Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Fuel spill clean-up continues into fall

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Community News, October 2, 2014

Traffic is back to two lanes on River Road north of Osgoode, but residents still face a few months of construction before a fuel spill is completely cleaned up.

A truck belonging to Drummond Fuels Ottawa spilled about 2,000 litres of gasoline on a city-owned right of way on March 7, according to the provincial Ministry of Environment.

Overbrook residents to host clean-up

By Ottawa Community News, October 2, 2014

The Overbrook Community Association has organized a fall clean-up to help keep the neighbourhood spic and span.

Part of the city's fall Tim Hortons Cleaning the Capital, the effort will take place on Oct. 4 at the Overbrook Community Centre from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine.

Critics take aim at development plan for old Domtar lands

Ottawa & Region

Ne

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, October 2, 2014

Dozens of speakers lined up at a council planning committee Thursday to address a development vision for the old Domtar lands, with several calling on politicians to refuse the necessary rezoning for a massive, sustainable mixed-use community on "sacred land. "Windmill Developments wants to transform the old industrial properties that span the Ottawa River in both Ottawa and Gatineau. The $1-billion blueprint includes high rises, shops, greenspace and public access to Chaudiere Falls. via Critics take aim at development plan for old Domtar lands | Ottawa & Region | Ne.

Carp dump expansion, roads consume West Carleton-March

Ottawa & Region

News

By Ottawa Sun, October 2, 2014

The rural ward of roughly 25,350 people, based on the city's estimate at the end of 2012, is small in population but huge in land mass. The ward includes the communities of Carp, Dunrobin, Fitzroy Harbour, Kinburn and Constance Bay. One of the biggest challenges for the ward has been proposed expansion of the Waste Management dump on Carp Rd. The company wants a new landfill footprint and add recycling facilities. Council held its nose and approved the necessary rezoning last July. via Carp dump expansion, roads consume West Carleton-March | Ottawa & Region | News.

Wild and wacky candidates debate takes over the Glebe

Ottawa & Region

News

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, October 2, 2014

Six mayoral candidates provided a real cast of characters at the Glebe Community Centre Thursday night. Like Bernard Couchman, who put his month against the microphone and yelled, for unknown reason,"Well, yeah!" before explaining more recreation facilities would make healthier kids. via Wild and wacky candidates debate takes over the Glebe | Ottawa & Region | News |.

Jeni Armstrong: Taking on the transit trolls

Ottawa Citizen

By Jeni Armstrong, Ottawa Citizen, October 2, 2014

In its 2011 annual performance report, OC Transpo revealed that it had received fewer than 30 complaints per one million trips. That’s a decent figure – until you realize that missing from that statistic are complaints about fellow passengers.And let’s face it: the vast majority of transit transgressions aren’t served up by operators, but by riders. People who pay good money for a daily parade of bad behaviour. via Jeni Armstrong: Taking on the transit trolls | Ottawa Citizen.

Gatineau transit commission invests in Rapibus safety upgrades

Ottawa Citizen

By Vito Pilieci, Ottawa Citizen, October 2, 2014 The Société de transport de l’Outaouais STO is investing $200,000 to improve the safety of its Rapibus transit line, in the wake of series of accidents.

The line, which runs east-west from Aylmer into Gatineau and south into Ottawa, has been plagued with dozens of accidents since opening in October 2013. The most recent, in September saw five taken to hospital after a bus ran into a cyclist along the transitway. via Gatineau transit commission invests in Rapibus safety upgrades | Ottawa Citizen.

Ottawa Votes: Innes candidates square off

Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, October 2, 2014

How to address ever-increasing volumes of traffic was a hot topic at Thursday’s all-candidates’ debate in Innes ward. Jody Mitic kicked things off early by using part of his opening statement to highlight a plan to connect the Brian Coburn extension to Anderson Road, creating a new east-south corridor and alleviating heavy traffic on Renaud Road, which has two tight curves. via Ottawa Votes: Innes candidates square off | Ottawa Citizen.

Lack of LRT for Kanata North could spark debate

Ward Profile

Ottawa & Region

By Ottawa Sun, October 1, 2014

In the battle for who gets LRT first, Kanata doesn't even factor into the debate. The city's LRT focus is on the core and extending rail to Orléans, leaving the western suburb out of the plan until after 2031. The affordable plan crafted by the city takes trains as far as Bayshore Shopping Centre by 2023, although improvements to the rapid bus network will reach into Kanata. via Lack of LRT for Kanata North could spark debate | Ward Profile | Ottawa & Region.

Candidates have some wacky notions

Corbett

Columnists

Opinion

Ottawa Sun

By Ron Corbett, Ottawa Sun, October 1, 2014

If Mike Maguire can sit down yet -- after the thorough spanking he received this week over his transit plan -- I want him to know the worst is probably behind him.

And for what it's worth, when Election Day comes around, I don't think his transit plan will be seen as the worst idea of the campaign.

City takes hard line in Uber, taxi battle in Ottawa

Ottawa & Region

News

O

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, October 1, 2014

Bylaw officers will launch undercover stings if Uber, the company that acts like a cab service, starts charging customers for rides. Susan Jones, GM of emergency and protective services, fired the warning shot Wednesday, just hours after the company launched its uberX service in Ottawa. via City takes hard line in Uber, taxi battle in Ottawa | Ottawa & Region | News | O.

Letter: Cheaper transit solutions

Ottawa Citizen

By Thomas Brawn, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, October 1, 2014

Re: Maguire’s proposal is simply off the rails, Sept. 30.

I do agree with mayoral candidate Mike Maguire’s wishes for cheaper transit solutions sooner. No candidate seems to be addressing a much simpler issue: reducing the need for transit in the first place.