
Garbage attracts garbage
Editor, Glebe Report
Sharing with you a few pictures at the intersection [of Pretoria and Queen Elizabeth Driveway]. Someone had wheeled a garbage bin at this corner, which is not a garbage collection site.
Three weeks and counting, more garbage bags are piling up next to the bin.
I have written to the City of Ottawa, but this seems to have slipped through the cracks since this corner is not a garbage collection site. The closest address is the TD Bank.
If you can give this some exposure, maybe someone at the City will recognize that this is a situation that requires co-operation across silos.
Titus Tao
Public smoking rules a mixed bag
Editor, Glebe Report
Last year I noted the odd person smoking on Bank Street. This year the odd person has been replaced by several, including groups standing, chatting and smoking.
In the old days there used to be education and clear no-smoking signage. Smoking was seen as a public health issue. My research on smoking on public sidewalks found nothing explicit on the City of Ottawa’s website.
What I found was no smoking on (spacious) public parks with families and children, but no reference to congested public sidewalks with families and children. But there are [rules against] smoking within 20 metres of patios or seven metres of bus stops. So, Bank Street seems to have a mix of “no smoking” zones and “free to smoke” zones.
Terry Cheney
Lost opportunity on the Rideau
Editor, Glebe Report
Re: “Let’s make the Rideau River Corridor an urban national park,” Glebe Report, September 2024.
I read with interest J. Brougham’s recent article in the Glebe Report proposing that the Rideau River Corridor be designated as an Urban National Park. I totally agree. The Rideau is a natural treasure running through the heart of the city.
For the last 10 years, the Rideau was animated as a recreational opportunity with the availability of the rentals of stand-up paddle boards (SUPs) and kayaks. A locally owned company, Ottawa SUP, had established a small rental outlet at Billings Bridge and Bank Street, renting a small piece of property from C.A. Paradis and utilizing part of the Linda Thom Park. Earlier this year, C.A Paradis was bought by Doyon Deprés, who made the decision that they needed the space previously rented by Ottawa SUP for other business purposes. As a result, residents of OOS and beyond have less access to enjoy the beauty, nature and recreation that the Rideau has to offer.
Designating the Rideau as an Urban National Park would attract more interest in its possibilities and hopefully provide an opportunity for businesses like Ottawa SUP to help residents and visitors enjoy being on the river, not just beside the river.
Gerald Bailie
Idle excuses
Editor, Glebe Report
The new anti-idling bylaw is “sending a signal to the community,” the mayor says. Perhaps the City should look in the mirror before sending a message to residents.
I took an informal survey of the drivers of three City of Ottawa trucks idling in my neighbourhood recently. The first said that “Yes, we had been briefed about this a few days ago, but this truck is supposed to shut off automatically.” (Suggestion: turn the key to “off” position). The second said, “We’re leaving in a couple of minutes.” (Suggestion: turn the key to “off”). The third said, “My truck has to keep running to keep my single amber flashing light on.” (Really? I know it’s comparing apples to oranges, but can’t electric vehicles go hundreds of kilometres on a single charge?)
Thank you for your “signal to the community,” Mr. Mayor.
Benedykt Syposz
Sidewalk sillies
Editor, Glebe Report
A Question for Councillor Shawn Menard
Nine days ago, signs went up affecting significant sections of Second Avenue between Lyon and Bronson: “Construction Zone, Tow Away Zone.” Then nothing happened! Other than one corner of Second Avenue at Chrysler having its sidewalk removed.
When I asked one of the workers why they were tearing up a perfectly good sidewalk, he said, “I do cement, my salary range does not allow me to know why, ask your councillor.”
So, why are what appear to be good walkways being torn apart? Why were the threatening signs – “Tow Away Zone” – put up last week, when no work was planned until a couple of days ago. The exception is the corner of Second and Chrysler, which has been torn up for the better part of a week. Every few days, City trucks bring four or more employees to measure the gap and add one or two more wooden boards that presumably will contain the newly poured concrete. We are now into a weekend with no expectation of imminent work done. Hence my earlier question to the employee.
I am in no way an engineer, so I seek an explanation in simple layman’s terms.
Benedykt Syposz