By Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, September 30, 2014
Let’s start with what’s right about Mike Maguire’s plan to scrap the second phase of LRT and replace it with a commuter rail service. It won’t take long.
The mayoral candidate wants to extend O-Train service north across the Ottawa River to Gatineau, using the existing Prince of Wales Bridge, and south to Earl Armstrong Road. The Ottawa-Gatineau link is already on the long-term agendas of both cities’ mayors, but it’s still an idea worth looking into further.
By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, September 30, 2014
Mayoral candidate Mike Maguire presented his transit plan Monday, the really big policy distinguishing him from incumbent Jim Watson. Here’s the rundown.
The premise
The city’s “Phase 2″ plan to extend light rail in all directions makes good transportation sense but at $3 billion, it’s much too expensive and relies on funding from the federal and provincial government we might not get, Maguire says. Add increasing electricity costs and following through on Phase 2 would mean “economic devastation,” in his view.
By CFRA News, September 29, 2014
Several teenagers in Eastern Ontario were hospitalized last week after eating a poisonous weed that's commonly grown around here. Now health officials are warning students about the possible health risks, including death. Its common name is Jimson Weed or Devil's Seed. It is a plant that grows wild here that causes hallucinations when you ingest the seeds.
That's what happened to several high school students in the Prescott-Russell area. They were taken to hospital, according to Ontario Provincial Police, who then notified the Eastern Ontario Health Unit. Dr. Paul Roumeliotis is the Medical Officer of Health for Eastern Ontario. In a telephone interview, he told CTV Ottawa that this is not first time a poisoning of this nature has occurred involving Jimson Weed.“This happened seven years ago,” says Dr. Roumeliotis, “when 15 kids were hospitalized using this weed. Kids think it's a natural high. Unfortunately it can cause problems with the heart, kidneys and lead to coma and convulsion.”