Every week we get lots of comments from our readers on our web site, via email, and social media. Here’s a sample of what we heard this week. Add your thoughts to the comments at the bottom of this article or email feedback@stittsvillecentral.ca.
Re: PARSNIP GONE WILD: Poisonous plant ‘more than we can handle’ says councillor
CHRISTINE SMITH: “This is a nature trail used by people who are interested in a pure wholesome lifestyle to go on walks, bike rides, runs, walk their dogs. I am certain that I am not alone in my dissapointment and dissatisfaction in the lack of ingenuity in coming up with a solution. Do we need to use herbicide? Have alternative solutions been explored?”
SHELAGH KINAHAN: Invasive species tend to grow out of control at first until a balance has been reached, so it’s not surprising that it’s everywhere for now. Usually humans do more harm than good when we try too hard to control invasive species. Nature will do the work if you let it. It’s already being attacked by parsnip webworm. Not to say that the city shouldn’t be responsible for removing it from children’s parks and whatnot, but expecting them to remove it all is unrealistic and would be a huge cost to taxpayers if done manually, and terribly harmful for the environment if done chemically. Not to mention it would just be back the next year or the year after that. At this point educating your children is your best bet, it’s quite a distinctive plant and easy to identify fortunately.”
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Re: City staff want conversation with culvert blockers
PAUL RENAUD: “During the last Municipal election, Shad Qadri and John Kukulis promised to implement routine dialog with the public regarding any activity concerning the management of the municipal drain in this wetland. Had this promise been implemented, Mr. Kukulis would not be needing to make this appeal now. It’s never too late to do the right thing, and the onus is on the City to implement a proactive and responsive communications plan with local residents.”
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Re: Firefighter Frank Muraca Turns up the heat with new food trailer
TRACY S.: “Wow! I’m from Toronto too and the thing that stands out to me is the lack of variety of affordable and diverse dining options in the GOA (Greater Ottawa Area). I am pleasantly surprised at the number of interesting food truck options popping up in Stittsville. As someone of Italian heritage, I am really excited to try Muraca On Fire!”
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Re: Stittsville design plan isn’t dense enough, says planner
KELDINE FITGERALD: “People moved out to Stittsville over the years, especially in the earlier years, to get away from urban density. We chose to have large lots, fresh air and nature at our doorsteps. Just because the Ontario government forced us to become part of Ottawa doesn’t mean we must be trampled upon. Even the consultants who set up the amalgamation warned against this happening. But the City seems to think that every bit of land within the Greater Ottawa precinct should eventually be paved over, starting with wetlands and farm lands because they’re presumably easier to build on — less rock to blast through. Rural councilors are over-ridden by city ones who still don’t “get” what rural and village mean, and current suburban ones for areas like Barrhaven seem to support the destruction of the rural landscape and villages.”
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Re: What can be done about Stittsville’s dog waste problem?
STEPHEN GRANT: “I can certainly explain some of the reasoning behind a bag of dog poop in a tree; it’s not as crazy or unthoughtful as you might think. Lots of conscientious dog walkers take their dogs for a “loop” on the trails. They bring poop bags and are prepared to pick up their dog’s droppings and bring them home. However, sometimes the dog does his business upon arriving at the park… So they “park” it and pick it up on the way out. Leaving it on the ground is a bad idea since some dogs have a bad habit of discovering and chewing such treasures. So the owner puts the probate up out of reach and in a location that they will see it on the way out.”