OPEN HOUSE ON RULES FOR DOGS IN PARKS

Under the City of Ottawa’s Animal Control the rules regarding dogs in the park vary depending on how the park is designated. Dogs can be completed banned from a park, permitted only if they are on a leash and on pathways, permitted provided they are on a leash or permitted to run free. The designation system is based on the size of the park, other uses in the park and input from the community.

On November 5 there will be an open house to get feedback on park designations in Kanata South and Stittsville – Kanata West. The open house will be:

Monday, November 5, 2007
6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Kanata Recreation Complex (2nd floor)
100 Walter Baker Place

Until parks have been designated under the by-law, the by-laws from former municipalities apply. The former City of Kanata by-law allowed dogs in parks, provided they were on leashes.

SNOW GO PROGRAM TO HELP SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

For seniors or persons with disabilities, having to deal with snow and ice can make it more difficult to continue living in their own homes. It is all the more difficult for low-income seniors or persons with disabilities. They can face the twin barriers of not being able to shovel their path or driveway and not being able to afford to pay someone else to do it.

The Snow Go program helps link seniors and persons with disabilities with individuals and contractors to clear snow and ice from private driveways and walkways. Through the Snow Go Assist Program low-income seniors or persons with disabilities can get assistance with snow and ice removal costs.

In Kanata, Snow Go is being delivered through the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre. To get more information about the program please call 613-591-3686 or e-mail taylor@communityresourcecentre.ca.

GIVING AWAY LANSDOWNE PARK IRREVERSIBLE

For over a century, Lansdowne Park has helped meet the recreation needs of the entire city. Most of us have attended sporting events there or taken our families to the Ex. There is widespread agreement that changes are needed to Lansdowne Park to meet the changing needs of the City. The debate is how we do that.

Turning the site over to a private developer in exchange for a football team and a rebuilt stadium has been suggested. However, in the last 15 years two CFL teams have folded in Ottawa.

We have no way of guaranteeing that a third team will not meet the same fate. That would leave us with no football team and an empty stadium – the same situation we are in now. The difference is that to get a third team the City of Ottawa would have given away land that is potentially worth millions of dollars that we could never get back.

Getting CFL football back to Ottawa would be good for our community. However, there is a limit to the price Ottawa taxpayers should be expected to pay to get a football team in Ottawa.

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA SOUTH

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