Propane review underscores growing frustration

By Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Citizen, January 31, 2014

OTTAWA — The weather is giving them a break right now, but the long winter continues in rural eastern Ontario, where propane shortages and price spikes have left many in the cold and unsure of how they can continue to afford to heat their homes.

Lanark Conservative MPP Randy Hillier, who has talked to hundreds of constituents in recent weeks with concerns about propane, said Friday he welcomes federal Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver’s statement this week ordering the National Energy Board and the Competition Bureau to review propane prices and shortages.

Senior bureaucrat Tobias Nussbaum to run for council in Rideau-Rockcliffe ward

By Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, January 31, 2014

OTTAWA — A senior federal bureaucrat with a Harvard pedigree is the first to put his name into the ring for the Rideau-Rockcliffe ward. Tobias Nussbaum confirmed Friday that he will run for office in this year’s municipal election, although he hasn’t yet registered.

Nussbaum, a local activist in the Beechwood Village community, has been widely rumoured to be interested in the job. He recently submitted an op-ed piece to the Citizen (published a few days ago) outlining his views on campaign finance reform, which include banning corporate and union contributions and requiring candidates’ contribution records to be electronic and searchable.

Low-rise homes could be protected in Little Italy

By Laura Mueller, Ottawa Community News, January 30, 2014

The city has struggled with encouraging new development while trying to heed residents\' calls to preserve low-rise neighbourhoods. In Little Italy, the solution may be simply to draw a line around clutches of low-rise homes that must be protected while allowing newer and larger buildings outside that boundary. The protectionist measure, called a \"neighbourhood line,\" was first introduced in the recently approved community design plan for the Scott Street area and it was a hit with local residents. In the past, community design plans have been touted by city staff and planning committee members as a guiding hand to encourage and guide interest in redeveloping and intensifying the area, with a view to promoting development rather than freezing a community in time. Kitchissippi Coun. Katherine Hobbs garnered the support of the rest of the planning committee on Jan. 14 for her motion to direct city planners to consider adding s via Low-rise homes could be protected in Little Italy.

Mountain biking non-profit looking for new home - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, January 30, 2014

A non-profit organization that provides mountain bike outings and environmental education for underprivileged children says they are facing an uphill battle to stay afloat since the death of one of their staunchest supporters. Trips for Kids Ottawa co-founder Cat Weaver said the group has been running their organization out of the home of Mario Théoret, a tireless volunteer for the group who died last fall after his bicycle collided with a transport truck. via Mountain biking non-profit looking for new home - Ottawa - CBC News.

NCC slams door on Ottawa, Gatineau request for seat on the board

By Carys Mills, Ottawa Citizen, January 30, 2014

OTTAWA — A demand by the mayors of Ottawa and Gatineau to sit on the board of the National Capital Commission was firmly rebuffed by the Crown corporation on Thursday.

But Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, who has accused the NCC of meddling in city affairs, said he’ll keep pushing the federal government to make the legislative change he wants.

Here comes the sun again

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, January 30, 2014

OTTAWA — Here’s a brightener after two bitterly cold weeks: Friday marks the point where Ottawa has gained a full hour of daylight since winter began.Make than an hour plus one minute, actually.

Friday’s daylight is nine hours and 43 minutes long, plus some seconds — two minutes and 35 seconds longer than Thursday.

Keep that water running says city
Ottawa & Region
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Ottawa Sun

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, January 28, 2014

The city can thank the Ottawa River for its bountiful supply of water at times like this.

In Sandy Hill, there are some faucets running a steady stream of Ottawa\'s high-quality drinking water just to protect the city\'s infrastructure.

60 days in jail for 'gruesome' raccoon killings
Ottawa & Region
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Ottawa Sun

By Tony Spears, Ottawa Sun, January 29, 2014

A fuzzy kebab and a ring-tailed cutlet — those were the only remains of two raccoons that met grisly ends at the hands and grilling implements of Gregory Armstrong. And there may be other bodies, hidden who-knows-where around the raccoon-rich Mitch Owens Rd. property. via 60 days in jail for 'gruesome' raccoon killings | Ottawa & Region | News | Ottawa Sun.

Gatineau mayor defends Ottawa River efforts
Ottawa & Region
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Ottawa Sun

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, January 29, 2014

Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin is defending his city\'s efforts to keep crud out of the Ottawa River, saying it\'s meeting Quebec provincial standards. \"Gatineau is doing exactly what Gatineau should be doing,\" Pedneaud-Jobin told reporters Wednesday after meeting with Mayor Jim Watson. via Gatineau mayor defends Ottawa River efforts | Ottawa & Region | News | Ottawa Sun.

Canal users deserve better

By Tyson Morrow, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, January 28, 2014

Re: On Ottawa-area roads and the canal, a day of accidents, Jan. 26.

I\'m not surprised to see that people were injured on the Rideau Canal on Saturday. However, these injuries may have been preventable. Forecasts had indicated snow for days, but canal maintenance crews did not seem to deliver a satisfactory level of skateway maintenance. How hard would it be to send a plow down the canal during a snowfall, even if just to clear a vehicle-width path? Thick snow obscured dangerous cracks and bumps, while ankle-deep drifts hindered progress.

Put us on the NCC’s board, Ottawa and Gatineau mayors demand

By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, January 29, 2014

OTTAWA — The National Capital Commission doesn’t know enough about local affairs and is getting in the way of progress, Ottawa’s and Gatineau’s mayors charged Wednesday, and putting them on its board is the solution.

After their first formal meeting since Gatineau’s Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin was elected last fall, he and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson emerged with a list of grievances, from “relentless obstruction in the City of Ottawa’s efforts to create a world-class transit system for the National Capital Region” to the “unilateral decision to close Rue Gamelin” in Gatineau. They signed it and sent it to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, demanding reforms that should start with adding an elected official from each city council to the 15-member NCC board.

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