3 minute read

The year that was

from Glebe Report: August 2023

from Glebe Report: August 2023, page 33

The Glebe’s dedicated snow sho...

The election of a new Glebe Community Association board of directors is a good time to reflect on the activities of the past year.

A new board was elected at the Annual General Meeting in June, and it is a sign of stability and commitment that nearly all the board is returning (see the GCA website for committee chairs and regional reps). But there is always some turnover, so we said farewell and thank you to board secretary Janet Mayhew who stepped down. Janet Sutherland, who has been on the board before, has assumed her vital work.

It was a busy year and here are just a few highlights:

The GCA Membership Committee and Block Reps were out knocking on doors in May. The personal contact paid off, and the GCA now has many new members. And the number continues to grow via the registration link on our website (glebeca.ca/ membership/). Thanks to all the volunteers who worked hard to canvass the neighbourhood so the GCA has a strong base and funds to run its business.

The Health, Housing and Social Services Committee has been advocating for affordable housing in a proposed 16-storey, mixed-use building at Chamberlain and Bank. Adding affordable housing to the project would be a small step in dealing with the crisis in Ottawa. On the health front, our partnership with Seniors Watch Old Ottawa South has focused on trying to establish an innovative health clinic in our area for seniors, as well as working on more creative options for seniors housing and aging in place.

The GCA’s Transportation Committee secured a large grant from Infrastructure Canada to conduct a study on Active Transportation in the Glebe – how we walk, cycle, scoot or skateboard around the neighbourhood. The objective is to create an Action Plan for a safe, inclusive, bike- and pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood well-connected to other communities in central Ottawa. A community consultation is underway, including an open house held on June 7 at St Giles Church to gather ideas for the study. More than 60 people attended and an online survey continues to pull in ideas.

The Environment Committee surveyed Glebe streets to count properties lacking a front yard tree on city-owned right of way and worked with the membership team to hand out Neighbourhood Tree Canopy Regeneration Project postcards. They also co-hosted a Climate Resiliency webinar with Centretown Community Association in partnerships with Carleton University students. Outreach activities included promoting the Green Bins in Schools program at First Avenue Public School and holding an Anti-Idling session with Mutchmor PS and GNAG parents. Presentations were made to city committees on different topics, and numerous articles were published in the Glebe Report and elsewhere.

In April, the GCA approved a motion from the Parks Committee that the city approve funding for a pilot project to provide the budget for winter stairway maintenance for Central Park West and East from Bank Street. Through the parks committee, the GCA also passed a motion recommending the city bring in stronger rules about where film production crews can park or put their “base camps.”

The Lansdowne Committee has been working with community associations in Old Ottawa East and Old Ottawa South to engage with city staff and councillors and to ensure meaningful consultations on Lansdowne 2.0. Given the lack of a transparent and informed consultation by the City, the GCA held a session for the public to comment on the proposal. About 130 people came out on June 19 at St. Giles to look at the site model. Attendees reviewed different aspects of the project that could cost taxpayers more than $300 million.

The Great Glebe Garage Sale was a huge success this year and raised almost $15,000 for the Ottawa Food Bank. This happened thanks to a big publicity campaign to recommit the neighbourhood to fundraising for the food bank. The word got out through traditional and social media and a massive poster blitz. Thanks to all the organizers who put an enormous amount of time and energy into the Glebe’s largest annual event.

During last year’s municipal election, the GCA and other community associations organized a councillor candidates’ debate at the Glebe Community Centre and a mayoral debate at the Horticulture Building. Both were extremely well attended.

Finally, I want to salute our cation Committee and everyone involved in getting the Mutchmor rink back.

Looking ahead

The fate of Lansdowne 2.0 will be decided when city council returns in the fall. The GCA will be watch ing closely to see what is in an update report requested by the city’s environ ment committee due no later than the end of July. Capital Ward Council lor Shawn Menard moved the motion after release of a letter on the need for “financial disclosures and transpar ency” signed by former Parliament ary Budget Officer Kevin Page and other prominent Ottawa residents. This letter reinforces concerns raised by the GCA about the lack of financial transparency on Lansdowne 2.0.

Also, by fall we will have a draft report on active transportation in our community for further public review and approval by the GCA board.

The next GCA board meeting will be in person at the Glebe Commun ity Centre on Tuesday, September 26 at 7 p.m.