Quote from NYTimes article which I wish somehow we could find a way to fund: “ New York City tried a free bus pilot program in 2023 and 2024 and, as predicted, ridership increased — by 30 percent on weekdays and 38 percent on weekends, striking figures that could make a meaningful dent in New York’s chronic traffic problem (and, by extension, air and noise pollution). Something else happened that was surprising: Assaults on bus operators dropped 39 percent. Call it the opposite of the Adams strategy: Lowering barriers to access made for fewer tense law enforcement encounters, fewer acts of desperation and a safer city overall.”
Good ideas all. Re "Reinstates local control over local issues allowing communities to better shape their own futures," you may want to consider a proposal I put forward years ago: Split Planning Committee into three panels, along the lines of the Committees of Adjustment (East, West, Rural). In each area, have four councillors from the area and two from outside (one from each of the other areas) serve; panel decisions would go directly to Council for endorsement.
I agree with what you have stated.Lansdowne is just like the new Civic hospital. That was NOT the designated area that most voted for and yet we are stuck with the hugest, ugliest parking garage in probably the most beautiful view of Dow's Lake. Let's get rid of Lansdowne 2.
Is “Reinstates local control over local issues allowing communities to better shape their own futures.” about letting local residents veto needed projects or densification? What are the parameters here?
Where you you stand on repealing the current councils/city development plan and instead come up with a plan that puts existing communities first in Ottawa instead of developers?
Maybe by protecting green areas and not allowing developers to speculate building in our agricultural lands and forested areas, we protect ourselves from effects of climate change without using that term? Certainly improving transit by concentrating funding for more buses and drivers will reduce auto pollution, but since buildings create more emissions, we need to assist raising insulation and reducing demand for more energy?
I appreciate and concur with your concerns, Carolyn, and I yes I did look at the bulletin from a year ago, Neil, all of which are valid, important matters. But why has climate become the "C" word, talking indirectly about some of the related matters and not framed within climate crisis? This has become a worldwide phenomenon. Hush-hush. And put this in the context of recent scientists' further alarm about how much closer we are to tipping points, the collapse of the AMOC, and so on.
Quote from NYTimes article which I wish somehow we could find a way to fund: “ New York City tried a free bus pilot program in 2023 and 2024 and, as predicted, ridership increased — by 30 percent on weekdays and 38 percent on weekends, striking figures that could make a meaningful dent in New York’s chronic traffic problem (and, by extension, air and noise pollution). Something else happened that was surprising: Assaults on bus operators dropped 39 percent. Call it the opposite of the Adams strategy: Lowering barriers to access made for fewer tense law enforcement encounters, fewer acts of desperation and a safer city overall.”
Good ideas all. Re "Reinstates local control over local issues allowing communities to better shape their own futures," you may want to consider a proposal I put forward years ago: Split Planning Committee into three panels, along the lines of the Committees of Adjustment (East, West, Rural). In each area, have four councillors from the area and two from outside (one from each of the other areas) serve; panel decisions would go directly to Council for endorsement.
Excellent idea. If you have written this up on any more detail, please send to me.
I agree with what you have stated.Lansdowne is just like the new Civic hospital. That was NOT the designated area that most voted for and yet we are stuck with the hugest, ugliest parking garage in probably the most beautiful view of Dow's Lake. Let's get rid of Lansdowne 2.
Is “Reinstates local control over local issues allowing communities to better shape their own futures.” about letting local residents veto needed projects or densification? What are the parameters here?
Where you you stand on repealing the current councils/city development plan and instead come up with a plan that puts existing communities first in Ottawa instead of developers?
Agree with your thoughts on how this city has gone off the rails with deep and cynical cronyism. Anyway I can help, count me in!
Where, if anywhere, is CLIMATE on your agenda? I went to your campaign launch at the RA Centre. I've read your posts and so on. The answer: Nowhere.
I've written extensively about municipal climate policy at fixyourcity.substack.com
Have a look at those articles please and let me know what you think.
Maybe by protecting green areas and not allowing developers to speculate building in our agricultural lands and forested areas, we protect ourselves from effects of climate change without using that term? Certainly improving transit by concentrating funding for more buses and drivers will reduce auto pollution, but since buildings create more emissions, we need to assist raising insulation and reducing demand for more energy?
I appreciate and concur with your concerns, Carolyn, and I yes I did look at the bulletin from a year ago, Neil, all of which are valid, important matters. But why has climate become the "C" word, talking indirectly about some of the related matters and not framed within climate crisis? This has become a worldwide phenomenon. Hush-hush. And put this in the context of recent scientists' further alarm about how much closer we are to tipping points, the collapse of the AMOC, and so on.