CFRA's polling on today's leaders continues today with Barack Obama trailing Larry O'Brien. Just over 60% of the nearly 2,000 people responding felt that Larry O'Brien was doing a good, very good, or excellent job. So far, Barack Obama isn't scoring as high as the Ottawa mayor. Gotta chuckle ...
Of course, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's support is in the 80 percent range - and conversely, Dalton McGuinty is rated as doing a poor, or very poor job, by the same amount.
None of this is actually useful information - but it's Christmas - and after last night's Sens game we needed a laugh.
We'll be putting up a poll for your votes on who you'd choose for your mayor in 2010 given the current choices - rumoured or otherwise. Just for fun ...
All the best to you and yours ... Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Watson: "Damned City Holler - okay people - reschedule"
By our math, Mayor Larry O'Brien has only been 'back at work' for 137 days. In early August the Mayor was cleared of politically-motivated charges and a malicious prosecution. As we head into the Christmas break the Mayor is said to be mulling his political future with family and friends....but we know what he'll do.
It's no small wonder that O'Brien might decide to sling the chain of office to the floor and watch Jim Watson and Alex Cullen scramble for it - but there have been some significant in-roads made on some of the biggest projects undertaken in this city - and O'Brien, along with members of council, should be quite pleased with that progress.
Despite what the likes of Sue Sherring and Ken Gray have to say (what a charming couple they'd make) the Mayor has some accomplishments of which he can be proud. You may not agree with some of the directions taken by council on these issues - but of late, the Mayor has been fighting down the tax increase needed to sustain council's appetite for spending; he has received the nod of approval (and $600 million) from Premier Dalton McGuinty on the transit plan (which makes the $37 million to get out of a bad deal look like a pittance); the Ottawa River pollution concerns have been addressed and approved by Environment Commissioner Gord Miller (who was dragged here by Jim Watson in an attempt by Watson to play the hero); the drug rehabilitation centre (desperately sought by Chief Vern White) is on the way; Lansdowne Park's rejuvenation has been approved; and the City's composting program (the green bin) has virtually begun.
As we said, you may not agree with all of these - and you may say that councillors like Peter Hume won things like the green bin program. Larry O'Brien himself is the first to give credit to those councillors who worked on these various files - but all in all - well - not bad for a first term mayor. This, especially given the fact that O'Brien was new to politics - and was overshadowed by a selective prosecution - forced to go through a serious trial - and now has spent only 137 days back on the job. Citizen and Sun columnists would do well to give proper consideration of the aforementioned before apportioning blame or 'poor grades'.
Not to worry - we'll show Sue Sherring how a "report card" on city council should really be written - and we'll set our considerable biases aside. If only she had ...
Now - on to our predictions...
We figure we already messed up Jim Watson's plans - and now it seems he asked Dalton McGuinty to delay the cabinet shuffle until mid-January. Watson's last use of his Ministerial office will be his New Year's Levee at Ben Franklin Place on January 10th. He has already sent out hundreds of invitations - so watch for him to quit his job that day.
Now that we've said that, he'll probably have to think of another time ... especially if that Levee is supported by taxpayer dollars. Uh oh - now we've really done it ... sorry Jim.
The first in line on January 4th (the first day to register for the municipal election) will be Alex Cullen. Actually, he won't be in line at all - he'll be meeting with Rick O'Connor (the City Solicitor and Clerk). That's scheduled for 8:30 on the morning of the 4th - and Alex will be off to the races.
Stuffed between the ropes of the actual line in the office at City Hall will be the infamous Terry Kilrea. The one-time mayoral candidate, turned council candidate, turned accuser with "frail" testimony, will be signing up for a second shot at Bay Ward (currently held by Alex Cullen). Mr. Kilrea has invited the media - but no one is taking him seriously. He'll likely be off to share some eggrolls with a 'reporter' immediately following.
Some are suggesting that Terry Kilrea will ultimately be the undoing of Jim Watson ... and we've been doing some digging too. We were wondering just how long Jim Watson has been plotting against Larry O'Brien - and you'll be intrigued by what we found.
All in good time ...
Speaking of Terry Kilrea - here's a fun 'prediction' just for one 'person' to enjoy: Terry's favorite tabloid-blog will be taking a bit of a break over the next few days. Just remember - what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas ...
Lastly - you can call this a prediction - or call it advice: Larry O'Brien will only announce that he doesn't want to campaign for a year when the citizens of Ottawa elected him to be Mayor for four. We figure that O'Brien doesn't need to rush headlong into a campaign with some important work left to do as the head of council. All the files we mentioned previously remain active and will need the steady hand of leadership at the helm.
Do we think O'Brien will ultimately have his name on the ballot? Of course. This is a man who professes his love of Ottawa at every opportunity. We cannot imagine that he'd hand over the reins to the likes of Alex Cullen or Jim Watson. O'Brien will work hard to steer his projects through the council labyrinth - and voters will reward him in October for keeping his head down and doing the job he was elected to do.
Some might suggest that Jim Watson should have spent more time doing his current job too - but he's apparently been working on another all the while.
In case we don't see you - Merry Christmas! Watch for a new poll on our site - and that 'report card' we promised ...
cityhollerblogspot@gmail.com
It's no small wonder that O'Brien might decide to sling the chain of office to the floor and watch Jim Watson and Alex Cullen scramble for it - but there have been some significant in-roads made on some of the biggest projects undertaken in this city - and O'Brien, along with members of council, should be quite pleased with that progress.
Despite what the likes of Sue Sherring and Ken Gray have to say (what a charming couple they'd make) the Mayor has some accomplishments of which he can be proud. You may not agree with some of the directions taken by council on these issues - but of late, the Mayor has been fighting down the tax increase needed to sustain council's appetite for spending; he has received the nod of approval (and $600 million) from Premier Dalton McGuinty on the transit plan (which makes the $37 million to get out of a bad deal look like a pittance); the Ottawa River pollution concerns have been addressed and approved by Environment Commissioner Gord Miller (who was dragged here by Jim Watson in an attempt by Watson to play the hero); the drug rehabilitation centre (desperately sought by Chief Vern White) is on the way; Lansdowne Park's rejuvenation has been approved; and the City's composting program (the green bin) has virtually begun.
As we said, you may not agree with all of these - and you may say that councillors like Peter Hume won things like the green bin program. Larry O'Brien himself is the first to give credit to those councillors who worked on these various files - but all in all - well - not bad for a first term mayor. This, especially given the fact that O'Brien was new to politics - and was overshadowed by a selective prosecution - forced to go through a serious trial - and now has spent only 137 days back on the job. Citizen and Sun columnists would do well to give proper consideration of the aforementioned before apportioning blame or 'poor grades'.
Not to worry - we'll show Sue Sherring how a "report card" on city council should really be written - and we'll set our considerable biases aside. If only she had ...
Now - on to our predictions...
We figure we already messed up Jim Watson's plans - and now it seems he asked Dalton McGuinty to delay the cabinet shuffle until mid-January. Watson's last use of his Ministerial office will be his New Year's Levee at Ben Franklin Place on January 10th. He has already sent out hundreds of invitations - so watch for him to quit his job that day.
Now that we've said that, he'll probably have to think of another time ... especially if that Levee is supported by taxpayer dollars. Uh oh - now we've really done it ... sorry Jim.
The first in line on January 4th (the first day to register for the municipal election) will be Alex Cullen. Actually, he won't be in line at all - he'll be meeting with Rick O'Connor (the City Solicitor and Clerk). That's scheduled for 8:30 on the morning of the 4th - and Alex will be off to the races.
Stuffed between the ropes of the actual line in the office at City Hall will be the infamous Terry Kilrea. The one-time mayoral candidate, turned council candidate, turned accuser with "frail" testimony, will be signing up for a second shot at Bay Ward (currently held by Alex Cullen). Mr. Kilrea has invited the media - but no one is taking him seriously. He'll likely be off to share some eggrolls with a 'reporter' immediately following.
Some are suggesting that Terry Kilrea will ultimately be the undoing of Jim Watson ... and we've been doing some digging too. We were wondering just how long Jim Watson has been plotting against Larry O'Brien - and you'll be intrigued by what we found.
All in good time ...
Speaking of Terry Kilrea - here's a fun 'prediction' just for one 'person' to enjoy: Terry's favorite tabloid-blog will be taking a bit of a break over the next few days. Just remember - what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas ...
Lastly - you can call this a prediction - or call it advice: Larry O'Brien will only announce that he doesn't want to campaign for a year when the citizens of Ottawa elected him to be Mayor for four. We figure that O'Brien doesn't need to rush headlong into a campaign with some important work left to do as the head of council. All the files we mentioned previously remain active and will need the steady hand of leadership at the helm.
Do we think O'Brien will ultimately have his name on the ballot? Of course. This is a man who professes his love of Ottawa at every opportunity. We cannot imagine that he'd hand over the reins to the likes of Alex Cullen or Jim Watson. O'Brien will work hard to steer his projects through the council labyrinth - and voters will reward him in October for keeping his head down and doing the job he was elected to do.
Some might suggest that Jim Watson should have spent more time doing his current job too - but he's apparently been working on another all the while.
In case we don't see you - Merry Christmas! Watch for a new poll on our site - and that 'report card' we promised ...
cityhollerblogspot@gmail.com
Monday, December 21, 2009
Jim Watson: "Well, at least I thought you were great, Sue"
That Sue Sherring "report card" sure had people fired up yesterday. Tough to find any who agree with her evaluation of city council. We must remind our readers, by the way, to avoid derogatory comments that aren't on the subject matter. That said, here is Susan's response to the "report card" reaction:
"Yikes. Seems my city hall report card which ran in Sunday's Sun has upset more than a few people. An overwhelming number of readers have responded to the column, suggesting I was far too generous with many of my marks. Readers are clearly angry with this present city council and many wrote that Fs all-around would have been far more appropriate. Others want to see me turfed from the job, an action I sure hope my Sun bosses don't go for.
Doing the report cards is never easy. But in case anyone is wondering, the assessments are based on having watched this group for many years. And while I would agree that as a group, they've failed to come together, many of them are trying to improve things - and move the city's agenda forward in a positive fashion."
Fair enough Susan - but the "city's agenda" on LRT, Lansdowne Park, the Ottawa River, waste diversion, and the like, have all been hard-fought (and won) by the Mayor and members of council. Some councillors however (read Clive Doucet) oppose the "city's agenda" and rail against the Mayor and many on council at every turn ... yet you score them well? Oh well - it's all in fun right?
Speaking of fun - on Friday night Jim Watson had his usual Christmas 'do' - it was nice to hear that City Holler was even the topic of conversation in some corners of the main floor. Some councillors were there - but no mayor (despite O'Brien's presence in years previous) ...
It would seem that the relationship between Watson and O'Brien will be 'all business' from now on. Tough to be 'friends' when one 'friend' is after the other's job ...
There's a nice picture of the former city clerk turned union rep., Pierre Pagé, in today's Citizen - with his arm slung around Councillor Steve Desroches while at Watson's Christmas party - sweet really.
Now that Pagé has received his apology from the City Manager it's all smiles. We wonder if Jim Watson will be looking for the union vote ... of course that fight would be between Alex Cullen and Jim Watson - especially since Larry O'Brien has already drawn a line in the sand against ATU 279 (at least). Most in this city don't want to be bullied by unions - so we think O'Brien is right to disregard their political influence and let Watson pander to them instead.
O'Brien is quoted in today's Metro again calling the 600 million dollar endorsement of his transit plan a "game-changer" and discussing his focus on securing federal funding. Here's the story.
Speaking of good news stories, Gary Dimmock (the reporter who "broke" the Kilrea allegations against Larry O'Brien) has some more astounding news. This time the famed investigative reporter has unearthed the secret ingredient in the Golden Palace's egg roll sauce ... it's pumpkin! We should have known ... always thought so. The full story is here. There's even a mention of Jim Watson inside ... how nice.
How the mighty have fallen.
Lastly - our prediction on Watson's announcement was apparently 'right on the money'. So much so, in fact, that the Minister did indeed revamp his plans after we stripped the wind from his sails. Not to worry - we have the new date - and a bonafide prediction on what Larry O'Brien will say in the new year ...
Come and see us tomorrow for the scoop ...
cityhollerblogspot@gmail.com
"Yikes. Seems my city hall report card which ran in Sunday's Sun has upset more than a few people. An overwhelming number of readers have responded to the column, suggesting I was far too generous with many of my marks. Readers are clearly angry with this present city council and many wrote that Fs all-around would have been far more appropriate. Others want to see me turfed from the job, an action I sure hope my Sun bosses don't go for.
Doing the report cards is never easy. But in case anyone is wondering, the assessments are based on having watched this group for many years. And while I would agree that as a group, they've failed to come together, many of them are trying to improve things - and move the city's agenda forward in a positive fashion."
Fair enough Susan - but the "city's agenda" on LRT, Lansdowne Park, the Ottawa River, waste diversion, and the like, have all been hard-fought (and won) by the Mayor and members of council. Some councillors however (read Clive Doucet) oppose the "city's agenda" and rail against the Mayor and many on council at every turn ... yet you score them well? Oh well - it's all in fun right?
Speaking of fun - on Friday night Jim Watson had his usual Christmas 'do' - it was nice to hear that City Holler was even the topic of conversation in some corners of the main floor. Some councillors were there - but no mayor (despite O'Brien's presence in years previous) ...
It would seem that the relationship between Watson and O'Brien will be 'all business' from now on. Tough to be 'friends' when one 'friend' is after the other's job ...
There's a nice picture of the former city clerk turned union rep., Pierre Pagé, in today's Citizen - with his arm slung around Councillor Steve Desroches while at Watson's Christmas party - sweet really.
Now that Pagé has received his apology from the City Manager it's all smiles. We wonder if Jim Watson will be looking for the union vote ... of course that fight would be between Alex Cullen and Jim Watson - especially since Larry O'Brien has already drawn a line in the sand against ATU 279 (at least). Most in this city don't want to be bullied by unions - so we think O'Brien is right to disregard their political influence and let Watson pander to them instead.
O'Brien is quoted in today's Metro again calling the 600 million dollar endorsement of his transit plan a "game-changer" and discussing his focus on securing federal funding. Here's the story.
Speaking of good news stories, Gary Dimmock (the reporter who "broke" the Kilrea allegations against Larry O'Brien) has some more astounding news. This time the famed investigative reporter has unearthed the secret ingredient in the Golden Palace's egg roll sauce ... it's pumpkin! We should have known ... always thought so. The full story is here. There's even a mention of Jim Watson inside ... how nice.
How the mighty have fallen.
Lastly - our prediction on Watson's announcement was apparently 'right on the money'. So much so, in fact, that the Minister did indeed revamp his plans after we stripped the wind from his sails. Not to worry - we have the new date - and a bonafide prediction on what Larry O'Brien will say in the new year ...
Come and see us tomorrow for the scoop ...
cityhollerblogspot@gmail.com
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sue Sherring's report - fun for the whole family ...
Sometimes it is infuriating to send our readers to publications who profit from our efforts, while we ourselves seek only the gains of fairness. Unfortunately, it must be done in order to expose their fallibility.
It's easy to send our readers to peruse Randall Denley's column at the Citizen as his work is worth every penny he makes from it. Today he analyzes the McGuinty move to study the potential sale of assets - from LCBO to OLG - and beyond. Sensible authorship with a well-reasoned approach ...
Here is Sir Denley's latest.
Of course you know that our saccharin-sweet praise for one columnist is merely a segue to the opposite. Today the Sun's Susan Sherring has released her "report card" for the Mayor and city council. The lowest score on her report card was reserved for Mayor Larry O'Brien - a D+. No surprise really, given the source. Better than a D, E, or F we suppose ...
If you're up for it - there's a video you just have to see. By clicking our link you'll find exciting special effects (love the slow motion etching of a big D+ on the chalkboard, Sue) - the set design is flawless (with junk strewn everywhere) - and what can we say about the hair, make-up and costume design?
Watch Sue's video report here - it really is must watch TV.
Let's put it this way - it's a good thing we're not grading columnists today.
Most of Sue's meaningless report card is exactly that because she dished out B-range grades to nearly everyone at the council table. The occasional C was awarded to the likes of Feltmate and Brooks - even a D for Jacques Legendre - but the rationale is flimsy at best. Hopefully the councillors don't take this stuff too seriously either.
We had a teacher like Sherring once - she used to chide the smart kids for knowing more than her - but she always seemed to have time to coddle her favorites. She never explained her marks either - usually just scribbling an F in red pen on our "Dear Journal" entries.
This particular teacher - we remember - really didn't like that well-adjusted, well-groomed kid from a wealthy family who sat at the back of the room. Come to think of it - that kid's name was Lawrence. He went on to a life of success and riches - but the best thing about Lawrence when faced with undue criticism from that teacher? He just didn't care.
Look for our version of the council "report card" soon ...
cityhollerblogspot@gmail.com
It's easy to send our readers to peruse Randall Denley's column at the Citizen as his work is worth every penny he makes from it. Today he analyzes the McGuinty move to study the potential sale of assets - from LCBO to OLG - and beyond. Sensible authorship with a well-reasoned approach ...
Here is Sir Denley's latest.
Of course you know that our saccharin-sweet praise for one columnist is merely a segue to the opposite. Today the Sun's Susan Sherring has released her "report card" for the Mayor and city council. The lowest score on her report card was reserved for Mayor Larry O'Brien - a D+. No surprise really, given the source. Better than a D, E, or F we suppose ...
If you're up for it - there's a video you just have to see. By clicking our link you'll find exciting special effects (love the slow motion etching of a big D+ on the chalkboard, Sue) - the set design is flawless (with junk strewn everywhere) - and what can we say about the hair, make-up and costume design?
Watch Sue's video report here - it really is must watch TV.
Let's put it this way - it's a good thing we're not grading columnists today.
Most of Sue's meaningless report card is exactly that because she dished out B-range grades to nearly everyone at the council table. The occasional C was awarded to the likes of Feltmate and Brooks - even a D for Jacques Legendre - but the rationale is flimsy at best. Hopefully the councillors don't take this stuff too seriously either.
We had a teacher like Sherring once - she used to chide the smart kids for knowing more than her - but she always seemed to have time to coddle her favorites. She never explained her marks either - usually just scribbling an F in red pen on our "Dear Journal" entries.
This particular teacher - we remember - really didn't like that well-adjusted, well-groomed kid from a wealthy family who sat at the back of the room. Come to think of it - that kid's name was Lawrence. He went on to a life of success and riches - but the best thing about Lawrence when faced with undue criticism from that teacher? He just didn't care.
Look for our version of the council "report card" soon ...
cityhollerblogspot@gmail.com
Saturday, December 19, 2009
McGuinty: "You're doin' good, Larry - real good"
Yesterday's funding announcement by Premier Dalton McGuinty serves as a ringing endorsement of the City's new, comprehensive, transit proposal. The $600 million is to be spent over the next eight to ten years and the City now awaits the promise of federal funding.
Here's the Citizen piece on McGuinty's announcement.
The announcement has left us with some interesting questions regarding Mr. McGuinty's timing. With McGuinty endorsing Larry O'Brien's "reset" on the file - many wonder if that has left Jim Watson well out of the loop. We haven't forgotten Watson's attempts to undermine confidence in the plan - and we won't let others forget it either. Thankfully, Candidate Watson only ever did so through the media - which leaves us with a tidy collection of his phrasing. More than that, the City has now acquired Derek Puddicombe to its ranks (Jim's favorite media contact, formerly of SunMedia) and one can only guess how Derek's communications strategy will benefit from his inside knowledge.
"Know thine enemy" - as they say ... and we're not talking politically here - we mean the enemy of progress.
Our readers know that we are generally supportive of Mayor Larry O'Brien - much the same as they know another blog dislikes him - a lot. That doesn't make us irrational, however. Let's just say that the Mayor needed some good news after the salivating dogs were nipping at him again (we're disappointed in you Donna Casey) ...
Interestingly, when you sit back and look at the big picture - this mayor had to endure two years of suspicion, a serious trial that might have ended his career and smeared his personal reputation, and he admits that the learning curve was a steep one in the mayoral role. Despite these significant hurdles - and a council that hasn't always enjoyed having Mr. O'Brien at the helm - we are starting to notice that more has been accomplished in the past three years than many might realize.
Whether you agree with the direction chosen by council on some items (or not) the fact remains that only under Mayor Larry O'Brien's tenure have we seen these significant steps forward - from Lansdowne Park's rejuvenation to the Downtown Tunnel and LRT plan to the Green Bin to the Congress Centre rebuild and even to the cleanup of the Ottawa River. Each of which are yet to be fully constructed, fulfilled or implemented - but after decades of toiling before O'Brien's term - we're much closer to seeing something actually done on these files.
We call that miraculous.
Even Randall Denley says that "the city that can't" has finally done something. Here's Mr. Denley's column.
After having devoted a few days this past week to analyzing Jim Watson, some still think we put him off announcing his mayoral run. Could it be that with Mayor Larry O'Brien's success, and with Premier McGuinty saying such good things about O'Brien, that Watson will stay where he is at the Province? That might make the mayoral race less exciting for us - heck - we might even have to stop writing - but it would be the right thing to do.
Now we'd need O'Brien to commit to running again - but even if he didn't - history will show that his tumultuous first (and perhaps only) term resulted in city-building like never before ...
We don't know - maybe we're getting soft - but McGuinty did a good thing yesterday and we appreciate it. We hope O'Brien will take a chance and be given a chance in 2010. And if Jim Watson takes our advice - well - we'll see ...
cityhollerblogspot@gmail.com
Here's the Citizen piece on McGuinty's announcement.
The announcement has left us with some interesting questions regarding Mr. McGuinty's timing. With McGuinty endorsing Larry O'Brien's "reset" on the file - many wonder if that has left Jim Watson well out of the loop. We haven't forgotten Watson's attempts to undermine confidence in the plan - and we won't let others forget it either. Thankfully, Candidate Watson only ever did so through the media - which leaves us with a tidy collection of his phrasing. More than that, the City has now acquired Derek Puddicombe to its ranks (Jim's favorite media contact, formerly of SunMedia) and one can only guess how Derek's communications strategy will benefit from his inside knowledge.
"Know thine enemy" - as they say ... and we're not talking politically here - we mean the enemy of progress.
Our readers know that we are generally supportive of Mayor Larry O'Brien - much the same as they know another blog dislikes him - a lot. That doesn't make us irrational, however. Let's just say that the Mayor needed some good news after the salivating dogs were nipping at him again (we're disappointed in you Donna Casey) ...
Interestingly, when you sit back and look at the big picture - this mayor had to endure two years of suspicion, a serious trial that might have ended his career and smeared his personal reputation, and he admits that the learning curve was a steep one in the mayoral role. Despite these significant hurdles - and a council that hasn't always enjoyed having Mr. O'Brien at the helm - we are starting to notice that more has been accomplished in the past three years than many might realize.
Whether you agree with the direction chosen by council on some items (or not) the fact remains that only under Mayor Larry O'Brien's tenure have we seen these significant steps forward - from Lansdowne Park's rejuvenation to the Downtown Tunnel and LRT plan to the Green Bin to the Congress Centre rebuild and even to the cleanup of the Ottawa River. Each of which are yet to be fully constructed, fulfilled or implemented - but after decades of toiling before O'Brien's term - we're much closer to seeing something actually done on these files.
We call that miraculous.
Even Randall Denley says that "the city that can't" has finally done something. Here's Mr. Denley's column.
After having devoted a few days this past week to analyzing Jim Watson, some still think we put him off announcing his mayoral run. Could it be that with Mayor Larry O'Brien's success, and with Premier McGuinty saying such good things about O'Brien, that Watson will stay where he is at the Province? That might make the mayoral race less exciting for us - heck - we might even have to stop writing - but it would be the right thing to do.
Now we'd need O'Brien to commit to running again - but even if he didn't - history will show that his tumultuous first (and perhaps only) term resulted in city-building like never before ...
We don't know - maybe we're getting soft - but McGuinty did a good thing yesterday and we appreciate it. We hope O'Brien will take a chance and be given a chance in 2010. And if Jim Watson takes our advice - well - we'll see ...
cityhollerblogspot@gmail.com
Friday, December 18, 2009
Keep an ear to the ground ...
We'll be spending today slinking around City Hall. As soon as we have something worth reporting - you shall have it.
Just for fun we thought we'd repost a comment we wrote and directed to a regular (and antagonistic) reader yesterday who suggested we were "worried" about Jim Watson. Since we are not employed by the City or Mayor Larry O'Brien (despite the reader's incessant implications) - in truth - we "worry" very little ... in fact, we welcome Mr. Watson as a function of democracy. It's true that we are supportive of Mayor O'Brien - you might even say that our support was strengthened because of this reader.
Anyway - just for kicks:
"The Man said...
5:18PM - some would say that the pressure is applied by City Holler - not the other way 'round.
Some might even suggest we put Mr. Watson off announcing his intentions by announcing our own prediction.
It is of little consequence to us either way.
Thank you so very much, however, for your concern ...
In response - we think you have earned a rest ...
Our records indicate that your presence on this website has occupied precisely 264 minutes and 59 seconds of your time today. That total reflects over four hours of your day and does not include any measurement of your wasted efforts on the zeromeanszero blog.
By the way - you also read 36 separate City Holler daily entries.
And you think we're worried?
Perhaps you were simply reminiscing about the trial you brought upon Mayor O'Brien, or perhaps you just enjoy reading your own name - over and over again.
Don't fret - other concerned parties have spent considerable time roaming the "holls" of City Holler today, but we do not normally engage in revelation of our readers' habits.
For you, however, we have made this singular exception.
Your endorsement of mayoral candidates, other blogs, union presidents, etc., is certainly a highly sought commodity. Clearly, we shall have to work harder to secure the same respect you have given Candidate Watson.
Have a very pleasant evening sir, and thank you for reading."
We'll catch up soon....
Just for fun we thought we'd repost a comment we wrote and directed to a regular (and antagonistic) reader yesterday who suggested we were "worried" about Jim Watson. Since we are not employed by the City or Mayor Larry O'Brien (despite the reader's incessant implications) - in truth - we "worry" very little ... in fact, we welcome Mr. Watson as a function of democracy. It's true that we are supportive of Mayor O'Brien - you might even say that our support was strengthened because of this reader.
Anyway - just for kicks:
"The Man said...
5:18PM - some would say that the pressure is applied by City Holler - not the other way 'round.
Some might even suggest we put Mr. Watson off announcing his intentions by announcing our own prediction.
It is of little consequence to us either way.
Thank you so very much, however, for your concern ...
In response - we think you have earned a rest ...
Our records indicate that your presence on this website has occupied precisely 264 minutes and 59 seconds of your time today. That total reflects over four hours of your day and does not include any measurement of your wasted efforts on the zeromeanszero blog.
By the way - you also read 36 separate City Holler daily entries.
And you think we're worried?
Perhaps you were simply reminiscing about the trial you brought upon Mayor O'Brien, or perhaps you just enjoy reading your own name - over and over again.
Don't fret - other concerned parties have spent considerable time roaming the "holls" of City Holler today, but we do not normally engage in revelation of our readers' habits.
For you, however, we have made this singular exception.
Your endorsement of mayoral candidates, other blogs, union presidents, etc., is certainly a highly sought commodity. Clearly, we shall have to work harder to secure the same respect you have given Candidate Watson.
Have a very pleasant evening sir, and thank you for reading."
We'll catch up soon....
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Jim Watson: "Who is City Holler - and why don't they like me?"
Today's the big day for our pal Jim Watson - well - unless we messed up his plans anyway. It's really just a matter of time before the MPP quits his job (again) - and the clock is ticking toward Dalton McGuinty's cabinet shuffle ... any second now.
Jeff Polowin (of Hill and Knowlton) was interviewed yesterday by Rob Snow on CFRA and echoed our thoughts exactly. That interview is available at cfra.com.
Mayor Larry O'Brien's stance on protecting transit users from another winter strike is receiving mixed reviews - Kate Jaimet and Neco Cockburn have said exactly that in their article at the Citizen:
"Mixed reviews for bus lockout"
Not to be outdone, however, the Sun's Susan Sherring writes a cutting column on O'Brien's latest move. As always; and in the spirit of fairness:
Here's Sue's column.
We've enjoyed "Watson Week" but we're really waiting for the race to begin before saying more. We're going to set aside, for now, the half-million dollar expense of a by-election in Ottawa West-Nepean to be borne by taxpayers. Our biggest aggravation (it's not that we don't like you, Jim) is with the Minister leaving an important position that could have actually helped us here in Ottawa.
Quitting now demonstrates Watson's lack of commitment to the Province, its municipalities, and to Ottawa in particular. The MPP's backward step into the municipal fray - much like this sentence - will only serve as the latest in a string of Watson's unfinished ...
cityhollerblogspot@gmail.com
Jeff Polowin (of Hill and Knowlton) was interviewed yesterday by Rob Snow on CFRA and echoed our thoughts exactly. That interview is available at cfra.com.
Mayor Larry O'Brien's stance on protecting transit users from another winter strike is receiving mixed reviews - Kate Jaimet and Neco Cockburn have said exactly that in their article at the Citizen:
"Mixed reviews for bus lockout"
Not to be outdone, however, the Sun's Susan Sherring writes a cutting column on O'Brien's latest move. As always; and in the spirit of fairness:
Here's Sue's column.
We've enjoyed "Watson Week" but we're really waiting for the race to begin before saying more. We're going to set aside, for now, the half-million dollar expense of a by-election in Ottawa West-Nepean to be borne by taxpayers. Our biggest aggravation (it's not that we don't like you, Jim) is with the Minister leaving an important position that could have actually helped us here in Ottawa.
Quitting now demonstrates Watson's lack of commitment to the Province, its municipalities, and to Ottawa in particular. The MPP's backward step into the municipal fray - much like this sentence - will only serve as the latest in a string of Watson's unfinished ...
cityhollerblogspot@gmail.com
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
When the going gets tough - Watson gets going ...
Mayor Larry O'Brien is talking tough about Local ATU 279 - saying that he won't allow them to do to Ottawa residents what they did last winter. If rumblings are found to be favouring a strike at the end of the ATU contract with OC Transpo, O'Brien says he will lock them out in the summer months. Most people in this city still begrudge the drivers for the 53-day strike and might welcome a strong stance ...
Here's the Citizen report.
It's rather unlikely that Labour Council president Sean McKenny will appreciate the remarks - but since he likes to stick his nose into O'Brien's affairs - who said anything about payback? You'll recall that it was McKenny who pushed for charges to be laid against the Mayor - and you'll probably recall that McKenny said he "anonymously" received the Kilrea affidavit only to admit later that it was an organized pick-up from Kilrea's wife. Here's some of the court reporting from the Sun. McKenny is also the one still complaining to CBC's Cory O'Kelley - this time with tales of Calian earnings (even though Larry O'Brien recuses himself from any dealings between the City and his former company).
In other news, yesterday's Citizen carried a little letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing disputing an earlier article that had denounced Watson for shrugging off a report on social housing. The title reading: "Social Housing not my problem, Watson says". In his response, Watson stated:
"Does the Ontario government have work to do? Yes."
Yes, indeed. In fact there's plenty of work remaining on every issue in the Minister's portfolio ...
We've been asking the Minister to get down to work on fixing our broken system of municipal governance for quite some time. He has ignored experts who recommended changes too. Watson went so far as to call the idea of term limits "foolish". And we haven't forgotten that Watson also campaigned in favour of amalgamation.
Others have asked Watson for meaningful election financing reform. None to be had, apparently.
Still others have asked for anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) legislation that would protect small groups from developer lawsuits when the groups or individuals challenge the developer at the Ontario Municipal Board - Watson refused.
The federal government has asked Watson to deliver a housing strategy - he promised to get them something next year. Reports have called that a "delaying tactic".
The City has embarked on an ambitious transit plan that, at the very least, will require a tunnel (for buses or rail) - but Watson hasn't supported it - and hasn't offered any help on the file.
Watson and his government still haven't fully uploaded all the municipal costs it promised to - but they've happily legislated a harmonized tax that will burden an average family with an additional $2,500 per year in taxes. And we're saying nothing here of the "health levy" that has collected billions of our dollars - nor of the measly $300 million that Watson proudly touted yesterday that has been put into hospitals. Those are the same hospitals that are looking at a wage freeze ...
Now that the Liberal government of Ontario has plunged us into massive amounts of debt and lowered Ontario's economic standing from first - to worst - in the country, perhaps Watson makes a good predictor of the changing tides at Queen's Park and future Liberal fortunes.
We've seen Watson jump from many-a-ship - and the one he's on now is sinking. Lurching from one scandal to the next - and with all the hard work left to do in the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing - it's no wonder Watson would leave it now.
We alone predicted Watson's announcement this week - and now the mainstream media agrees. Watson's return to municipal politics, unfortunately, seems rather self-serving.
If Jim Watson had wanted to do anything positive for the City of Ottawa and its hard-working residents he had his chance ...
And completely missed it...
cityhollerblogspot@gmail.com
Here's the Citizen report.
It's rather unlikely that Labour Council president Sean McKenny will appreciate the remarks - but since he likes to stick his nose into O'Brien's affairs - who said anything about payback? You'll recall that it was McKenny who pushed for charges to be laid against the Mayor - and you'll probably recall that McKenny said he "anonymously" received the Kilrea affidavit only to admit later that it was an organized pick-up from Kilrea's wife. Here's some of the court reporting from the Sun. McKenny is also the one still complaining to CBC's Cory O'Kelley - this time with tales of Calian earnings (even though Larry O'Brien recuses himself from any dealings between the City and his former company).
In other news, yesterday's Citizen carried a little letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing disputing an earlier article that had denounced Watson for shrugging off a report on social housing. The title reading: "Social Housing not my problem, Watson says". In his response, Watson stated:
"Does the Ontario government have work to do? Yes."
Yes, indeed. In fact there's plenty of work remaining on every issue in the Minister's portfolio ...
We've been asking the Minister to get down to work on fixing our broken system of municipal governance for quite some time. He has ignored experts who recommended changes too. Watson went so far as to call the idea of term limits "foolish". And we haven't forgotten that Watson also campaigned in favour of amalgamation.
Others have asked Watson for meaningful election financing reform. None to be had, apparently.
Still others have asked for anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) legislation that would protect small groups from developer lawsuits when the groups or individuals challenge the developer at the Ontario Municipal Board - Watson refused.
The federal government has asked Watson to deliver a housing strategy - he promised to get them something next year. Reports have called that a "delaying tactic".
The City has embarked on an ambitious transit plan that, at the very least, will require a tunnel (for buses or rail) - but Watson hasn't supported it - and hasn't offered any help on the file.
Watson and his government still haven't fully uploaded all the municipal costs it promised to - but they've happily legislated a harmonized tax that will burden an average family with an additional $2,500 per year in taxes. And we're saying nothing here of the "health levy" that has collected billions of our dollars - nor of the measly $300 million that Watson proudly touted yesterday that has been put into hospitals. Those are the same hospitals that are looking at a wage freeze ...
Now that the Liberal government of Ontario has plunged us into massive amounts of debt and lowered Ontario's economic standing from first - to worst - in the country, perhaps Watson makes a good predictor of the changing tides at Queen's Park and future Liberal fortunes.
We've seen Watson jump from many-a-ship - and the one he's on now is sinking. Lurching from one scandal to the next - and with all the hard work left to do in the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing - it's no wonder Watson would leave it now.
We alone predicted Watson's announcement this week - and now the mainstream media agrees. Watson's return to municipal politics, unfortunately, seems rather self-serving.
If Jim Watson had wanted to do anything positive for the City of Ottawa and its hard-working residents he had his chance ...
And completely missed it...
cityhollerblogspot@gmail.com
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Watson Watch - will he, or won't he?
Uh-oh - sounds like we've upset the balance in Minister Jim Watson's plans to announce his mayoral intentions this week. We're hearing someone's pretty steamed. So while unfortunate cars were piling up on the northbound Hwy. 416 yesterday (no serious injuries thankfully), a different kind of pile-on began in Ottawa.
First off - it is with gratitude and humility that we learned of Lowell Green reading our blog - and sharing it with his listeners. Mr. Green led his show yesterday by reading from City Holler about Jim Watson - not to mention expressing our shared concerns about the green bin (it seems we're aligned on the plastics issue).
Today it's Citizen columnist Randall Denley joining the pile-on with a column questioning why Watson has avoided any meaningful election financing reform. According to Denley, Liberals on-the-whole rely heavily on corporate contributions. Bob Chiarelli was "numero uno" in accepting developer and corporate donations in the last election. One might imagine that Jim Watson will similarly rely heavily on developer contributions - and since he (for now) has the power to change the rules concerning those contributions - but hasn't - the question is whether Watson will be asking developers to 'repay' the favour when he runs for mayor.
Some will correctly question the ethics of Watson's action - or lack thereof - in his current role. If only he had properly (and appropriately) resigned from Cabinet, he might have avoided the optics of impropriety.
Randall Denley frames it this way:
"Eliminating corporate and union donations would have been a high-road decision by Watson and the provincial government, and by no means a radical one. Instead, they have opted for the status quo. It's a poor decision and it will look worse if Watson runs and puts his hand out for corporate money."
Here's Mr. Denley's full column: "Banning corporate money high road not taken".
In Toronto, Christina Blizzard pens a tongue-in-cheek "awards" column to celebrate the end of the fall session of the legislature. With special attention paid to George Smitherman's syrupy-slow exit from Queen's Park, we're left wondering if Watson deserves a similar rebuke from Blizzard. Here's how she puts it: "He quit cabinet in November. He was vague about when he’s going to resign his seat. Meanwhile, he’s running for mayor of Toronto — and the rest of the province is footing his bill."
The Sun columnist quite succinctly adds - "Hit the road, George." Here is Christina's full column.
Back here in Ottawa of course, Jim Watson has still declined to state his intentions and has instead been quietly organizing out of view. Watson has continually meddled in Ottawa's municipal affairs - and at the same time avoided some of the heavy lifting required in his ministerial role.
Still - this is what we're dubbing our "Watson Week" series - and we're enjoying it. The sooner the Minister announces - the better it will be. We're just itching for the race to begin ...
Lastly, if you ever need to contact City Holler authors to privately comment, share information, correct us, or make contact - we'll provide an email address today - and from now on.
cityhollerblogspot@gmail.com
First off - it is with gratitude and humility that we learned of Lowell Green reading our blog - and sharing it with his listeners. Mr. Green led his show yesterday by reading from City Holler about Jim Watson - not to mention expressing our shared concerns about the green bin (it seems we're aligned on the plastics issue).
Today it's Citizen columnist Randall Denley joining the pile-on with a column questioning why Watson has avoided any meaningful election financing reform. According to Denley, Liberals on-the-whole rely heavily on corporate contributions. Bob Chiarelli was "numero uno" in accepting developer and corporate donations in the last election. One might imagine that Jim Watson will similarly rely heavily on developer contributions - and since he (for now) has the power to change the rules concerning those contributions - but hasn't - the question is whether Watson will be asking developers to 'repay' the favour when he runs for mayor.
Some will correctly question the ethics of Watson's action - or lack thereof - in his current role. If only he had properly (and appropriately) resigned from Cabinet, he might have avoided the optics of impropriety.
Randall Denley frames it this way:
"Eliminating corporate and union donations would have been a high-road decision by Watson and the provincial government, and by no means a radical one. Instead, they have opted for the status quo. It's a poor decision and it will look worse if Watson runs and puts his hand out for corporate money."
Here's Mr. Denley's full column: "Banning corporate money high road not taken".
In Toronto, Christina Blizzard pens a tongue-in-cheek "awards" column to celebrate the end of the fall session of the legislature. With special attention paid to George Smitherman's syrupy-slow exit from Queen's Park, we're left wondering if Watson deserves a similar rebuke from Blizzard. Here's how she puts it: "He quit cabinet in November. He was vague about when he’s going to resign his seat. Meanwhile, he’s running for mayor of Toronto — and the rest of the province is footing his bill."
The Sun columnist quite succinctly adds - "Hit the road, George." Here is Christina's full column.
Back here in Ottawa of course, Jim Watson has still declined to state his intentions and has instead been quietly organizing out of view. Watson has continually meddled in Ottawa's municipal affairs - and at the same time avoided some of the heavy lifting required in his ministerial role.
Still - this is what we're dubbing our "Watson Week" series - and we're enjoying it. The sooner the Minister announces - the better it will be. We're just itching for the race to begin ...
Lastly, if you ever need to contact City Holler authors to privately comment, share information, correct us, or make contact - we'll provide an email address today - and from now on.
cityhollerblogspot@gmail.com
Monday, December 14, 2009
Jim Watson set to announce candidacy for Mayor of Ottawa ... we think
Hang on to your hats - this is Jim Watson's big week. City Holler predicts an announcement by the Provincial Minister to seek the Ottawa mayoralty by week's end. We've been wrong before (well, just once) - but call this a strong hunch. Premier Dalton McGuinty is widely known to be planning a shuffle of his Cabinet deck - and Watson's intentions must be made evident beforehand. Our prediction should help the media-types prepare their biographies of the one-time Ottawa mayor.
We'll even help...
Watson was a city councillor from 1991-1997 and became mayor of pre-amalgamation Ottawa in '97 (he supported amalgamation, by the way). Watson quit the job before the end of his term to go and work for the CTC (Canadian Tourism Commission). In 2003, Jim quit the job as president of the CTC to take on a position at "The newRO" as a noon-hour host. Just a very short while after that, he quit his quasi-journalistic stint to run for MPP under the Liberal banner.
Since then Jim Watson has held multiple ministerial portfolios in the McGuinty government. An expert on the ribbon-cutting, cake-slicing and barbecue circuit, Watson will make a formidable opponent to whomever runs in next year's mayoral race.
The media are already salivating over the slightest morsel of next year's contest. Today, the Citizen proudly pits Watson against Cullen over corporate contributions to municipal campaigns. Watson thinks the status quo is fine. When asked about whether private contributors should reveal their employees, Lee Greenberg reports Watson thought that'd be a breach privacy law. Greenberg diligently sought another opinion :
"...a senior Ontario privacy official says Watson is misinformed. 'Information about where you work and what your job is is not your personal information,' says Mary O’Donoghue, Ontario’s assistant privacy commissioner. 'Anyone who follows our jurisprudence would be very aware of that.'"
Oh come on - how can one expect a cabinet minister in a provincial government to "follow jurisprudence"?
Of course, later in the same article a professor of poli-sci from York U has a thing or two to say about the lack of action on municipal financing reform by the Liberals.
Come to think of it - has Jim Watson, in his role as Minister of Municipal Affairs, done anything to fix what many consider a broken system of municipal governance? Really ... anything? Is the minister now leaving that role - the one place that legislation can be written to aid cities and towns across the province - to run for a municipal office left impotent by his own inability to fix the system?
Anyway, we have plenty to say on Watson, but we're waiting for that announcement before we say more. Here's Lee Greenberg's article: "Cullen, Watson conflict over ban".
Stay tuned ...
We'll even help...
Watson was a city councillor from 1991-1997 and became mayor of pre-amalgamation Ottawa in '97 (he supported amalgamation, by the way). Watson quit the job before the end of his term to go and work for the CTC (Canadian Tourism Commission). In 2003, Jim quit the job as president of the CTC to take on a position at "The newRO" as a noon-hour host. Just a very short while after that, he quit his quasi-journalistic stint to run for MPP under the Liberal banner.
Since then Jim Watson has held multiple ministerial portfolios in the McGuinty government. An expert on the ribbon-cutting, cake-slicing and barbecue circuit, Watson will make a formidable opponent to whomever runs in next year's mayoral race.
The media are already salivating over the slightest morsel of next year's contest. Today, the Citizen proudly pits Watson against Cullen over corporate contributions to municipal campaigns. Watson thinks the status quo is fine. When asked about whether private contributors should reveal their employees, Lee Greenberg reports Watson thought that'd be a breach privacy law. Greenberg diligently sought another opinion :
"...a senior Ontario privacy official says Watson is misinformed. 'Information about where you work and what your job is is not your personal information,' says Mary O’Donoghue, Ontario’s assistant privacy commissioner. 'Anyone who follows our jurisprudence would be very aware of that.'"
Oh come on - how can one expect a cabinet minister in a provincial government to "follow jurisprudence"?
Of course, later in the same article a professor of poli-sci from York U has a thing or two to say about the lack of action on municipal financing reform by the Liberals.
Come to think of it - has Jim Watson, in his role as Minister of Municipal Affairs, done anything to fix what many consider a broken system of municipal governance? Really ... anything? Is the minister now leaving that role - the one place that legislation can be written to aid cities and towns across the province - to run for a municipal office left impotent by his own inability to fix the system?
Anyway, we have plenty to say on Watson, but we're waiting for that announcement before we say more. Here's Lee Greenberg's article: "Cullen, Watson conflict over ban".
Stay tuned ...
Sunday, December 13, 2009
City Manager responds to City Holler ...
With a City corporation that often pines for better communication of its programs and services to residents, we would like to thank Chris Wood (Ottawa's Project Manager - Waste Diversion and Planning Division) for his thoughtful response to our argument in favour of plastics in the green bin and composting program. That argument can be found here.
Mr. Wood posted his comment on City Holler yesterday, but we've decided to retransmit his message in its entirety for your consideration - and, dare we say, our own ...
"There are some great comments here. As the City’s Project Manager Waste Diversion and Planning Division, I thought I’d wade in and clarify some details.
City Holler nailed it with the comment “something has to be done to increase waste diversion.” As part of the City’s strategy for waste management and to meet Ontario guidelines of 60% waste diversion, we are leveraging different technologies to achieve this goal – from composting and recycling programs, to plasma gasification and methane capture at our Trail Road landfill facility.
The City of Ottawa’s Green Bin program is an integral part of this strategy. By composting organic waste, we can feed the land, not the landfill.
Where we disagree is on the topic of plastics. I’d like to detail the reasons why the City decided to go with a paper-only composting program.
• Cost: By eliminating plastics entirely, we save on processing costs ($93.40/ton compared to $123/ton).
• Residual waste: Part of the additional cost stems from the separation and disposal of residual plastic waste at the processing facility. This left over plastic waste has to be disposed of.
It’s not surprising that compost processors will accept plastic, and state it’s “easier” to encourage participation with plastic bags, but based on research from other municipalities, including Halifax’s long running organics program, Ottawa elected to go paper-only as the easiest, cleanest and most cost-effective approach.
Other communities, like Toronto, have opted to include plastics and residents pay a premium for that convenience with higher tipping fees. Given a yearly target of 80,000 tonnes, and a premium of $29.60 per tonne, the City would be looking at additional processing costs of $2.37M if we included plastics.
In terms of contents freezing, smelling or attracting pests, there are lots of easy tips shared from other cities.
Freezing: Organic waste is often high in water content so it could potentially freeze. The bins tapered design allows for the waste to slip out, but you can help prevent sticking by:
• Lining the bottom with crumpled newsprint or using a paper bag designed for leaf and yard waste.
• Spray your bin with cooking oil
• Collection vehicles are also able to “shake” the bins, to help loosen any stubborn stuff.
Summer conditions: I think City Holler presents a worst-case scenario here. With weekly summer collection, a properly closed bin is really the best defence against both odour and pests.
• The green bin features a double-rim closure and latch for optimum security against pests, spilling, and odours.
• Mixing yard waste, grass clippings in layers over compost will help air-flow in the bin and reduce odour.
• Wrapping meat in newspaper or putting it in the freezer until collection day works too.
Communities like Halifax, Region of Waterloo, Pembroke and Kingston have been successfully composting plastic-free for years – including in the cold of winter and the heat of summer. Using your bin correctly makes it unnecessary to use plastic. If you still feel the need to “bag” your compostable waste, please use a paper bag and keep our program efficient and cost effective.
While the province has the last say in whether Orgaworld will be permitted to include plastics, the City’s residential program is paper-only, in order to guarantee the price per ton we’ve negotiated. Orgaworld is appealing the decision for potential commercial sources that would be willing to pay the premium to process a plastic contaminated organics stream, and the appeal has no bearing on the City’s decision to remain with a plastic-free residential program.
Thanks to everyone for their comments and interest. I encourage you to visit our greenbinottawa.ca site for more information on the program.
Best,
Chris Wood
Solid Waste Operations, City of Ottawa
It's nice to think that our humble blog has become a place for meaningful discourse (okay, not always) and the sharing of ideas. Perhaps the City needs a blog of its own - call it "City Haller" maybe ...
Tune in tomorrow for an important announcement ...
Mr. Wood posted his comment on City Holler yesterday, but we've decided to retransmit his message in its entirety for your consideration - and, dare we say, our own ...
"There are some great comments here. As the City’s Project Manager Waste Diversion and Planning Division, I thought I’d wade in and clarify some details.
City Holler nailed it with the comment “something has to be done to increase waste diversion.” As part of the City’s strategy for waste management and to meet Ontario guidelines of 60% waste diversion, we are leveraging different technologies to achieve this goal – from composting and recycling programs, to plasma gasification and methane capture at our Trail Road landfill facility.
The City of Ottawa’s Green Bin program is an integral part of this strategy. By composting organic waste, we can feed the land, not the landfill.
Where we disagree is on the topic of plastics. I’d like to detail the reasons why the City decided to go with a paper-only composting program.
• Cost: By eliminating plastics entirely, we save on processing costs ($93.40/ton compared to $123/ton).
• Residual waste: Part of the additional cost stems from the separation and disposal of residual plastic waste at the processing facility. This left over plastic waste has to be disposed of.
It’s not surprising that compost processors will accept plastic, and state it’s “easier” to encourage participation with plastic bags, but based on research from other municipalities, including Halifax’s long running organics program, Ottawa elected to go paper-only as the easiest, cleanest and most cost-effective approach.
Other communities, like Toronto, have opted to include plastics and residents pay a premium for that convenience with higher tipping fees. Given a yearly target of 80,000 tonnes, and a premium of $29.60 per tonne, the City would be looking at additional processing costs of $2.37M if we included plastics.
In terms of contents freezing, smelling or attracting pests, there are lots of easy tips shared from other cities.
Freezing: Organic waste is often high in water content so it could potentially freeze. The bins tapered design allows for the waste to slip out, but you can help prevent sticking by:
• Lining the bottom with crumpled newsprint or using a paper bag designed for leaf and yard waste.
• Spray your bin with cooking oil
• Collection vehicles are also able to “shake” the bins, to help loosen any stubborn stuff.
Summer conditions: I think City Holler presents a worst-case scenario here. With weekly summer collection, a properly closed bin is really the best defence against both odour and pests.
• The green bin features a double-rim closure and latch for optimum security against pests, spilling, and odours.
• Mixing yard waste, grass clippings in layers over compost will help air-flow in the bin and reduce odour.
• Wrapping meat in newspaper or putting it in the freezer until collection day works too.
Communities like Halifax, Region of Waterloo, Pembroke and Kingston have been successfully composting plastic-free for years – including in the cold of winter and the heat of summer. Using your bin correctly makes it unnecessary to use plastic. If you still feel the need to “bag” your compostable waste, please use a paper bag and keep our program efficient and cost effective.
While the province has the last say in whether Orgaworld will be permitted to include plastics, the City’s residential program is paper-only, in order to guarantee the price per ton we’ve negotiated. Orgaworld is appealing the decision for potential commercial sources that would be willing to pay the premium to process a plastic contaminated organics stream, and the appeal has no bearing on the City’s decision to remain with a plastic-free residential program.
Thanks to everyone for their comments and interest. I encourage you to visit our greenbinottawa.ca site for more information on the program.
Best,
Chris Wood
Solid Waste Operations, City of Ottawa
It's nice to think that our humble blog has become a place for meaningful discourse (okay, not always) and the sharing of ideas. Perhaps the City needs a blog of its own - call it "City Haller" maybe ...
Tune in tomorrow for an important announcement ...
Friday, December 11, 2009
Cullen: "Spend like there's no tomorrow"
The hiring of Ottawa's new fire chief, combined with the post-mistress issue in Pakenham, has re-opened the self-inflicted wound of bilingualism policy in the capital. The debate is unlikely to be officially re-examined as it represents political suicide - but it's worth thinking about. For our part, we congratulate and welcome John DeHooge to the big show.
Kelly Egan at the Citizen has an examination of bilingualism policy here.
Our favorite columnist at the same paper wrote a piece yesterday on the tabling of the draft budget for 2010. Speaking to the new process, and the Mayor's leadership at the Finance Committee, Randall Denley wrote:
"Mayors, in particular, like to sit in the bushes and see how things might sort themselves out. This time, the mayor is doing his job and defending the proposed budget. Leadership entails recommending a course of action to the public, not just neutrally presenting something and waiting to see which way the political winds are blowing."
Denley called Larry O'Brien's speech to council "arguably the best of his short political career". That drove Councillors Cullen and Doucet - well - nuts. 'Sir Spend-a-lot' will be fighting O'Brien on transit - but as the Mayor pointed out - spending on transit will still be increased by $10 million. There's just no pleasing some people. Anyway, here's Denley's column for your persusal: "Financial reality sets in for mayor".
Speaking of transit, and in our effort to be fair and balanced, here is a link to Andy Haydon's argument on behalf of BRT instead of LRT. A rather clumsy attempt at a PowerPoint presentation resides at the site - but it's worth a look. Haydon has argued against rail in other municipalities and failed. If you're up for it, here are "Andy Haydon's Transit Facts". We're happy to tackle the argument later, but your comments are most welcome.
We were pleased to have been paid a visit by Nick Vandergragt from CFRA the other day. He has apparently been working hard to share Canadian military history. With U.S. President Barack Obama making a stirring speech at the presentation of his Nobel prize yesterday, in which he argued that the tools of war are a necessary component of peace - well - we're pretty damned proud of Canada's efforts around the world too. That discussion will have to take place on a new blog.
Anyway, here's Nick's site: "Answer the Call".
Stay warm...
Kelly Egan at the Citizen has an examination of bilingualism policy here.
Our favorite columnist at the same paper wrote a piece yesterday on the tabling of the draft budget for 2010. Speaking to the new process, and the Mayor's leadership at the Finance Committee, Randall Denley wrote:
"Mayors, in particular, like to sit in the bushes and see how things might sort themselves out. This time, the mayor is doing his job and defending the proposed budget. Leadership entails recommending a course of action to the public, not just neutrally presenting something and waiting to see which way the political winds are blowing."
Denley called Larry O'Brien's speech to council "arguably the best of his short political career". That drove Councillors Cullen and Doucet - well - nuts. 'Sir Spend-a-lot' will be fighting O'Brien on transit - but as the Mayor pointed out - spending on transit will still be increased by $10 million. There's just no pleasing some people. Anyway, here's Denley's column for your persusal: "Financial reality sets in for mayor".
Speaking of transit, and in our effort to be fair and balanced, here is a link to Andy Haydon's argument on behalf of BRT instead of LRT. A rather clumsy attempt at a PowerPoint presentation resides at the site - but it's worth a look. Haydon has argued against rail in other municipalities and failed. If you're up for it, here are "Andy Haydon's Transit Facts". We're happy to tackle the argument later, but your comments are most welcome.
We were pleased to have been paid a visit by Nick Vandergragt from CFRA the other day. He has apparently been working hard to share Canadian military history. With U.S. President Barack Obama making a stirring speech at the presentation of his Nobel prize yesterday, in which he argued that the tools of war are a necessary component of peace - well - we're pretty damned proud of Canada's efforts around the world too. That discussion will have to take place on a new blog.
Anyway, here's Nick's site: "Answer the Call".
Stay warm...
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Larry O'Brien: "Promises, promises, Councillor Cullen..."
Yesterday's council meeting ended with Alex Cullen promising that "next year will be different - very different". The Mayor chuckled and asked if that was a threat. Perhaps Alex will be turning over a new leaf for 2010 - no more screaming, crying, eye-rolling, or banal (or "ban all") propositions. Heck, perhaps the councillor will actually assist taxpayers by finding efficiencies in his transit budget instead of increasing spending at historic levels. Call that our Christmas wish ...
Sue Sherring at the Sun pens a piece today titled "O'Brien looks good in budget debate". Describing O'Brien using words like "strong" and "confident" is a surprising, but welcome, change of pace for the columnist.
The Mayor's presentation to council yesterday required him to give up his seat at the head of council and approach his colleagues on equal footing. Of note, the Mayor highlighted the fact that many items remain fully funded in the 2010 budget - including arts and heritage. Other spared items include recreation programs, child care, and social services.
Directed squarely at Councillor Cullen the Mayor stated:
"Perhaps some of you want to put more money into transit - but I ask you - from what other program are you prepared to cut? Or are you simply prepared to increase taxes to much higher levels?"
An excellent question.
As expected, Councillor Jacques Legendre advocated for the maintenance of the Crime Prevention Ottawa initiative. What many at the table fail to recognize is that CPO is often engaged in duplication of services. In a tough economic climate the question remains as to what the City can afford - and whether it should be funding certain items at all. It's easy to proclaim the moral good is being done - but the reality is that all programs must be scrutinized to ensure that they're not redundant. The debate will continue in January ...
We're hearing more about that city-wide poll from someone close to the action. It seems there's plenty of support for some of the accomplishments by the Mayor and council over the past term of office. The Congress Centre's redevelopment, Lansdowne Park's rejuvenation - and even the DOTT (Downtown Ottawa Transit Tunnel) are said to have received near 70% approval from the public. Unfortunately, however, the council's bickering has tarnished them.
Despite some of the comments we've received, it's not exactly a runaway for the Mayor if he chooses to run next year - but it looks a lot better than the Mayor's future opponents might like. Many people recognize that Larry O'Brien has the best interests of Ottawa residents at heart. They also recognize that he has had to adapt to a council who are largely opposed to the mandate given him in 2006.
Yesterday went a long way to proving that Larry O'Brien isn't finished quite yet ...
Sue Sherring at the Sun pens a piece today titled "O'Brien looks good in budget debate". Describing O'Brien using words like "strong" and "confident" is a surprising, but welcome, change of pace for the columnist.
The Mayor's presentation to council yesterday required him to give up his seat at the head of council and approach his colleagues on equal footing. Of note, the Mayor highlighted the fact that many items remain fully funded in the 2010 budget - including arts and heritage. Other spared items include recreation programs, child care, and social services.
Directed squarely at Councillor Cullen the Mayor stated:
"Perhaps some of you want to put more money into transit - but I ask you - from what other program are you prepared to cut? Or are you simply prepared to increase taxes to much higher levels?"
An excellent question.
As expected, Councillor Jacques Legendre advocated for the maintenance of the Crime Prevention Ottawa initiative. What many at the table fail to recognize is that CPO is often engaged in duplication of services. In a tough economic climate the question remains as to what the City can afford - and whether it should be funding certain items at all. It's easy to proclaim the moral good is being done - but the reality is that all programs must be scrutinized to ensure that they're not redundant. The debate will continue in January ...
We're hearing more about that city-wide poll from someone close to the action. It seems there's plenty of support for some of the accomplishments by the Mayor and council over the past term of office. The Congress Centre's redevelopment, Lansdowne Park's rejuvenation - and even the DOTT (Downtown Ottawa Transit Tunnel) are said to have received near 70% approval from the public. Unfortunately, however, the council's bickering has tarnished them.
Despite some of the comments we've received, it's not exactly a runaway for the Mayor if he chooses to run next year - but it looks a lot better than the Mayor's future opponents might like. Many people recognize that Larry O'Brien has the best interests of Ottawa residents at heart. They also recognize that he has had to adapt to a council who are largely opposed to the mandate given him in 2006.
Yesterday went a long way to proving that Larry O'Brien isn't finished quite yet ...
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
MPP Jim Watson: "It's not me - it's you" ...
We'd better get going if we're going to stay ahead of the weather ...
Should be fun down at City Hall this morning as we expect an onslaught of rural residents tossing their green bins on the front lawn. We're sticking by our prediction yesterday that the City will be wasting money fighting Orgaworld's application - and we remain unconvinced that plastics, diapers, and the like, shouldn't be a part of Ottawa's composting plan ... over to you, Councillor Hume.
We're hearing that an extensive poll was conducted across the city regarding next year's civic election - well we already knew about that - but now we've been getting trickles of information garnered by the poll as well. Until we have more information we can't leap to any conclusions - but let's just say there exists significant breathing room for the current mayor heading into next year's race.
Now if there was any comfort in a poll conducted before today - there'd be a couple of percentage points more today over rumoured mayoral contender MPP Jim Watson - who today finds himself in the hot-seat. Ontario's Auditor-General thinks that Watson and his Ministry are doing a poor job on the social housing file:
"In a report issued this week, Jim McCarter says despite warnings, the ministry, currently headed by Ottawa West-Nepean MPP Jim Watson, has failed to develop a strategic plan for affordable housing."
Would it be too predictable of us to point out that Jim Watson might have been able to do a better job at the Province if he wasn't so distracted by his intentions to run for mayor of Ottawa? We tried to warn him to resign and get on with the mayoral campaign - but now he'll be wearing his failure as a Minister of the Province as he re-enters the municipal arena.
"Watson shrugged off the report’s findings."
It was only mere days ago that we reported on Minister Diane Finley's quote in the Canadian Press that Ontario has been dragging its heels with regard to a plan on affordable housing. Watson fired back that he wants to see Ottawa's plan. Here's the article: "Housing ministers sitting on pile of cash with no plan."
On November 23rd, the Toronto Star reported "Housing strategy is long overdue". Here's a snippet of what they had to say with regard to Watson saying his plan would be ready some time next year:
"...given that the Liberals knew about Ontario's affordable housing crisis long before they were first elected in 2003, Watson's approach seems more like a delaying tactic."
Today Ontario's Auditor General says that Watson's Ministry should have better oversight and a better grasp of its housing stock. Watson's response? "That's up to the municipalities".
How nice that nothing is ever Watson's fault. So much for Ministerial Accountability ...
Here's today's Citizen report, "Social Housing not my problem, Watson says".
Watch for Minister Watson's failings at the Province to haunt him in his mayoral run ... and we're not even going to mention how he quits important jobs quite regularly ... especially when there's actual work to be done. Really - we're not.
Just get ready to add MPP to Watson's list of "been there, done that" incomplete accomplishments. Maybe the t-shirt should really read, "Been there, done half that - and then quit".
We'd love to talk a bit about Clive Doucet - or the councillors who will try to ramp up the tax increase for 2010 - but the snow's starting to fall - so ...
See you on Laurier!
Should be fun down at City Hall this morning as we expect an onslaught of rural residents tossing their green bins on the front lawn. We're sticking by our prediction yesterday that the City will be wasting money fighting Orgaworld's application - and we remain unconvinced that plastics, diapers, and the like, shouldn't be a part of Ottawa's composting plan ... over to you, Councillor Hume.
We're hearing that an extensive poll was conducted across the city regarding next year's civic election - well we already knew about that - but now we've been getting trickles of information garnered by the poll as well. Until we have more information we can't leap to any conclusions - but let's just say there exists significant breathing room for the current mayor heading into next year's race.
Now if there was any comfort in a poll conducted before today - there'd be a couple of percentage points more today over rumoured mayoral contender MPP Jim Watson - who today finds himself in the hot-seat. Ontario's Auditor-General thinks that Watson and his Ministry are doing a poor job on the social housing file:
"In a report issued this week, Jim McCarter says despite warnings, the ministry, currently headed by Ottawa West-Nepean MPP Jim Watson, has failed to develop a strategic plan for affordable housing."
Would it be too predictable of us to point out that Jim Watson might have been able to do a better job at the Province if he wasn't so distracted by his intentions to run for mayor of Ottawa? We tried to warn him to resign and get on with the mayoral campaign - but now he'll be wearing his failure as a Minister of the Province as he re-enters the municipal arena.
"Watson shrugged off the report’s findings."
It was only mere days ago that we reported on Minister Diane Finley's quote in the Canadian Press that Ontario has been dragging its heels with regard to a plan on affordable housing. Watson fired back that he wants to see Ottawa's plan. Here's the article: "Housing ministers sitting on pile of cash with no plan."
On November 23rd, the Toronto Star reported "Housing strategy is long overdue". Here's a snippet of what they had to say with regard to Watson saying his plan would be ready some time next year:
"...given that the Liberals knew about Ontario's affordable housing crisis long before they were first elected in 2003, Watson's approach seems more like a delaying tactic."
Today Ontario's Auditor General says that Watson's Ministry should have better oversight and a better grasp of its housing stock. Watson's response? "That's up to the municipalities".
How nice that nothing is ever Watson's fault. So much for Ministerial Accountability ...
Here's today's Citizen report, "Social Housing not my problem, Watson says".
Watch for Minister Watson's failings at the Province to haunt him in his mayoral run ... and we're not even going to mention how he quits important jobs quite regularly ... especially when there's actual work to be done. Really - we're not.
Just get ready to add MPP to Watson's list of "been there, done that" incomplete accomplishments. Maybe the t-shirt should really read, "Been there, done half that - and then quit".
We'd love to talk a bit about Clive Doucet - or the councillors who will try to ramp up the tax increase for 2010 - but the snow's starting to fall - so ...
See you on Laurier!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Ottawa's Green Bin Program
The protest is said to include an auction of green bins to lucky bidders - news of which Councillor Doug Thompson advised against. Not to worry, councillor - sales are likely to be slow - not to mention in jest.
Councillor Peter Hume continues to be "surprised" by the reaction to his Planning and Environment committee's plan - and he no doubt realizes that his committee's initial suggestion to separate (and raise) the user fees probably didn't help the mess he currently finds himself in.
The bottom line is that something has to be done to increase waste diversion from landfill sites across the city. The Province requires the city to aim for a 60% diversion rate - but Ottawa's current waste diversion is only half that. Mayor Larry O'Brien declared war on landfills and with Plasco's pilot project of plasma gasification still struggling to get up to speed the green bin will forge ahead - whether we like it or not.
If we must accept the composting program, we have a small - but significant - suggestion.
With Orgaworld asking the Environment Ministry to allow them to accept plastics, diapers, and sanitary products (from any municipality) - and with the City's own indecision on the matter having left the door open to accepting said items some time in the future - we think the City will lose at the hearings to be held next May.
"City, Orgaworld take compost fight to court"
Moreover, we're concerned that in winter the compostable matter will be rock-solid and stuck to the insides of each green bin. In summer, we expect a sticky, sludgy, maggot-ridden rot to have manifested inside the hundreds of thousands of bins across the city. If you've received yours, you'll notice that it's tough to even reach the bottom of your bin unless you have unnaturally long arms. We picture people hosing out their bins on their driveways - allowing the rotting sludge, and meat, and bones, and potato peels, to slither down the pavement to the closest storm sewer. This is what will attract rodents, insects and other pests - one of the prime concerns related to the program.
Our solution to all of the above? Allow residents to wrap their compostable matter in plastic bags - and let them compost their diapers and sanitary products too. Then reduce the frequency of regular garbage collection.
We realize that the city bureaucracy has wholeheartedly rejected plastics and there is a significant NIMBY movement that thinks diapers will smell worse than say, pet waste from an adult dog at the composting facility - but with Orgaworld likely to win their bid to accept these items, we think we should consider the option before the collection begins on January 4th.
If rotten sludge is unappealing (even in a paper-lined bin), and we're hoping to make the program convenient in a "customer-focused" city, we think allowing plastics will help. Either way, the plastic will end up in the landfill. Orgaworld says it can handle it through screening and still produce quality compost for sale. Orgaworld also attributes odour complaints at one of its other facilities to outdoor storage and a collapsed length of ductwork. The Ottawa facility is housed entirely indoors in a negative-pressure environment.
Research indicates that anywhere between 2 and 6% of household waste can be attributed to diapers and similar products.
Our informal surveying indicates that people would prefer to bag their compostables before throwing them in the bin. It would be much the same as the way they treat their regular trash, they tell us - keeping out flies, rodents, and an unpleasant (did we say disgusting) mess inside.
We're setting aside - for now - issues of taxation, the rural issues, the long-standing European tradition of incineration, trucking, and the like. Each of which we'd love to discuss - but alas - time is of the essence...
If the green bin is going ahead - and we know it is - then let's make it user-friendly, let's avoid a costly fight against Orgaworld (that we will lose anyway), and let's compost as much as possible (without debating which items smell the least), and let's cut costs by reducing regular garbage pick-up. Here are some items worth reviewing - but our thoughts remain the same.
"The Green Bin Mile" , City of Ottawa Q&A , "Green Bins a Wasted Effort?"
There's plenty more to talk about - but we'll leave it at that for today. As always, we're open to debate, correction, and discussion...
Monday, December 7, 2009
Ontario's Auditor General: report
Here's the latest on some more (if you can believe it) overspending by the Province - thanks to the Citizen.
We've had to disable our comments feature for the time being as a result of some nasty behaviour.
Back to "Our Ottawa" inside the Andy Haydon ...
We've had to disable our comments feature for the time being as a result of some nasty behaviour.
Back to "Our Ottawa" inside the Andy Haydon ...
Wilkinson: "Never mind that stuff about personal benefit - let's celebrate me"
Sounds like Maria McRae, Jim Watson and David McGuinty are having a little get-together ... hmmm.
We picked up our copy of the Metro this morning and read all about Councillor Marianne Wilkinson's dinner and auction held last night to honour 40 years since her first election - too bad it in fact takes place tonight - but the media sometimes get it wrong ... sometimes ... here's the article.
Speaking of media, we did catch Gary Dimmock interviewing an apparition - uh - we mean, the author of the tabloid-blog, in some little-read insert in our area. Tough times out there, folks ... might wanna sell those CanWest shares already ...
It was a great Santa Claus parade running along Wellington Street this weekend - fun for the whole family, as they say - well, except for the NAC and Rosemary Thompson - who complained that the 100,000 people in attendance made getting to the Nutcracker a chore. On the City float we enjoyed watching Mayor Larry O'Brien, Peter Hume and his daughter Helen, Diane Deans and her assistant Beverley, and others smiling and waving. Of course Deans and Hume can't have been too pleased at the attention paid to the Mayor - but maybe they'll "feel the love" if they win next year's race ...
Back up to Marianne Wilkinson for a second - it should be a tense evening between her and any reporters from the Kanata Kourier-Standard tonight at her "Celebrate Marianne" party. The paper's editor Nevil Hunt has released yet another article basically saying that Marianne Wilkinson lied about her attempts to reach his staff to discuss the yanking of the free columns enjoyed by the councillor on a weekly basis.
Mr. Hunt goes on to quote councillors who oppose Wilkinson's threatening actions toward the publication...
"All city councillors contacted by the Kourier-Standard say Marianne Wilkinson is out of line for threatening to use city spending to gain a personal benefit."
"The timing of the threats calls into question the councillor’s claim that she was not informed."
With councillors Gord Hunter, Shad Qadri, Peggy Feltmate, Jan Harder, and Doug Thompson all chiming in to express their shock and disappointment at the Kanata councillor's actions - well - it probably doesn't sound like Christmas carols to Wilkinson. Apparently defiant, the councillor has urged her constituents to email or call the newspaper to demand they continue running the column ... for free.
Here's our great idea - wait for it - just pay for the columns, councillor. One might imagine that's why you have an office budget ...
Oh well - now it's time to "Celebrate Marianne", right? Here's Nevil Hunt's article.
That protest against the green bin is coming this week (Wednesday 11am at City Hall), as is a budget discussion and meeting of "Our Ottawa" (tonight 7-9pm in council chambers) - plus this week's council meeting on Wednesday. Should be fun. And while we're thinking of Peter Hume's green bin (not to mention his potential mayoral run) - we really need to talk about that program again.
Look for that tomorrow ...
We picked up our copy of the Metro this morning and read all about Councillor Marianne Wilkinson's dinner and auction held last night to honour 40 years since her first election - too bad it in fact takes place tonight - but the media sometimes get it wrong ... sometimes ... here's the article.
Speaking of media, we did catch Gary Dimmock interviewing an apparition - uh - we mean, the author of the tabloid-blog, in some little-read insert in our area. Tough times out there, folks ... might wanna sell those CanWest shares already ...
It was a great Santa Claus parade running along Wellington Street this weekend - fun for the whole family, as they say - well, except for the NAC and Rosemary Thompson - who complained that the 100,000 people in attendance made getting to the Nutcracker a chore. On the City float we enjoyed watching Mayor Larry O'Brien, Peter Hume and his daughter Helen, Diane Deans and her assistant Beverley, and others smiling and waving. Of course Deans and Hume can't have been too pleased at the attention paid to the Mayor - but maybe they'll "feel the love" if they win next year's race ...
Back up to Marianne Wilkinson for a second - it should be a tense evening between her and any reporters from the Kanata Kourier-Standard tonight at her "Celebrate Marianne" party. The paper's editor Nevil Hunt has released yet another article basically saying that Marianne Wilkinson lied about her attempts to reach his staff to discuss the yanking of the free columns enjoyed by the councillor on a weekly basis.
Mr. Hunt goes on to quote councillors who oppose Wilkinson's threatening actions toward the publication...
"All city councillors contacted by the Kourier-Standard say Marianne Wilkinson is out of line for threatening to use city spending to gain a personal benefit."
"The timing of the threats calls into question the councillor’s claim that she was not informed."
With councillors Gord Hunter, Shad Qadri, Peggy Feltmate, Jan Harder, and Doug Thompson all chiming in to express their shock and disappointment at the Kanata councillor's actions - well - it probably doesn't sound like Christmas carols to Wilkinson. Apparently defiant, the councillor has urged her constituents to email or call the newspaper to demand they continue running the column ... for free.
Here's our great idea - wait for it - just pay for the columns, councillor. One might imagine that's why you have an office budget ...
Oh well - now it's time to "Celebrate Marianne", right? Here's Nevil Hunt's article.
That protest against the green bin is coming this week (Wednesday 11am at City Hall), as is a budget discussion and meeting of "Our Ottawa" (tonight 7-9pm in council chambers) - plus this week's council meeting on Wednesday. Should be fun. And while we're thinking of Peter Hume's green bin (not to mention his potential mayoral run) - we really need to talk about that program again.
Look for that tomorrow ...
Friday, December 4, 2009
Update: Sandra Blaikie hoodwinked?
Sandra Blaikie was led to believe by management at CTV-GlobeMedia that she would occupy a chair at the anchor desk of CTV-Ottawa - but not Max Keeping's ...
An inside source tells City Holler that Carol Anne Meehan's seat at the helm of the newsdesk was also expected to be vacated upon Keeping's retirement. With word reaching Blaikie yesterday afternoon that she was not going to be appointed to the position (alongside CTV's Graham Richardson), the former A-Channel anchor promptly exited the CHUM-media building on George Street...
That's how we're hearing it, anyway ...
An inside source tells City Holler that Carol Anne Meehan's seat at the helm of the newsdesk was also expected to be vacated upon Keeping's retirement. With word reaching Blaikie yesterday afternoon that she was not going to be appointed to the position (alongside CTV's Graham Richardson), the former A-Channel anchor promptly exited the CHUM-media building on George Street...
That's how we're hearing it, anyway ...
Retirement plans, anyone?
Well - there we were amid the throngs of hungry people yesterday - being served breakfast by MP John Baird, MPP Jim Watson, Mayor Larry O'Brien, Councillor Maria McRae and other notable personalities. Another great fundraiser was by the local AM news station with Lowell Green and the whole gang.
Congratulations to all on raising what we hear is almost $190,000.
We'd be remiss if we didn't report on the sudden departure of Sandra Blaikie from A-Channel and Max Keeping's announcement of his retirement set for March 26th of next year from CTV Ottawa. All on the same day, no less...
"The times, they are a-changin'"
The writing has been on the wall at 'A' since March (when they lost their nightly news broadcast), and with Parliamentary Correspondent Graham Richardson set to assume the anchor at CTV - well - let's just say Sandra wants out of the biz. Max staying on as a 'community ambassador' for the next couple of years at CTV is a perfect fit as he is best-known for his tireless community work ... okay - and his dancing.
The other big city news comes to us by way of the Kanata Kourier-Standard and their dispute with Councillor Marianne Wilkinson. Both Kanata councillors have always inserted a weekly column in the paper - apparently without any expense to their office budgets. With the Kanata paper pulling the freebies - resulting in Wilkinson threatening to pull all city-funded advertising and announcements - many are displeased with the councillor's actions.
Here's the story in their own words from the Kourier-Standard's online edition - "I can pressure you".
And here's Sue Sherring's column under the heading: "Give your head a shake, Councillor". The hard copy of the Sun runs a different title - but you get the idea.
The other Kanata councillor - Peggy Feltmate - isn't standing by Wilkinson on this one. Councillors Cullen and McRae are also critical of Wilkinson's actions.
In provincial news the proposed HST led to a large demonstration by indigenous peoples on the downtown streets of Toronto yesterday - adding their voice to the PC charge that this is yet another McGuinty 'tax-grab'.
Lastly, we caught Diane Deans speaking of the Province's latest contribution to affordable housing in our city. But the Province seems to be negligent in presenting its plan to the feds ... the federal Minister responsible, Diane Finley offered this statement to the Canadian Press:
"Ontario, in particular, needs to present its 10-year plan so that it can figure into a national strategy"
Firing back in the "I know you are, but what am I?" style of retort - the Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing said that Ontario wants to see Ottawa's plan too ...
Here's the article under the heading, "Housing ministers sitting on pile of cash with no plan".
Perhaps Councillor Deans should fight the urge to gush over Minister Watson and instead urge him to do better ... and do it now.
Have a great weekend...
Congratulations to all on raising what we hear is almost $190,000.
We'd be remiss if we didn't report on the sudden departure of Sandra Blaikie from A-Channel and Max Keeping's announcement of his retirement set for March 26th of next year from CTV Ottawa. All on the same day, no less...
"The times, they are a-changin'"
The writing has been on the wall at 'A' since March (when they lost their nightly news broadcast), and with Parliamentary Correspondent Graham Richardson set to assume the anchor at CTV - well - let's just say Sandra wants out of the biz. Max staying on as a 'community ambassador' for the next couple of years at CTV is a perfect fit as he is best-known for his tireless community work ... okay - and his dancing.
The other big city news comes to us by way of the Kanata Kourier-Standard and their dispute with Councillor Marianne Wilkinson. Both Kanata councillors have always inserted a weekly column in the paper - apparently without any expense to their office budgets. With the Kanata paper pulling the freebies - resulting in Wilkinson threatening to pull all city-funded advertising and announcements - many are displeased with the councillor's actions.
Here's the story in their own words from the Kourier-Standard's online edition - "I can pressure you".
And here's Sue Sherring's column under the heading: "Give your head a shake, Councillor". The hard copy of the Sun runs a different title - but you get the idea.
The other Kanata councillor - Peggy Feltmate - isn't standing by Wilkinson on this one. Councillors Cullen and McRae are also critical of Wilkinson's actions.
In provincial news the proposed HST led to a large demonstration by indigenous peoples on the downtown streets of Toronto yesterday - adding their voice to the PC charge that this is yet another McGuinty 'tax-grab'.
Lastly, we caught Diane Deans speaking of the Province's latest contribution to affordable housing in our city. But the Province seems to be negligent in presenting its plan to the feds ... the federal Minister responsible, Diane Finley offered this statement to the Canadian Press:
"Ontario, in particular, needs to present its 10-year plan so that it can figure into a national strategy"
Firing back in the "I know you are, but what am I?" style of retort - the Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing said that Ontario wants to see Ottawa's plan too ...
Here's the article under the heading, "Housing ministers sitting on pile of cash with no plan".
Perhaps Councillor Deans should fight the urge to gush over Minister Watson and instead urge him to do better ... and do it now.
Have a great weekend...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Rainer Bloess: "Maybe I should let Clive do the talking ..."
Just a quick one this morning before we head down to the Rideau Centre for CFRA's "Christmas Cheer" fundraiser ...
Emerging from the Legislature with tousled hair and a hoarse voice, MPP Randy Hillier took a good swipe at Star columnist Jim Coyle yesterday. Closely followed by Bill Murdoch (who instigated the resulting sit-in by calling Dalton McGuinty a liar) the two MPPs demonstrated that their party will go to any lengths to protect taxpayers from the Harmonized Sales Tax that is scheduled to come into effect by July of next year.
Some may not appreciate Hillier's brazen style - but we're not among them. While a case can be made for the HST from a business perspective, it has always been our contention that the latest (and greatest) tax to hit consumers will be burdensome and unduly expensive for hard-working Ontarian families. The current line of the PC party is to demand more hearings on the new tax-model - but they (and we) know that this has more to do with educating the unsuspecting public about the tax that will raise gasoline prices 8% (and one can imagine how that might affect prices of all trucked goods across the province).
And that's just the 'tip of the iceberg'.
Meanwhile, the Premier's brother - MP David McGuinty - says he hasn't received a single call or email in opposition to the HST his older brother is implementing. The Ottawa South MP can be reached at the following email should you like to let him know how you feel: McGuinty.D@parl.gc.ca.
If you're looking for a chuckle today, we suggest you read Susan Sherring's column in the Sun. It will give you a nice little run-down of yesterday's transportation committee meeting at City Hall. First, you might wonder where Councillor Rainer Bloess' sense of diplomatic speech may have disappeared to as he talked about "self-respecting terrorists" with regard to the one-way street across from the US Embassy on Sussex Drive. Um - Councillor - maybe you should just stop talking for a while ...
The discussion surrounding security of the embassy - and this is in Sue's column - led to Clive Doucet's meandering mind and resultant speech comparing the Sussex Drive barricades to building a trench around the Canadian Embassy in Nairobi - and then leaping to a conclusion about Nairobi's opinion of Canada's action on "climate change".
"He then digressed into a very bizarre what-if scenario, questioning what would happen if a Canadian Embassy in Nairobi wanted a trench. 'So what if we're so frightened of the local population, and we needed a trench, and with our leadership on climate change, I wouldn't be surprised (that we would be afraid). We're not the world's No. 1 leader on climate change.'
Uh-huh - that's about how it went.
Wow.
What more can we say? Here's Sue's column.
Emerging from the Legislature with tousled hair and a hoarse voice, MPP Randy Hillier took a good swipe at Star columnist Jim Coyle yesterday. Closely followed by Bill Murdoch (who instigated the resulting sit-in by calling Dalton McGuinty a liar) the two MPPs demonstrated that their party will go to any lengths to protect taxpayers from the Harmonized Sales Tax that is scheduled to come into effect by July of next year.
Some may not appreciate Hillier's brazen style - but we're not among them. While a case can be made for the HST from a business perspective, it has always been our contention that the latest (and greatest) tax to hit consumers will be burdensome and unduly expensive for hard-working Ontarian families. The current line of the PC party is to demand more hearings on the new tax-model - but they (and we) know that this has more to do with educating the unsuspecting public about the tax that will raise gasoline prices 8% (and one can imagine how that might affect prices of all trucked goods across the province).
And that's just the 'tip of the iceberg'.
Meanwhile, the Premier's brother - MP David McGuinty - says he hasn't received a single call or email in opposition to the HST his older brother is implementing. The Ottawa South MP can be reached at the following email should you like to let him know how you feel: McGuinty.D@parl.gc.ca.
If you're looking for a chuckle today, we suggest you read Susan Sherring's column in the Sun. It will give you a nice little run-down of yesterday's transportation committee meeting at City Hall. First, you might wonder where Councillor Rainer Bloess' sense of diplomatic speech may have disappeared to as he talked about "self-respecting terrorists" with regard to the one-way street across from the US Embassy on Sussex Drive. Um - Councillor - maybe you should just stop talking for a while ...
The discussion surrounding security of the embassy - and this is in Sue's column - led to Clive Doucet's meandering mind and resultant speech comparing the Sussex Drive barricades to building a trench around the Canadian Embassy in Nairobi - and then leaping to a conclusion about Nairobi's opinion of Canada's action on "climate change".
"He then digressed into a very bizarre what-if scenario, questioning what would happen if a Canadian Embassy in Nairobi wanted a trench. 'So what if we're so frightened of the local population, and we needed a trench, and with our leadership on climate change, I wouldn't be surprised (that we would be afraid). We're not the world's No. 1 leader on climate change.'
Uh-huh - that's about how it went.
Wow.
What more can we say? Here's Sue's column.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
