Barrhaven Independent November 13, 2020

BARRHAVEN

services in English. Member newspapers published in other languages may not have access to association programs such as General Excellence Awards.

Applicants and member newspapers be ar OCNA’s cost to read and spot check publications to ensure theymeet OCNA membership criteria.

We continue to be open during the coVid-19 pAndeMic

If you have any questions, please feelfree to call 905-639-8720 ext. 232.

We look forward to serving you.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC PHARMACY HOURS

MON-THURS: 9-6 SATURDAYS: 9-3 SUNDAYS: ClOSED We are temporarily reducing our opening hours during the For the April 2009 Board Meeting: pandemic to reduce the strain on our staff & so we can continue to provide an essential service in helping you stay healthy.Deadline is April 3, 2009

For the June 2009 Board Meeting: CALL AHEAD TO ARRANGE PRESCRIPTION CURBSIDE PICK-UP Deadline is June 5, 2009

BARRHAVEN

Year 30 • issue 23

FREE

@BarrhavenIndy

FRIDAY • November 13 • 2020

“If I can leave one final message it would be to go and live out one of your dreams today! It doesn’t have to be crazy or insane. I’m talking to you to do that thing you’ve always wanted to, but have been making excuses why not to. Please try it and then maybe another one. It feels so good. That is what I loved most in life...living the dream.”

‘Treehouse Mike’ Racicot 1980-2018

For the full story, see pages 8-9

Save time.

ROSS’ YIG Shop on-line.

6 x 24 PROCESS 3777 Strandherd Drive 613-843-9413

EARN PC OPTIMUM POINTS ON YOUR ONLINE GROCERY ORDERS

Page 2 FRIDAY, November 13, 2020 BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

We are lucky to have the leadership of Dr. Vera Etches What was your take on the shift in COVID position from Dr. Vera Etches, our Chief Medical Officer of Health? “We are going to have to learn to live with COVID.” We heard that earlier last week and I for one am glad. Clearly, we are not going to beat this pandemic anytime soon. We do need to move forward in this COVID world and I think we do so by going back to the basics that worked to flatten our curve over the summer. Wear a mask, wash your hands, keep your bubble small and avoid gatherings.

COVID fatigue has thrown a cloak over us. Hearing Dr. Etches tell us that we need to find our “safe” way lifted the corner of that cloak, at least I think so. Rather than hearing constantly, “maybe if we

LET’S TALK

BARRHAVEN

by Jan Harder

all are really good we will be able to have some kind of Christmas” was just not working anymore…. they lost the crowd. When you lose the support, when people choose their own way without direction, we are in trouble. So good on you Vera, we are so lucky to have your leadership.

Tell us more!

Stage 3 LRT Light rail transit could extend from Baseline Station to Barrhaven as part of Stage 3, if funding from upper levels of government becomes available.

The City’s Transportation Committee approved recommendations from the environmental assessment for Barrhaven LRT and rail-grade separations.

The LRT would be extended by 10 kilometres and seven stations. Double tracks would be elevated between Baseline Station and the Nepean Sportsplex, transitioning back to grade and following the existing southwest Transitway alignment to Barrhaven Town Centre.

The design includes three bridges to separate VIA Rail tracks from Woodroffe Avenue, the southwest Transitway and Fallowfield Road, along with interim measures to make transit more efficient and reliable along Woodroffe Avenue.

The estimated $3-billion project could be im-

plemented in two phases.

The first would cost $2 billion, extending LRT between Baseline Station and Fallowfield Station and building three bridges over the VIA Rail line. The second would cost $1 billion, extending the LRT to Barrhaven Town Centre, where a new park-and-ride facility would be built.

Recommendations from the November 2 Transportation Committee meeting will rise to Council on Wednesday, November 25.

More information about Barrhaven LRT can be found at janharder.ca

Masks to remain mandatory until at least January Masks will remain mandatory throughout the rest of 2020 and into

early 2021. City Council today approved extending the Temporary Mandatory Mask By-law.

The by-law requires masks be worn on transit and in enclosed public spaces to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Enclosed public spaces include the common areas of condominiums and multiunit residential buildings.

The by-law also requires masks be worn in any designated unenclosed public spaces. While no specific end date is proposed, it would remain in effect until at least the first Council meeting in January.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca

Winter Weather Parking Ban

What is a Winter Weather Parking Ban? Last year, the City moved to a new parking ban system that was timed to match winter weather patterns rather than set times. Between November 15 and April 1, The Director of Roads and Parking Services may declare a winter weather parking ban for inclement weather including freezing rain or when Environment Canada forecasts 7 cm or more of snow in the Ottawa area. This includes any forecast for a range of snow more than 7 cm, including 5 to 10 cm. During a winter weather parking ban, vehicles without a residential parking permit that are parked on the street during a parking ban may be ticketed and towed.

harder continues on page 3

BARRHAVEN PROUD Ward Office

Walter Baker Centre, 100 Malvern Drive Nepean, ON K2J 2G5

613-580-2473

www.janharder.ca

jan.harder@ottawa.ca Find us on: https://twitter.com/BarrhavenJan https://www.facebook.com/BarrhavenJanHarder

FRIDAY, November 13, 2020 Page 3

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

Santa Claus Parade cancelled

By Charlie Senack

The Barrhaven Santa Claus parade won’t be making its way down Strandherd this year after being cancelled due to the novel coronavirus.

Organizers of the Barrhaven Santa Claus parade said it just wasn’t possible due to physical distancing concerns.

Dawn Lilly, one of the parade organizers said they were hoping to find a new way to keep the tradition going, but it was virtually impossible with the current restrictions and city departments all being geared towards COVID. “I worked with the city all summer to come up with some alternatives, but unfortunately because we rely on so many parts of the city to support us and our parade — and they are stretched to the limit — they can’t support any type of drive through or anything like that,”

she said.

Lilly says they were hoping to hold this year’s parade at the Fallowfield Park and Ride.

While they received permission from OC Transpo, she says Ottawa Police were not able to come and help with crowd control and traffic.

“We need support from them because we need to have traffic management,” said Lilly. “The Ottawa Police Services are not allowed to do any extra work like this until December 31st because of COVID, so there really was no way we could make it work.”

Lilly says not having a parade this year doesn’t mean Christmas can’t be celebrated in other ways. She says those who are able can donate to a local charity of their choosing, and is also recommending that everyone put a string of Christmas lights on their house or business this year to spread

some festive holiday cheer.

“I feel bad for parents this year. I really do. We are asking that everyone do their best to bring the spirit of the holidays into their house and into their communities,” suggests Lilly. “If you have the ability to give a donation to somebody or a food donation then do that. Do what you can.”

The Barrhaven community has a number of local charities which can count on your support this holiday season including: The Barrhaven Food Cupboard, Barrhaven Legion and the Barrhaven branch of the Salvation Army.

The Barrhaven Santa Claus breakfast which was supposed to take place at St. Mother Teresa High School has also been cancelled this year.

Lilly says they are hopeful all these community events can take place again in 2021.

Weather Parking Ban in Place? Residents are responsible for moving their vehicle during a winter weather parking ban. Residents can sign up to receive an email notice about the parking ban at Ottawa.ca. Residents can also follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Ottawa. ca webpage for updates. Local media will also have information about the winter weather parking ban.

Stoneway Drive “ Light it Up” Festival

The solution to COVID-19 is right in front of your nose.

• Wear a face covering.

• Keep 2m apart from anyone outside of your household.

• Limit your close contact to your household only.

• Wash your hands often.

harder continues from page 2 When a winter weather parking ban is called, the City issues a special advisory to the local media and posts it on social media, sends an email to registered residents and updates the City’s App. The parking ban ends when snow clearing is completed and the City issues an advisory indicating the ban has been lifted.

How Will Residents Know There is a Winter

Residents of Stoneway Drive, let your creativity illuminate the front of your homes, trees, and lawns with spectacular light display.

This event will happen from 6pm – 10pm from November 14th – January 15th. For more information find Barrhaven East Community Association on Facebook.

Introducing your local CIBC Mobile Mortgage Advisor.

Whether you are thinking of buying a home, purchasing an investment property, refinancing or switching your mortgage, I can provide you with expert advice that answers your unique borrowing needs.

Talk to your local CIBC Mobile Mortgage Advisor today: Jacklyn Sparling Mobile Mortgage Advisor 613 314-0263 1 844 967-0320 jacklyn.sparling@cibc.com cibc.com/mortgages

CIBC Cube Design & “Banking that fits your life.” are trademarks of CIBC.

Stopping the spread starts with you.

Visit ontario.ca/coronavirus to learn more Paid for by the Government of Ontario

Page 4 FRIDAY, November 13, 2020 BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

Initial plan for Barrhaven light rail gets committee approval

By Charlie Senack Barrhaven is one step closer to having light rail transit roll through the community after the city’s transportation committee approved its initial plan Monday.

The $3 billion project — which would see the confederation line be extended from Baseline Station at Algonquin College to Barrhaven’s Marketplace Area — would see three bridges built at a cost of $400 million. Two of the bridges would be for vehicle traffic over Woodroffe Avenue and Fallowfield Road, and the other would be for the future LRT trains over

the transitway.

Council has been told they could go ahead with the grade separation (which would include the three bridges) before bringing light rail transit to Barrhaven.

“What’s good about this plan is it give council some options,” said John Manconi, the city’s general manager of transportation “So if council wants to truncate it and do that portion, that’s open.

That’s why the momentum on this file is important, we want to move forward not just for mobility, but for the grade separation.” Art Manotick The above ground line was just one of three options consultants looked at when

making a decision. They looked to see if a rail tunnel could be built underground, however it was decided that would be the costliest option and would not be suitable due to ground and sewer conditions.

The idea of having the tracks run down Woodroffe Ave, was also written out because the road would have to be reconfigured and it would reduce traffic capacity. It would also require curves in the rail line which would lengthen a commuter’s trip.

By building the 10-kilometre long LRT extension Association from Baseline to Barrhaven, 120 low-income homes would have to be bulldozed,

Inspirations Inspirations Inspirations

Manotick Art Association

leaving about 300 people homeless.

The townhomes which are situated in the Manor Village and Cheryl Garden Communities, rent for about $1200 a month and are considered on the low income scale. Those who live there have been protesting at LRT stations all week and also took their concerns to the transportation committee meeting.

They say it would almost be impossible to find a family-sized home at that rent with both a backyard and front yard. They also say they are in the group which relies on public transit to get around.

Alison Trowbridge, a resident who has lived in the community for the past seven years, told transportation committee her neighbours have become a support system for her and her seven-year-old son, who has mental health issues.

“I am a single mother on ODSP [Ontario Disability Support Program],” she said. “I’m already maxed out financially each month with the way things are forcing me out of my home leaves me no other option.

My son and I will end up on the street, living out of our car.”

Shovels for the project won’t be in the ground for

many years to come and the second phase bringing light rail from Tunney’s Pasture Station to Baseline Station will need to be completed first. That won’t be until 2025.

Council is relying on funding from the provincial and federal governments in order to go ahead with the phase 3 extension, and while nothing is committed yet, they want the study completed now in case either their launches a major infrastructure program.

The Barrhaven LRT expansion will need full approval from council. It will be discussed at November 25ths council meeting.

Manotick Art Association

Online art show andart Sale Online show andart Sale Online show Nov. 1, 2020 - Dec. 15, 2020 and Sale

BARRHAVEN

www.BostonPizza.com CURBSIDE or call 613-825-1414 TAKE-OUT & CONTACTLESS DELIVERY LOCALLY OWNED & PROUDLY SERVING BARRHAVEN, MANOTICK & RIVERSIDE SOUTH SINCE 2007.

Nov. 1, 2020 - Dec. 15, 2020 www.manotickart.ca/resources

Nov. 1, 2020 - Dec. 15, 2020 www.manotickart.ca/resources www.manotickart.ca/resources

Spend it here. Keep it here.

Support our community

FRIDAY, November 13, 2020 Page 5

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

OPENING

SPRING 2021

LiveCarefree.ca 1.888.4LEPINE

Howard Grant Terrace, 1024 McGarry Terrace

Quality Apartments from 732-1,884 Sq.Ft.

EXPERIENCE A NEW LEASE ON LIFESTYLE COMING SOON TO BARRHAVEN BALCONY BALCONY 11’ X 5’ 11’ X 5’

HVAC HVAC

BEDROOM BEDROOM 11’ X 12’

11’ X 12’

LIVING/DINING LIVING/DINING 13’ X 26’ 13’ X 26’

BEDROOM BEDROOM 11’ X 16’ 11’ X 16’

BATH BATH LL

W/D W/D

ENSUITE ENSUITE

DEN DEN

11’ X 15’

11’ X 15’ DW DW

KITCHEN KITCHEN 14’ XX9’9’ 14’

ENTRY ENTRY PP

*Sample suite: 1380 Sq.Ft.

THINKING OF DOWNSIZING BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START? Get a free copy of "Your New Lifestyle" at LiveCarefree.ca You’re only five steps away from a new lease on lifestyle!

LÉPINE LOCATIONS: BARRHAVEN, RENFREW, KANATA, CARLETON PLACE, VANIER, STITTSVILLE

Page 6 FRIDAY, November 13, 2020 BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

Fifty years later, we still Focus on economic growth have a long way to go and millennials will be okay INDEPENDENT Editorial

Much ink has been spilled on the narrative that millennials and other future generations of Canadians may experience lower living standards than preceding generations. A recent study on wealth inequality, however, challenges this narrative.

In reality, from 2010 to 2019, millennials have enjoyed greater increases in wealth than other generations of Canadians. So why does the federal Liberal government (and its governing partner, the NDP) want a wealth tax?

In Does Canada Need a Wealth Tax?, Philip Cross, former chief analyst at Statistics Canada, finds that “wealth inequality” in Canada has diminished over the past decade. The share of wealth (assets minus liabilities) held by lower-income groups has increased while the share held by upper-income groups has decreased.

Of course, most millennials would rather have wealth equal to the boomers, but with a strong economy, they will get there. If anything, the data reveal great prospects for millennials. They’re not doomed, like so many falsely claim.

What they need, and what our government should focus on, is the right economic environment – one that leads to higher rates of economic growth. More growth, with more opportunities and higher wages for young Canadians, is the surest way to a more prosperous future. It’s not by penalizing wealth through increased taxes.

As the Cross study spotlights, wealth taxes have many adverse effects, including discouraging savings, investment and entrepreneurship, and therefore stunting long-term economic growth.

Historically, wealth taxes also provide little government revenue. They tend to exclude most taxpayers and the rate can’t be too high otherwise wealthy households simply shift their wealth to other jurisdictions. And wealth taxes are expensive for governments to collect (lots of bureaucrats and tax collectors).

In Canada, housing and pension assets comprise the largest sources of household wealth. That’s why it’s so concerning that the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), a Crown corporation, gave the University of British Columbia $250,000 to “research solutions to housing, wealth, and inequality” including research on a federal home equity tax.

Rather than promoting economic growth, the federal government seems distracted by a false notion of wealth inequality in Canada.

Unfortunately, the government’s mix of higher taxes, more government involvement in the economy and indebtedness hasn’t produced a robust economy (pre-COVID-19) as promised. Gross domestic product and income growth have slowed, business investment has collapsed, and there are worrying signs for entrepreneurship.

Changing course will help create the conditions for a more robust economy that will provide young Canadians with opportunities and higher wages. Do so and they will continue to save and indeed become wealthier.

Troy Media – Niels Veldhuis and Jason Clemens are economists with the Fraser Institute.

BARRHAVEN

P.O. Box 567 Manotick, Ontario Tel: 613-692-6000 www.barrhavenindependent.on.ca

The Barrhaven Independent is published by Manotick Messenger Inc. biweekly at P.O. Box 567 in Manotick, Ontario. The Barrhaven Independent is not responsible for the loss of unsolicited manuscripts, photos, or other material used for publication purposes. Letters will be edited for length, clarity and libellous statements. Display, National and Classified rates are available on request.

Publisher: Jeff Morris Managing Editor: Jeff Morris Advertising and Marketing: Gary Coulombe Photographer: Greg Newton

Phone: 613-692-6000

email: Advertising: advert@bellnet.ca Editor: newsfile@bellnet.ca News/sports: newsfile@bellnet.ca

DEADLINE FOR ALL ADVERTISING IS FRIDAY AT 4PM All layouts and composition of advertisements produced by employees of Manotick Messenger Inc. are protected by copyright invested in the publishers of the Barrhaven Independent.

For Jennifer Hosten, the entire thing seems Both she and the government of Grenada saw surreal. the event as a chance to promote tourism on It has been 50 years since she became a the Caribbean island. global celebrity by winning one of the most Hosten and her sister, who was in London famous and controversial Miss World pa- with her as her chaperone, had gone to New geants in history. This year, with the release of York before the contest to go shopping. Hosten her autobiography and the said her evening gown was movie Misbehaviour, based her “secret weapon.” Howon the 1970 Miss World FROM THE OTHER ever, as stunning as she pageant, Hosten has been looked in her dress, there taken on a journey back in was something else that time to relive that year and helped her win. to also understand the im“I had worked for BBC Jeffrey Morris portance of stage she stood radio,” Hosten said. “The upon. advantage I had over all the other contestants “The movie is called Misbehaviour, but was my experience as a communicator. I wantit’s not me misbehaving,” Hosten said with a ed to be the whole package, not just someone smile from her home in Oakville. “The title who would win on looks. I wanted to be somecomes from everything that was going on sur- one who could effectively represent women.” rounding the pageant.”

Hosten said she was surprised and disFifty years later, many consider the 1970 appointed in the media coverage following her Miss World contest the most memorable COUNCIL and win.

“The first newspaper I saw the next day had famous of all global beauty pageants. The film CORNER has conceptually been in the works for more a big headline, ‘Miss World is Black’,” Hosten Mayor Suzanne Dodge said. “I thought maybe they would highlight than a decade.

The movie, which stars Keira Knightley, the small island I came from. Then I saw anGreg Kinnear, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Jessie other headline, ‘Well, is she the most beautiful Buckley, was released in March just before woman in the world?’ It was shocking to me the coronavirus pandemic began. Last month, that this was what greeted me after winning.”

When her tenure as Miss World ended, it began streaming on services that include Amazon Prime and Disney Plus. Hosten, the Hosten put the experience behind her and used THE NOT first Black woman to win the Miss World pait asSOa stepping stone to further her own career.

NEW GUY geant, said the racial and political climate in She worked in customer relations with Air Canada and got married to David Craig. They the world today brought a poignancy to the Tim Ruhnke timing of its release. moved to the area from Bermuda in 1973, and When the pageant started, host Bob Hope Hosten earned her Master’s Degree in Political was heckled and Women’s Liberation activ- Science and International Relations at Carleists threw flour bombs on the stage, protesting ton University. In 1978, she became Grenada’s how the pageant objectified and exploited High Commissioner to Canada. She has also women. These protests are the subject of Mis- served as the Technical Advisor on Trade to the behaviour.

Eastern Caribbean States.

Hosten said there was one awkward part of “Being Miss World was part of my journey,” WALKER HOUSE Hosten said. “It was an incredible experience. the contest in which she felt exploited.

“We were all in bathing suits, and we were It helped shape me, but it doesn’t define me.”

Hosten said the timing of the movie could asked to turn around,” she said. “That was obSusan Vallom viously objectifying us. But we did it.” not have been better.

While some of the contestants were life“Young women today take a lot of things long pageant participants and veterans, Hosten for granted,” she said. “There are so many had never considered entering a pageant of opportunities for women today that were not open to us in 1970. any kind.

“One thing that became clear to us in 1970 “It was quite accidental,” she said of how she became a contestant in the pageant. “I BLAKE’S is that the rights women were fighting for then was working as a flight attendant, and MissTAKES did not include women of colour. We have Guyana was on the plane, on the way to Miss come so far since then with regard to racism, McKim World. One of the people with her asked if I Blakebut as we all know, there is still a long way would have my picture taken with her. The to go. When we stop talking about it, we will picture ended up in newspapers over the next have reached where we want to be.”

The movie, Hosten said, focuses on a mesfew days. When I got back to Grenada, someone from the tourism board asked me to enter sage that is as relevant today as it was in 1970. a pageant at home. One of the prizes was go“There are many things we need to not ing to Miss World. I was kind of adventurous take for granted,” she said. “We need to not and decided it was a pragmatic opportunity.” be afraid to speak up when we see injustice or Hostens, then 23, became Grenada’s first inequality. It’s time for us to be brave. It’s time ever contestant in the Miss World pageant. for us to walk the talk.”

SIDE

NEWS

FRIDAY, November 13, 2020 Page 7

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

Many local businesses won’t survive modified shutdown

By the time this edition of the Independent hits the stands, the 28-day provincial restriction that closed restaurants and gyms will have been lifted. It’s not all good news, they’ll have to adhere to strict new guidelines, but at least they can open. Sadly, it will come too late for many of our local establishments.

COVID-19 and the closures dictated to help prevent its spread have dealt businesses an awful blow. A day doesn’t go by that we don’t hear the refrain, “Shop Local, Support Local.” There are so many reasons that always make sense. In a pandemic, when so many of our locally

owned and operated businesses struggle to survive, local customers’ are a lifeline.

Taxpayer-funded aid packages from the federal and provincial governments have provided some relief. City hall deferred 2020 property taxes on eligible local businesses, but it’s not enough.

Ottawa will lose 20-30 percent of its local businesses by the time this modified

shutdown is over, says Mark Kaluski, Chair of the Ottawa Coalition of Improvement Areas. His association represents over 6,200 brick-andmortar businesses in Ottawa, including over 2,800 restaurants. Those are businesses that invested in our communities, employ local people and pay local taxes. Losing them will devastate our local economy. So what to do?

I suggest the City of Ottawa work with the Province of Ontario to exempt local hard-hit commercial businesses that have been forced to close their doors or have been dramatically impacted by the lockdowns from the

3 percent tax hike proposed in the 2021 budget. It would mean their tax rate would be the same as 2020. It’s not a lot, but it does decrease their tax burden, and at this particular time, every bit helps.

If it helps saves jobs, it would be worth the effort. If we can go further and find a way to reduce their tax burden for 2021, I believe that it is worth examining.

Currently, OC Transpo’s ridership is down by 70% and losing $4 million each week.

The taxpayer cannot sustain that kind of loss indefinitely.

It came as a surprise to many that despite OC Transpo bleeding red ink, the plan

put forward by OC Transpo head John Manconi does not reduce routes, frequency of trips or recommend reducing staff. This means we will continue to have near empty busses rumbling along regardless of the cost. City Management seems content to continue losing massive amounts of your money.

It’s the same story for the 2021 City budget. It’s a “business as usual” budget when our reality is anything but. The Mayor says there are contingency plans that will include cuts, if other levels of government don’t come through with much needed bailout money.

I can’t support that way of thinking when we should be providing more help for small businesses who have had no choice but to cut and lay off staff.

We are at a unique and challenging time in our history, and I believe it calls for brave action.

We have not seen that so far. Yes, cutting services, cutting staff would be unpopular. As your city councillor my job is to best protect the majority of residents, and local business.

As we begin budget deliberations it will be clear who is prepared to challenge the safe way of thinking.

613-738-0330 grand.ca

Like us on Facebook Barrhaven Independent

BARRHAVEN

Follow us on Twitter @BarrhavenIndy Listen to our podcast on SoundCloud Barrhaven Independent

www.barrhavenindependent.on.ca

Page 8 FRIDAY, November 13, 2020 BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

‘Treehouse Mike’ Racicot lived life in the moment

By Jeff Morris

As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary, the Barrhaven Independent will be featuring 30 people who have played a prominent role in building and shaping our community from the time we were a sleepy little suburb in 1990 to the thriving city of more than 100,000 we are now.

In this issue, we are featuring ‘Treehouse Mike’ Racicot. From lobbying council to build a skatepark in Barrhaven as a youth, to teaching and encouraging a generation of Barrhaven skaters, Mike Racicot dared to live the life the rest of us could only dream of.

The two simple words tattooed on Mike Racicot’s wrist defined him.

“Enjoy life.”

Nobody enjoyed life, or lived in the moment more than the man who became known as Treehouse Mike.

“He lived life in the moment,” said his sister, Rachel Polite. “Some

people have a bucket list or maybe something that they would really like to do someday. When Mike had an idea like that, he would do it.” From hobbies such as beekeeping and harvesting his own “Backyard Gold” honey, making homemade blackberry jam and cookies, to volunteering for the Squamish Search and Rescue, and raising money for local charities, there was nothing that Mike had on the backburner.

Racicot would have turned 40 in the summer.

Unfortunately, he passed away during a BASE jump in Switzerland more than two years ago. A BASE jump is a skydiving jump off a fixed object, such

As a kid, Mike Racicot became one of Barrhaven’s most accomplished skateboarders.

as a cliff, a mountain or a tower. His last jump was his 969th jump. He had become one of the best and most well-known BASE jumpers in the world.

The Racicot family moved to Barrhaven from Arnprior when Mike was a child. He was a likeable kid who became everyone’s friend. At the age of 10, his father registered him to try out for the Nepean Redskins (now Nepean Eagles) Tyke football team. He didn’t last long in football, as he didn’t like to hit other kids.

But the one thing he loved, more than anything, was skateboarding.

“Long before he was Treehouse Mike, he was Skater Mike,” Polite said of her younger brother.

“Everyone knew him.”

Racicot was not a strong student, but he was a kid who made an impact on his teachers. He was likeable, and his enthusiasm for life and his big smile were infectious. Teachers knew that even though he was not the smartest kid or the best student in the class, there was something special about him.

Racicot’s mother would often take him to Manotick as a kid. Manotick-area teenage entrepreneur Trevor Alguire had successfully lobbied Rideau Township to build a small skateboard park at Centennial Park by the arena in Manotick. Alguire started his company, On Deck Skate Shop, the same year. Mike was a regular customer at On Deck, and looked up to its owner.

Before long, Racicot found himself following in Alguire’s footsteps as a teen lobbyist. He organized a petition and made an impressive case to council for a skateboard park in Barrhaven.

“I remember when he was a kid and he approached us,” Councillor Jan Harder said recently.

“He was very passionate about it, and that made

an impact on us. He is the one who really got the ball rolling for a skateboard park in Barrhaven.”

The first Barrhaven skatepark was in the Walter Baker Centre parking lot. Racicot and his friends were fixtures there. He was already an accomplished skater.

He spent countless hours helping younger skaters or beginners, teaching them, encouraging them, and helping them.

In addition to being an accomplished skateboarder and teacher, Racicot and his friend, Adam Myers, started a graffiti collective called the DBS Crew.

They became well-known throughout the city.

“Everyone in Barrhaven seemed to know Mike,” Polite said. “And even everywhere else in the city they knew him. It didn’t matter what part of Ottawa I was in. If I saw a kid with a skateboard, as soon as I told them my brother was Skater Mike from Barrhaven, they would get excited and say they knew him.”

As much as he loved skateboarding, he also loved jumping off things.

He would jump off the roof of his house and local buildings, and do flips into a big bank of snow.

He would jump off bridges, like Burnstown, into the water. For his 18th birthday, his parents got him a skydiving session.

They took him to Arnprior along with his buddy Myers, and he took his first jump.

From there, he was hooked.

Racicot went to college for a year in Lindsay, but did not go back for a second year. Although he was not successful in the classroom, he was successful when it came to carpentry and building things.

After many trips back and forth to BC, Racicot headed west permanently at the age of 23, on one of the most unusual road

‘Treehouse Mike’ Racicot was known more for his kind heart and willingness to help others than he was for his world class BASE jumping abilities.

(Photos submitted by Rae Polite)

trips ever seen in the history of the Canadian highway system. He packed up his belongings, skateboard and all, and got on his 80cc Yamaha scooter.

Weighed down by his personal effects, he could only go 60 km per hour on the highway and 40 uphill. Mike laughed about the amount of people who flipped the bird while racing past him. He swallowed several bugs through the prairies without a windshield, but that changed in Calgary when a local mechanic spotted his Ontario license plates in the parking lot of a Tim Horton’s, and had to go inside to meet the person who had actually made it that far. After making a great impression on the friendly stranger, he invited Mike to stay at his house for a few days so he could fashion a windshield from plexiglass to

help for the final leg of his trip. Coincidentally, that mechanic was also a skateboarder, and the two enjoyed much of their time together at a local skatepark.

After a month on the road, camping out each night, Racicot reached his destination, the beautiful town of Whistler. Lured originally by the easy-going snowboarding life.

Racicot took some odd jobs – he worked in a grocery store, at a ski hill and as an adventure tour guide – in the Whistler area, but was shocked at the cost of housing and accommodations on the west coast.

He even rented someone’s utility closet to live in for a while, but it was still too much.

That’s when the legend of Treehouse Mike was born.

raciot

continues on page 9

FRIDAY, November 13, 2020 Page 9

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT raciot continues from page 8 Racicot gathered scrap lumber from construction sites, and built a treehouse along the side of a cliff on Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler. He had enough room for a small bed made of rigid insulation, and stacked milk crates for his clothing. The treehouse was covered with a big, green tarp, complete with slash marks from bears. He had a small grill that he could cook food with outside.

Throughout the community, Racicot had friends working at local hotels. He was able to go into a room as it was being cleaned, take a quick shower, and grab some food at the free continental breakfast.

While on the west coast, it was not long before Racicot’s passion for skydiving and extreme sports, introduced him to the world of BASE jumping. He immediately embraced the lifestyle and culture of the sport, and much like skateboarding, he excelled immediately.

“Mike was the ultimate free spirit, and when he got involved with BASE jumping, he met other people who were just like he was,” Polite said. “They were a close group – they lived for the moment, knowing they were risking their lives with every jump. The bond they had was incredible. Mike valued his friendships and

As a youth, Mike Racicot lobbied municipal politicians to get a skatepark built in Barrhaven. The original Barrhaven Skatepark was in the parking lot at the Walter Baker Centre.

family more than anything, and he really felt like he belonged there.”

As Racicot grew as a jumper, he naturally evolved to a teacher and mentor to newer and less-experienced jumpers.

“That’s who Mike was,” Polite said. “He would do anything for his friends, and he loved to help people and teach people who were as passionate as he was.”

Racicot and his adventure seeking friends, travelled the world in search of the best mountains, bridges and towers to jump from.

He was in awe of nature, animals and the universe around him. He took advantage of these trips to meet the locals, enjoying the food and culture of every country he visited.

After moving to Squamish, he became a fixture on the Stawamus Chief – a 700-metre high mountain above Howe Sound – hiking to the top and jumping from it a total of 502 times.

Known as the Chief of the Chief, Mike would regularly jump several times in a day, and often getting one in before starting work at 6am.

He referred to those early morning weekday jumps as “coffee runs.” Mike was well known for tobogganing, and skiing off the edge equipped with his parachute.

Always looking for a laugh, Mike coordinated a legendary jump dressed as Santa Claus, with his fellow jumpers as elves, reindeer and a penguin thrown in for fun.

In 2016, Racicot had begun occasionally experiencing seizures in high altitudes, after suffering altitude illness at the Wings for Love BASE jumping competition in the mountains of Dashanbao China. Mike’s final

‘Treehouse Mike’ Racicot made close to 1,000 BASE jumps and was considered one of the best BASE jumpers in the world.

jump took place in mountains of Walenstadt Switzerland in July of 2018. During the wingsuit BASE jump, he never pulled his parachute, and it’s speculated that he had a seizure mid-air and had already passed before he disappeared into the trees below. Mike passed wearing his well-known “Taco suit” adorned with a giant picture of his beloved Boxer’s face.

Polite has since used the wingsuit (which was sent to her from the Swiss police) to make mini Mike ornaments, and plans on making a kite so the Taco suit can fly again.

“He died doing what he loved to do,” said Polite.

Over the past two years, Racicot has been honoured and celebrated by his friends, with many of the celebrations up on YouTube. As per his wish to have his “ashes put back in the air” and “not sit in a box

on a shelf”, his ashes have been scattered by friends on epic “ash jumps” around the world. His ashes have been spread in Alaska, Hawaii, Thailand, Spain, Norway, Russia, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, China, Switzerland, Germany, France, South Africa, the Bahamas, Mexico, Singapore, Egypt, Greece, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Malaysia and throughout the United States, and Canada from B.C. to and iceberg in Prince Edward Island. His ashes are in several special spots in Barrhaven, and even imbedded into a tattoo on his sister’s arm.

Polite said she misses her brother every day, and says he was the best brother and uncle in the world.

“He was a very special and caring person,” she said.

“He was always smiling and laughing, but he cared about everyone he loved so

Barrhaven Farmers Market ChristMas Market

saturday November 21st and 28th

670 Cedarview Road, Nepean

deeply. He was such a great uncle to Riley, Brooke and Charlie, and he always put those he loved ahead of himself. I can honestly say I have never known anyone like him, and I know I never will.”

The Polite and Racicot families were honoured in late August when the skateboard park in Barrhaven – now located at Greenbank and Berrigan beside the fire station – was renamed the Treehouse Mike Skatepark.

“He would have been humbled and really touched by this,” Polite said. “It is also such a beautiful spot. It is a great place to come and remember him. He would love to see how so many kids in the community are enjoying skating and having fun.”

The park is a fitting legacy for someone who poured all of himself into making sure others were happy.

Forty-Five ors local vend :00pm 10:00am – 2

www.barrhavenfarmersmarket.com

Page 10 FRIDAY, November 13, 2020 BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

Zoning amendment paves way for 336-home development Ottawa City Council has approved a zoning amendment that will permit a subdivision consisting of single and semi-detached homes and townhouses near the corner of Greenbank and Cambrian Roads in Barrhaven.

The development will also include a school block and park block.

Tamarack (Nepean) Corporation submitted the application for the block of 3640 Greenbank Road.

The property is located south of Cambrian Road and is situated between the future Greenbank Road realignment along the eastern boundary, to Borrisokane Road in the west. Northwest of the site is a portion of the

Cambrian Woods Urban Natural Area #57, and south of the property is the former Drummond Costello Pit. The overall development is known as ‘The Meadows’, and the lands are referred to as ‘Phases 7 and 8’.

The surrounding lands are currently undeveloped; however, several parcels of land to the north, east, and south of the site are in various stages of Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-law amendment applications.

The surrounding lands and planned developments within the area are predominantly low-rise residential. Further to the west is Highway 416, and beyond that is the Trail Road Waste Facility. The

(Pine Warbler Way). portion of the property process.

The subdivision proThe Barrhaven South that is within 500 metres of the Trail Road Landfill Community Design Plan poses 116 single-detached Facility is outside of the (CDP) identifies this area dwellings, 16 semi-deurban boundary and will as Low Density Residen- tached dwellings, 204 not be rezoned as part of tial, which permits single- traditional townhouses, 50 back-to-back detached, semi-detached and this application.

A public consultation and duplex dwellings. townhouse units, as well meeting was held for Street townhouses and as a centrally located the related Plan of Sub- other similar ground-ori- school block and park division application on ented multiple dwellings block. Access to the site is February 13, 2019 at the are also permitted in order currently from Cambrian Minto Recreation Com- to accommodate a variety Road, south along the plex in Barrhaven. The of housing choices, to in- eastern boundary of the applicant and staff were crease affordability and to Cambrian Woods (Elevain attendance to discuss create interesting street- tion Road).

Additionally, the lands the proposal and applica- scapes throughout neighwill be connected to Phase tion process with those bourhoods.

A centrally located 4 of The Meadows via an in attendance. Two pubRemove a Person_Ad copy 2020-10-30 1:43 PM Page 1 lic members Remove a Person_Ad copy 2020-10-30 1:43 PM Page 1 attended the Neighbourhood Park is east-west roadway (Jackmeeting; however, no proposed to be 1.19 hec- daw Avenue). In time, the comments were provided. tares and is adjacent to the future Greenbank Road Additionally, no com- school block. The park alignment will run along ments were received on is located on the corner the eastern boundary of the application through of a collector (Elevation the proposed subdivision. the public notification Road) and a local street The back-to-back town-

The Log Farm hosting Christmas Markets Nov. 21, 28

The Log Farm on Cedarview Road just north of Barrhaven is pleased to announce that they will be hosting, for the first time, two Christmas Markets Saturday, November 21st and Saturday, November 28th. These will be a completely outdoor market and we will

provide the same large space with vendors well spread out throughout the treed area at the farm. Along with most of their regular vendors, we will be adding and several local artisans. This is going to be a very unique experience and will offer the customer a great oppor-

tunity to shop in a great safe environment with lots of open space, lots of great vendors and lots and lots of fresh air.

As they finalize their complete vendor lineup, they will be providing more information at www.thelogfarm.com www. facebook.com/thelogfarm.

houses require a 0.5-metre height increase from the standard 11 metres maximum height permitted in the R3Z zone. The extra 0.5 metres will provide some breathing room in case of low grades around the buildings. Additionally, a minimum 90-square metres lot size for backto-back townhouses is requested to be included in the Zoning By-law, to correspond with the higher density unit type that will be placed closer to the future Greenbank Road realignment, as identified in the Community Design Plan. The Zoning By-law amendment request for this application is consistent with other residential development applications in the immediate vicinity.

Photo Photo Restoration Restoration BEFORE BEFORE

AFTER AFTER

Remove RemoveororAdd AddaaPerson Person Stains, Stains,Creases, Creases,Fading, Fading,Tears, Tears,Pieces PiecesMissing Missing Colourize ColourizeBlack Blackand andWhite WhitePhotographs Photographs Change ChangeColour ColourtotoClassic ClassicBlack Blackand andWhite White Archival/Giclée Archival/GicléePrinting Printing Transparencies, Transparencies,Negatives, Negatives,Tintypes, Tintypes,Daguerreotypes Daguerreotypes Photo PhotoCollages, Collages,Custom CustomFraming Framing

SSusan usanPPotter otter P H OT OG RR AA P H I C RR E S T OR AA TT I ON P H OT OG P H I C E S T OR I ON a n d DD I G I T AA LL S E R VV I C E S a n d I G I T S E R I C E S OOver 30 ssexper ience. ver 30year year exper ience.

By ByAppointment AppointmentOnly Only––Day DayororEvening EveningatatYour YourConvenience Convenience

Call Call613.425.1301 613.425.1301

suepotter@rogers.com suepotter@rogers.com www.susanpotterphotorestoration.com www.susanpotterphotorestoration.com 176 176Flat FlatSedge SedgeCres.

Cres.Ottawa, Ottawa,ON ONK1T K1T0G9 0G9

5 5MINUTES MINUTESSOUTH SOUTHOF OFBANK BANKAND ANDHUNT HUNTCLUB CLUBAT ATFINDLAY FINDLAYCREEK CREEK

FRIDAY, November 13, 2020 Page 11

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

Stoneway Drive residents hoping to ‘Light it Up’ for Christmas season Christmas festivities might look different this year due to COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find new ways to celebrate as a community.

Stoneway resident Bibi Wahab decided to create a “light up the night” festival in the community, where residents could decorate their homes with Christmas lights and ornaments for a drive-by celebration.

“I was home for several months now and I asked myself a simple question: How can I make good news from all the bad news coming from COVID-19,” she said. “Using the same letters and numbers of COVID-19, I wanted to create something positive.

A big idea was shared with a small group of people that gave way to the Stoneway Drive “Light It Up” Festival idea.”

To use the first letters of COVID in a more positive way, Wahab came up with ‘Community Organized Visual Inspired Display with 2,019 words of inspiration’.

According to the initiatives poster, the goal is to say thank you to our frontline workers and first responders who have been working tirelessly through the pandemic, and to show love to our teachers who show up to work everyday and teach in a new environment. It also aims to show love in the community and bring some joy to seniors who have been

isolated for months.

“We are hoping to bring all of Ottawa to Barrhaven to support the small businesses.

This is the first step to shingling the spotlight in this end of Ottawa,” says Wahab. “We want to make a positive impact in a good way, create inspiration, give hope and display gratitude just because we are alive and well.”

Residents of Stoneway Drive are being asked to start lighting up their homes on November 14 with the festival running until January 15. The Christmas lights will be shiny from 6pm to 10pm every night and Wahab would like to see as many homes take part as possible.

What is a Winter Weather Parking Ban? Last year, the City moved to a new parking ban system that was timed to match winter weather patterns rather than set times.

Between November 15 and April 1, The Director of Roads and Parking Services may declare a winter weather parking ban for inclement weather including freezing rain or when Environment Canada forecasts 7 cm or more of snow in the Ottawa area. This includes any forecast for a range of

snow more than 7 cm, including 5 to 10 cm. During a winter weather parking ban, vehicles without a residential parking permit that are parked on the street during a parking ban may be ticketed and towed.

When a winter weather parking ban is called, the City issues a special advisory to the local media and posts it on social media, sends an email to registered residents and updates the City’s App. The parking ban ends when snow clearing is

completed and the City issues an advisory indicating the ban has been lifted.

Residents are responsible for moving their vehicle during a winter weather parking ban.

Residents can sign up to receive an email notice about the parking ban at Ottawa.ca. Residents can also follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Ottawa.ca webpage for updates. Local media will also have information about the winter weather parking ban.

By Charlie Senack

Winter Weather Parking Ban

STAY A PART

OF OUR COMMUNITY!

Support your local merchants who support you OTT-AD-4353 Barrhaven Independant-5.125x12-Visions dance in their heads.indd 1

2020-10-22 2:26 PM

Page 12 FRIDAY, November 13, 2020 BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

No end in sight for Barrhaven woman’s battle with COVID-19 Barrhaven resident Brianne Quarrell, 40, contracted COVID-19 back in March.

Now, eight months later, she’s still reeling from the effects of the virus.

Brianne says she believes she contracted the virus from her husband, Paul Quarrell, 40, who caught it at work.

Paul works as a rehabilitation assistant at CHEO (the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario). While his symptoms were minimal — nothing more than your average cold or flu — hers got progressively worse.

At the time COVID-19 testing was scarce and only those who recently travelled were getting tested. Paul was only able to get a test after she ended up in the hospital because of the virus.

“I tested positive on March 30th, I was dropped off at the hospital by my husband, I was intimated so I was on a ventilator for two weeks, she recounts. “I was in the hospital for about a month; I don’t remember the ICU or being on the ventilator at all.”

Paul says the whole ordeal was an emotional time for him and their two daugh-

ters, Isla, 6, and Rhys, 10, saying the virus was so new and even the medical experts didn’t know what to predict.

“Each day the medical team would call to give you an update and in terms of seriousness, they can’t really tell you,” he said. “They were like ‘she’s still requiring the ventilator, we hope things improve’, but they can’t really tell you anything because they don’t know.”

After two weeks, Brianne started to show signs of improvement. Her strength was up and her willingness to live was shining through.

“It was all still so new — really all the people that were requiring ventilators were not making it through,” Paul said. “It was really bad, it was brutal, because all the people who want to help you aren’t allowed in your house.

We were all to quarantine in the house because I had COVID; my symptoms were nothing and within two days I was totally fine.”

Since Paul and Brianne did not quarantine from their two daughters, they believe they must have also contracted the virus but showed little signs.

It’s been almost eight months since the virus, and Brianne is still struggling everyday to perform simple tasks. There have been almost no signs of improve-

“I get dizzy a lot, extreme fatigue, but also insomnia, hair loss, I fall down a lot, I still can’t taste or smell,” Brianne says recounting just some of the symptoms she

Brianne Quarrell was diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 30. Her struggles with the virus are far from over.

Tricia Surette photo

ment since returning home from the hospital and no support services in place to help her battle the unknown.

Brianne is now known as a COVID-19 longhauler, someone who just can’t seem to escape the virus. Despite testing positive at the end of March, she didn’t test negative until June 17 — 79 days later.

still faces on a daily basis. “It sucks all around. I don’t feel good; even just walking from the couch to the kitchen I’m short of breath, my heart rate rests around 130-140. Just sitting here I’m uncomfortable.”

On a good day, Brianne can bring her kids to the bus stop, vacuum the house or make dinner. On bad days

she can’t get out of bed.

The Quarrell family was really hoping for 2020 to be their year after suffering illness two years prior. In 2018, Brianne was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour. It was removed successfully, however her doctors believe it caused two autoimmune conditions which weakened her hormones, lungs and kidneys. Her doctor believes that may be why she got so sick from COVID. As a way to lessen the symptoms caused by the autoimmune disorders Brianne has been taking a number of medications including high doses of steroids which at first caused weight gain. Brianne believes it may have been the steroids which saved her life after recent studies have shown they could reduce the risk of death in COVID-19 patients.

Brianne does not know what the future may hold and worries she will never feed the way she did before becoming infected with the virus. Both scientists and health experts say it’s so soon to know the permanent effects COVID-19 can have on the body and if you can

get it more than once.

“I know that I’ve got permanent scarring on my lungs now, so my voice and breathing is really challenging. I don’t know if that’s going to improve or how long that is going to take,” she says. “I’m hoping that some of the dizziness and body aches go away.”

Not knowing if they can get it again, the Quarrells are listening closely to the government’s mandates on mask seating and social distancing.

They still don’t socialize with other people and wear masks everywhere they go.

This virus is very real and not a hoax, says Brianne, stressing this could happen to anybody.

“Don’t think it’s going away because it’s clearly not,” Brianne says. “People got really relaxed over the summer because the weather was nice and they wanted to go out, they wanted to see their friends but you can’t right now.”

“Don’t think you know better because you don’t,” she adds. “Just follow the rules and literally we all have to do it if this is ever going to go away.”

Take ouT or Delivery Serving Manotick Kars Richmond Osgoode Kemptville nG

2364 ROGER STEVENS DRIVE LOADS OF

5511 Manotick Main Street Manotick, ON

“IN HOUSE ITEMS MADE FRESH FROM SCRATCH”

Full Menu available

613-489-2278 or 613-489-2641 Available After 3 P.M. Mondays ........... Kids Eat Free Tuesdays...........Fajita night Wednesdays......20% Off Pizza Night Thursdays..........$0.70 Wing Night Fridays..............Rib Combo Ask your server for details

Located on the shores of the famous Rideau River in Manotick!

613-692-2236

CLASSIFIEDS

FRIDAY, November 13, 2020 Page 13

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

ClassifiedAdvertising Rates 30 cents per word, $15.00 minimum All Classified Advertising Payable In Advance Tel: 613-925-4265 Fax: 613-925-3472 email: c.thompson@evansprinting.ca Deadline for Classified Advertising Thursday (week prior) at 1:00 pm

SERVICE ADDITIONS...BATHROOMS..BASEMENTS..

K I TC H E N S . . R E N O VAT I O N S . . R E PA I R S . . residential & commercial.....fully insured... m.o.t. construction...serving manotick and surrounding areas.. 613 749-0209 www.motconstruction.com.

Bi & mm to nov 23

EXTEND YOUR REACH - ADVERTISE PROVINCIALLY OR ACROSS THE COUNTRY! ADVERTISING

BUSINESS OPPS.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

For more information visit www.ocna.org/network-advertising-program

VACATION/TRAVEL

MORTGAGES

$$CONSOLIDATE YOUR DEBT NOW$$ REACH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS IN ONTARIO EACH WEEK IN OUR WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS!

Need Inventing Help?

Call Davison!!

HOME OWNER LOANS FOR ANY PURPOSE!!

Celebrate the Beauty and History of Canada’s Rivers

Ideas Wanted!

Pay down other high interest debt!

4 - 7 night calm water cruises on a replica steamboat Meals, attractions, and entertainment included

Your Classified Ad or LOGO Ad would appear in weekly newspapers each week across Ontario or regions of Ontario in urban, suburban and rural areas.

CALL DAVISON TODAY:

For more information Email: kmagill@rogers.com

Inventing.Davison.com/Ontario

OTHER

HEALTH

Get up to $10,000 from the CANADA REVENUE AGENCY in 1-2 weeks. National Tax Recovery is now offering a 10 year tax review.

Receive your unclaimed refunds.

Average refunds are $1000 and range from several hundred to many thousands of dollars. We provide a free-no-risk-in depth- 10 year tax review to calculate the refund due. By law the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) allows you to adjust your taxes for the last 10 years. Accountants typically review only the current and prior years tax returns. But we look much deeper into the past - a full 10 years - and with the perfect hindsight vision we seek every opportunity within the confines of the Tax Act to benefit you and your family. Call 1(800)362-6137 or send a text with your name and mailing address to 1(705)604-0759 for your free refund kit.

DECLINED BY YOUR BANK? WE CAN HELP!

ATTN: ONTARIO INVENTORS!!

1-800-256-0429 OR VISIT US AT: FREE Inventor's Guide!!

GET UP TO $50,000 from the Government of Canada.

Do you or someone you know Have any of these Conditions? ADHD, Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Cancer, COPD, Depression, Diabetes, Difficulty Walking, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowels, Overweight, Trouble Dressing...and Hundreds more. ALL Ages & Medical Conditions Qualify.

Have a child under 18 instantly receive more money.

CALL ONTARIO BENEFITS 1-(800)-211-3550 or Send a Text Message with Your Name and Mailing Address to (647)560-4274 for your FREE benefits package.

Bank turn downs, Tax or Mortgage arrears, Self-Employed, Bad Credit, Bankruptcy - We Can Help! Even in extreme situations of bad credit.

Borrow: $100,000 $200,000

Pay Monthly: $420.60 $ 841.21

LARGER AMOUNTS AVAILABLE !!Decrease monthly payments up to 80%!!

Based on 3% APR. OAC FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO APPLY NOW BY PHONE OR ONLINE: 1-888-307-7799

Departures from Kingston, Ottawa, Quebec City

!! WE ARE HERE TO HELP !!

CONSOLIDATE YOUR DEBT NOW!!!

CUT MONTHLY PAYMENTS UP TO 75%

VACATION SAFELY IN CANADA

No Income, Bad Credit Bankruptcy, Proposal Power of Sale Stopped!!!

Request our complimentary brochure

FREE APPRAISALS

CALL 1-800-267-7868

CALL US FIRST FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

www.StLawrenceCruiseLines.com 253 Ontario St., Kingston, ON (TICO #2168740)

1-800-282-1169 www.mortgageontario.com (Licence #10969)

ADVERTISING

www.ontario-widefinancial.com ONTARIO-WIDE FINANCIAL 1801347inc FSCO Licence #12456

1st, 2nd, 3rd MORTGAGES Debt Consolidation Renovations, Tax Arrears Mortgage Arrears, Debt problems

The printed community newspaper is by far the favourite source of local news and information in communities large and small across Canada. Time spent with a community newspaper is virtually unchanged compared to two years ago and not surprisingly, the predominant reason for reading printed community newspapers is local information, including news, editorial, sports, entertainment and events.

Page 14 FRIDAY, November 13, 2020 BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

Beryl Gaffney Park: How we can collectively move forward

By Anne Robinson, Manotick Culture, Parks and Recreation Association Manotick Culture, Parks and Recreation Association (MCPRA) is grateful that the proposed ‘fenced-in’ dog park is no longer being considered for Beryl Gaffney (BG) Park, as originally put forward in June 2019.

We’re also grateful that the $400K used to enlarge BG Park, is coming from city-wide cash-inlieu funds, and NOT being taken from the BG Park development account. Finally, we’re very pleased that after 20+ years, a component of the 1999 BG Park Master Plan, a picnic area, is currently being designed with construction targeted for 2021.

Councilor Meehan, in her Manotick Messenger columns of September 11 and 25, called for ‘a refresh’ of the BG Master Plan. She also called for collaboration between Friends of Beryl Gaffney Park and MCPRA. While appreciative of this suggestion, we propose a more comprehensive approach – the establishment of a Task Force that includes a representative from each of the following stakeholder groups (listed alphabetically): 1. Beryl Gaffney Family 2. Friends of Beryl Gaffney Park 3. Half Moon Bay Community Association 4. Hearts Desire Community Association 5. Manotick Culture, Parks & Recreation Association

6. Manotick Village & Community Association 7. Nicolls Island Community Association 8. Riverside South Community Association 9. Stonebridge Community Association 10. West Barrhaven Community Association City of Ottawa and Rideau Valley Conservation Authority staff, and landscape architectural experts could support and be resources to the Task Force; Councilors should not participate on the Task Force as they have ultimate decision-making authority.

To facilitate a Master Plan Refresh, the Task Force would need a sense of what components of the original Master Plan Ottawa residents currently support, as well as whether there are any fresh ideas.

To this end, the Task Force would create a comprehensive survey, post it on the City’s website, and solicit city-wide input. The aim would be to receive at least 500 responses from a wide cross-section of residents.

With these results in hand and publicly posted, the Task Force would: • discuss and adjust the current Master Plan accordingly, based on both community input, design principles and park development expertise; • create a ten-year Park Development Schedule, using the available BG Park development funds and leveraging additional resources; • broadly and publicly circulate the updated Master Plan and Park Development Schedule; • take the final Master

Building outdoors?

Choose Western red cedar, naturally!

Manotick For all your fencing and decking needs!

The Mews of Manotick

613‐692‐3591

Proudly serving Manotick & surrounding area since 1964!

community needs further and final input, transparency, a timeline, clear process, and formal Council endorsement and commitment.

Beryl Gaffney Park is too precious and too significant to not be developed, or to be developed piecemeal without a vision and Master Plan.

CENTRETOWN OTTAWA DR. ANDREW C. WATSON COUNSELLING PRACTICE Ba (psych),M.D., CCFP.

• Adult (18+) individual counselling.

• Focus on people who have been affected (past or present) with another’s Alcoholism or drug addiction.

• Stable concurrent disorders or problems welcome e.g. depression, complex PTSD, childhood trauma or neglect.

• non ohip, private practice

613 316 3773

or drandy224@gmail.com

Gibbon’s Painting & Decorating Local House Painter - Bonded With 27 years experience Customer Satisfaction

Wide selection of building materials for all your construction projects.

Hours of Operation: Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday ‐ 8am‐9pm Monday – Friday 8am 8pm Saturday – 8am‐6pm Saturday – 8am 6pm Sunday – 9am‐5pm Sunday – 9am 5pm

Plan and Park Development Schedule to Community and Protective Services Committee and Council for approval, where all Councilors would have an opportunity for final input.

The above should be completed within 6-9 months.

To move forward, the

Full line of pressure treated spruce, #1 pine, plywood, insulation, caulking, and builders’ hardware supplies.

Proudly serving you since 1936! www.perkinslumber.ca 613-489-3735 North Gower

Monday - Friday: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm, Saturday: 7:30 am - 1:00 pm

ALWAYS GUARAnteeD For a free estimate please call Rory 322-0109 Book now for your painting needs

Everything Raw Doggie Café Come and Visit Us

Best Complete and balanced raw dog food at the best price on the market Complete and balanced meals starting @ $1.97 per lb for a 24lb box Meat and bone products starting @ $1.30 per lb for a 24lb box We also have the entire line of Back2Raw products

Mon: Closed; Tues — Fri: 10 am to 7 pm; Saturday— Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm

Everythingraw.ca

613-692-7770

990 River Road, Manotick, Ontario

Like us on Facebook Barrhaven Independent

BARRHAVEN

Follow us on Twitter @BarrhavenIndy Listen to our podcast on SoundCloud Barrhaven Independent

www.barrhavenindependent.on.ca

FRIDAY, November 13, 2020 Page 15

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

Law school in the future for Barrhaven student-athlete

Name: Tia Lovegrove FOCUS ON

Age: 17

YOUTH

Address: Barrhaven School: St. Joseph High Grade: 12 Parents: Carole Lovegrove and Lovegrove

LillieNick

Brother: Austin (12), grade 7 at St. Mother Teresa High School Pet Peeves: “Nails on the chalkboard and nail biting.”

Favourite Subjects: “My favourite subjects are Law, Business, and classes related to Sociology and Anthropology. My courses this year are Families and Individuals in Canada,

by Phill Potter

Canadian and International Law, Religion, International Business, Sports Marketing and History.”

What do you enjoy reading for pleasure? ”Online news articles, books about crimes and/or criminals.”

What is your greatest accomplishment?

“Ontario Cup Champions 2018 - U15 girls soccer.”

School Activities: “Participating in virtual student council meetings, as many other clubs and councils have not yet begun.”

is more than willing to help all students, and are ensuring that our safety is prioritized. This does settle the anxieties of the return back to school. We know we are not alone, and that this situation is nerve wracking and new for all.

As for the grade 12 students, this is definitely not how we envisioned our final year of high school. There are already the stresses of what to do after graduation, but now it seems as though it’s twice as stressful.

Personally, this is a stressful year, as I hope to continue my academics and athletics in university.

All of the processes have been changing day by day.

With all of the anxieties and stresses this year, I know that there are people I can depend on, in and out of school.”

Other Activities/Interests: “I play competitive soccer, enjoy spending time with family/friends, working out and being active.”

Career Goals: “Postsecondary I plan to attend university, completing a double major to proceed to law school.”

Comment: “This school year is completely different from any other I have experienced. As there are only two classes at a time, and the semesters are shorter, it feels as though work is being piled on. We have not experienced this before.

However, the teachers are very understanding and accommodating, and willing to help students in any way. The staff at the school

Tia Lovegrove is a Grade 12 student at St. Joseph High School.

Submitted photo

Tree loT opens saTurday, november 28 We sell quality Kriss Kringle #1 Fraser Firs ranging in size from

Barrhaven’s Ainsley Smith has competed in six World Irish Dance Championships.

6 ft to 12 ft along with 5 ft to 8 ft Balsam Fir and 7-8 ft Scotch Pine.

hours: saTurday - 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. sunday - 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays - 11:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You will not find better value for your money.

We look forward to seeing our repeat customers that have supported us over the years.

beside The manoTick home hardware in The manoTick mews

Save 40% up to

by combining your home and auto insurance.

Call, Click or Come in for a quote today.

Not all products available in all provinces. *Discounts vary. See your Insurance/Financial Advisor for details.

*

Bill McDonald

Financial Advisor The Co-operators 5560 Manotick Main St | Manotick 613-692-5070 www.cooperators.ca/William-McDonald

Home Auto Life Investments Group Business Farm Travel

Page 16 FRIDAY, November 13, 2020 BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT