Monday, September 25: Technical briefing for members of Council and the media to enhance general knowledge and understanding of the City’s budget process and help support Councillor-led public consultations on the draft budget. The technical briefing will be livestreamed on the City’s YouTube channel and available with simultaneous interpretation.

- October to November 2023: Councillor-led

budget consultations take place to receive input from residents. Exact dates for consultations will be communicated by Councillors, posted on ottawa.ca, Engage Ottawa(link is external) and social media.

- Wednesday, November 8: Draft Budget 2024 is tabled at Ottawa City Council. In addition to this Council meeting, the three boards listed below hold their own meetings to table their respective budgets.

- November to December 2023: Residents can submit questions to City staff through Engage Ottawa(link is external).

- Wednesday, De-

cember 6: Draft Budget 2024 is considered for adoption at Ottawa City Council.

Budget background

Every year, the City of Ottawa produces a municipal budget. One of the City’s most important documents, the budget is the blueprint that defines how money is received (revenue) and spent (expenses). There are two building blocks to the draft budget: The operating budget funds City programs and services that residents rely on every day.

The capital budget pays for the rehabilitation of current infrastructure and assets under the City’s control or to

invest in growth of our City.

The draft budget is broken down by Committee, department and service areas as described in the Table of City Services and Standing Committee reporting structure. With direction from Council, the budget is drafted and tabled for review by each Standing Committee and adopted by Council. Aside from the draft budget considered by Committees, there are three boards who make recommendations to Council regarding their draft budgets:

- Ottawa Police Services Board

- Ottawa Board of Health

- Ottawa Public Library

Board Draft Budget 2024 supports Council’s commitment to fund ongoing operational needs. The draft budget is respectful of taxpayer dollars, continuing to invest prudently in Ottawa’s future to build a resilient, affordable and connected city.

For more information about the City’s budget, visit the Budget, finance and corporate planning page.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service.

Heritage Grant Program applications are due earlier starting this fall

Applications for the 2024 Heritage Grant Program will be accepted from October 9 to December 8, 2023.

The Heritage Grant Program for Building Restoration is a matching grant

program to assist owners of designated heritage resources with restoration projects. A heritage grant of up to $10,000 for small-scale buildings, and up to $25,000 for large-scale buildings

is available on a matching basis to assist owners of heritage buildings designated under Part IV or Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act for restoration work. Applications for 2024 projects will

be accepted from October 9 to December 8, 2023.

You should first discuss your proposal with Heritage Planning staff via email at heritage@ottawa.ca(link opens email application) or

by phone at 613-580-2463. Staff will be able to assist you in determining the information required to process your application.

Applications should be submitted to Heritage Plan-

ning by email. A heritage planner will contact the applicant if further information is required.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca

The Richmond Fair kicked off Thursday Sept. 14 and ran through Sept. 17. For more coverage of the fair, visit richmondhub.ca, manotickmessenger.ca, and the next issue of the Manotick Messenger.

World class junior tennis stars shine in ITF J30 tournament

It was a big weekend for tennis as the Manotick Tennis Club hosted the International Tennis Federation J30 Junior Tennis Tournament. The tournament, which was sanctioned by

the ITF, featured some of the top players in Canada and the United States. It was the first time the ITF held a world tour sanctioned tournament in Ottawa.

Americans Leyla Tozin and Ireland O’Brien were runners up in girls doubles. O’Brien was also runner up in the U18 girls singles draw.

Manotick Tennis Club President Phil Johnson, left, and tournament director Michael Paduch, right, present trophies to boys singles champion Andres Ipsas and runner up Eric Crivei.

Sava Uncianschi and David Asenov of Canada were boys doubles champions.

Girls singles champion Charleze Celebrini accepts her trophy from tournament director Michael Paduch.

Royals Open Junior B Regular Season Sept. 24

After a deep run in the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs last year, the Richmond Royals are back on the ice and looking for another big year.

The Royals opened their pre-season on Labour Day weekend and have four games under their belt. The Royals have lost twice to the Ottawa West Golden Knights by scores of 7-2 and 9-2, and they have wins over Carleton Place and Athens.

While the scores and outcomes of pre-season games are more or less meaningless as they are used for coaches to evaluate young and new players, some of the Royals’ veteran players have served notice that they are ready to go.

Dylan Rorwick, their biggest offensive weapon last season, has scored five goals in three games in the pre-season. The 19-year-old

forward posted 38 goals and had 36 assists in 39 games as a rookie last season.

Tyler Cutts, their other big offensive weapon who scored 31 goals in 36 games last season, is also back. Cutts has five points in three pre-season games.

Another player off to a hot start is 19-year-old rookie Sam Mayson. The 5’9”, 175-pound Gatineau native has never been a big point producer at the AA or AAA levels, or at U18. However, Mayson has four games in four pre-season games to show the offensive upside he brings to the Royals.

Among the other returning forwards are Tyler Hames, Ryan Sullivan, Cameron Donaldson, Jackson Dallaire, Reid Johnston, Giulio Carulli and Sam McElheran.

The blue line also has a number of returning players with Evan Burgess, Leo

Kluchert, Drew Russett, Simon Yang, Sheldon Lyons and Gage Bujold among the returning defencemen.

The big hold to fill will be in goal. Mavric Welk, who posted an 11-3-0 record after coming to the Royals from the Pembroke Lumber Kings, was signed by the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. With the preseason almost completed, indications are that Welk will catch on as a back-up goalie. If he is not kept, he will almost certainly be playing Junior A somewhere.

Cooper Lennon, who played 20 games with the Embrun Panthers last season, is now with the Royals. The Carp native posted a 13-2-2 as an EOJHL rookie last season.

One newcomer who has also looked good is 16-yearold Luke Suys, who played for the Navan Grads U18 AAA team last year.

The Royals will open their regular season Sun., Sept, 24 with a home game against Embrun at 1:20

p.m. Their second game is also at home, as they host Smiths Falls Sept. 27 at 8:20 p.m. Both September

home games will be at the Goulbourn Rec Centre before the team moves back to Richmond in October.

The Richmond Royals are counting on a big season from forward Dylan Rorwick (9).

Hearing Loss or Selective Hearing?

There is only one way to find out…. undergo a hearing assessment!

All joking aside, a hearing assessment is an invaluable part of your overall health review. Much like eyes and teeth, ears should also be looked at regularly. This is particularly important now that studies have shown links between untreated hearing loss and memory, cognition, falls, social engagement, annual earnings, and depression, not to mention its impact on your relationships. There is no doubt you will want to be proactive with even the slightest hearing loss!

Hearing is surprisingly complex and individualized and so finding that right solution is not as simple a process as one might think. What works for one may not necessarily work for another. The good news is that there are many manufacturers allowing for a great variety of solutions to meet the multitude of unique hearing needs. The key to finding your needle in the haystack is to consult an Audiologist in an independent clinic where all brands are offered. Only then is a truly

customized solution possible. Offering just that is Hearing Freedom, a locally owned and operated clinic. Their grass-roots approach is unfortunately rare in today’s retail settings, larger clinics and manufacturer owned chains.

The unique and refreshing approach that sets Hearing Freedom apart from other providers was established over 20 years ago by Rosanne McNamee, Doctor of Audiology. After seeking employment, she was disheartened by interviews that had nothing to do with her knowledge and skills, but rather focused on the requirement to hit certain sales targets, to cut assessments short for efficiency and to limit prescriptions to one or two “preferred Manufacturers” for greater profit margins.

“That was not my idea of proper hearing health care,” says McNamee. “Each and every individual deserves what is best for them and their unique needs. The assessment must be thorough because it is the basis for everything else. In addition, there must be consideration for everything

available in the market or you risk missing out on the ideal solution.” And so, she decided to set up her own business, doing it her way and putting patients first.

At Hearing Freedom, the patient is an active part of the whole process and there is no predetermined product or plan. Each and every patient’s intervention plan is truly as unique as they are. The experience begins with a 90-minute hearing assessment which is followed by a detailed needs assessment. Then, keeping both the assessment outcomes and the unique individual needs in mind, the Audiologist will take the time to research the market, considering ALL makes and models, so as to select the right product for that specific patient. This is followed by a 90-day trial period. This extensive trial gives patients the confidence that they have the right solution for them, their lifestyle, and their unique hearing needs.

In addition, there are no Hearing Instrument Practitioners or Hearing Instrument Specialists at Hearing Freedom. Patients

are rather seen by experienced bilingual Audiologists, University trained clinicians qualified to service both children and adults, whether they are private pay or third party supported (WCB, VAC, etc.).

“Not only is hearing complex, so are today’s hearing aids,” McNamee explains. “And manufacturers differ in what they offer. Dealing with the most qualified health care professional, in the most independent setting, is crucial to successfully addressing hearing loss.” At Hearing Freedom you can be certain that you have chosen the best place to trust with your hearing needs.

So, if you believe in your right to the best, fullest and most customized service available, make sure you book your appointment with Hearing Freedom. You’ll never regret your short drive to Manotick.

Parking is free. Home visits & Remote Care is available. Location is wheelchair friendly.

For more information visit www.HearingFreedom.com