WHITTON AWARDS
I am pleased to announce that five members of the OSCA Board of Directors were recently honoured with Whitton Awards for community service in Capital Ward. Councillor Inez Berg hosted the award ceremonies at Lansdowne Park on the 1st of June. The Co-Chairs of ECOS, Mike Lascelles and Michael Loewen, were chosen for their on-going work in the Environmental category, and in particular for the "Restore the Rideau" Millennium Project.
Peter Wells, Chair of our Community Relations Committee, Editor of "Your Essential Guide to Old Ottawa South", founder of OSCA's website, won in the Arts and Culture division. OSCA's Executive Director, Deirdre McQuillan and yours truly were also recognised for Community Activism spanning a number of years. While I have known for some time that my fellow Board members might receive awards, I was unaware of my own nomination. This has indeed been a pleasant surprise for me.
Thank-you David Bouse.
BRISTOL AVENUE SIDEWALK A REALITY
At long last, after years of debate, a sidewalk on the East Side of Bristol Avenue between Fentiman and Belmont was constructed last month. Over the years, groups promoting and those opposing a sidewalk raised petitions in support of their positions. In November last year, Councillor Berg and OSCA hosted a meeting of interested parties. For those residents supporting the sidewalk, safety was the main concern, especially for youngsters going to and from Windsor Park. Those opposed to the idea were also mindful of safety, but cited concerns about the potential loss of green space. After a lengthy discussion, Councillor Berg secured an agreement to wait for spring and to solve the problem on site. Owners of the properties adjacent to the proposed sidewalk met on location in April with Councillor Berg, John Bradley of the City Works staff, a City's Works Foreman and me to see what could be worked out. In the end, City staff agreed to seek authority for a variance to permit a 20-foot road width that resulted in virtually no loss of trees and bushes to the properties abutting the sidewalk. This proved to be a solution that everyone could live with. My congratulations to everyone who worked together to sort out this issue.
LANSDOWNE PARK
Everyone should already be familiar with the joint City / Region proposal for the Park that has been reported extensively in the media. If you wish to register support or opposition to the proposal, let OSCA and our elected officials know. In the event that the transfer takes place, OSCA has asked to participate as part of the new governance structure to manage the operations of the Park. We have invited the Glebe and Ottawa East Community Associations to seek the same involvement.
BANK STREET RECONSTRUCTION
The Old Ottawa South Business Association recently passed a motion to ask the Regional Government to proceed with the construction work in the spring of the year 2000. This would allow the project, that was originally scheduled for this year, to be completed in advance of the Francophonie Games slated for Lansdowne Park in 2001. OSCA formally supported the Business Association position in a recent letter to the Regional Chair. I have noted four new businesses that have located in our community. Casa Luna is a South American furniture store in the old Baldwin Antiques location next to West Coast Video. The Carlen Galley will specialise in Canadian Art while Delusions of Grandeur imports Far Eastern art and furniture in the old Bike Stop store. Finally, FX Computers has opened a second store near Ossington Avenue. Welcome to the neighbourhood and good luck to you.
HOPEWELL PUBLIC SCHOOL GRASS YARD PROJECT
The Parents' Council of Hopewell School has raised some $20,000 to permit a major makeover of the present grass yard. Congratulations, that is quite an achievement. Their project plan is available for viewing at the Old Firehall. OSCA approved a $600 grant to assist the project team, under its Chair, Gordon Stokoe, to build one of two entry gates to be located on Hopewell and on Glen Avenues. ECOS will also donate and plant a number of trees from a joint ECOS / City of Ottawa re-treeing initiative.
OLD FIREHALL
OSCA approved $6,000 in funding for interior improvements for the Firehall to go along with $1,500 from the City for paint and materials. Improvements will include new blinds throughout the building, some new flooring, new lighting in the main hall and a new countertop for the kitchen. Local Electrician Glen Barr, who owns Wirework, will donate his time to do the required wiring. Please consider donating some of your own time to help us spruce-up the building on the weekends of 19/20 and 26/27 June. Call OSCA at 247-4872 to volunteer. Lunch will be provided. OSCA Vice President John Graham, and former Board member Donna Walsh, have researched federal regulations pertaining to Charitable Organisations. It may be possible to create The Old Ottawa South Firehall Redevelopment Fund with a capacity to issue charitable receipts for Income Tax purposes to all donors. If successful, we plan to launch a major fund-raising campaign in support of our renovation plans, which are on display in the Firehall Lounge.
OSCA BOARD BBQ AND CONCERT BREWER PARK - THURSDAY 17 JUNE
Come out and join the Board and friends of OSCA for our annual barbecue and musical presentation by the Hopewell Public School Band. Hamburgers, hot dogs and soft drinks will be available at reasonable prices beginning at 6 PM. See you there!