BUDGET DIRECTIONS PROVIDE FOR TWO OPTIONS

The budget directions approved by council instructed staff to prepare budget estimates based on two scenarios – a tax increase at the rate of inflation and no tax increase.

This was done to ensure council has a better sense of the available options. The cost of city services should be kept as low as possible, but people expect that the services they value will be maintained.

In the 2004 budget process council became so obsessed with the tax increase being approved that it lost site of the big picture. The result was services people value, like roadside grass cutting and litter pick-up, were cut to unacceptably low levels.

I support looking for savings, but not if it means things like closing outdoor pools or reducing supports that help seniors live independently.

NOMINATION OPEN FOR CITY AWARDS TO RECOGNIZE VOLUNTEERS

Each year, as part of National Volunteer Week, the City of Ottawa presents Civic Appreciation Awards to recognize and thank volunteers in our community.

If you know someone whose efforts are worthy of recognition, nominations are now open. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 30 at 4:00 p.m.. Information about the criteria or how to nominate someone can be found on the city’s website at http://ottawa.ca/city_services/volunteerservices/volunteer_recognition_en.shtml.

Whether it is tidying up roadsides or coaching children’s sports teams, we know the impact volunteers have. Across Ottawa 35% of people over the age of 15 volunteer. On average people volunteer for 145 hours a year. It is estimated that the volunteer sector adds $571 million to Ottawa’s economy.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

What has helped stretch tax dollars further is the role community agencies play in delivering services. Because of the involvement of volunteers, community agencies are able to deliver many services for a lower cost than the city.

Three community agencies, the Kanata Youth Centre, the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre and the Alzheimer Society, are holding fundraisers to help pay for their work. Details are below:

Champagne on Ice (for the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre)
February 16, 2007, 6:00 p.m.
Scotiabank Place
For more information or to order tickets go to http://www.communityresourcecentre.ca/ChampagneonIce-e.html or call 613-591-3686.

Kanata Youth Centre Murder Mystery Evening
Thursday, March 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Select. Tickets are available by calling Nick Stelmach, the Executive Director of the Youth Centre, at 613-286-5545.

Walk for Memories (The Alzheimer Society)
Anyone who has seen a friend or family member suffer from Alzheimer’s knows how devastating it can be. On January 28 I will be participating in the Walk for Memories at Carlingwood Shopping Centre between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.. It is a chance to raise money for the Ottawa branch of the Alzheimer Society and increase awareness. To get more information or to participate, call Susanne Zorzella at 613-523-4004 or e-mail szorzella@alzheimerott.org

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA

I appreciate the chance to hear from you about issues affecting our community. You can reach me at 613-580-2752 (office), 613-580-2762 (fax), or peggy.feltmate@ottawa.ca