Entrepreneurial spirit and economic opportunity alive and well in Orléans

The Autumn weather is here and as an avid lover of the outdoors, there is just something about the crisp air, crunchy leaves and gorgeous colours everywhere.

I am also partial to the season as it includes one of my favourite holidays – Halloween.

Taking my kids out in costumes, going door-to-door, seeing carved pumpkins, decorations, I sometimes forget that this is really only a Canadian/American tradition.

Every year though, community Facebook pages are filled with questions or comments about only having a handful of kids come to the door, leaving bowls of leftover candy to have to be eaten by adults (the horror). As busy families, it is easy to take a pass on the whole thing. Turn off the lights, watch a movie, or leave kids to their tablets.

I may be biased, but I cannot help feeling like something is being lost. I am sure many of us have fond memories of our own childhood Halloweens, likely wearing homemade costumes that were scary for the wrong reasons.

You saw dozens of families out, and the whole neighbourhood engaged in way we just don’t see the rest of the year.

We are fortunate here in Orléans to have access to locally grown pumpkins, at the Orléans Fruit Farm, Proulx Farm, Cléroux Farm, to name a few, or at locally owned grocers/markets.

There are folks that go all out on carving or decorations; some even taking the opportunity to raise funds for great causes like CHEO. However, even if your artistic skills are as bad as mine, carving a jack-o-lantern is fun way to spend a fall evening as a family.

Halloween is a wonderful season for memories, meeting neighbours, and taking everything a little less seriously for a night.

On Nov. 1, I will also be co-hosting an annual Pumpkin Parade with Étoile de l’Est School. The parades offer a great way to dispose of jack-o-lanterns and see some amazing creations.

 

Let’s work together to help make our roads safer for everyone

Ottawa drivers, it’s time to commit to safety, especially when it comes to pedestrians and cyclists.

In recent weeks, our city has faced multiple serious collisions involving the more vulner-
able road users. It’s heart-breaking to learn that some individuals have not only sustained severe injuries, some have lost their lives. Fatal and major injury causing collisions occur at a higher rate in the fall then any other time of the year. As we navigate our city’s streets, let’s remember the importance of patience and awareness, particularly at intersections.

Always make eye contact with pedestrians, whether they’re crossing at a marked cross-walk or not. We all share the responsibility for keeping each other safe. A split-second decision can make the difference between a safe arrival and a tragic outcome.

Drivers, when approaching intersections, always check your side mirrors and blind spots for cyclists. These riders can be hard to spot, especially when you’re driving a larger vehicle, and it’s easy to overlook their presence if you’re not fully attentive.

Speaking of cyclists, if you find yourself on two wheels, remember that vigilance is your best ally. Never assume that drivers can see you, particularly when they are turning or changing lanes. Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially during evening hours, to make it easier for drivers to see you. Safer Roads Ottawa distributes FREE reflective bands and zipper lights at in-person events throughout the year. You can find their upcoming events at Ottawa.ca.

With Halloween just around the corner, let’s be especially cautious in residential neighborhoods and around popular trick-or-treating spots.

By looking out for one another and being more mindful of our surroundings, we can foster a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. Every small effort counts. Let’s commit to safer streets this season and beyond.

Take care everyone and be safe.

 

Public’s input reconfirms South Orléans’ transportation

The recently concluded public engagement for the city’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP) confirmed what South Orléans residents already know – our transportation infrastructure is inadequate and struggling to keep pace with development.

The feedback from Ward 19 accounted for the majority of the total comments, clearly indicating the level of concern there is on the subject in our community.

South Orléans has seen explosive growth, with over 7,800 new homes built in the past decade and potentially 13,600 more coming in the next 10 years. Yet, our infrastructure has not kept up with this rapid development.

Brian Coburn Boulevard, a key artery for the community, frequently grinds to a stand-still. During this public consultation process, the Brian Coburn/Mer Bleue round-about was identified as the top problem area in the city, highlighting systemic transpor-tation planning failures. This is not just an inconvenience; it’s a quality-of-life issue for thousands of residents.

Despite the City’s goal of promoting walkability, cycling, and better transit, South Orléans continues to be overlooked. Promises for improved bus service in our ward have gone unfulfilled.

Our community was passed over for the “on-demand” transit pilot project and we’ve watched other parts of the city like Barrhaven and Kanata, get much-needed infrastruc-ture investments. Meanwhile, the Chapel Hill Park and Ride remains nothing more than a parking lot. Even when Stage 2 LRT east stations go live, they’re still not reasonably walkable from South Orléans.

Over the last year, I have had a multitude of meetings with the mayor, City Manager and senior staff describing our unique circumstances. As we enter a challenging budget season, ensuring Orléans SouthNavan gets its fair share of transportation investment continues to be my priority.

What we’ve been asking for is not unreasonable – just a safe, reasonable commute and access to basic amenities. We’ve been patient for long enough. Now, it’s our turn to see real improvements.

 

Community’s budget priorities at the top of councillor’s ‘to do’ list

Fall is a magical time in Ottawa. Watching the colours gradually turn while taking in the crisp air at Mer Bleue, the Basswood Trail, or on the trails in Cumberland Village is a magnificent way to spend an afternoon together with your loved ones.

It is the season for fall markets, leaf piles, warm drinks and cozy layers; the time for candles and blankets, good books and apple pies.

It’s also budget time – and to all of you who know me, there will be no surprises. Every year I present the list of projects and suggestions I hear all year round in the community. If something goes unfunded, it goes back on the list. We are tenacious and meticulous about this.

This year we are pushing for infrastructure upgrades to make intersections safer; pedes-trian facilities at Trim; renewal of problem roads and sidewalks in Cumberland, Chatelaine Villages and Fallingbrook; path-way renewal in our parks; new pedestrian crossings to keep us safe; community safety initiatives and policy changes that support artists over bureaucrats; and a transit system that makes sense and can be relied upon.

This is not an exhaustive list. I want our government to focus on core city services above all else and to develop a culture of service, not red tape.

I want us to have an attitude where we seek to find solutions rather than look for loopholes in policy – and that goes for everything from building new homes to ensuring people can get around in the east end when they need to.

I believe a municipality is at its best when things are running so smoothly, you don’t even notice we are there until you need it. Lately, that has not been the case. I will continue to work for a common-sense approach to policy and budgeting while working hard to claw our way back from crumbling infrastructure.

This budget, I’ll be thinking about you and the priorities you have shared with me. I wish you and your family a cozy autumn.