Community Voice - November 14, 2019
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November 14, 2019
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WEST CARLETON
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Vol. 1 No. 18
Erin McCracken photos
The Pipes and Drums of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders led a Remembrance parade to the Cenotaph at Branch 616 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Constance Bay on Nov. 9. The parade and ceremony also featured members of the West Carleton, Kanata and Almonte Legion branches, Centurion Sea Cadets, area politicians, CFB Petawawa soldiers, local Scout and Girl Guide units, West Carleton firefighters and veterans of the Second World War and the Korean War. For more photos, please turn to page 3.
News
2 November 14, 2019 - Community Voice
Wildland firefighting brush truck arrives in Constance Bay BY ERIN McCRACKEN
T h e r e’s r e a l l y n o comparison. A new brush truck has arrived at the fire station in Constance Bay, vastly outshining the aging vehicle it is replacing after 15 years in service. The new set of wheels is one of five being acquired by the city for stations in Corkery, Constance Bay, North Gower, Greely and Navan, which each specialize in fighting wildland fires. “They’ve been waiting a year for this because it’s all custom made for our specifications,” said Sector Chief Bill Bell. “A lot of it came from learning from the other brush truck – what we had, what we didn’t have.” The new model sits much higher, with bigger
Erin McCracken photo
Sector Chief Bill Bell, left, joins Constance Bay firefighters, Brian Lowden, second from left, Tobias Riehle, Lieut. Stephanie Clarke, Lieut. Martin Appelt and Jason Vaughan, who trained on the station’s brand new brush truck. Not pictured during the training is Lieut. Wade Wallace.
tires and is chock full of equipment that is enclosed and protected in a built-in storage unit in
the back. “In the other truck all of our gear ... was all exposed to the elements,”
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Bell said. “It’ll last long e r a n d p ro t e c t o u r investments.” The truck is also
equipped with two highpressure attack hoses, one of them attached to a deluge gun on the front of the vehicle. It can be operated with a joystick inside the cab while the truck is being driven. Bell said this is a unique component. “It mitigates any safety concerns with larger, more hotter fires,” he said. “It’s great for suppression. It’s great for safety.” The truck can carry about 300 gallons of water – almost doubling the capacity of the old truck – plus a 10-gallon foam cell. Given the size of the vehicle, “it can pretty much go anywhere,” Bell said, adding that there is a risk of larger, heavier rigs becoming stuck in the bush
where the ground is unstable and saturated. “This gives us so much more versatility,” he said. “ We’re ver y cautious of where we bring our trucks, especially in the spring. “And, of course, spring is when we get the brush fires and the grass fires.” The tr uck could be d e p l oy e d a n y w h e r e it’s needed in the city. For instance, Bell said Constance Bay crews were dispatched to work a large-scale brush fire near Moodie Drive in the summer of 2012 Deputy Fire Chief Todd Horricks, head of the department’s rural operations, said Corkery’s fire station, which is in District 8, will get its brush truck early next year, hopefully in March. emccracken@ottawavoice.ca
Galetta mourns loss of community leader Galetta and Arnprior are mourning the loss of a community builder. Galetta-area resident Jennifer Spratt passed away at the Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital on Oct. 30 at age 59. Spratt was “an outstanding member of the communities of Arnprior where she practised real estate at Coldwell Banker Valley Wide and as the president of the Galetta Community (Association),” according to her obituary. She “lived life large and she left her mark on all those she came in touch with. She will leave a huge void in the hearts of those she leaves behind,” the obituary reads. A celebration of her life was scheduled to take place at the Carp Agricultural Hall on Nov. 10. Charitable donations in her memory can be made to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation. emccracken@ottawavoice.ca
Erin McCracken file photo
Jennifer Spratt, president of the Galetta Community Association, passed away on Oct. 30. She was an active community leader in Galetta and a longtime Realtor in Arnprior. She had recently been involved in organiziing the association’s annual flea market and rummage sale the weekend of Oct. 19 and 20, which serves as an important fundraiser.
News
Community Voice - November 14, 2019
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Moving Memorial
Erin McCracken photos
Taking part in the Remembrance parade in Constance Bay on Nov. 9 were Kanata-Carleton MP Karen McCrimmon, left, Constance Bay resident Paul Graveline, West Carleton-March Coun. Eli El-Chantiry and Kanata-Carleton MPP Merrilee Fullerton.
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Dunrobin resident Roly Armitage, a Second World War veteran, lays a wreath at the Constance Bay cenotaph.
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Bogdan Procyk, left, representing the West Carleton Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, prepares to lay a weath.
Attention Private Well Owners Beginning December 4, 2019. WEDNESDAY is the new day for dropping off your well water samples in West Carleton-March. Private well water should be tested 3 times per year, spring, summer and fall. West Carleton firefighters, including District 6 Sector Chief Bill Bell, and local Girl Guide units, including the 32nd West Carleton Brownies, look on during the wreath-laying ceremony.
A bugler performs a moving rendition of The Last Post during the ceremony.
For more information and a list of drop-off locations and times visit :
OttawaPublicHealth.ca/WellWater
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EDITORIAL
4 November 14, 2019 - Community Voice
Really Big Disaster
When the city embarked on the construction of the first phase of LRT and put in place the planned years-long road detours, the mantra was “short term pain for long term gain.” We were told to pretty please be patient because panacea awaited us at the start/finish line. Remember those Cheshire grins from senior management and their political bosses when they repeatedly promised reliability would return to your daily transit commute. Just be patient. Trust us, they crowed. Who can forget the stage managed launch in late summer where the media and the city’s elite boarded the shiny new train and the mayor said these words: “It feels like Christmas morning.” Turns out to be a naughty prediction. Fast forward to Oct. 6 when the official launch was marketed literally as the Really Big Service Change. What has transpired in reality, as no one can deny, has been more like the Really Big Disaster. While hiccups on the rail line go viral in this age
OP-ED: Tow truck industry needs makeover of the local tow truck industry. There has been a lot of negative media attention on the conduct of some operators. Unfortunately, the behaviour of a few bad apples has severely tainted the entire sector. Some of the horror stories have included aggressive and dangerous driving, predatory billing BY STEVE DESROCHES practices and insurance @SteveDesroches claim melees. It is easy to see why one Imagine you had a job veteran Ottawa police ofthat helped people in ficer would characterize distress under frequently the loosely regulated inharrowing circumstances dustry as the “wild, wild and harsh weather. west.” You would surely be A 2015 fatal collision Your hailed as a hero and enjoy in Nepean caused by a the warm and pleasant reckless tow truck operglow of public support … ator was heartbreaking. Your Community Newspaper Right? At the time, the tow opSadly, this is not the case erator was racing at high
doubt a single person called the OPP to tell them to concede to the speeds through a residen- industry’s business detial community and drove mands of the tow truck through a red light. industry after sitting in The tragic and sense- traffic. less incident should have In light of the sector’s prompted some deep challenges, I have some soul searching across free and friendly advice. the industry. But the secFirst, develop and live tor seems adrift without by a professional code of any desire to salvage their conduct. Adopt a mandareputation or any open- tory industry-wide code ness for reform. of conduct that holds liThe sector badly mis- cence holders to the highplayed their grievance est ethical and business against the OPP over standards. service calls when some Demonstrate through operators threatened to public reporting and shut down traffic on the social media how your Queensway. members are living up If the sector had a good to the code of conduct public relations strategy, each and ever y day. they would have realized Many other professions KANATA self-regulate and the tow that frustrating commutCARLETON ers does nothing toWEST win industry has the potenthe hearts and sympathy tial to be a leader in their OTTAWA SOUTH of the public. field. Quite the contrary. I If you don’t develop
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of miscommunication, there is no denying the promised seamless bus connection to the rail line from points east, west and south is not working as planned for most. Passengers heading into the core are waiting for buses that don’t arrive, and that includes the first trip of the day. Buses that do show arrive over capacity and are blowing by stops. Routes have disappeared. Five and 10 minute intervals pre-LRT on some routes have doubled. So, what to do? As politicians do, they’re throwing money at the problem. First we were told it was $5.1 million that would fix the problem with abysmal bus service. Then it was $3.5 million more to put 40 buses back on the road destined for the scrap heap. The latest guess is $7.5 million added to the 2020 transit budget will bring us that promised panacea. There go the savings we were promised. Remember that whopper?
your own standards then you run the risk government will impose an even stricter and more bureaucratic regulatory regime to fill the void. It makes good sense that the police will only deal with ethical and reputable tow truck companies through their business referrals policies. After all, there is a growing trend of ethical procurement in the public sector and the government can use the power of its purchases to drive positive change in the tow industry. Second, be accountable to the public. When bad apples taint the industry, step up and say you stand shoulderto-shoulder with the people you serve and you endorse the consequences of bad behaviour. T h e s e c t o r’s m e d i a
speaking points should go from zero response to zero tolerance for bad behaviour. Lastly, build a brand on your positive contributions to the community. Public trust can be fleeting in nature and must be maintained through a commitment to consistent positive behaviour and business practices. To this end, the industry gets a positive boost from the Canadian content reality television shows Heavy Rescue: 401 and Highway Through Hell which depicts the challenges of re-opening highways after mangled truck wrecks. Operators should latch onto the show’s positive depiction. Steve Desroches is a former Ottawa city councillor and deputy mayor.
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Column
Community Voice - November 14, 2019
Hunting season on the farm
BY DIANA FISHER
I once had the opportunity to travel to Waskaganish in northern Quebec during the fall goose hunt. Because I’m a talkative sort, I got chatting with one of the elders one morning while we were “enjoying” porridge with moose broth (it’s a thing) in front of the fire at the hunt camp. I told him I live on 200 acres, with a mile of creek, and the geese come in hordes to settle on the water at sunset. My description of the farmer’s happy hunting ground piqued his interest. A few weeks later, Gordon Blacksmith and his hunting party arrived at our farm. A few young people clambered out of the cab of one truck. And then a very old woman was helped down out of the seat she had occupied for 12 hours. Annie hobbled over to me on swollen feet and handed me a soft package wrapped in brown paper. It smelled of smoke. I unwrapped a pair of soft moose hide moccasins, a hand-sewn and beaded treasure. I started calculating beds and bodies, wondering where I would scatter them around the house.
It turns out I didn’t need to worry – they headed for the largest bedroom at the end of the hall and laid sleeping bags side by side across the floor. We had lasagna and salad and garlic bread for dinner and everyone turned in early, exhausted
‘He put his hands to his mouth and made a call that mimicked the sound of a goose call perfectly.’ from their day of travel. Most of them didn’t speak English. Gordon translated their soft Cree mumblings for us. The next morning, the hunters left before the rest of us awoke. My husband took them to the St. Lawrence River, where they hunted and had a hot shore lunch and a nap. Upon their return, the women started preparing things for the goose cleaning. “They want to know if you clean your own
geese,” my husband reported, snickering. “They noticed I did the cooking last night so now they are wondering what it is exactly that you do around here.” He ducked in time before I smacked him. The hunters went out every morning and approached the landowners wherever they found large flocks of geese. At the end of the week, Gordon and his friends had harvested 80 birds. They packed the cleaned meat into 12 coolers they had brought for the occasion, and prepared to head home. A feast was already being prepared in the community hall, where all of the bounty would be shared. Before they left, I watched as the youngest hunter stood on the porch and squinted at the sky. He put his hands to his mouth and made a call that mimicked the sound of a goose call perfectly. And then, the flock that was flying past turned as if they had left someone behind, and flew straight over us. We stood in complete silence as they rushed over our heads; the only sound was the beating of their wings. dianafisher1@gmail.com
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6 November 14, 2019 - Community Voice
News
Sign of the times: Woodlawn businesses granted exemptions BY ERIN McCRACKEN
Tw o h o m e - b a s e d Woodlawn businesses in violation of the city’s signage rules may not have to remove or resize their signs. The signs at the front of Trim and Proper and Elie’s Fencing Solutions, both on Dunrobin Road, were considered too big. The fencing sign was also too close to the front property line. Exemptions were granted by the city’s agriculture and rural affairs committee on Nov. 7 after West Carleton-March Coun. Eli El-Chantiry, committee chair, made the request. In his motion he said the signs are in keeping with the character of the rural streetscape and provide the necessary advertising,
boosting rural economic growth. More visible signage make sense for Dunrobin Road because vehicles are driving past at 80 to 100 km/h, he said. “It is impossible to see a sign if the original requirement (is) adopted,” said El-Chantiry. Under the current bylaw that regulates permanent signs on private property, home-based businesses are allowed to have one ground sign with an area of 0.2 square metres, a height of 1.5 metres and a setback at least one metre from the front property line if the building is set back 18 metres from the line. The two Woodlawn businesses have had their current signs on their front lawns for many years,
before the signage bylaw was updated in 2016. The exemptions still need council’s approval. Even then, the businesses will still have to apply for a signage permit from the city. “The reason they didn’t apply for a permit before was because the size of the sign was not suitable for that area and they have been in business much longer than 2016,” El-Chantiry said, noting that bylaw visited both businesses and cited them for violations. “They were hesitant to apply for a permit because the current bylaw allowed them small signs that don’t serve their purpose. I’m hoping to buy them a little bit more time,” the councillor said. There are plans to review
Erin McCracken photo
Two Woodlawn businesses are now allowed to have large signs on their front lawns, which West Carleton-March Coun. Eli El-Chantiry told the city’s agriculture and rural affairs committee makes sense for Dunrobin Road.
the bylaw governing permanent signs on private property in 2020. This will include rural signage. “At the time when we allowed home-based businesses we thought small signs would be sufficient but we didn’t think some (signs) are going to be
located on the highway where it’s going to be difficult to see the signs,” ElChantiry said. Osgoode Coun. George Darouze agreed the current bylaw does not do enough for businesses along Hwy. 31 and on Dunrobin Road. He asked for staff
assurances that this rural aspect be considered during the review. “As you know, rural areas are full of home businesses,” he said. “We need to be able to promote and ensure those businesses are getting enough support from us.” Rideau-Goulbourn Coun. Scott Moffatt said during the last review a rural component was deferred due to staffing cuts. He too wants to see a rural component included in the next review. “I think one of the things we wanted to look at through this review in the rural area was coming up with some sort of creative solution that can allow the Foodlands of the world to actually advertise on those main bypass roads and get people into town without putting up illegal signage,” he said. The public will be consulted during the review process. emccracken@ottawavoice.ca
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In Recognition
Photo by Mayor Jim Watson/Twitter
West Carleton-March Coun. Eli El-Chantiry was presented with a special recognition award at the Community Police Awards ceremony at Tudor Hall on Nov. 6. Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly presented the award in recognition of the councillor’s service as both a member and chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board from 2003 to 2018. Pictured is Sloly, left, Mayor Jim Watson, El-Chantiry and retired Ottawa police chief Charles Bordeleau.
News
Community Voice - November 14, 2019
City to make flood-relief measures permanent
Councillor
BY ERIN McCRACKEN
Temporary flood-relief measures that were set to expire next year are in the process of becoming permanent. Calling it “a good news story,” David Wise, the city’s program manager of zoning and interpretation, said changes to the city’s flood-relief provision bylaw are designed to help residents living within the city’s floodplains adapt to a changing climate and also remove some of the regulatory barriers getting in their way. “When that (flooding) event happened again in 2019 and we looked and realized that the one to 100 (year flood) or one to 50 (year flood), those curves may be changing sometime in the future – again, difficult to realize – we came to the conclusion that we needed to provide some more flexibility within the zoning bylaw to make sure we have the ability to adapt going forward,” Wise told the agriculture and rural affairs committee on Nov. 7. The city enacted special provisions following the May 2017 floods to allow impacted floodplain residents to relocate their homes to a less flood-prone location on their lots and rebuild them according to conservation authority standards without requesting a variance or exception, which comes with a fee and takes time. “So this would make it easier to rebuild your home but also provide an incentive to comply with conservation authority flood-proofing standards so that the rebuilt building would be better able to withstand
ELI EL-CHANTIRY West Carleton - March Ward 5 BUDGET 2020: On November 6, the draft budget for 2020 was tabled at City Council. Below is a listing of what’s been earmarked for West Carleton-March:
Erin McCracken file photo
City staff have proposed making flood-relief measures first enacted after the 2017 floods a permanent feature. The change now needs council’s approval.
future flooding,” said Jacob Saltiel, a bylaw interpretation officer with the city. The changes also allowed residents an addition of up to 20 per cent of the gross floor area of their rebuilt home. At the time, the provisions were to expire Sept. 13, 2020. Once the bylaw amendment receives final approval from council in the near future the provisions will become permanent. (The next council meeting is Nov. 27.) “It’s not time limited,” Saltiel said. Other changes clarify which dwellings can benefit. “Previously it was only homes that were damaged by flooding that could benefit from the provisions,” said Saltiel. “Now it will also apply to
homes where the residents would like to proactively relocate them to a less flood-prone location on their lot and in accordance with floodproofing standards.” Staff have also limited the provision to include homes that meet certain size requirements. “We’d like to encourage people to rebuild and relocate their homes but we wanted to narrow the scope so that it did not allow people to build oversize homes within the floodplain overlay,” said Saltiel. West Carleton-March Coun. Eli El-Chantiry, who recused himself from that portion of the committee meeting citing a conflict of interest (he owns property within the Constance Bay floodplain), said the changes will benefit flood-plain
re s i d e n t s f ro m We s t Carleton to Cumberland. “It encourages some of our residents if they want to protect their property, if they want to move their garage back to higher ground, even if they want to move their home … that will make it one step easier to do that,” he said following the committee meeting. Residents won’t have to apply for a variance to rebuild or relocate. “We’re trying to help people as much as we can who, one way or another, have built in a floodplain,” El-Chantiry said, noting that more property owners can also benefit from these bylaw provisions because of the city’s recent floodplain mapping update. “We’ll save them quite a bit of time and money.” emccracken@ottawavoice.ca
• $525,000 to design 25 culverts • $3.2 million to renew 25 culverts • $1 million to upgrade gravel roads (including Old Almonte Rd. between Beavertail Rd. and Spruce Ridge Rd., and Spruce Ridge Rd. between Pine Brook Lane and McGee Side Rd.) • $570,000 for pavement maintenance and protection work (on Golden Line Rd. between Old Almonte Rd. and March Rd., Hamilton Side Rd. between Golden Line Rd. and Upper Dwyer Hill Rd., Stonecrest Rd. between Kinburn Side Rd. and Galetta Side Rd., and William Mooney Rd. between Richardson Side Rd. and McGee Side Rd.) • $2 million to resurface roads (including Constance Lake Rd. between the dead end and Dunrobin Rd., and Ferry Rd. between Aylwin Rd. and the Ottawa River ferry dock) • $3.1 million on road surface treatment (including Canon Smith Dr. between Willola Beach Rd. and Timber Lane Rd., David Manchester Rd. between Richardson Side Rd. and Northshire Rd., John Shaw Rd. between Rabbit Path and Kinburn Side Rd., Loggers Way between Rabbit Path and Riddledale Rd., MacMillan Lane between Constance Bay Rd. and Allbirch Rd., Torbolton Ridge Rd. between MacLarens Side Rd. and Old Quarry Rd., and Torbolton St. between Constance Bay Rd. and MacMillan Lane) • $2 million to expand the Corkery Community Centre building • $1 million to replace the metal roof at Erskine Johnston Arena • $110,000 to replace roofs at Carp Fire Station 64 • $165,000 to replace rink boards and sports lighting on the outdoor ice surface at March Central Community Centre • $68,000 to repair floor framing at Pinhey Estate main building • $31,000 to install arena-stand handrails at West Carleton Community Complex • $1.54 million to build a roundabout on Huntmar Dr. at Richardson Rd. • $1.3 million for intersection improvements at March Rd. and an asyet-unnamed new street On the homepage of my website (eliel-chantiry.ca), under the “Latest News” section, there is more detailed information posted on Budget 2020 as it relates to Ward 5.Public meetings on the budget run from November 12 to December 5. The City’s various standing committees, boards and commissionswill consider each portion of the budget. Residents can register as a public delegation. Go to ottawa.ca/budget for details including meeting times/locations, how to register as a delegation, as well to review the draft budget document in its entirety. City Hall - 613-580-2475 Ward Office - 613-580-2424 Ext. 32246 eli.el-chantiry@ottawa.ca www.eliel-chantiry.ca
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News
8 November 14, 2019 - Community Voice
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Scout N’ Boogie
Erin McCracken photos
The 1st Carp Scouts hosted the Carp Scout N’ Boogie Halloween family dance fundraiser at the Agricultural Hall in Carp on Nov. 2. ABOVE LEFT: Lily Flanders, 8, wore her homemade light-up wings to the costume party. ABOVE RIGHT: Aiden Hemlow, 10, left, and Charlie, 6, dressed in costume with their mom, Joanna.
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News
Community Voice - November 14, 2019
Kinburn News, in brief Association highlights an event-filled year The past year has been a busy one for the Kinburn Community Association. Last year’s Halloween dance returned to a Saturday night, drawing “a fair turnout,” president Laurie Chauvin said during the association’s annual general meeting on Oct. 28. This year’s dance also did better than expected. “We were pleasantly surprised,” she said. Following that, a craft fair attracted a sold-out crowd of vendors, exceeding recent years. “We’re expecting another big craft fair this year with good attendance,” she said, adding that more than 1,000 people on Facebook expressed interest in attending the 39th annual event on Nov. 9. The association renewed its partnership with firefighters from the Kinburn fire station for the 2018 Breakfast with Santa party. They cooked a pancake breakfast and the event included a silent auction and photos with Santa. “It was a huge success,” Chauvin said. “Even with the poor weather we had a lineup out the door.” The next Breakfast with Santa takes place at the centre on Dec. 8. While the association once again didn’t organize parties for New Year’s Eve and the Superbowl or an Easter brunch due to financial concerns, it hosted a spring ‘Sip and Sign’ night that was popular. Another one is taking place Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. A summertime movie night had a good draw and
SENIORS
another takes place at the centre on Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. A September corn roast, featuring donated Hudson’s corn and a visit by the Kinburn firefighters, attracted a full crowd to the community centre. BUILDING RENOS
Another highlight over the past year was renovations to the centre, which included a fresh coat of paint, new blinds, floor renewal and a new commercial fridge, which is available to renters and user groups. Chauvin thanked West CarletonMarch Ward Coun. Eli El-Chantiry for securing funding for the fridge replacement. BRAND REFRESHED
The association unveiled a new logo this spring and is now putting the finishing touches on a new website that is now live at kinburn. ca. The group is in need of a volunteer webmaster. Those interested can contact the association on Facebook. “We’ve put a renewed focus on social media this year, trying to use our Facebook page as a better means of informing the community on what’s happening in the community,” Chauvin noted. SKATING SEASON
The association is now looking ahead to skating season on the outdoor rink at the centre. “We continued with the rink hours as the previous year, keeping them reduced due to the vandalism from previous years,” she said. “We didn’t have any complaints from the community with the hours.”
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Erin McCracken photo
The Kinburn Community Association’s executive met for its annual general meeting at the community centre on Oct. 28. The board is comprised of Sandra Gray, left, Danielle Stinson, Jamie Boisvert, Kerry Bradley, president Laurie Chauvin, Karen Matt and Maryjane Strelbisky.
Some people were damaging the inside of the warmup area. “They can still come and use the outdoor rink,” Chauvin told this newspaper, adding that the association aims to open the warm-up area for public use on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays. “You can come skate whenever, you just can’t go inside.” The association is in need of high school students to volunteer their time to skate the evening away and keep count of the number of skaters, she said. “They don’t have to do anything except for be there,” said Chauvin. Those interested can contact the association on Facebook. RENTALS
The organization has seen an increase in hall rentals this year, particularly on weekends in the spring and summer. “The building continues to be heavily used by renters and local community groups,” said Chauvin. “In fact, it’s sometimes difficult to find any available spot on the calendar.” The association highlighted the need for volunteers to run the community centre’s canteen, which Chauvin said is “a huge
struggle.” Seniors programming continues with carpet bowling, euchre, bridge and a walking club. Exercise programs include yoga and a HeartWise class for 55-plus. All levels of Scouting are offered. The association
also hosts a playgroup, a Parenting in Ottawa public health walk-in and a Big Book program. The community centre also serves as the homebase for the Fitzroy Township Historical Society and the West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association.
The Kinburn & District Seniors had a successful year with 10 meetings and 13 euchres, said Judith Waddell, noting the Kinburn Community Centre hosted a joint meeting with all of the seniors’ clubs in West Carleton. “We do want to thank the KCA for its commitment to all senior events because it really does help people to get out of their homes,” said Waddell. An offshoot of the seniors’ club is the Kinburn Bridge Club, which meets every Wednesday night at the centre. “ T h e re a re s e n i o r s that really count on that Wednesday night out,” said association treasurer Karen Matt. “They’re really enjoying it. There’s a lot of regulars.” emccracken@ottawavoice.ca
REAL ESTATE AUCTION TO BE SOLD UNRESERVED 2939 Fairlea Cresc. Unit 23 Ottawa, ON K1V9A5 Wed., Nov 27/19 @ 10 am
The Area is Hot, So Why NOT Get A Piece of It Why rent when you can own ? Featuring a 1970’s relaxing townhouse located within walkable errands that can be accomplished on foot. Perfect for families. House is complete with 3 bedrooms on upper level w/ 4 pce bath. Tiled front foyer has closet & 2 pce powder room. A space saving kitchen with an adjacent dining room. Formal living room. Basement features a family room, a laundry room, a storage room, a small lit pantry & a workshop. Inclusives; newer fridge (like new), stove, dishwasher, chest freezer & newer washer & dryer. Elec. baseboard heat. 200 amp service. Rented hot water heater. Alarm system. Annual taxes $2400.00 (+/-). Condo fees $421.00 (per month, water included). This property will be sold Unreserved to the highest bidder regardless of price. For private viewing, terms & conditions please call our office at 613-267-6027.
Jim Hands: The Voice of Experience Phone: (613) 267-6027 • www.jimhandsauction.com Auctioneer & Qualified Appraiser
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10 November 14, 2019 - Community Voice
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CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTTIVE
Position Summary: • Reporting to the Customer Order Management Manager. • Responsible for customer liaison activities involving manufacturing, distribution, quality and order admin. issues • Focal point within manufacturing operations to ensure that processes and activities are focused on meeting and exceeding customer’s
needs Typical Duties: • Liaison with customer regarding problem and/or late orders, change orders, delivery date changes • Interface with the customer, Accounting Dept., Traffic Dept., Production Dept. and Sales Dept. to ensure accurate pricing, delivery schedules and order status are in line with company objectives and customer needs • Processor for RMA’s • Works proactively to meet customer needs and understand root cause of returns - Interface with QA Department • Processes order cancellations and communicates root cause Education: • Post Secondary Education in Business Administration and Sales and Marketing Experience: • 3 –5 years in Office Administration and Customer relations. • Good computer skills • Previous experience and familiarity with Order Administration • Activity within High Technology Manufacturing environment preferred • Familiarity with ERP concepts and process an asset • Understanding of manufacturing, distribution and customs activity required Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
ASSISTANT CONTROLLER/ SENIOR ACCOUNTANT
Position Summary: • Reporting to the Controller, this individual is responsible for the overall general accounting function including A/P and A/R as well as the General Ledger. Typical Duties: • Ensure that the purchases/payables/payments cycle complies with Company policy. • Act as liaison between other departments to ensure that the Company’s financial processes are being followed. • Suggest and implement process and policy improvements. • Ensure that the sales/receivables/receipts cycles comply with Company policy. • Review and analyse aged A/R and A/P sub-ledgers and identify any potential issues. • Review and authorize: Customer credit limit adjustment All outgoing payments in accordance with Company policy. All Customer credit notes. All general journal entries in accordance with Company policy. •Oversee month-end close and account reconciliations. •Update and maintain the Master Accounting Manual. •Special projects as required by the Controller or the CFO. Education: •University degree •Accounting designation required (can be supplemented by extensive work experience) Experience: •5+ years’ experience in corporate accounting, preferably within a manufacturing environment. Skills: •Ability to work with little supervision in a dynamic environment. •Ability to work with tight deadlines. •Superior accounting knowledge. •Ability to handle and prioritize many work assignments at once. •Excellent computer skills. •Excellent communications skills (verbal and written) •Ability to focus on details. Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
EMAIL RESUME TO HR@OZOPTICS.COM, NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
Ongoing
Corkery - Volunteers, including high school students looking for community service hours, are needed to help flood the outdoor rink at the Corkery Community Centre this winter. Those interested are invited to email the Corkery Community Association’s rink manager at corkeryrink@gmail.com. Thursdays in November
Galetta - The Galetta Community Association hosts six-hand euchre games Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 7 p.m. at the Galetta Community Hall, 119 Darwin St. The cost is $5 and prizes will be up for grabs. Nov. 15
Kinburn - The Kinburn Community Association hosts a family movie night at the community centre on Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. The cost to watch Frozen and enjoy treats is $5 each. Everyone is welcome to dress magically. Nov. 16
Carp - The Carp Christmas Craft Sale takes place Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Carp Agricultural Hall, 3790 Carp Rd., in support of the West Carleton Food Access Centre. Vendors will be selling a variety of crafts, baked goods and homemade Christmas wreaths and centrepieces. There will be a $5 lunch special and a Secret Santa Shop for kids. Nov. 16
Fitzroy Harbour - An annual craft sale takes place at the Fitzroy Harbour Community Centre, 100 Clifford Campbell St., on Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sale will feature jams, baked goods, candles, jewelry, wood crafts and home decor. The ladies of the Anglican Church will serve a light lunch at the canteen. There is no cost for admission. Nov. 16
Dunrobin - The organizers that brought you the
Light Up Dunrobin Canada Day celebrations are hosting a Christmas Craft Sale on Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Eagle Creek Golf Club. Donations will be collected for the West Carleton Food Access Centre. Nov. 16
Huntley - A Holly Berry Christmas Bazaar & Art Show takes place Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1817 Richardson Side Rd. There will be a silent auction, a shortbread cookie contest, a bake shop, crafts and attic treasures. Lunch will be serviced. Nov. 18
Carp - The Huntley Township Histor ical Society is holding its annual general meeting on Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Carp Memorial Hall, 3739 Carp Rd. Admission is free but freewill donations are appreciated. Refreshments will be served. Nov. 19
Carp - Dr. Roly Armitage, a Second World War veteran and retired veterinarian and West Carleton Township mayor, will be singing his books at St. Paul’s United Church in Carp on Nov. 19, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Nov. 23 & 24
South March - The Kanata Art Club is holding its Christmas $100 and Under Sale in South March at the March Central Community Centre, 630 Cameron Harvey Dr. on Nov. 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
cupcake decorating, and ornament making. Dec. 7
Constance Bay - The Constance Bay Christmas Market takes place Dec. 7 during the annual Santa Day in the Bay. The market, featuring about 30 vendors, runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the NorthWind Wireless Fibe Centre, 262 Len Purcell Dr. Dec. 7
Constance Bay - Enjoy Santa Day in the Bay during the annual Santa Claus Parade, hosted by the Constance and Buckham’s Bay Community Association. Floats will gather on Baillie Avenue for the 10 a.m. start, before travelling to the community centre. Spectators are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items for the food bank. Dec. 7
Carp - St. Paul’s United Church, at 3760 Carp Rd., is holding a Festive Fair on Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be homebaking, preserves, a white elephant table, a silent auction and special homemade tourtieres, including glutenfree tourtieres. There will also be a ‘repeat performance’ clothing store and a bookstore. Dec. 7, 8, 14 & 15
Corkery area - Support the Corkery firefighters by purchasing a fir or spruce Christmas tree Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15 at the public works building at 2959 March Rd., just west of Hwy. 417.
Dec. 6
Dec. 8
Corkery - Corkery residents are invited to the inaugural Christmas tree lighting celebration on Dec. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Corkery Community Centre, 3447 Old Almonte Rd. Corkery firefighters are providing the tree, which will be lit up that night. The event will also include hot chocolate,
Kinburn - The Kinburn Community Association and the Kinburn firefighters are partnering to host an annual Breakfast with Santa event at the community centre on Dec. 8, beginning at 8 a.m. Non-profits can submit their event notices to editorial@ ottawavoice.ca.
News
Community Voice - November 14, 2019
11
Worried about Christmas? West Carleton’s food bank can help BY ERIN McCRACKEN
Becoming an angel means being able to give West Carleton residents a very merry Christmas. The West Carleton Food Access Centre, which feeds hundreds of people across the ward each year, has put out a call for those in need to register for its Christmas food hampers and for others to donate food and presents to fill the hampers. Food bank volunteers know that Christmas is an especially expensive time, which is why some people only seek out free food supplies with the arrival of the holiday season. “We have people who don’t ask for a regular order during the year. They just call and ask for a Christmas hamper,” said food bank chair, Mary Braun. “Christmas is, I think, more overwhelming. You want to give your kids or your family a good Christmas.” The hampers include a full Christmas dinner, complete with a turkey, as well as breakfast for the next day, including pancake mix, bacon and eggs, plus about three days’ worth of supplies. Last year more than 100 hampers were distributed, up from more than 90 the year before. “We’ve had some new people moving into the area,” said Braun, who also plans to notify local tornado victims that registrations are now welcome for the Christmas hamper program. “If they’re still struggling and they’re not in their home yet, they’re paying their mortgage and they’re paying rent. They may need some assistance.” The cost of living is also rising, including the grocery bill.
women and their dependents – and to Arnprior’s Ne i g h b o u r h o o d L i n k Fountain, a drop-in resource and crisis centre. The community’s supp o r t i s a l w a y s ve r y encouraging. “One lady came in a few years ago. I only had about six or eight angels
on it,” Roper recalled. “She took every angel on it and brought back gifts. She said, ‘I want to do something.’” If you would like a tree at your organization, please call the West Carleton Food Access Centre at 613-832-5685. emccracken@ottawavoice.ca
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Erin McCracken photo
Mary Braun, left, chair of the West Carleton Food Access Centre, and Sharon Roper, the centre’s vice-chair, are welcoming registrations for the centre’s Christmas hamper program, and appealing to others to contribute to the hampers and its angel tree program.
“Everything’s gone up, even eggs have gone up,” said food bank vice-chair Sharon Roper. “You’re relying on your Canada pension, your old age pension. By the time you pay rent and everything else, you don’t have enough left for food.”
RECEIVE A HAMPER Re g i s t e r c o n f i d e n tially for a hamper before Dec. 16 by emailing WCfoodaid@gmail.com or calling 613-832-5685.
HOW YOU CAN HELP Food items needed to fill the baskets include canned ham, canned turkey gravy, cranberries, boxed poultry dressing, canned tomatoes and tomato sauce, canned fruit, jam and peanut
butter, pancake mix and syrup, canned vegetables, canned juice, cereal, canned soup, pasta, and cookies. People can also sponsor a hamper and take care of the shopping themselves. Non-perishables can be dropped off at the food bank at the West Carleton Community Complex, 5670 Carp Rd. Monetary donations help cover the cost of potatoes, apples, clementines, onions, carrots, milk, bread, eggs and bacon and other fresh supplies. Volunteers are needed to pack the hampers and/ or deliver them on Dec. 20 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. To help with packing, contact the food bank. To deliver, call Karin Smith at 613-404-2663.
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ANGEL TREES Roper will soon distribute 16 to 20 small Christmas trees at businesses, schools and churches across West Carleton. Each will have tags with the gender and age of a child – from newborns up to 17 – who are in need of presents to go along with the food hampers. Roper said she never knows how many presents the trees will generate. But she aims to provide each child in need with three or four presents. “I go with a wing and a prayer,” she said. Any leftovers are distributed to Chrysalis House – a west-end Ottawa shelter for
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12 November 14, 2019 - Community Voice
Sports
Curling Rocks in Carp
Erin McCracken photos
Newcomers to curling quickly got the hang of the sport during the Huntley Curling Club’s free introductory curling open house on Oct. 26 where experienced volunteer instructors guided the rookies through the basics. This was only the second time the club offered this program. From there, the new curlers have the opportunity to move on to the club’s 10-week Learn to Curl program, which has been offered for five years. Huntley Curling offers a variety of daytime, twilight and evening recreational leagues for all ages and levels. ABOVE LEFT: Ross Cotten, left, provides instruction to his group. ABOVE RIGHT: Donnie Campbell demonstrates curling with the use of stabilizers.
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Sports
Community Voice - November 14, 2019
NEW RELEASE!
Crusaders on a Mission ABOVE: Dunrobin resident Dr. Roly Armitage, a Second World War veteran, former hockey player and a retired mayor and veterinarian, invited West Carleton Crusaders hockey players, their siblings and their parents to clear his backyard trees of apples for the Ottawa Food Bank on Nov. 3.
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AT RIGHT: Cameron Hamilton, 10, helped gather apples with a goalie glove.
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14 November 14, 2019 - Community Voice
News
Police presence needed in Corkery: residents BY ERIN McCRACKEN
Speeds as high as 138 km/h in a 60 zone on Old Almonte Road indicate what local residents have long known: speeding is a problem in Corkery. Pierre Gravel, a longtime Corkery resident, an original founder of the Corkery Community Association and a community safety advocate, says speed board data also reveals 126 km/h was the top speed in September on Howie Road and the fastest driver on Corkery Road was clocked at 121 km/h. “There are things like that that glare out at you,” he said during an association meeting Nov. 5. Data also suggests that just 34 per cent of drivers are respecting speed limits on Old Almonte, about half on Howie and about 60 per cent are lawful on Corkery. The speed boards are among a batch of measures put in place to try and slow down traffic in the community. Speed limits have also been painted on Corkery and
Old Almonte, where there is a school zone and a park. ‘Edge lines’ have been painted along the sides of roads, including around a bend on Old Almonte where Gravel said there have been numerous collisions, injuries and vehicles in the ditch. “I think that’s working,” he said. “People are slowing down, but we still have issues with that, where people are coming across the bend, either because they’re coming too fast or they’re distracted.” Residents have floated other mitigation measures: lower speed limits, no passing zones, adding centre lane flex sticks. Speed bumps have been floated, but can hinder emergency responders and they cost $8,000 each. Rob Wilkinson, coordinator of the city’s Safer Roads Ottawa program, said 25 people are killed in collisions every year in Ottawa and about 50 per cent of fatalities occur in rural areas. The city’s Road Safety Action Plan will be getting an update and more
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Sgt. Craig Roberts, left, case manager with Ottawa police traffic services, and Rob Wilkinson, coordinator of the city’s Safer Roads Ottawa program, addressed a number of traffic concerns raised during the Corkery Community Association’s board meeting on Nov. 5.
funding to review rural corridors, make signage more visible and possibly add some all-way stops, he said. On the enforcement side of things, new tech is also helping with road safety. Police now use five automated licence plate readers, which can each scan 5,000 plates an hour, to catch suspended drivers. Since August 2016, 500 suspended drivers have been nabbed. The plan now is to deploy readers to the east and west ends of the city, as well as centrally, said Sgt. Craig Roberts, case manager of Ottawa police traffic services. “The amount of people who are suspended drivers or the amount of people who have 10 or more tickets against them, who just happen to be in fatal collisions is astounding,” Wilkinson said. “Too many of these people are prolific
offenders.” He said while 90 km/h in an 80 zone could be considered reasonable, many people living in rural parts of the city think 80 “is a random suggestion and the only deterrent is a deer at night.” A fatal collision review committee, made up of city transportation services staff, Roberts, Wilkinson and the regional supervising coroner, reviews locations where there have been transportation-related fatalities with a goal of preventing future deaths at those sites. The team reviews road design, signage and enforcement strategies. There is also a plan to shape the edges of repaved roadways to a 45-degree angle so that drifting motorists are less likely to end up in the ditch. “We know one of the factors in fatal collisions in rural areas is when people
wander off the road and their tires hit gravel, they lose control and they overcorrect,” said Wilkinson. “The minute you overcorrect at 80 to 100 to 120 km/h, you flip your car and when you flip your car you’re increasing your chances of fatality.” It won’t deter speeding, but it is an added safety feature, he said. With just under 30 officers in the traffic unit, there are challenges to traffic enforcement in a city of one million people, said Roberts. He doesn’t agree with repeatedly stationing police cars in denser areas at the expense of outlying regions where there are significant fatalities. “When an accident happens out here it’s usually pretty bad,” he said. “This is where you see people veering into the wrong lanes. This is where you have horrific collisions.” In the west end, he tends to assign his officers to Constance Bay, Kanata North, Stittsville and Goulbourn, but said he doesn’t have a problem sending them to specific roads in the Corkery area. But he noted there are limits to police serving as a visual deterrent. “The minute we pack up and leave it’s like we were never there,” said Roberts. “That’s the reality when you’ve got one million people or 600,000 people driving and 30 traffic cops.” Traffic monitoring also falls under the bailiwick of frontline or patrol officers, though the demands on their time means this falls off their radar. “It’s like a luxury for them to stop. It’s the first casualty of being overworked with calls,” Roberts said. Over the past year, the
case manager has prioritized a side project known as Operation Springboard in which frontline officers watch for motorists rolling past stop signs along highcomplaint and high-collision corridors. He plans to assign officers to eventually target similar locations in the rural west end. The idea is to reintegrate traffic enforcement into a frontline officer’s every day routine. “I like enforcement where it has an impact, where it keeps our families potentially safe and where we’re building back that visual deterrent,” Roberts said. “With a limited amount of resources we’re trying to maximize the impact that we’re having.” Gravel said in his 33 years living in Corkery he can’t remember the last time he saw a police officer making a traffic stop, though at one point police parked at the fire station to monitor traffic every six months. He said that seemed to slow down vehicles. “I think once in a while police presence would be nice to have,” he said.
MAKE THE RIGHT CALL Roberts recognizes that some residents refuse to report traffic issues because they don’t want to be viewed as a complainer. “Fair enough, but if you see incidents that are very serious and warrant some sort of complaint, you should be letting the Ottawa Police Service know that there’s something going on, especially if they’re repeat offenders,” Gravel urged. To file an traffic complaint online, visit ottawapolice.ca/en/contact-us/online-reporting. emccracken@ottawavoice.ca
News
Community Voice - November 14, 2019
15
Coming Together TOP FAR LEFT: Parishioners at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church in Woodlawn and St. George’s Anglican Church in Fitzroy Harbour teamed up to serve a sold-out crowd at the Holy Hops Brewfest and lasagna dinner at the Fitzroy Harbour Community Centre on Nov. 2. St. Thomas’ prepared the homemade dinner, including gluten-free and vegan options, as they have done for at least the past decade, while St. George’s took care of the beer tasting, silent auction and raffle prizes. TOP LEFT: On cake duty were Karen Wilson, left, and Penny Singleton. BOTTOM FAR LEFT: Beth Portt, left, and Margo Kealey sold raffle tickets for a chance to win a quilt. BOTTOM LEFT: Brianna Wilson, left, and Mary Braun, second from left, helped serve dinner. Erin McCracken photos
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16 November 14, 2019 - Community Voice
Santa Day in the Bay tradition ready to roll BY ERIN McCRACKEN
Christmas is coming to the Bay. The Constance and Buckham’s Bay Santa Claus Parade is preparing to roll out its annual Santa Claus parade. Ruth McKlusky picked up the organizing reins this year, a new role for her in her work as a director with the Constance a n d Bu c k h a m’s Ba y Community Association. The parade, which this year is scheduled for Dec. 7 at 10 a.m., has been a seasonal highlight for more than two decades. “It’s been a longstanding community tradition. I think it’s more important than ever just to get back to normal because life was just so whacky after the
floods,” said McKlusky, a longtime Constance Bay resident who was impacted by flooding in 2017 and 2019. The parade in 2018 was a bit smaller than in previous years, which McKlusky attributes to the impact of the tornado last September. She said many volunteers were focused on tornado recovery efforts. However, she is optimistic the parade will be back to its usual strength this time. Already, new floats have been added to the roster, including the West Carleton Snowmobile Tr a i l s A s s o c i a t i o n , NorthWind Wireless Fibe, Tree Pose Yoga Wellness and the Lighthouse Restaurant. Firefighters will be out in full force with their mascot
Sparky and their fire trucks. They will be collecting non-perishable food donations along the route and at the community centre for the West Carleton Food Access Centre. Local Scouting and Guiding groups are annual participants, as is the City of Ottawa float. KanataCarleton MPP Merrilee F u l l e r t o n a n d We s t Carleton-March Coun. Eli El-Chantiry have confirmed their participation. McKlusky is hoping for more parade entries, including marching bands, live music, animals, such as horses and dog clubs, as well as singing groups and community sports clubs, among others. “What’s cool about this parade is all the floats give out candy,” she added. “It’s
Photo by Sherry Desjardins/Backroad Memories Photography
Everyone is invited back to the NorthWind Wireless Fibe Community Centre in Constance Bay to visit with Santa and enjoy a community Christmas market following the Constance and Buckham’s Bay Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 7.
NOMINATIONS WANTED! Do you know someone between the ages of 6-17 who is making a difference within their community? Nominate them for an Ontario Junior Citizen Award today!
DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 30, 2019 Nomination forms are available from this newspaper, and at www.ocna.org/juniorcitizen. Or call 416-923-7724 ext. 4439
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nice to gather in a positive and festive way.” This year’s theme is imagining life at the North Pole, which McKlusky hopes will inspire the creativity of parade entrants. “It’s always cool to see how creative people can be and make costumes out of thin air,” she said. The parade will begin on Baillie Avenue and then run along Bayview Drive before turning left onto Len Purcell Drive and head towards the NorthWind Wireless Fibe Community Centre. People can park at the community centre, along Bishop Davis Drive and on side streets. Rolling road closures will be in effect. Following the parade, everyone is invited back to the community centre to have their photos taken with Santa, said community association director Penny Johnson.
“Inside, the theme is ‘Santa’s workshop’ so inside will be all made up and decorated,” she said. Hot dogs and hot chocolate will be available for a nominal cost, children can have their photos taken with Santa and receive free candy, courtesy of the Constance Bay General Store. “So they get little treat bags and they can give Santa their wish list and continue to be good little boys and girls until Christmas,” said Johnson. There’s still time to register parade entries by emailing info@cbbca.ca.
MARKET About 30 vendors will be set up inside the centre for the Constance Bay Community Christmas Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wares will range from preserves, honey and
maple syrup to beeswax and canned goods, such as salsa. Market vendors will also be selling food to eat during the celebration and to take home. “It is a very wide variety of products and services,” said market manager Cindy Pratt. “We get the eager shoppers early in the morning and the family crowd after the parade.” She said the market is an ideal place where children can also do their Christmas shopping while parents are in the building enjoying the festivities. The market adds to the festive atmosphere of the day, added McKlusky. “It’s affordable too,” she said. “You’re keeping it local too.” To volunteer for the Christmas market, please visit marketinthebay.com/ volunteer. emccracken@ottawavoice.ca
Sports
Community Voice - November 14, 2019
Children’s Program
Winning Attitude
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An exciting season came to an end for the West Carleton Wolverine mosquito team on Nov. 2 when they lost their playoff game 20-8 to the South Ottawa Mustangs at the Nepean Sportsplex field. ABOVE & ABOVE RIGHT: Head coaches selected the game MVPs for the opposing teams. No. 18 Connor Besley received the award from Wolverine club president Andrew McArdle. AT LEFT: Cayden Clement-Martins fends off a Mustang while keeping a tight grip on the ball.
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18 November 14, 2019 - Community Voice
Councillor skeptical flood report contains answers, solutions BY ERIN McCRACKEN
West Carleton’s councillor has zero confidence a flooding report now in the hands of the provincial government will offer concrete answers or solutions. Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources John Yakabuski confirmed Nov. 1 that Doug McNeil, hired by the province in July as a special flooding advisor, had submitted his report examining flooding that wreaked havoc in several Ontario communities this spring. “We will carefully consider his recommendations and will release the report in the coming weeks,” Yakabuski said in a statement. No specific date was given. W h i l e W e s t
John Curry photo
Ontario’s Natural Resource Minister John Yakabuski and Kanata-Carleton MPP Merrilee Fullerton announced in July the province would hire Doug McNeil to produce a report on flooding in the province. That report has now been submitted to the province and is expected to be publicly released in the coming weeks.
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Carleton-March Coun. Eli El-Chantiry said he is glad the province hired a credible advisor with previous flooding experience, he remains skeptical the report will offer suggestions for operational improvements, such as upper river dam and reservoir management. “Because there’s still lots of questions from the community ... how was this managed,” he said, adding the province has so far only pointed its finger at the weather and an abundant northern snow pack. “We’ve had rain and snow just as much as before through the years and we didn’t get (this level of flooding). “So tell us what changed and how we can mitigate it.” He said he has no confidence in the process since the province has so far not been cooperative with the city – the largest municipality on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River watershed – which spent
more than $5.6 million in flood-mitigation efforts this year with no provincial contribution. “Just to say they hired someone with a $60,000 limit to report to the government to mitigate the flood, is that the answer? Absolutely not,” said El-Chantiry. “What will his report do for us? Nothing.” The report should have been out sooner so that residents have a chance to implement any suggestions. With winter now here, construction will be challenging, he said. It also makes no financial sense for the province to keep dishing out disaster relief funds to floodplain residents if the issues are not fully examined, he added. “The province must find a way to deal with this other than just saying, ‘If you flood, put in an application and we’ll fix it,’” El-Chantiry said, noting it makes much more sense to provide funding for mitigation measures, such as cash for berms and to raise homes. “How many times do you think people are going to keep fixing (their properties)? When will this end?” he said. “Some people don’t have that choice.” Yakabuski said in his statement the government’s number one priority is public safety and protecting communities. McNeil was hired to advise the province on ways it can reduce flooding impacts and ensure communities can quickly recover. “We understand the impacts flooding has on our communities and the lives of the people of Ontario, and acted quickly by seeking the expertise of Special Flood Advisor Doug McNeil in July,” Yakabuski said. “In
addition to reviewing Ontario’s current flood mitigation strategies, he conducted community tours to learn firsthand the effects of flooding as part of his independent review.” Fullerton has not yet read the advisor’s report. “I understand the report will be released publicly,” the Kanata-Carleton MPP said in an emailed statement. “With Mr. McNeil’s vast experience and expertise in this field, I’m looking forward to reading his insights on this issue.” Yakabuski noted the province held flooding engagement sessions in Ottawa, Pembroke and Muskoka earlier this year to hear from municipal and industry leaders how to better prepare for and respond to floods.
ENGAGEMENT The Ottawa meeting, held in early September, was closed to the public and attended by ElChantir y, Mayor Jim Watson, Cumberland Coun. Stephen Blais, Bay Coun. Theresa Kavanagh, Pierre Poirier, head of the city’s emergency management, Fullerton, and industry stakeholders. El-Chantiry said it’s “a shame” McNeil did not hold public meetings with impacted residents. “Why don’t you talk to the public about it, hear from the people who lived it every day for two months or three months, and they’re still living it – some of them,” he said. The province has said McNeil visited flood-impacted communities in West Carleton but this newspaper has so far been unable to validate who he met with there. emccracken@ottawavoice.ca
Community Voice - November 14, 2019
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20 November 14, 2019 - Community Voice
Emergency News, in brief High winds wreak havoc High winds on Nov. 1 caused several problems across the nation’s capital, including in West Carleton where firefighters responded to five calls reporting downed hydro lines or hydro poles and trees on fire.
F i t z r oy H a r b o u r, Co n s t a n c e Ba y a n d Dunrobin firefighters were dispatched to control any fires and also ensure the public’s safety around fallen high-voltage lines, Ottawa Fire Sector Chief Bill Bell said in an email, noting there were no injuries or accidents related to the damaged poles and lines.
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Fitzroy Harbour firefighters deployed their marine rescue unit around 9:30 a.m. after the wind pushed the weight of the Quyon Ferry to the brink, causing the vessel’s shore-to-shore cable to snap and setting the ferry adrift, said Bell. The rescuers assisted with the safety of ferry personnel who were trying to secure the boat, he said. Passengers were transported back to shore and water rescuers assisted the ferry captain off the boat after it was secured. “There were no injuries at this call and despite the high winds, the operation to secure the boat from drifting further was successful,” said Bell. The ferry service reopened the afternoon of Nov. 3. Hydro Ottawa crews were also kept busy in the ward after fallen trees and branches damaged insulators and other equipment, including along Cameron
Photo by Ottawa Fire Sector Chief Bill Bell/Twitter
High winds kept West Carleton firefighters busy on Nov. 1. Water rescue crews from Fitzroy Harbour were called to assist the Quyon Ferry after the shore-to-shore cable broke during a trip across the Ottawa River.
Harvey Drive. Power there was knocked out to 451 customers, Hydro Ottawa said on Twitter. There were power outages at a number of schools in West Carleton. Both Stonecrest Elementary School in Woodlawn and West Carleton Secondary
School closed for the remainder of the day, as a result. A call also came in to report a potential fire in Dunrobin when a tree fell onto a hydro line feeding a house. “The tree pulled the hydro lines out of the residential stack pipe of the house,
setting the meter box on fire,” said Bell. “Crews from Constance Bay and Dunrobin were quick to determine the fire was contained in the meter box and it did not breach the house.” PLEASE SEE 911, PAGE 21
FAMOUS AND INFAMOUS CHARACTERS FROM STITTSVILLE’S PAST The public is invited to attend an informative and entertaining presentation by local historian and author, John
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News
Community Voice - November 14, 2019
Draft budget strikes right balance: councillor BY PATRICK UGUCCIONI
The City of Ottawa tabled a draft budget Nov. 6 that increases residential taxes by three percent and delivers on some key needs for West Carleton. The projected tax hike amounts to an extra $77 for an average rural home, or about $6 a month. The highlight for West Carleton-March Coun. Eli El-Chantiry is $2 million for a new community centre in Corkery. “It is likely the smallest community centre in the city and it hasn’t seen any attention probably in the past 25 to 30 years,” he said. “We worked very hard to get that money because we don’t have sufficient development charge money coming in locally,” the councillor added. There are $10.7 million in infrastructure projects slated for the coming year, including more than $3.2 million in culverts, $2 million to resurface roads and $3.1 million on road surface treatment.
“We’ll get to some of the worst roads, but we can’t do them all,” he stressed. In the case of this year’s suggested tax increase “there will be someone who will argue three percent is too much and somebody might say we need more,” he pointed out. El-Chantiry cautioned constituents in the recent budget consultation meeting “when you say you want more for this and raise taxes for it, you don’t necessarily get what you want.” “Let’s say we raise taxes another one percent and make it four percent, it doesn’t mean it is going to come and pave more roads in the rural area. You might get some of it, but a lot of will go to the urban area for sidewalks and bike lanes. “The priority for West Carleton residents is roads and ditches and culverts and potholes. The priority for the downtown councillors is sidewalks and bike lanes – they don’t care about roads – and transit.”
>> 911, FROM PAGE 20
Carp crash nets charge One driver has been charged in connection with a two-vehicle crash in Carp on Nov. 3. Firefighters from Station 64 in the village responded to the vicinity of Carp Road and Donald B. Munro Drive on Nov. 3 just before 6 p.m. “The collision resulted in one vehicle off the roadway and striking a hydro pole,” said Const. Amy Gagnon, Ottawa police spokesperson. One driver was charged under the Highway Traffic Act with failure to yield from a driveway. “There were undisclosed injuries to the two occupants who struck the pole and they were treated on scene by Station 64 personnel and then transferred to Ottawa EMS for further treatment,” said Bill Bell, Ottawa fire sector chief. Const. Chuck Benoit, Ottawa police spokesperson, said all injuries were minor.
Looking at the budget from a city-wide perspective, the councillor stressed the different parts have different priorities. “It’s a big city,” he said. “How do you strike that right balance? Honestly I think the three percent, from where I see it, strikes the right balance. The majority of councillors, so far, think it’s a fair number they can work with.”
BY THE NUMBERS: Ward investments in 2020 Infrastructure: • $525,000 to design 25 culverts • $3.2 million to renew 25 culverts • $1 million to upgrade gravel roads • $570,000 for pavement maintenance • $3.1 million on road surface treatment Parks and facilities: • $2 million to expand the Corkery Community Centre
Phone scam reaches Ottawa A phone scam has bilked Ottawa residents out of tens of thousands of dollars. Ottawa police are warning people to hang up when their phone rings and they hear a recorded message from Service Canada saying a crime has been committed against their SIN. The calls may display the phone number of a legitimate government agency. “The recorded message when the phone is answered claims that it is ‘Service Canada’ calling and that there has been a crime committed with ‘your social insurance number (SIN) and to press“1” to avoid prosecution,’ police said Nov. 5. People who do continue the call have been directed to purchase gift cards or Bitcoins – a type of digital money – or face prosecution. Some victims are now out $3,000 to $15,000. Police say no government agency will demand or accept payment in gift cards or Bitcoins. emccracken@ottawavoice.ca
• $1.8 million for renewal projects • $1 million to replace the metal roof at W. Erskine Johnston Arena • $110,000 to replace the roof at Carp Fire Station 64 • $165,000 to replace rink boards/lighting at the March Central Community Centre outdoor rink • $68,000 to repair floor framing at Pinhey Estate’s main building • $31,000 to install arena-stand handrails at the West Carleton Community Complex
21
What a Celebration, Thank you! We would like to extend a very sincere thank you to our family, friends, relatives and neighbors for joining us to celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary. Thanks also for the lovely cards, best wishes, flowers and gifts. Special thanks to Trevor Porteous and Clayton Classic Country Band for the great music and to the Irish Hills staff. We had a wonderful day with many happy memories.
Transportation: • $1.54 million to build a roundabout on Huntmar Drive at Richardson Road • $1.3 million for intersection improvements at March Road and an as-yetunnamed new street puguccioni@ottawavoice.ca
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22 November 14, 2019 - Community Voice
Bridge reopening delayed again BY ERIN McCRACKEN
The completion of the Mississippi River Bridge replacement on Highway 17 has been delayed again, this time until the end of this month. “Unforeseen construction issues” are the culprit, Demathieu & Bard Construction, the company contracted by the province to do the work, said in a letter emailed to West Carleton-March Coun. Eli El-Chantiry’s office on Oct. 29. “There are several construction items which affect the roadway that need to be addressed and completed prior to the reopening,” Qusay Rassawala, with Demathieu Bard, wrote. As a result, Highway 17 will remain closed between Kinburn and Galetta side roads. Only local traffic is allowed. Some area residents aren’t happy the project is taking so long. It was originally scheduled to reopen by October and was pushed back the first time until the end of October before this latest delay. “The frustration I am hearing from the residents, they don’t see people working on the bridge,” El-Chantiry said. “We were hoping this bridge would be ready by the
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end of the summer this year so farmers can pick up their crops so they won’t have to go around,” he said. The replacement of the Mississippi River Bridge is being done in two phases, beginning with the demolition of the old bridge in spring 2018. In the second phase, construction of the new bridge began in fall 2018. “With the exception of a short winter shutdown, the contractor has been onsite every day during the week unless weather has impacted working conditions,” Brandy Duhaime, spokesperson with Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation, said in an email. “During times workers may have been under the bridge working and not visible to the public.” The delays are the result of issues found during ministry inspections, she said. The contractor is now working on completing the expansion joints at each end of the bridge, said Duhaime. In 2017, Highway 17 from Antrim to the city’s border near Arnprior was repaved. The highway and the bridge will eventually be turned over to the City of Ottawa. Negotiations will take place following the bridge’s completion, said El-Chantiry. emccracken@ottawavoice.ca
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Community Voice - November 14, 2019
23
Deputy chief marks milestone BY ERIN McCRACKEN
Ottawa’s deputy fire chief in charge of rural operations recently celebrated a major milestone on the job – 25 years in uniform. “It just flies by,” said Todd Horricks. He began his journey after a chance encounter in 1994, a year after he and his brother and father moved to North Gower. “The local fire chief at the time (Gord Mills) filled up our inground pool in the backyard,” he said. “And, of course, my dad being the guy that he is he offered up his sons’ services to the local fire department. “I went for an interview. My brother didn’t and here we are 25 years later,” said Horricks. After a few months of recruit class, he began responding to emergency calls. He liked the job right away and knew firefighting was his passion “from the minute I started,” he said. While serving as a volunteer firefighter, Horricks worked as an electrician, including for the City of Ottawa from 2009 to 2012. That year, he successfully applied for the sector chief’s position, a natural next step after he was first promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 1997 and then captain in 1999. After amalgamation, which came with restructuring, Horricks returned to the rank of lieutenant in North Gower. In 2009, he became the rural training coordinator for District 8, while also continuing to serve as a lieutenant in his home station. “I looked at it as an opportunity to grow in the district and meet and greet,” Horricks said. “When I talk to new people in the service that come through, (I say) never close a door, always have the will to walk through a door just to see what’s on the other side because you never know what may present itself,” he said. “It’s so easy when you get tied up with work-life balance to say no … because you’re so busy. At least take the opportunity to see what’s there.” About three years later he was promoted to rural sector chief, which involved overseeing about 145 firefighters in North Gower, Stittsville, Richmond, Corkery and two composite stations in Kanata where both full timers and volunteers are based. “It was a big jump for sure,” Horricks said of the change. “I loved it. Just the camaraderie of the group. “That’s the one thing about volunteer firefighting. You get people from all walks of life. That’s what makes it so great. To be a part of that and lead that group, it’s just amazing.”
Erin McCracken photo
Erin McCracken photo
Ottawa Deputy Fire Chief Todd Horricks, in charge of rural fire and fleet operations at Ottawa Fire Services, recently celebrated 25 years on the job.
To mark his firefighting anniversary, Horricks tweeted out a photo of his Rideau Township recruit class. “There’s none of them left now today,” he said. “I’m the last one of the group. So many times I probably could have left because I had young kids and they demanded my time or I had work issues. But I stayed the course.” He became acting assistant deputy chief of special operations in April 2016. That October he was made acting deputy chief of rural and special operations. A year ago he was promoted to his current rank of deputy chief of rural and fleet operations. “Where I am today is just because of always recognizing that the people that you work with, if not your equal, they’re your better,” he said. He says the volunteer firefighters he works with and leads are ambassadors of their communities, and that it helps to have walked in their shoes, allowing him to better understand the sacrifices they make every day. “They could be sitting around the table having dinner with their family and the pager goes off and then they leave,” said Horricks. “As a manager, you’re responsible for getting them home safe and in a timely fashion so they can continue that dinner and continue that evening with their family. “To manage them is humbling,” he said. “It’s very rewarding to be around people like that.” emccracken@ottawavoice.ca
Grace Joyner, left, Allan Joyner, Michelle Rehkopf, Karin Smith, Brenda Murphy, Pam Ross and Laura Murchison spent Nov. 9 creating Christmas decor, some of it made with cedar clippings donated by Alex Carlson of Trim and Proper. The items will be sold at the West Carleton Food Access Centre’s upcoming Christmas Craft Sale in Carp on Nov. 16.
‘It’s not getting any easier’ Food Bank’s sale will help many BY ERIN McCRACKEN
Pam Ross and Karin Sm i t h t h i n k a b o u t Christmas more than a year ahead of time. As soon as they wrap up another successful Christmas Craft Sale and Secret Santa Shop in support of the West Carleton Food Access Centre, it’s time to start planning the next one. The countdown is now on until the Nov. 16 event at the Agricultural Hall in Carp. “We’re ready,” said Ross, the food bank’s fundraising co-chair. “The book sale and this one — these are the two major fundraisers.” Last year, the Christmas sale generated about $4,000, which helped to feed West Carleton residents in need. “It was full from the time we opened up ‘til it ended,” Ross said, even with the threat of freezing rain. “We
do get a good turnout.” Mali, the popular egg roll vendor from the Carp Farmers’ Market, will be cooking the $5 soup and chili lunch that will be served during the sale. About 80 per cent of the vendors from last year are returning. Each one offers different wares, including photography, woodworking, hand-dyed silk, chocolates, doll clothes, knitting, preserves, hot sauce, quilting and jewelry The Secret Santa Shop is gaining in popularity, allowing kids 12 and under to do their Christmas shopping with the help of high school student volunteers. The gifts, which are donated items, range from $1 to $5 each. “We’ve got gifts for mom and dad and there’s toys and there’s books,” said Ross. A larger bake sale will be a new addition this year. And raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win three prizes, including a Christmas planter pot with fresh greenery. The greenery will be a
major feature of the sale. About 10 volunteers spent last Friday gathering fresh greenery that they then transformed into dozens of Christmas wreaths and other festive decor that will be sold during the fundraiser. The success of the sale is the product of the community’s support, Ross said. Vendors sign up in the summer. Items are donated for the Secret Santa Shop. The lunch is donated. Volunteers create the Christmas greenery. “We’ve been hit with these floods and it’s not getting any easier out here,” Ross said. “The people that come and visit and just to see us and lend their support is really great.” The Christmas Craft Sale runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission to the event is free but non-perishable food and monetary donations for the local food bank are welcome. Parking is also free and the hall is wheelchair accessible. emccracken@ottawavoice.ca
24 November 14, 2019 - Community Voice