It was a very unhappy weekend in Ottawa as we learned through the news of two untimely deaths.
First there was Ottawa Sun journalist, Earl McRae who passed suddenly while at work.  I read McRae’s pieces often and although not always agreeing with his take on topics, felt I could understand clearly his point of view.  His sometimes sarcastic writing style made me chuckle.  He knew how to make a point.
My one personal interaction with him two and a half years ago was when I chaired the Martin Luther King Jr. …

I read the story in this weekend’s Ottawa Citizen regarding the racial profiling claim against Const. Robin Ferrie (Chief denies profiling in traffic stop).
I refer you to my blog on July 7, 2011 (It’s not that black and white).  I know a case where three young white men were stopped while driving because one of the passengers, in that constable’s opinion, made some suspicious movements as his police car drove by.  Very similar to this case where two young black men were pulled over.  So for me, being pulled over …

Both the Ottawa Citizen and CBC ran stories today regarding the recusal of Mathieu Fleury from the debate of a proposed new Claridge property in  Bruyère community.
Ouch.  They don’t call it a “conflict” of interest for nothing.
From what they reported in the media, this was a difficult decision for Mathieu.
Neighbours in the community were terribly upset to hear the news that Councillor Fleury would have to recuse himself from any discussion and vote on this property as his father works for the developer.  Many of them voted for the councillor …

The title of the book by Randall Denely, The Perfect Candidate, would lead one to believe that Denley himself has always had a secret dream to be such a candidate for public office but “perfect” might be over the top.
So if not the perfect candidate, he is at least the star candidate for the PC party in the Ottawa-Carleton region.  In what is a surprise announcement to most – although I heard that Sun columnist Sue Sherring had tweeted of this potential announcement some weeks back (kudos Sue) – Randall …

Strong democracies ask citizens to do much more than merely mark a ballot at election time, and ask much more of governments than simply enabling citizens to vote. They take concrete steps to foster vital citizen engagement and participation in on-going public issues, governance and policy making.
The lack of meaningful and effective public consultation is a part of the broader problem of an inadequate level of citizen participation and engagement in our political system, especially at the municipal level.  Residents feel alienated from our political process because “consultation” often takes …

Today, Ken Gray of the Ottawa Citizen blogs about local Conservative candidates skipping debates, The Case Of The Missing Tories.  He cites MP Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke), MP Royal Galipeau (Ottawa-Orleans) and candidate Elie Salibi (Ottawa South) as Conservatives who have decided not to participate in local debates.  According to Salibi who was asked about this at yesterday’s Editorial Board meeting for Ottawa South candidates, his answer was clear.  He would rather go door knocking that put aside the time to prepare and attend a debate.  Those hours are better spent …

Here is my comment to Ken Gray on Garbage-gate:
Ken,

This whole garbage consultation and discussion is a sham and a waste of taxpayers time and money.  And returning councillors and city staff know it too.

When the green bin program was passed by the previous council, it was known by everyone that in order to make the Orgaworld contract to be financially viable, the city would have to move to bi-weekly garbage.  Staff told councillors this and councillors voted for the green bin program knowing this.  The only change the …

First let me state that I have to be careful how I word this blog.  As a member of the Seniors’ Advisory Committee (SAC), I am bound by certain code of conduct rules that limit the extent of what I say and write.  Sure hope I stay inside the lines…
With that disclaimer out of the way, let me tell you that there is a clash coming at transit commission.  That’s because, according to OC Transpo themselves, they are bilking Ottawa seniors up to $4M per year in higher bus fares …

Note to Newbies: There is a lesson to be learned somewhere in this debacle…read on…
Both Sue Sherring of the Ottawa Sun and Randall Denley of the Ottawa Citizen write about the green bin program:
City Hall math misleads by Randall Denley
Something stinks and it’s not the green bin waste by Sue Sherring
Denley takes on the truthiness of the numbers being discussed in regards to the costs to haul away regular garbage versus green garbage. He points out the numbers presented are not apples to apples comparison. Councillor …

With the election of this new council comprised of some strong veterans plus much needed new blood, I was expecting vigourous debate and public discussion on the pros and cons of important motions presented to council.  In the previous council, I often complained that meetings were too long and too much time was spent debating frivolous issues.  In this council, I’m starting to see the opposite developing.  That is, no discussion at all on issues that should be deliberated.
I’m not going to rehash many of the points that Randall Denely …