Once again the Ottawa Council on aging has an age-friendly winter walkability and pedestrian safety program that audits winter walking conditions for seniors and other valuable persons. It runs from January 1st to March 31st 2020. The FHACA walking group is taking part in this program.
Information is available at www.coaottawa.ca/snowmoles and residents can take part by walking with the group, walking with others or walking by yourself.
The questionnaire is available at the website and should be completed and submitted after walking. The results of the completed questionnaires will be used to report walking conditions and inform the city of problems walkers encounter.
If you encounter something you consider dangerous you can report it on a questionnaire but also call the city at 311 for quick resolution. The 2019 snow mole report is available on the website.
Recently we have been made aware of some not so nice activities. On Kayburn, off Farlane, a minivan was broken into. The driver’s window was smashed and some food was stolen from the vehicle.
Unfortunately a serious issue is the theft of packages from front porches. Recently a home owner on Trillium posted a clip in which we can see a large package being stolen from his front porch. In brought daylight no less. While amusing to watch, this is becoming a serious issue in the world of on line shopping. See the article and the clip on the Ottawa Citizen here. Sadly, instructions to leave a package in a certain place are not always followed up by the delivery person. (for example ‘deliver at side door’).
Screen capture from YouTube video showing a woman caught on camera taking an Amazon delivery from doorstep
About a year ago, a number of cars on Sutton Place were broken into (not all cars were locked) and one car’s rear window was smashed. There is sometimes some suspicious activity (drugs?) going on in the parking lot at our community centre.
Our neighbourhood is generally a very safe neighbourhood, but things happen. Without becoming paranoid, it is always good to keep an eye on what is going on in your street.
If crafts, home baked goods, honey and candles, jewellery and succulents and more are your thing, then you should definitely not miss this weekend’s craft fair at the curling club on Capilano: 9 am to 1 pm. Vendor spots still available.
Councillors to consult with residents in advance of 2020 budget
A resident talks to Councillor Egli during a bicycle festival in Fisher Heights
Ottawa residents will have several opportunities in the coming weeks to inform the City’s draft 2020 budget. Starting on Tuesday, October 15, City Councillors have organized a series of multi-ward sessions where residents can share budget comments and provide input on priorities and potential savings.
City staff will consider the suggestions and ideas arising from these consultations as they develop the draft budget, which will be tabled at City Council on Wednesday, November 6.
The City has budget background information and resource materials to help you contribute to the conversation.Join councillor Keith Egli in the budget talk tonight, October 28. Unfortunately this means you will have to sit in traffic as the meeting start exactly at rush hour.
5:30 pm to 7 pm Walter Baker Sports Centre – Food Court, 100 Malvern Drive, Barrhaven
Ward 3 – Barrhaven (Councillor Jan Harder)
Ward 9 – Knoxdale-Merivale (Councillor Keith Egli)
Ward 22 – Gloucester-South Nepean (Councillor Carol Anne Meehan)
You will have likely received your paper copy of our community newsletter in your mailbox by now. We also maintain our newsletters on line since last month all the way back to 2014! For the latest November 2019 newsletter, go to this page and open or download the latest copy.
While Benson is not in the Fisher Heights and Area, it is close enough to share with you this email update from Councillor Egli:
Benson runs between Inverness Ave and General Burns Park. The red dot indicates more or less where the shooting took place
Recent shooting on Benson St
From: Egli, Keith Keith.Egli@ottawa.ca Date: Wed, Oct 23, 2019 at 1:07 PM Subject: Community Update
Good afternoon,
If you are receiving this email it is because you have contacted my office about the recent shooting on Benson Avenue. This email is meant to serve as an update and consolidation of the information my office has so far.
Firstly, let me express my extreme concern around this event. This sort of incident should not be happening in Ottawa.
Secondly, I want to thank those of you that contacted the Ottawa Police Services (OPS) and provided assistance to them in the ongoing investigation.
I have been in dialogue with members of OPS and By-Law Services since early Sunday morning, including the Chiefs of both services. I have also had discussions with the Mayor’s Office.
Active investigation
The Police have an active investigation ongoing. Upon arrival, no victims were located although it appeared that a house party had been taking place as numerous people had fled the area. A short time later, two males, one of 19 and the other of 20 years old, presented themselves at 2 different Ottawa hospitals. Each suffering from gunshot wounds. One male is in critical but stable condition and the second male was treated and released. It is believed that both males were at the house party.
By-Law Services has been carrying out an investigation of this address for the last while and have compiled a package of evidence for consideration by the City of Ottawa’s Legal Department. The Legal Department carries out the prosecution. It is my understanding that charges are pending with regard to this address. Once again, thank you to all of you that have cooperated with the By-Law Officers.
It is also my understanding that the address is no longer listed on Air BnB.
Next steps
As for next steps, I will be doing the following. I will be urging By-Law Services and the Legal Department to move the prosecution forward. I will also be following up with Ottawa Police Services on their investigation into the shootings. I will provide updates as information becomes available.
Special meeting of the Community and Protective Services
I will continue to prepare for the special meeting of the Community and Protective Services Committee on November 15, 2019. This is a public meeting to consider potential changes on how we regulate short term rentals in Ottawa. This is a process I have been very supportive of as the Vice Chair of this Committee. I would urge those of you that are available, to attend this meeting and express your questions and feedback on this report which is estimated to be published on November 4, 2019. I will make sure you are all sent a copy when it is released.
Frustrating and time consuming
I know that the various processes that the City engages in with regard to investigations and prosecutions can be frustrating and time consuming; there are a number of factors that contribute this. Some are in the City’s control and some are governed by other levels of government, such as the Court system. I have arranged with OPS and By-Law for there to be one point of contact for any questions or concerns you may have.
Contact information
The representatives and their contact information are as follows:
Of course, you can always contact my office; my staff and I will assist as much as we can.
I can assure you that I take this situation very seriously and it is my hope that with your assistance the City can create a more robust and responsive regulatory approach to short term rentals
Thank you,
Councillor Keith Egli
Elected Representative to Ward 9 Knoxdale-Merivale
Si vous avez des questions à propos de l’Étude sur les logements locatifs, vous pouvez communiquer avec moi, aux coordonnées ci-après.
SIncerely, Cordialement,
Jerrod Riley By-law Review Specialist | Spécialiste, Examen des règlements municipaux Emergency and Protective Services / Services de protection et d’urgence Tel / tél. : 613-580-2424, ext. / poste 13580
