River Ward City Councillor Maria McRae's Report to Hunt Club Community Organization 2 June 2008

Downtown Rapid Transit Network

Last Wednesday, May 28, 2008, my council colleagues and I took the final step in developing a new transit vision for the City of Ottawa by approving a Recommended Rapid Transit Network. This Recommended Rapid Transit Network includes a Priority Network based on an amended version of "Option 4", and a Citywide Network that represents a long-term transit vision for Ottawa.

The Priority Network will form the basis of Ottawa's immediate transit plans. This network continues to include the construction of a tunnel through the downtown core and conversion of the existing Bus Rapid Transitway to twin-track electric-powered Light Rail Transit between Baseline and Blair stations. The O-Train rail bed would be upgraded to accommodate twin-track electric Light Rail Transit and extended south to Bowesville, with a direct link added to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. Council further directed that the network include light rail transit (LRT) service to Scotiabank Place, Place d'Orleans, Trim Road and in the south to the Barrhaven Town Centre once the following criteria have been achieved: development of transit corridors inside the Greenbelt; business case supports return on rail; achievement of minimum density targets; and availability of funding. These extensions will ultimately fulfill Council's long-term Citywide Network vision.

City staff will develop an implementation plan for the Rapid Transit Network as well as the recommended secondary network. This implementation plan, spanning the project's planning window to 2031, will be available for public consultation in fall 2008 followed by City Council approval.

Integrated Road Safety Program (IRSP)

June Initiative: This month, the City's Integrated Road Safety Program is focusing its attention on motorists exceeding set speed limits in construction zones and impaired driving.

Provincial legislation allows for the doubling of fines for motorists caught exceeding posted speed limits in construction zones when workers are present. The Ottawa Police Service will be applying this legislation with a zero tolerance approach. In Ottawa, between 2005 and 2007, 482 collisions occurred in construction zones resulting in one death and 99 injuries, six of them serious. Four construction workers were actually struck by motorists while on the job, leaving one of them with life-altering injuries.

In addition to the focus on construction zone traffic safety in June, impaired driving will also receive close attention. In 2007, 338 impaired driving-related collisions occurred on Ottawa roads. These collisions resulted in seven deaths and 128 injuries, 23 of them serious. 79 percent of the impaired drivers were male and 24 percent were between the ages of 16 and 25.

Maria McRae's Annual Strawberry Social for River Ward Seniors

All River Ward Seniors are cordially invited to Maria McRae's Annual Strawberry Social for River Ward Seniors.
Date: Friday, June 20, 2008
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Place: Hunt Club/Riverside Community Centre 3 3 20 Paul Anka Drive (corner of Paul Anka & McCarthy)
Entertainment by Mike Fahey
Refreshments and Snacks
Door Prizes
Seniors Information Booth.
Please call 613-580-2486 to reserve your ticket(s). Space is limited.

Celebrate the Arrival of Summer at the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Headquarters!

I am pleased to invite the residents of Hunt Club to join me on the first day of summer for a special event at the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) headquarters.
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2008
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Guided tour of the facility at noon.
Place: 3889 Rideau Valley Drive (corner of Prince of Wales Drive & Rideau Valley Drive)

You and your family can learn about the RVCA, observe information displays and take a tour of the new LEED certified building. Bring your picnic lunch and enjoy Beryl Gaffney Park with its multitude of beautiful nature trails. Come out and enjoy a perfect summer afternoon getaway. It will surely be a unique experience.

West Nile virus

The City of Ottawa's Public Health branch has started to implement its 2008 West Nile virus control program. As in previous years, the 2008 control plan consists of:

I encourage you to call 613-580-2424, ext. 26138 to report dead crows, ravens and blue jays. For additional information on the West Nile virus and the City of Ottawa's 2008 West Nile virus control plan, please contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744, or visit ottawa.ca/residents/health.

Spring Cleaning the Capital Results

This year, we had 869 projects, a new campaign record, and 47,394 participants registered, including 66 graffiti removal projects! Thanks to everyone who contributed to this year's successful Spring Cleaning campaign!

Fall Cleaning the Capital will take place between Saturday, September 15, 2008 and Monday, October 15, 2008. Details will be available in August for fall registration.

Changes to the Taxi By-Law

Council approved a 10% increase, including a 10-cent surcharge, in the taxi meter rate effective June 1, 2008 in order to help offset the rising costs to operate a taxicab and the installation of cameras. All standard and accessible taxicab driver licensees are now required to provide Police Record Check information every three years. Council also directed staff to report back on measures available to encourage the use of more efficient vehicles and to work with the Taxi Stakeholders Consultation group and the Taxi Industry to identify and implement a communications and enforcement strategy to eradicate the use of illegal underground taxicab services

Give Away Weekends

Prepare for another voyage for more hidden treasures as the new dates have been chosen for the 2008 Give Away Weekends. Also, the event has been extended from a one-day event to include both Saturday and Sunday.

Spring Give Away Weekend will take place at the end of Environment Week - Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8, 2008 while Fall Give Away Weekend will take place at the conclusion of Waste Reduction Week - Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26.

So don't cast away your unwanted household goods to the garbage. Set them out at the curb on spring and fall Give Away Weekends with a sign or label indicating that they are free. For you treasure hunters, chart your course through your neighbourhood, community and city to find those hidden gems. Remember to reuse, one person's trash is another person's treasure.

Treasures could include:

Rules for Give Away Weekend:

Give Away Weekend etiquette:

We wish you best of luck in finding those treasures. It's another way to help the City RETHINK GARBAGE and maximize landfill space, protecting our most precious treasure - our environment.

Seniors Ride Free on OC Transpo on Wednesdays in July and August 2008

OC Transpo will be offering free transit on buses and the O-Train every Wednesday in June, July and August to seniors who are 65 and older.

The "Seniors Summer Special" is designed to reach seniors who haven't taken transit lately, to encourage them to try transit for shopping trips, to get to appointments or just visit friends. The program will emphasize the fact that most vehicles are fully accessible, all feature priority seating at the front, and the majority of the fleet are air-conditioned for a comfortable ride in the summer heat.

Senior riders will not be required to show any ID unless requested by the operator or fare inspector, in which case they must be prepared to show some form of ID indicating their age -especially those who may be mistaken for someone younger than 65. The offer includes all bus routes and the O-Train, but does not include Para Transpo service.

Have a Wonderful Summer

I would like to take this time to wish you and your family a happy and restful summer.