Councillor Gower is sharing his notes for this week. Here are the topics covered: clear the snow and become a Hydrant Hero; the Snow Go assist program; an update on vaccines; support our local businesses; some new development notes; free mental health help; and, the Ottawa Public Health ‘What’s App’.
Be a Hydrant Hero this winter!
The City of Ottawa’s Water Services maintains more than 23,000 fire hydrants throughout the winter months, ensuring they are in operation for firefighters in the event of a fire. To help, the City is encouraging you to be hydrant heroes and keep your local hydrant clear of snow. Clearing 1.5 metres around a hydrant maintains access for our firefighters and keeps you, your family and your community safe. Send a photo of your cleared hydrant to hydrants@ottawa.ca and receive your official Hydrant Hero certificate! As part of this initiative, students can also request confirmation of their community involvement hours.
The Snow Go and Snow Go Assist programs provide a matching service and financial assistance to eligible seniors and people with disabilities looking to hire an individual or contractor to clear snow from private driveways and walkways. Visit ottawa.ca/snowgo for more information.
Vaccine update
As of Friday, residents in all of Ottawa’s long-term care homes have received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit the Vaccine distribution page to learn how the City is supporting the administering of vaccines to residents.
Supporting local business
Our local businesses need your support more than ever. It has been an incredibly difficult year and the Provincial shut-down over the past few weeks has many of our favourite restaurants, shops and services struggling. Please support local whenever you can!
521 Brigatine/501 Khasmin
Thank you to residents who attended the virtual public meeting last Thursday night for the development application at 521 Brigatine and 501 Khasmin in the Fairwinds neighbourhood. We’ve heard concerns from residents about the type of development proposed, the change in plans from Mattamy in the intervening years between development phases, general traffic and parking issues, and the specific by-law amendments requested. Read more…
1518 Stittsville Main
Inverness Homes wants to build a mixed-use building with a two-storey restaurant/office space along Stittsville Main Street next to the Trans Canada Trail, along with a four-storey 33-unit residential apartment in behind. We’re hosting an info meeting about this proposal on Wednesday, February 10 at 6:30pm through Zoom. More info…
Blasting near Shea & Fernbank
Cavanagh Construction started blasting this week at the north-west corner of Shea & Fernbank, the site of the future Shea Village subdivision. Blasting is expected to take 4-6 weeks.
Free counselling & mental health help
The pandemic is taking a toll on our mental health. Quick access to free counselling is available to residents of the greater Ottawa area through Counselling Connect in both English and French. It’s open to all ages without a waiting list. The Counselling Connect website links people of all ages to a counselling session with one of 16 Ottawa social services, including Centretown Community Health Centre, Youth Services Bureau, Family Service Ottawa, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization, Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health and more.
Ottawa Public Health on WhatsApp
Do you speak Somali and/or Arabic? You can now contact Ottawa Public Health by text or voice clip on WhatsApp for information about COVID-19. Somali number: 613-229-3373 Arabic number: 613-229-3359.
Stay informed on City initiatives by subscribing to Councillor Gower’s e-newsletter at http://eepurl.com/dOOTwX‘. You can also contact him by telephone at 613-580-2476 or email Glen.Gower@ottawa.ca. Follow him on the web – glengower.ca.