SPLASH PAD TO BE INSTALLED IN BRIDLEWOOD

Plans are being made to install a splash pad in Deevy Pines Park, near the Eva James Memorial Community Centre, in Bridlewood. In new facilities, splash pads are being used as an alternative to wading pools. They offer a chance for small children to play in the water on hot days, but the absence of standing water means that safety concerns that have to be addressed with wading pools are not a problem.

In neighbourhoods built during the sixties and seventies, federal and provincial funding helped provide recreation facilities. That funding was no longer available when neighbourhoods like Bridlewood experienced rapid growth. The addition of the splash pad is another step towards increasing the recreation opportunities families in Bridlewood can access without leaving the community.

COFFEE WITH PEGGY AT NEW LOCATION

The January Coffee with Peggy will be at the Meeting Room in the Hazeldean Branch of the Public Library at 50 Castlefrank. It will be on Thursday, January 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. I look forward to chatting with you about concerns you have or problems affecting our community.

WHY EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER IS NOT PROVIDING DETAILED COMMENTS ON THE STRIKE

Unless there is a major change in the position of the federal government, the strike by drivers, mechanics and dispatchers at OC Transpo is going to be settled by a negotiated settlement. Reaching an agreement requires that each side have a clear understanding of where the other side stands.

If each councillor starts providing a detailed analysis of the strike, it serves only to create confusion about the City’s position. All that does is make it more difficult to reach a settlement that meets the needs of all residents of the City.

With people spending over two hours getting to work and others stuck at home as a result of the strike, councillors have strong feelings about the strike. However, for most councillors, the need to get the strike settled as soon as possible means the place to express those views is the in-camera council meetings to discuss the City’s negotiating position. A public debate between councillors risks needlessly increasing the time the strike lasts.

INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ADULT CROSSING GUARDS COMING IN 2009

The 2009 City of Ottawa budget provides for up to 15 new adult crossing guard locations. With normal growth, there is an increase in the number of intersections requiring adult crossing guards. This year, with the cancellation of school bus service in some areas, the number of children using some busy intersections when walking to school has increased significantly. I have heard from a number of parents about the safety of their children at those intersections.

With the additional funds, it will be possible to have adult crossing guards at intersections where traffic levels meet provincially set warrant levels. Traffic counts to check which intersections meet warrant levels will be done before the end of the school year and new crossing guards will be in place in September.

Even for people without school-aged children, additional adult crossing guards are good news. When neighbourhoods like Bridlewood were planned decades ago the assumption was that children would walk to school. Concerns about the safety have led more parents to drive their children to school and this has led to traffic problems. Measures that allow children to walk to school safely help reduce traffic congestion for everyone.

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