Perspective Ottawa » Blog Archive » McRae refuses to look at Ledbury-Banff concerns from residents point of view

McRae refuses to look at Ledbury-Banff concerns from residents point of view

23 June 2011 4 Comments

If you look at this video posted by the Ottawa Citizen on the Ledbury Banff Pavilion uprising, it’s very clear to me that this whole project had more to do about city staff than the community residents.

First off, River Ward councillor, Maria McRae, berates the community members for not asking for a meeting to discuss their concerns about the programming. She says this right after telling the upset crowd that the opening was moved up to accommodate the personal situations of city staff Joanne Poirier, Ottawa Housing CEO and Nichole Nichole Hoover-Bienasz, the councillors assistant. Why didn’t the councillor opt to delay the ribbon cutting ceremony when she learned the week before of the residents’ concerns? I hope McRae doesn’t say this was the first time she heard of these concerns.

The main point, however, the residents are trying to make is that the city took away their previous trailer which played an important part in their summer program plans and replaced it with a new building that excludes the Ledbury Banff community right when summer is upon us and the needs for facilities are at it’s highest. In fact, the councillor admits that there is not access for the residents to the building until the fall and this was how it was planned by the city. McRae says “There is nothing happening other than what Dan[Chenier] had already planned months and months and months ago…”. Months ago the city staff, around whose schedules this opening was planned was designing programs that excluded the residents where the new building sits.

There is a planned meeting between the residents and city staff tomorrow (Friday) to discuss the use of the facility by residents. I don’t know if Councillor McRae can find the time in her busy schedule to attend the meeting of her constituents but she and others at City Hall are the ones that “need to stop talking” and listen to the people for whom it is their job to represent and serve. It’s time that the needs of the residents of Ledbury Banff are put ahead of the needs and wants of city staff.

4 Comments »

Carolyn said:

Sorry Maria…it’s not about City staff who are going on medical leave…it’s about community.
Sounds like the problems at another community centre in her ward….

# 23 June 2011 at 9:33 am

Bob B. said:

Well done we have the video to show the results. As said in many previous meetings with city employees and the councillor, Banff community needs a location to hold it’s activities for the summer months. Maria McRae is hiding behind excuses and using City staff.who very visually walk around fearing the Dragon Lady. Yes, Joanne Poirier will be off due to health reason and we wish this hard working lady a prompt and succesful return back to health. Secretaries and city staff worked hard to see the opening of this field house. We appreciate all these facts, but they are part of the daily life and not to be used as excuses by Maria to impress residents of Banff/Ledbury who do not have sick pay and who have no paid benefits and salaries in the $90,000. supplied with staff and running expenses.
They are concerned about the welfare of their children, this is their only and most valued assets. It’s very clear how she treats staff and constituents. She asked the gathered people to “zip it up” or she would not speak to them. Most present to air their question and comments were serious concerned adults. She even called some people present as “Ignorant”, including MYSELF, for not talking to her but I instead pulled Mr Mercier aside to talk to him, about the summer programs for 2011.
During this face to face the adults tried to view their points but her
pushy voice overpowered them and she rattled on giving more excuses, 2 of our our most involved and devoted community residents were cut-off by her, she could not follow her own directive of zipping it up. She works hard around the council table but she cannot let humility do it’s work. It would be marvellous if at one of those ribbon cutting ceremony
the people involved would officiate the ceremony while mentioning those VIP present, but please don’t give them the microphone. in the last 7 years I have seen Maria McRae take hold of that microphone and run the whole show. When away from the Council table politician should learn they are not in power anymore. Please let go.

# 23 June 2011 at 12:28 pm

Howie R said:

blake please just register to run and stop this childish sniping from the comfort of the sidelines.

You won’t run because you are a coward and Maria clubbed you when you did run.

I and many other residents of River ward see right through you and this blog Blake and it really is very sad.

I know you won’t allow this to be posted either.

# 26 June 2011 at 8:35 am

Lee M said:

Blake,

There comes a time when some people can’t see past their own issues to the real point of what is going on. I have often felt that Maria has her own agenda and it rarely seems to match the broader community.

I do not see why there was not some meeting planned by the city to talk to the residence and tell them up front what was being contemplated and how it might fit with what was going on at the time. This was obviously not done and she is there trying to say “aren’t we good see what we have done for you” whitout enough community impute.

I don’t know who Howie R is but I did not see Blake put any words into Maria’s mouth. Her actions and words spoke for themselves. I disagree with your message and the way you transmit it.

# 28 June 2011 at 10:39 am