My 2nd Article
The City of Ottawa is one of the best cities to live in the world. It is a beautiful, safe, livable place that is full of opportunities.Looking back 12 years ago, at that time, I believed we had a city struggling with its identity. Shifting from multiple regions to...
Rideau-Vanier residents have never been shy to speak up. Let me share with you what I believe to be the top issues and opportunities that can help solve some of our most severe challenges and meet residents of our community and broader City expectations. Residents want a modern City. One that is effective, responsive, and organized which allows the future of our downtown the opportunity to continue to grow.
Two main principles are clear: increasing the downtown population and focusing on ensuring the ByWard Market, Lansdowne and Lebreton thrive as the three downtown pillars. Sticking to the basics needs, we need to ensure quality control in essential City services. This includes effective responses and resolution to bylaw violations, potholes, winter operations, sidewalk repairs, and waste.We need to make sure residents are engaged with City plans (present and future), are consulted with a clear purpose, and see the value in their property tax contribution.
We need to meet expectations and demand: when parents register their children for swimming lessons, our systems should not fail on them. They deserve better client service and satisfaction. Solving big problems by getting to the root causes, understanding housing affordability challenges and making real and serious investments in rental housing. Be hyper responsible on elements we can control: public land and LRT lands, and maximize the construction of rental and affordable housing at these hubs. Don’t just build plans to execute over the next 30 years. Share intentions and develop an action plan to achieve them in real timeframes.Stop doing what doesn’t work. In the case for shelters, if there’s a problem on Rideau Street and the ByMarket, the solution isn’t to push them elsewhere in the city. It is to invest with clear intentions on lasting solutions. Bring fairness and consistency to policymaking. A real example is why paid parking is on most main streets except in Westboro? This inconsistency creates a divide which goes against intentions to build one city. Be surprising. Allow art talent to perform and paint on ugly urban facades. I know a few blank walls in Rideau LRT that could benefit from such attention.
I believe these are some of the issues and opportunities we can learn and build from. I am proud to call Ottawa home. I am hopeful for our future. I will continue to be engaged and be there to assist communities and elected officials if asked.
