OSCA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)
Close to thirty people attended our AGM to review our activities and help us plan to meet future challenges. Joining me on the twenty person OSCA Board for 1998/1999 are: John Graham (Vice President); Lora Lindsay (Secretary); Terry Winsor (Treasurer); new members Kate Fawkes, Marey Gregory, Gary Lum and Derrik Keefe; ex-members David Bouse and Michael Lynch (a former OSCA President); and members from last year's Board: Brad Cairns; Glenn Elder, Claire Gilbert; Michael Jenkin; Pat Kealey; Mike Lascelles; Michael Loewen; Abby Pollonetsky; Peter Wells; and Past President Greg Wright.
I would like to recognise those members of the 1997/1998 Board who did not stand for re-election: Vice President Peggy Stewart; Greg Higgins; Ryan Lanyon; Arthur McGregor; Bill Semple; Craig Turner; and Donna Walsh. Thanks are due to all current and past Board members for their time and effort on behalf of our community. At the end of the meeting, after a short history lesson on the Firehall provided by Ms. Sally Coutts from the City of Ottawa's Heritage Department, we gathered outside the old garage doors for the unveiling of a plaque designating the Firehall's Heritage status. Mayor Jim Watson, Capital Ward Councillor Inez Berg, and Community Centre Director Cathie Buchanan were on hand to officiate.
BRAVO MAYOR WATSON!
1A WINDSOR AVENUE SAVED FROM SALE
Thanks to the intervention of Mayor Jim Watson, the staff report recommending that the former Capital Ward Yard be declared surplus, rezoned and sold for development has been withdrawn from consideration by Council. Gary Lum, along with a group of determined residents mounted a grassroots campaign to save the land for future park use. The group collected over 300 letters opposing the sale. OSCA and Councillor Berg actively supported the neighbourhood opposition. The cost of demolishing the bungalow, taking down the fencing, removing the asphalt and landscaping the area for park use is estimated at about $40,000. Until the City can come up with the funding, or, our community can help out in some imaginative way, the site will remain locked up, as is.
ROYAL COLLEGE BUILDING PLANS
Glen McStravick, the Director of Corporate Affairs for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, has advised OSCA that the College Council has approved plans for their property on Echo Drive. The old garages will be demolished first, allowing for some new parking spaces. A new two-storey office building will be built close to the Public Library. Occupancy is planned for early next Spring. OSCA and area residents were consulted on the plans about a year and a half ago. The College took our concerns and suggestions into consideration and made a number of adjustments as a result. The College indicated at the start that it wanted the new building designed to complement the historic main building.
YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO OLD OTTAWA SOUTH
The Guide will go to the printers shortly. We hope to offset the costs by offering advertising space to area businesses. The First Edition will be provided free to every individual or family who is a paid-up member of OSCA. This has been a major project of our Community Relations Committee, headed by Peter Wells. A host of volunteer contributors have done a marvellous job in compiling information about our community. As I have said before, you will be impressed by its content.
BANK STREET RECONSTRUCTION - ON OR OFF IN 1999?
Regional staff has proposed a one-year delay in the major reconstruction of Bank Street between the two bridges. OSCA is concerned that any delay may result in fewer funds being allocated to the work and the project could be negatively impacted by any local government restructuring. Regional Councillor Clive Doucet has pledged to vigorously oppose any delay.
AREA SCHOOL BOARD CLOSURE REVIEWS
Both the Ottawa Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Carleton Roman Catholic School Board are being forced by the province to rationalise their holdings according to a new classroom funding formula. Jeff Hume and Ken Slemko represent OSCA on a Public Board working group reviewing all schools in our area. The future of St Margaret Mary's School is a concern for Separate School supporters who formed a committee to thwart any closure plans. If the school is earmarked for closure, you can expect a major campaign opposing it. Community support will be essential. Neighbourhood schools form the heart of any community. What would Old Ottawa South be without our two schools? Should St Margaret Mary's School be placed on the initial closure list, the school council will need all the help it can get. Please call Carol Brascoupé at 730-7059 if you wish to get involved.
AIRPORT PARKWAY EXTENDED TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY
As part of the study to assess the impact of planned changes to the Airport Parkway, a number of public workshops have been conducted. I attended one recently hosted by Carleton University. As a group we came up with a number of innovative solutions to help mitigate the effects of expected increased traffic volumes on the Parkway and Bronson Avenue. The extra traffic will no doubt spill out into area communities as frustrated drivers attempt to avoid the limited capacity of Bronson north of the canal. Our session produced suggestions to deal with speeding, traffic flow, pedestrian and cyclist safety, and noise abatement. I only hope that there is the political will to take our ideas seriously.
BRISTOL SIDEWALK MEETING THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19TH
The meeting to consider the advantages and disadvantages of a sidewalk on Bristol Avenue between Fentiman and Belmont will be held at the Firehall beginning at 7:30 PM.