No more money for Lansdowne
Editor, Glebe Report
Re: “Lansdowne’s sad story – can we stem the losses?” Glebe Report, December 2024.
June Creelman’s article outlining “Lansdowne’s Sad Story” is an important documentation of how the City and the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) got into their current financial mess. A mess that impacts all residents of Ottawa.
Like many, I participated in the community protests against the awarding of a sole source contract to OSEG. I still have the crazy, big, bright blue button stating ‘Let’s Get It Right’ which I wore proudly to the City/OSEG community “consultations”.
The most memorable aspect of the “consultations” was the line of gentlemen, in suits, standing at the back of the room representing the interests of OSEG. While resident after resident stood up to provide comments, constructive criticisms or objections to the OSEG plan for the Lansdowne redevelopment and associated financing, this group would smirk, smile and look at each other. They knew full well that the “consultations” were a sham and that the financial forecasts for OSEG revenue were a fantasy.
The City should not put any more money into Lansdowne. If it has money to spare, which I doubt, it should be spend on infrastructure maintenance, housing and transit.
G. Bailie
Where would your spirit like to sit?
Editor, Glebe Report
Re: “McKeen Metro now just Metro,” Glebe Report, December 2024.
The McKeens did indeed set a high bar in their support of local charities, events and initiatives in the Glebe. Having lived here since 1979, I really appreciate this generosity to the community, as well as having a top-notch local grocery store where I see my friends and neighbours. Reading Metro spokesperson Stephanie Bonk’s statement about future support for local charities and events – “We’ll definitely be matching them in spirit. I don’t know we can match in numbers” –reminds me of a rather old joke.
A volunteer is selling tickets for a charity concert. When a vicar is approached for buying a ticket, he mumbles an apology and states that unfortunately he “cannot attend but will be there in spirit.” Quick as a flash, the volunteer replies: “Tickets are $5, $10 and $20. Where would your spirit like to sit?”
Dick Peacocke
Kudos from a reader
I just finished my December 13 Glebe Report. I am amazed at the quality of the paper. Lots of interesting articles including Lansdowne 2.0 (giving the last of our public space to sports and consumerism), possible plastic turf at Mutchmor, a fitting tribute to Jim and Christine McKeen and all the wonderful things that they brought to the community, a Glebe Meat Market story, need for a bus station and much, much more. This is becoming Ottawa’s newspaper. The Sun and the Citizen are the same and thin on news of a local concern.
What a splendid job of colour, local businesses, church activities and entertainment. Well done. I know it must be a lot of work to put out a free newspaper. I wonder how you do it. But you do. A heartfelt thanks to you and your contributors and your deliverers.
Douglas Parker
Editor’s note: Gosh! We love getting letters like this!
Thank you, McKeens
Editor, Glebe Report
Re: “McKeen Metro now just Metro,” Glebe Report, December 2024.
Many thanks to Jim McKeen and family, for decades of service and support to the Glebe community!
McKeen Metro’s generosity was consistent and far-reaching, including ongoing donations to GNAG, GCA, Abbotsford, local schools, clubs and sports teams.
Thank you for hiring our teenagers. Thank you for stocking local produce and organic foods. Thank you for recycling plastics and providing better packaging.
Going way back, thank you for the “Cookie Club,” where kids could get a cookie at the bakery, just for asking (politely)!
Thank you for attending events and meetings alongside us.
Thank you for being a member of the community.
Jim, you will always be a Glebite!
Jennie Aliman
The story of the O’Connor Street Bridge
Editor, Glebe Report
The O’Connor Street Bridge just so happens to be named after Daniel O’Connor, pioneer settler of Bytown, 1827, my great-great grandfather. His son Daniel O’Connor, Esq. QC, was appointed the Solicitor of the Crown business in Ottawa for Sir John A Macdonald in 1878 and ran a successful law firm in downtown Ottawa.
I had the honour of having one of my paintings of Patterson’s Creek, showing that very bridge as the front cover of the May 13, 2016 Glebe Report.
My latest work, “Ottawa – Then and Now,” will be showcased at the Gordon Harrison Canadian Landscape Gallery at 465 Sussex Drive from February 21 to March 7.
Catherine Willis-O’Connor
We know better?
Editor, Glebe Report
My heart goes out to the residents of Hawthorne Avenue, where the city, after its usual lip-service “consultation” with residents, is going ahead with a 10-unit building at 185 Hawthorne, thereby destroying the small park at that site. These residents live in the shadow of the Queensway, with all its pollution, noise, stress and ugliness, and our city did not see fit to leave these poor people a little patch of grass to enjoy? Supposedly, the importance of new housing trumps everything, including the healing presence of nature in our neighbourhoods.
Has anyone at City Hall read the extensive studies of the serious mental-health issues suffered by city dwellers cut off from nature? Apparently not. Queen Juliana Park was wiped out by construction of the Civic Hospital’s massive parking garage, even though there is a forest of tall apartment buildings going up at Preston and Carling Avenue. Residents in these buildings needed that park. Where will they go now? Yes, the Arboretum lies beyond, but it is not a park. Acres and acres of the beautiful Experimental Farm are being obliterated by the Civic Hospital, construction of which is methodically wiping out 700 trees.
Similarly, Springhurst Park on Lees Avenue now faces destruction in favour of the Alta Vista Transportation Corridor. And at Lansdowne, the minuscule amount of green space left will undoubtedly be destroyed by the new arena.
In all so-called consultations with the public regarding the loss of parkland in Ottawa, the public always loses. “Oh, gee, sorry, we hear you, but we don’t care/we know better,” is what we are essentially told. Where are the councillors elected by the public who are supposed to be speaking for and defending the interests of Ottawa citizens?
Dorothy Speak
Sloping sidewalks a health hazard
Editor, Glebe Report
Re: “City sidewalks, broken sidewalks,” Glebe Report, December 2024
I recall an article you published on sidewalks in the Glebe. Must have been written by a young person. Now that winter is here, I notice the key feature of these sidewalks is the “Toronto curbs” whereby 25 or 50 per cent, or sometimes the entire sidewalk, slants towards the street. Amidst heavy snowfall, snowbanks (especially at intersections), freezing rain, ice and, worst of all, slush, if you are over 60, you’re putting your life at risk trying to walk on these. They are a health hazard.
Terry Cheney