Heron Park Winter Carnival
HERON PARK
WINTER
CARNIVAL
Saturday, February 13
12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Heron Park (on Clover)
The Heron Park Community Association invites you to
Celebrate winter with friends and neighbors!
Games! Skating! Broomball! Face painting! Prizes! Pancakes, Chili, Hot dogs, and Hot chocolate!
Kids – come for food, stay for balloons and games.
December 2009 HPCA Meeting Minutes
HPCA Monthly Meeting Minutes – DRAFT
December 8, 2009
Heron Park Community Activity Centre
Present: Connie Berry, Derek Gour, James McLaren, Judy Mordy, Leo Derome,
Lindsey Barr, Rosella Mac Neil (minutes)
Late arrivals: Colin MacLean, Clive Doucet
Regrets: Hijal de Sarkar, Donna Silver, Maritala Robinson
1. Approval of minutes
James McLaren opened the meeting shortly after 7:00; the minutes of the October meeting were approved with a minor amendment. [The minutes from the November AGM should be approved at the 2010 AGM.]
Motion for approval: Connie Berry; Seconded: Rosella Mac Neil; Approved: All
2. Playground fundraising update (Leo Derome)
Of the $560 raised from the Christmas bazaar, the biggest source of revenue was the baked goods. The sale was not as successful as the previous year’s. One reason may be that there was no advertising done this year within the local schools.
Originally, we were told that Heron Park was on the list of play structures to be updated in 2010, based on the City’s Life Cycle programme. We’re not, or at least it is not certain.
Leo, Maritala and Peter Fourney met with Clive and the Parks & Recreation rep Donna Williams. They all felt that the existing structure should be replaced soon: it is falling apart, and is not wheelchair accessible. Clive offered to solicit corporate sponsors, working with us. We will learn where we are on the Life Cycle status in about two weeks. We need this information before the Life Cycle staff member leaves her position, or we’ll be starting over again with the new person.
3. New building proposed for Billings Bridge Plaza
James, Clive and Donna Silver met with the developer of the planned building at Billings Bridge Plaza. He asked for a sidewalk over Sawmill Creek so people can walk from HP to Billings Bridge. He said that HPCA would be wiling to agree to the development if we had improved access to shopping and transit. He suggested that the building be located closer to the Transitway access, which would mean more people from the building would frequent the food court and shops, and it would be a better location for people crossing the parking lots. They liked the suggestion.
4. Herald update (Derek)
Derek talked about the problems with getting interesting articles for the Herald, and enough regular – and early – input. He questioned whether we should continue to produce the paper if the ad revenue doesn’t cover its printing cost. Someone suggested we look into a cheaper way to print it, like reverting to a newsletter format. Others (Rosella, Clive) felt that the regular issue of a community newspaper is very important to the life of the community. The Glebe Report and OSCAR pay their editor about $10K/year and bring in significant ad revenues; the OOS newspaper has no paid editor and is issued irregularly. Clive offered to help financially in 2010 if it is needed to keep it going.
Suggestions for articles for the Spring issue included the house demolition on Clementine and the reasons for it, the improvements to the building at Rockingham and Bank that the McGuinty law firm is moving into (Rosella will write it, Colin will take pictures for it); local bird watching; local history; a community gossip column; local sports (e.g., Bruce Timmermans); local politics; articles for kids.
Lindsey told us she has booked the gym for 8 Saturday mornings in Alta Vista Public School for a kids’ activity. She is charging $75 per child; the programme’s spaces were filled in just a few days, showing strong interest in this kind of activity.
We agreed that articles should be kept short to ensure they are read. Colin suggested promoting the HP rink: the best, and earliest, ice surface last year. ACTION Everyone was asked to submit ideas for articles or columns.
5. Councilor’s report (Clive)
The 7 architects on the City’s review committee have resigned en masse. The Royal Architectural Society, the Ontario Architectural Society and the local architectural society all said we need to have real input that is listened to, and they weren’t.
6. Other business
A) Leo told us about an unpleasant incident that occurred at the end of the Christmas bazaar, when several of the regular card players settled in to play cards at 4:30, despite the fact that Maritala and Leo were cleaning up. They would not leave when asked, and one of them, Bruno, was belligerent and even threatened Maritala.
B) Colin said that we now have new signatories for the HPCA main bank account: Colin and James were added, Rosella was removed.
C) Colin told us the rink agreement with the City has been signed for 09-10. The total revenue for the season is $4700.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
City of Ottawa 55+ Short Story Contest now underway
The City of Ottawa’s 13th annual 55 + Short Story Contest invites submissions of original, unpublished short stories or memoirs of 2000 words or less by Ottawa residents 55 years or older.
Eight entrants will be named to the 2010 Winners Circle, sharing recognition and prize money of $400. They will be recognized at An Afternoon of Readings on Wednesday April 28, 2010 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Heron Seniors’ Centre, 1480 Heron Road.
One of the winning stories will be selected for publication in the spring issue of Forever Young newspaper. Though contestants may submit multiple entries, they will only be eligible to win one prize.
An entry fee of $5 per story is applicable. Deadline for submissions is Monday, March 15, 2010.
This contest is co-sponsored by the Colonel By Retirement Residence and the Forever Young newspaper.
For full contest details, pick up a brochure at any City of Ottawa Client Service Centre or call the Heron Seniors’ Centre at 613-247-4808. ext.1
Le Concours de nouvelles « 55 Plus » de la Ville d’Ottawa est lancé
Ottawa – Les résidents de 55 ans et plus sont invités à soumettre des mémoires ou des nouvelles originales non publiées de 2 000 mots ou moins dans le cadre du 13e concours annuel de nouvelles « 55 Plus » de la Ville d’Ottawa.
Huit finalistes seront nommés au Cercle des gagnants de 2010, partageant reconnaissance et des prix en argent de 400 $. Ils seront reconnus lors d’Un après-midi de lecture qui aura lieu le mercredi 28 avril 2010 de 13 h à 16 h au Centre des aînés Heron, 1480, chemin Heron.
Un des récits gagnants sera sélectionné pour publication dans la revue Forever Young du printemps. Bien que les candidats puissent soumettre plusieurs nouvelles, ils ne sont admissibles qu’à un seul prix.
Des droits d’inscription de 5 $ par nouvelle sont exigés et la date limite des soumissions est fixée au 15 mars 2010. Le concours est commandité par la Colonel By Retirement Residence et la revue Forever Young.
Afin d’obtenir tous les détails concernant le concours, veuillez prendre une brochure dans un des centres du service à la clientèle ou appeler le Centre des aînés Heron au 613-247-4808, poste 1.
What’s All The Fuss About a New Playstructure?
If you want a clear answer to this question – come and find out!
Be a part of the decision making process!
Be a community builder!
All Heron Parkers are encouraged to attend this week’s meeting on Tuesday, January 12th at 7pm in order to hear a proposed idea for our Community Park. We will hear from Bruce Sudds from Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds . He will give us information on the playground we could have in Heron Park. [There are two choices we’re looking into.]
Whether you have young children or not, anything that provides the children of our neighbourhood with a healthy, active form of entertainment will, over time, benefit the entire neighbourhood.
You can stay just for this topic (the first on the agenda) or for as long as you like. Our meetings usually finish between 8:30 and 9.
Dog feces not an acceptable material for green bin
Ottawa – The City of Ottawa has recently been informed by Orgaworld Canada that their current Ministry of Environment Certificate of Approval issued by the Ministry of the Environment for their composting facility does not include dog feces as an acceptable material.
The certificate does allow for the receipt and handling of other small pet feces, as long as it is included as a part of cat litter and small animal bedding materials.
This announcement is being made at this time in order to avoid this material being included by residents as a part of their organics materials intended for eventual processing at the Orgaworld facility beginning on January 27, 2010.
It will also be necessary to make changes to the City’s Solid Waste By-law eliminating the acceptability of this material. This will be done at the next Council meeting.
The City reminds residents to use green bins safely. While green bin manufacturer, Norseman Plastics, says there have been no reported incidents of children being injured in their lockable green bins, each unit does contain a message that says “Warning! Suffocation hazard. Do not allow children to play inside this container.”
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For more information:
Media contact
613-580-2450
Public inquiries
3-1-1
Pour diffusion immédiate
Le 11 janvier 2010
Les excréments de chien ne sont pas acceptés dans les bacs verts
Ottawa – La Ville d’Ottawa a récemment été avisée par Orgaworld Canada que le Certificat d’approbation actuel du ministère de l’Environnement délivré par le ministère de l’Environnement pour son installation de compostage ne comprenait pas les excréments de chien dans sa liste des matières acceptables.
Le certificat permet la collecte et la manipulation d’excréments d’autres petits animaux, en autant qu’ils font partie de la litière pour chat ou pour petits animaux.
Cet avis vous est transmis afin d’éviter que ces excréments ne se retrouvent dans les bacs de déchets organiques des résidents et qu’ils ne soient envoyés à l’installation Orgaworld aux fins de traitement à compter du 27 janvier 2010.
Il est également nécessaire d’apporter des changements au Règlement municipal sur les déchets solides de la Ville, pour éliminer l’acceptabilité des excréments de chien. Ces modifications seront apportées lors de la prochaine réunion du Conseil.
La Ville rappelle aux résidents d’être vigilants avec leur bac vert. Bien que le fabricant de bacs verts, Norseman Plastics, n’ait rapporté aucun incident lié à un enfant blessé par un des bacs verts verrouillables, chaque article contient un message d’avertissement sur lequel on peut lire « Attention! Danger de suffocation. Ne pas laisser les enfants jouer à l’intérieur du bac ».
Winter 2009 President’s Report
By James McLaren
As former Vice President, I am now President because Kelly Thomas has decided to resign. In an effort to avoid following the example of other vice presidents who took over, I will try not to act like a klutz or explode any atomic bombs. (If you don’t get that joke, go google “Gerald Ford” and “Lyndon Johnson”.)
Our meetings will be moving to the second Tuesday of the month. I encourage people to come to the meetings and get involved in the community. It would be great to see more new people coming out. You can also explore our fabulously updated web site at heronpark.ca. Here you can read and comment on articles and events of recent interest. You can also contact me (president@heronpark.ca) directly. I would be very interested to hear residents’ opinions about what’s good and what’s not good about Heron Park and about the city services we receive (or don’t receive). Your community association is your first line of contact with city government and your best avenue of support if you are having problems with the city or, for example, with some development that is happening in your area.
We sponsor important services that you can read more about elsewhere in the Herald, such as the Wednesday Night Program, the outdoor rink, and the Playgroup. We are working hard to raise funds to build a new playstructure in the park and so far have raised over $6000. More than all this, I hope that the Heron Park Community Association can be a fun way to get to know your neighbours and join in interesting events without leaving your community.
The owners of Billings Bridge Plaza are planning to build a new 11-storey office building between the mall and the transitway. This is higher than the zoning currently allows at the site, but we have told them we do not object to the height on the condition that pedestrian links from Bank St and Data Centre Road to the mall are improved when the new building is constructed. We might even get a walkway directly across Sawmill Creek from the corner of Ohio and Clementine to the transit station! This would be nice – people could get to the transitway quickly instead of waiting for the bus or going all the way down the hill on Bank St and through the mall. I think that the extra height would be a small price to pay to get these links.
2009 Annual General Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 16, 2009
Location: Billingswood Manor
Present: Connie Berry, Rosella Mac Neil, Donna Silver, Willem Van Westerop, Judy Mordy, Leo DeRome, Hijal De Sarkar, Maritala Robinson, Olita Schultz, Joan Lesiak, Sylvia Butt, Terry Couvillon, Lynn McKenzie, Kristine Ennis, Adam Dodd, Jojo Maalouf, Eileen McGurrin (Minutes Part I), Colin MacLean (Minutes Part II)
Isabel Metcalfe
Regrets: James McLaren
Guest: David McGuinty, M.P. for Ottawa South riding
Opening Remarks and Welcome
Meeting Chair, Rosella Mac Neil, opened the meeting at 7:15 p.m. and welcomed all attendees. She announced that our special AGM guest, M.P. David McGuinty, was scheduled to arrive soon but other meeting business would proceed until his arrival. Rosella invited attendees who had not yet renewed their membership to please do so. Heron Park residents with HPCA Membership are permitted to vote at the AGM and other community meetings.
Board and Executive Positions
Rosella explained that although the HPCA Executive roles are for two years and this is not a scheduled election year, due to recent resignations of President Kelly Thomas and Secretary, Eileen McGurrin, those roles are up for re-election a year early.
Proposed nominations: James McLaren, formerly VP, is willing to assume the role of President, Rosella, the role of Secretary, and Colin, the role of Treasurer. The VP role would remain vacant.
In addition, a few board members have either resigned during the past year (Johanne Bérubé) or determined not to stay on as a Board member (Angie Kelm). Other Board members present were then asked if they were willing to renew their commitment for another year: Connie Berry, Leo DeRome, Maritala Robinson, as well as Hijal DeSarkar all agreed to renew their commitment for 2009/2010. In response to a question, Connie briefly outlined the responsibilities of an HPCA board member: primarily to attend meetings (now held the 2nd Tuesday of every month) and to participate in activities based on their availability and interest. Heron Park residents are welcome to attend meetings and Colin added that membership in HPCA gives you the option of voting on motions at meetings.
Following a suggestion, all AGM attendees briefly introduced themselves. One attendee was Isabel Metcalfe who is considering running for municipal council in this area.
Motion to accept all said nominations: Eileen McGurrin Seconded: Olita Schultz
Motion carried by a show of hands.
3. Report on Ottawa South riding from David McGuinty, Ottawa South Member of Parliament and AGM guest
Upon his arrival, our M.P. David McGuinty was invited to address the AGM. Mr. McGuinty opened his remarks by expressing appreciation for community members who came out to attend the AGM and for those actively involved in the Heron Park community.
Mr. McGuinty then shared events and issues affecting our riding and outlined how he and his office are engaged in representing the community’s interests, namely:
- sending out appreciation certificates in recognition of outstanding community volunteerism
- “green” environment-friendly programs that have been launched in this riding: Phase I was the Project Porchlight (distribution of free CFC light bulbs); Phase II, Tire Gauge Campaign, has now started at the Bank and Heron Canadian Tire and is now going nationwide. The next one he’s trying to launch: low-flow showerhead distribution project
- 43 schools in district. His office assists schoolchildren to visit Parliament Hill in order to promote education in government and community involvement. In addition, his office provides approximately $5,000/yr in scholarships.
- paying careful attention to property development (be it private, City, NCC or federally-owned) to ensure the best return for taxpayers and also to attend to the interests of his constituents (e.g., relocation of the Parole office, development in the McCarthy Woods area). Of particular concern is a proposed Ottawa Airport expansion of new convention space (250,000 sq ft) slated for Hunt Club Drive. Traffic congestion and the questionable need for this space (based on the Convention Centre renovation) are two primary concerns.
on the question of public transit, Mr. McGuinty is working to ensure we get as much federal and provincial support as possible
in the area of Sports and Recreation, this riding has four significant projects going forward with federal support, including: RA Centre retrofit, Terry Fox Track renovation (Riverside Drive), Rideau Canoe Club expansion, 2 large soccer pitches off Smyth Road near Hillcrest High School
- as Environment Critic for the Official Opposition, Mr. McGuinty is working hard on issues involving climate change and the environment, and water quality. As Canadians, we’re being badly outspent per capita by other G8 countries and we need to improve our performance, particularly as this affects our future economy!
- on the consumer front, Mr. McGuinty is introducing a private members’ Bill C-555 (the Get Connected Fairly Act) to end “fictitious cell phone surcharges on phone bills”
- Mr. McGuinty is concerned with disability issues affecting 10% of our population. Together with Caucus members from all the political parties, he is examining ways and means to better serve the needs of Canadians living with mental and physical disabilities. With Judy Sgro, he is also focussing on seniors’ and pension concerns.
In concluding his address, Mr. McGuinty thanked HPCA for having him and invited HPCA residents to contact his office to provide feedback on how he is serving our needs. His office is currently dealing with over 12,000 active files in our riding. Mr. McGuinty is clearly working on our behalf! (For more details, please see his website at www.davidmcguinty.com or call his office at 613-990-8640.)
Rosella thanked Mr. McGuinty for joining us and for representing the needs and interests of Ottawa South residents. A brief intermission followed to allow attendees to greet Mr. McGuinty and to partake of available refreshments.
Colin Mac Lean gave us reports on his 3 main activities.
Wednesday Night Program: a youth activity group that was begun to help counteract the rash of incidents of youth delinquency. $3K from City, $300 from HPCA (See report.)
Neighbourhood Watch: The first (of many) NW has been started, the LaSalle-Apolydor group. Signs have been erected at prominent locations. (See report.)
HP Rink: we have done an excellent job of maintaining the rink over the past few years. Our thanks to Leo for all his work, and for the minimal charge we are asked to pay. He has been a big help to HPCA in earning money on the City’s rink program.
There were a few questions asked of Colin, mainly about WNP and NW.
Play Structure Report
Maritala Robinson and Leo DeRome gave a rundown of their fundraising activities thus far and showed pictures of two structures that they hope to buy and erect Spring 2010. They urged community members to actively support their efforts. They need more help and more ideas about how to fundraise so that we have enough money to afford some decent play structures.
Questions were asked, primarily about how to help with fundraising.
Play Group Report
Maritala spoke about the Friday morning Play Group. They have not been meeting because of fears of contracting and spreading H1N1. They hope to resume the Play Group soon.
Community Garden Report
Connie Berry gave information about efforts related to starting a community garden in Heron Park. The committee has had two meetings so far and gone on visited sites throughout the City of Ottawa to get a better idea of what is feasible. The more people who participate, the more that can be done. Grant applications will begin soon and Connie is hopeful that we will be able to apply and receive money. The next meeting is on Wednesday, November 18 at 7pm at the HPCC in Heron Park.
Connie also spoke about ongoing efforts to clean up Sawmill Creek, the project to prevent soil erosion along the creek banks (Stream Barbs), tree-planting activities with University of Ottawa students to prevent erosion along Sawmill Creek, and the City Stream Watch activities.
Financial Report
Rosella summarized the expenses & revenues of the HPCA over the past 12 months. Rosella thanked everyone for their patience and noted that we were going later than usual tonight because of the interesting discussion with David McGuinty that preceded the reports.
See attached financial report.
Donna asked about the Mutual Fund ($1513) which hasn’t gained much in value since it was first invested.
Constitution
BIRT the Constitution as posted on the Heron Park website since April 2009 be adopted as the Heron Park Community Association Constitution: Leo DeRome. Seconded: Maritala Robinson. Carried.
Next HPCA meeting to be held Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 7pm at the HPCC.
Vote For The New Playstructure! We can get $50,000
Please go to the following link and vote for the new playstructure.
http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf1607
If you each go to the following link and vote for us, we might get $50,000 for our new playstructure!
Please put the link on your facebook or twitter pages or send the link to your contacts.
You can vote once a day. Only 3 days left. We have over 100 votes so far!
Influenza Vaccination Clinics
The H1N1 virus is back. The City of Ottawa has established vaccine clinics across the city. Follow the above link for the clinic closest to you.
For more information about the vaccine itself, follow this link:
http://ottawa.ca/residents/health/conditions/id_prevention/preventing_germs/vaccine_safety_en.html
H1N1 Information and Resources
The second wave of H1N1 has hit Ottawa. If you, or someone you know, has a cough and a fever, please assume you have been stricken with H1N1. If your symptoms become serious, especially if you have trouble breathing, go directly to an ER or visit your family doctor. Otherwise, treat it as you would the regular seasonal flu. Lots of rest and fluids.
Again–IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE BREATHING, GO TO EMERGENCY, OR TO YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR!!! If not, try to tough it out.
Symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to seasonal influenza (flu) including headache, chills and cough followed by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may occur in adults as well as in children. In more severe cases, or in people with chronic conditions, complications such as pneumonia may develop. (Information from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care website.)
For medical advice, see your doctor, or contact Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000
For additional information about influenza and the H1N1 variant, please click on the following links:
- Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long Term Care website
- Public Health Agency of Canada’s H1N1 website
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/fs-fr_h1n1-eng.php
