The Stittsville Village Association (SVA) celebrated a milestone of 25 Years at their October 15, 2026 Annual General Meeting. Several community members attended the meeting to show their interest in becoming a part of the SVA board. The public are always encouraged to attend the SVA meetings.
The meeting opened with a memorable slide show filled with the history of past members and events from the beginning years to present.
At the meeting, the new Board was elected for the 2026-27 year as follows:
- President: Deanna Paolucci
- Vice-President: Chris Sherban
- Secretary: Alison Lynch
- Treasurer: Rudolf Galan
- Directors: Phil Sweetnam, Erin Zuber, Adriana Galan, Damon Cox and Jacqueline Bannister.
The SVA is seeking to fill one Director’s seat, if you are interested, please contact the SVA at: stittsvillevillage@gmail.com.
With official business over, and in appreciation of the 25th Anniversary, President Deanna Paolucci thanked the past Presidents for their involvement including:
- Louise Beggs, the First President of the SVA, a founding member, 2001 – 2002
- Shad Qadri, 2002 – 2006, a founding member
- Metin Akgun, from 2007 – 2009
- Marilyn Jenkins, from 2010 – 2012
- Phil Sweetnam, from 2012 – 2014
- Tanya Hein, for being the longest serving President from 2014 – 2022
- Joseph Carbonetto, 2022
- Nancy Therrien, from 2022 – 2024
- Mandy Hambly, from 2024 – 2025
- Deanna Paolucci, from 2025 – Present
Over the years, many residents have been a part of the SVA as Vice-Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers and Directors and are as follows:
Vice-Presidents:
- Erin Zuber served as VP for the SVA 2025 – Present, but is stepping down to a Director
- Caitlin Bauer served as VP for the SVA in 2024, after having been a director for at least 3 years.
- Nancy Therrien served as the VP between 2019 – 2022 when she became our President, after nearly 10 years as a Director
- Glen Gower served as VP in 2015 and 2016
- Phil Sweetnam served as VP from 2014 – 2015 having stepped in after the early retirement of Ayah Stretch who served as VP for most of 2014.
- Doug Sutherland, Founder of Arts in the Park in 2013, served as VP 2010 – 2013 and was a former Director
- Shad Qadri served as VP from 2001 – 2002 when he then became the President. He was one of the original founders of the SVA
Secretaries (some names have been lost in history):
- Evelyn Leroux (2008 – 2010)
- Theresa Qadri (2010 – 2011), also a founding member
- Roxanne Bronsard (2014)
- Vacant at 2015 AGM
- Jan Mattngly (2021 – 2022)
- Daniel Viens (2024 – 2025)
- Alison Lynch (2025 – Present)
Treasurers (again some names lost in history):
- Jean Kerr (Treasurer) 2001 – 2014
- Claude Keon (2014- 2015)
- Jennifer de Sa 2015
- Doug Sutherland (2019 – 2020)
- Chelsea Giffen (2021-2025)
- Rudolph Galan (2025 – Present)
Directors over the years: Marion Gullock (2001-2022), David Jenkins, Theresa Qadri, Kevin Cinq-Mars, Ken LaRue, Kerry Toneguzzi, Mick O’Rourke, Leo Mevel, Elke Harder, John Fleischman, Maureen Wesselingh, Katrina Harder, Veronica Barnes, Claude Keon, Anthony Tsoukanas, Shauna Denis, Steve Adam, Trevor Eggleton, David Fairbrother, Jeff Gallant, Christine Hartig, Barry Gray, Tim Laplante, Robin Derrick, Glen Gower, Robert Lafleur, Tim Larocque, Dayna Hammond, Luc Therrien, Nancy Therrien, Mandy Hambly, Lesley McKay, Erika Adams, Jennifer de Sa, Jillian McKim, Christopher Skinner, Trudy Smith, Kathy Tasse, Shelley Artuso, Kaylee Hammond, Denise Lee, Nora Williams, Damon Cox, Chris Sherban, Adriana Galan.
Deanna Paolucci, President shared, “I would like to thank all of those who attended to show us their support, at the AGM/anniversary and throughout the year. The SVA would not be possible without it.”
This summer with the collaboration between Stittsville Village Association, Birdgirl Arts, and Pretty Pots Flowers & Gifts and under the leadership of Erin Zuber, Vice-President of the SVA, received funding for a mural proposal through the City of Ottawa’s Paint It Up program! The mural project would provide youth in our community an opportunity to showcase their talent bringing a lasting colourful and playful landmark to Stittsville Main Street. On September 26th, the unveiling of ‘Field Notes from Stittsville’ transpired – adding a stunning addition to Stittsville and our Main Street.
The SVA was created just after Stittsville was amalgamated into the City of Ottawa to maintain a community voice and identity within the larger City of Ottawa. Throughout the years, the SVA has organized major events in our community including: Arts in the Park; Canada Day celebrations; Music & Movies in the Park; and the Christmas season Parade of Lights.
The SVA’s Parade of Lights is taking place on December 6th at 6:00pm and the SVA members are currently looking for some volunteers to help in several activities such as: set-up, crowd control, organizing the parade floats, supervising road barriers, mascot costumes, and more. They are currently seeking volunteers to assist with the success of the parade. Under new safety city by-laws, and to help supervise at major intersections and driveways, the SVA is looking for 200 volunteers, with 55 spots requiring an adult aged 18 and over. A youth under 18, must be accompanied by an adult. The SVA has always used high school volunteers for this role, and high school volunteer hours continue to be provided, but they are also seeking adults to sign-up to monitor the barricades along the parade route. They are also asking businesses and organizations wanting to enter a float to do so at your earliest convenience. To volunteer or enter a float, visit the SVA website.
