Weekly newsletter: August 8, 2023
Good morning!
One of my biggest challenges since assuming office was setting aside personal and family time. As I technically don’t have “days off,” my work-life boundaries were initially very blurred, but it all became better defined as I settled more comfortably in my role.
It all led to Sunday 6 August 2023—my first complete day off, where I occasionally peeked at my phone for anything urgent but kept the entire day free of work!
Well, I made mental notes for future reference when my wife and I walked to the farmers’ market, but my mind is never truly off work (it’s true for every job I’ve held).
Anyway, let’s dive into things I want to share!
Garbage
Remember blue/green bin and garbage collection is delayed by a day this week as Monday was a holiday.
Street racing
To quickly preface, in Ontario, a municipal police force is under the command of its Chief of Police, who reports to the Police Services Board, and governed by the Police Services Act. While City Council can provide suggestions to help guide policing efforts, we have no authority to direct operations.
The street racing and noise from modified exhaust systems is an issue prevalent in Barrhaven and most communities across Ottawa. It doesn’t help that we allowed the problem to fester with little resistance for as long as it has. The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) know it’s not a small issue – since the spring, they’ve laid hundreds of charges in Barrhaven alone.
These groups of people are dynamic, and our vast road network, plus resource requirements for “regular” police calls, means enforcement isn’t always available or effective. There are also officer vacancies at the OPS, that the Chief has committed to filling as quickly as possible.
The OPS have recognised the need and have increased the number of patrols and their methods. New since April is a periodically updated “vehicles of interest” list which the OPS shares with all officers. The list is based on past offences, resident’s complaints / reports, and officer observations.
The OPS also started a new integrated enforcement approach using intelligence and information to deploy officers to known problematic locations and previously identified gathering locations.
Every week a traffic analyst reviews and compiles data from traffic complaints, social media info, and other various sources to create a snapshot of what is occurring and expected for the upcoming week. This provides the data to not only address the known problematic meetups, but also to discourage and address any new potential locations.
I should also note that the end of emissions testing of older cars has also increased the number of vehicles on our roads with loud exhausts despite no modification to the system. Parts that make cars extra loud are also easy to purchase and install.
I reached out to the OPS mid-June about piloting noise radar in our city – I even offered Strandherd as a pilot roadway. Since its allowed use in France in 2019, and since its introduction in Paris in 2022, the OPS has been following the technology closely. A Councillor in Toronto also requested an assessment into the feasibility of its use.
Both Toronto and the OPS determined that the required “owner liability” under the Highway Traffic Act for charges for automated noise radar don’t exist like they do for speeding, red light infractions, and school bus signal offences. Without changes to the provincial law, this is not something municipalities in Ontario are able to implement. However, I believe it’s worth advocacy to our provincial leaders.
Despite the need to balance regular duties and other operational requirements, the OPS believes the new initiatives noted above, along with regular enforcement and rotating blitzes, have contributed to the general success they have achieved so far this year.
For continued success, the OPS needs your help. Please report instances of street racing through the OPS’s online reporting form. Although it won’t result in an immediate officer dispatch, the information submitted by residents will help guide future enforcement efforts, including both regular enforcement and specialised blitzes.
Prince of Wales Drive resurfacing
Resurfacing works on Prince of Wales Drive near the Jock River bridge are almost complete, but some motorists may notice 225 metres from where Woodroffe used to end up to 75 metres north of Lodge Road were forgotten.
This wasn’t a mistake! As part of the police station project, Prince of Wales needs roadway modifications in that area, including a new left-turn lane for southbound traffic. Utility connections mean cuts will need to be made in the roadway soon.
To avoid cutting into a brand-new road twice, the decision was to defer 225 metres from the resurfacing project until substantial works at the police station are complete. The work is budgeted, and additional mobilisation costs have already been built in.
The police station construction should start later this year and open in 2026.
Gus Este
Our community lost a great leader over the weekend. Gus Este joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1950 and served in the Korean War as a medical assistant.
After the war, he was discharged and worked for Canada Post for three years until rejoining the Forces in the postal corps. At one point in the 1970s, he was responsible for all postal operations for the group of UN countries serving in the Middle East!
After retiring in 1987, Gus volunteered countless hours of his time with the Ontario Lung Association, the Nepean Public Library board, the Mayor of Nepean’s Task Force on Visible Minorities, the Korea Veterans Association of Canada, and helping found the Royal Canadian Legion’s Barrhaven branch.
In 2013, then-deputy mayor Steve Desroches dedicated the park at Brookstone/Waterbridge to Gus in recognition to his contributions to the community. The park’s municipal sign includes the logo for the 60th anniversary of the Korean War.
Mr. Este will be remembered by his family and the community. I will work with the Barrhaven branch of the Legion to organise some form of commemoration, soon, at the park named in his honour. In the meantime, a black ribbon will be tied to the park sign.
Highway 417 closure
Lastly, please note Highway 417 will be closed (again) in both directions for an MTO bridge replacement project at Percy Street.
The closure takes place Thursday 10 August at 8:00 pm until 6:00 am Monday 14 August.
Eastbound will be closed from Carling-Kirkwood to Metcalfe, while westbound will be closed from Metcalfe-Catherine to Bronson.
Hoping for a week without a tornado warning, though it’s supposed to be a wet one. Take care!
-Wilson