Carleton student opposes Arnold
By Chad Paulin
There will be an election in Somerset ward after all. Kris Schimmel tossed his hat into the ring at the last minute to oppose city Coun. Elisabeth Arnold in the Nov. 10 vote. “I feel that the way the city’s been run is silly and anti-business,”says Schimmel, 23, a second-year Carleton University psychology student. “It should be concentrating on getting out of debt . . . instead of dealing with issues like bare breasts.” Schimmel says the city should help small business owners instead of hurting them with restrictive bylaws. As an example, he points to a recent controversy over a billboard on the side of a Byward Market hotel. The sign, which raises $17,000 a year in rent for the business, was deemed to be too big and an eyesore by the city. But the city eventually backed down from its claim. “It’s hard enough to make a buck in this city without having the city come down on you like that,” says Schimmel, who also runs a part-time sports collectible business. Schimmel, who says he’s an active supporter of the Harris government, insists downloading of services from the province to municipalities “has to be done” to save money. He says if municipalities cut the fat out of their budgets, the downloading won’t cost them any money, calling it “revenue neutral.” Arnold, however, dismisses the argument that more cuts can be made. “Our communities can’t survive if we keep cutting back,” she says, adding that while the downloading should be revenue neutral, it isn’t because the province’s budget numbers don’t add up. Schimmel is one of two candidates running for the Civic Action Party. It was co-founded by Pierre Labelle, whose business was involved in the sign dispute with the city. The party supports the province’s one-tier government model for the region and a reduced role for the regional government in providing community services. For example, it would give grants to community groups to run swimming pools and hockey rinks. Again, Arnold disagrees. “People are concerned about one-tier government,” she says. “They want to know if we’ll be able to maintain our neighborhoods in a bigger city.” She says communities must lead the charge toward regional reform, and promises to voice Centretown residents’ concerns when the changes take place. As the race for city council heats up, one thing to watch on election night is how big the margin of victory will be for the winning candidate. The ward has a history of close races in recent years. In 1994, Arnold won by 26 votes over incumbent Peter Harris. Three years earlier, Harris beat Arnold by about 250 votes. With a month to go until the municipal election, one result is certain — Somerset ward regional Coun. Diane Holmes is heading back to council as one of four acclaimed incumbents. “I think this shows that people in the area feel that their issues are being addressed,” says Holmes, adding she views her acclamation as a vote of confidence. Holmes won’t be watching the election from the sidelines, however. She says she’ll continue to knock on people’s doors to hear consituents’ concerns. She plans to work with community groups to attract new businesses and residents to the downtown core to fill buildings left vacant by federal civil service cuts. She says the high vacancy rate may lead to an erosion of the area, resulting in a drop in tourism. “I think the downtown core is the heart of the region,” she says. “If we have empty buildings and storefronts, that will undermine our city.”
By Brian Salisbury
Four months after the Liberals swept Ottawa in the June 2 federal election, it appears they also swept the battle of the pocketbooks. Elections Canada campaign lists for contributions of more than $100 released earlier this month show Ottawa Centre Liberal incumbent Mac Harb solicited $36,450 compared to New Democrat Jamie Heath’s $20,288, Conservative Peter Annis’ $14,075 and Reformer John Perocchio’s $9,500. Perhaps not coincidentally, these contributions correspond with election results, almost right down to the percentage point. Harb’s $36,450 worth of contributions make up 45.4 per cent of the $80,313 solicited by the four major candidates. That percentage is almost exactly the same as the percentage of votes cast for him, being 25,988 of 57,502 votes, or 45.2 per cent. This correlation between money and votes has some people questioning the Liberals’ big red money-making machine, but Harb’s team is downplaying it’s financial superiority. “It’s difficult to gauge the role that money played in the campaign,” says Harb campaign chairman Todd Burke. “I would like to think we managed our money most effectively.” Reform candidate John Perocchio, however, rejects this kind of analysis. “It’s easy to dismiss money when you have a machine behind you that has lots of it,” says Perocchio. “The thing that defeats most candidates is the information. You’ve got to get out, and get out often, and money has an impact on that.” New Democrat Heath, who came second to Harb, expresses similar sentiments. “The Liberal campaign was very much a superficial campaign,” says Heath. “At the end of the day, the election is decided in no small part by the amount of money that’s available. That’s unfortunate.” Burke, speaking on behalf of Harb who was unavailable for comment, defends his campaign, saying there was “not a lot of money spent on a variety of advertising mediums we could have used. “There was no exorbitant spending in this campaign,” emphasizes Burke. A brief look at the contributions shows that Harb was most popular with the corporate sector, gaining $5,250 compared with Annis’ $4,650, Perocchio’s $1,400 and Heath’s $600. Heath, meanwhile, had the largest chunk of private citizen contributions. He had 70 donations from individual citizens combining for $14,988. The next closest was Annis with $9,425, along with Harb at $6,200 and Perocchio’s $3,200. The largest difference in campaign contributions comes from how much local riding associations donated. Harb received $24,000 from the Ottawa Centre Federal Liberals compared with Heath’s $1,500, while Annis and Perocchio did not receive any money at all from their riding associations. This gap does not surprise Heath, who says the Liberals are backed by large businesses. “I don’t feel resentful (of the gap) because our party is different. If the Royal Bank started to give us big cheques, I would probably think we’re doing something wrong,” jabs Heath. This leaves candidates like Heath and Perocchio to their own devices when covering their campaign expenses. “(Reform) candidates on the ground are expected to raise their own money,” says Perocchio. When asked how his campaign might have been altered to raise more money Perocchio replied: “There’s not much you can do.” Contribution lists and other election documents are currently available to the public at Ottawa Centre returning officer Marjorie Hansen’s office on Arthur Street.
The following is a complete list, as released by Elections Canada, of political contributions of over $100 to the campaigns of the four major candidates in Ottawa Centre in the June 9 federal election.
Mac Harb, Liberal Individuals Charles Beal, $250 James Lyon, $250 David Gavsie, $150 Lloyd Francis, $250 Rod Bryden, $300 Catherine Kennedy, $200 Lorne Kelly, $200 Adel Monsour, $200 Fedel Abdelnour, $400 Avraham Iny, $200 Joan Wong, $200 Michael Wong, $200 Dr. Khaled Hasem, $200 Mario/Danielle Cuconato,$300 Taffy Nahas, $200 Ferris Beauchamp, $300 Dr. Richard Begg, $200 Gregory King, $1,300 Taha Qirbi, $300 Kaleem Akhtar, $200 Dr. David Gibbs, $200 Nathan Smith, $200 Business and Commercial Organizations Brouse Holdings, $200 Ainsley Graham and Assoc. $500 1191645 Ontario Ltd., $200 Minto Developments Inc., $1,000 Blue Line Taxi Co. Ltd., $200 Gowling, Strathy and Henderson, $1,000 Osgoode Properties, $200 Paul Diogardi, $200 Anton Financial Analyst, $200 Al-Mohajer Publishing, $200 Fraser and Beatty, $200 Imerti Masonry Inc., $300 Profac Management, $200 Kanata Research Park Inc., $600 ZV Holdings, $250 Future Tech Investments, $200 AT & T Canada, $200 Political Organizations other than Registered Parties Ottawa Centre Federal Liberal Riding Association, $24,000 Other Organizations St. Peter’s and Paul Church, $400 Total, $36,450
Jamey Heath, NDP Individuals Evelyn Gigantes, $750 E.W. Sutherland, $500 Joan Elieson, $500 Robert Read, $400 Catherine Boucher, $300 Harold Jones, $250.31 Brian Carroll, $250 Marion Dewar, $250 Nola Balogh, $250 Patricia Hill, $250 Simon McInnes, $250 Stan Currie, $250 Kealy Cummings, $247.57 A.V. Lovink, $200 Ann Dennis, $200 Ann Varga-Toth, $200 Cres Pascucci, $200 David Gamble, $200 David Tait, $200 Deborah Barton, $200 Derek Ballantyne, $200 Douglas Faulkner, $200 Duncan Bury, $200 Elizabeth Whitmore, $200 Frances Mallory, $200 Gail Wagdin, $200 Heather Fraser, $200 Heidi Van Dyk, $200 James Mallory, $200 Jamey Heath, $200 Jan Dary, $200 Joanna Cigler, $200 John Taylor, $200 Jonathan Pierre, $200 Louise Tardiff, $200 M.G. McNaughton Scott, $200 Madelaine Aubrey, $200 Mary Eady, $200 Maureen Ellingham, $200 Michael Cassidy, $200 Michael Ostroff, $200 Norma Ballantyne, $200 Nancy Kenyon, $200 Ole Hendrickson, $200 Peter Bowie, $200 Peter Nagalo, $200 Prudence Craib, $200 Roger Heath, $200 Russell Bison, $200 Sara Andrews, $200 Sybil Drake, $200 Terri Gigantes, $200 V. Bryan Wannop, $200 Dan Lofuden, $200 Kealy Cummings, $200 Diane Holmes, $150 Frances Tanner, $150 George McColm, $150 John Campbell, $150 Joyce Gifford, $150 M. Folton, $150 Michael Miller, $150 Pat Steenberg, $150 Peter Childs, $150 Rick Robinson, $150 Stephen Gorman, $150 William Knight, $150 Alex Munter, $140 Colin Betts, $125 David Pepper, $125 Business and Commerical Enterprises Fort Huggins and Associates, $400 Bourns and Associates, $200 Trade Unions Retail Wholesale Canada, $1,000 U.S.W.A Local 5297, $1,000 Political Organizations other than Registered Parties Ottaw Centre NDP Riding Association, $1,500 Registered Parties New Democratic Party, $1,200 Total, $20,288.72
Peter Annis, PC Individuals Marguerite A. Hale, $200 Alan Cooper, $250 Chris Thompson, $300 John A. MacNaughton, $1,000 Herbert Stuemer, $300 Gail MacNaughton, $500 A. David Morrow, $200 K. Laroche, $150 Graham Clarke, $500 Wendy Simpson, $200 William T. Houston, $250 John. G. M. Hooper, $400 Robert J. Buchan, $150 William H. Neville, $200 Elizabeth L. Pitney, $500 M. Galazka, $200 Peter Thompson, $200 C.J. Michael Flavall, $300 Robert E. Houston, $250 William G. Fenton, $200 Peter K. Doody, $200 Mary Alice MacNeil, $250 Stephen Barker, $200 Raymond J. Ostiguy, $250 Dr. Tom Barkley, $250 Edward B. O’Connor, $200 John Nelligan, $200 Gerald H. MacGarvie, $250 Peter Thompson, $200 Paterson Hendry, $200 John Pigott, $500 Michael Moss, $350 Henry S. Brown, $125 Business and Commercial Organizations Homestead Land Holdings Ltd., $200 Cave Development and Management, $200 Arthur McColl Barrister and Solicitor, $200 Delcan Corporation, $500 KPMG, $1,200 Graham Bird and Associates, $250 Canadian Tire Associate Store 97, $1,000 Domicile Developments Inc., $500 Urbandale Corporation, $300 H.M.R. Management Holdings Ltd., $300 Total, $14,075
John Perrochio, Reform Individual Wanda E. Archambault, $500 Charles Mitchell, $750 Graham W. Stremes, $300 L. Urban Smith, $200 Russell Pchajek, $200 Josephine Green, $200 Marjorie Gray, $200 Mary Kozloski, $250 Donald E. Cutts, $300 M. B. Chaquette, $300 Business and Commerical Organizations Select Auto Glass, $200 Corel Corporation, $1,000 Takaki Automotive Corp., $200 Registered Parties Ottawa Centre Reform, $4,000 Total, $9,500
By Rita Trichur
A last-minute rush of candidates means every Centretown school board seat will have a trustee after the Nov. 10 municipal elections. Candidates are running in all zones, calming parents’ fears of empty seats in the new amalgamated boards. Jean Paul Lafond, in zone 10 of the French-Language Public Board, was acclaimed last Friday when no one else filed to run against him. “Well, I wish I could say it’s my reputation,” chuckles Lafond. “I think one of the main factors (there’s no opponent) was the money that trustees will be getting this year. At $5,000 it becomes almost semi-valued work.” The province’s new $5,000-cap on trustees’ salaries is one reason explaining why many people waited until the 11th hour to file nomination papers. Cuts in education spending, amalgamation, Bill 160 and a possible province-wide teachers’ strike have aggravated feelings of apathy in many Centretown residents, say the candidates. “What’s the point of running for something that can’t do anything?” says Jeff Morrison, a candidate in zone nine of the English-Language Separate Board. “I don’t like what the Harris government is doing. They are taking power and responsibility away from school boards,” he says. “They have a slash-and-burn approach that has to be confronted at some point.” Three other candidates are running against Morrison. Robert Allen, Stephen Kroeker and Cathy Maguire-Urban have also announced their candidacy. For Kroeker, the main issue is amalgamation. He says Centretown ratepayers are worried amalgamation will mean higher taxes. “Well there is certainly a possibility that amalgamation has caused a lot of disinterest,” says Kroeker. “They (residents) are disappointed and not finding it worth their expectations.” Not only did parents and other potential candidates initially balk at the idea of running, Morrison says, but students and teachers area are also feeling left out. “Students don’t have the necessary means to get involved,” says Morrison. “Teachers have to be able to stand up for their rights and protect the education of the children they are teaching.” Albert Chambers, running in zone 10 of the English-Language Public Board against Anthony Galveias, says funding cuts mean some Centretown schools may close. “The loss of local control, particularly in financing, to the province — That’s where real challenge is,” says Chambers. “The province is going to be setting so many of the rules, that it may create a very straight-jacket approach for the new local boards.” He also criticizes the province for curbing trustees’ role in education reform. Referring to this and the $5,000-cap, Chambers says: “This is a very conscious attempt on the part of the province to devalue the role of the trustee, not only politically but monetarily.” The French-Language Separate Board had the hardest time attracting candidates to run in its Centretown zone. Less than 10 days before the registration deadline, not a single person was slated to run. Zone five now has three candidates vying for the job: Paul Lauzon, Diane Lemieux-Trudel and Henri Ranaivoson. None of the three were available for comment.
By David Gotlieb
Members of the egg industry are crying fowl over a new documentary. For one week, starting Oct. 25 at the SAW Gallery, Rob Thompson will film Pamela Meldrum and Eric Wolf living in a one metre by one-and-a-half metre cage. The footage will become part of an upcoming documentary on what he sees as animal cruelty in the food industry. But the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency says the project doesn’t prove anything. “I fail to see how paying a couple of people to sit in a rather artificial environment will prove anything,” says Neil Currie, the agency’s chief executive officer. “Perhaps as a side test they should put a couple of people in a small apartment, urinating in a litter box and eating canned food.” The point is to “raise awareness rather than do a scientific experiment,” says Thompson. He says Canadian farmers should adopt a system like that of Freedom Foods in England. If farmers pass random inspections and tests, they are allowed to label their products with a Freedom Foods logo, ensuring consumers know how the chicken was raised. Critics like Thompson say the way most chickens are raised in Canada is cruel and inhumane. They say many farms raise chickens in small cages without enough room to lie down. Currie argues the cages are state of the art and keep the chickens healthy by removing waste from the living area. The alternative to this method is free range, where chickens are allowed to roam in much more open spaces. However, it won’t work in Canada, says Currie. They could wander outside in the middle of winter and freeze to death, according to Currie. He also says that free range chickens are exposed to many more diseases than those that are kept in a barn. Michel Charron, who keeps a small flock of free-range chickens at the Agriculture Museum on the Central Experimental Farm, says farmers don’t have enough space and money to raise their chickens free-range. Most farms have up to 50,000 chickens. “Chickens definitely seem to like being able to wander around, but on the other hand I like the fact that a dozen eggs are fairly cheap. “I’m not a chicken,” continues Charron. “I don’t know how much room they need to be happy.” Poultry producers make up the fifth-largest farm industry in Canada, contributing more than $1.8 billion to the economy in 1994.
HIV infection rates for injection drug users has hit epidemic levels in Ottawa-Carleton, and Centretown is one of the communities hardest hit says the region’s medical officer. According to a recent report by Dr. Robert Cushman, HIV and AIDS are spreading among intravenous drug users at an alarming rate. Last year, the region accounted for almost one-third of new HIV cases in Ontario. “I think it’s an epidemic when you’re seeing that 19 per cent of the people using the services are HIV positive,” says Danielle Dorschner, program co-ordinator for the HIV prevention program. Regional Council is asking the province for an additional $80,000 to expand its needle exchange program. The program currently costs the province $156,000 a year. Council is also trying to create dirty-needle return programs at local drugstores. Cushman says sharing dirty needles is the main cause of the increase, but adds a shift from heroin to cocaine has increased the number of needles used in the region. The health department estimates there are 3,000 injection drug users in the region. The number of HIV positive cases among this group is estimated between 300 to 760. A mobile van clinic services the areas most affected by the increase,including Centretown. The van clinic exchanges needles, provides HIV testing and counselling. Last year, 6,000 people visited the van. Despite the HIV increase, Dorschner says injection drug use in Ottawa-Carleton is not on the rise. She also insists the needle exchange program doesn’t encourage drug use. “We are there to exchange needles, not to give them (away),” says Dorschner. “We have to make sure we are there to get the dirty needles off the streets also.” Carey Depalezieux, a public health nurse in the van clinic, says people shouldn’t be afraid of being arrested if they exchange needles. “We have a special arrangement with the police. They are not supposed to follow us.” The van clinic can be reached at 797-2735.
By Vicki Newton
A new funding arrangement in the works with the region’s 11 municipalities has the Humane Society of Ottawa-Carleton licking its chops. When Ottawa-Carleton regional council decided in the spring to discontinue its annual $357,000 grant, the society turned to the municipalities to make up the shortfall. But, that is likely to be a benefit to the society, which has been chronically underfunded. The Humane Society stands to gain an increase of $50,000 because the municipalities have agreed with the $407,000 the society has proposed for pound services over the past three years. Lisa Danso-Coffey, executive director of Humane Society, is enthusiastic about the increase the society may see in its funding as a result. “Finally, we’ll be paid for what we do and all the services we provide and it’s an incentive for municipalities to implement new bylaws and crack down on existing bylaws because it’ll mean less cost to them if less animals show up at the pound.” Under the user-fee contracts, individual municipalities will be expected to fund the society on a monthly basis beginning Jan. 1, when funding by the region will stop. The amount for each will depend on how many animals come from each area because the stray animals are initially property of the municipality. Danso-Coffey says because half of the animals in the pound come from the city of Ottawa, Ottawa can expect to pay nearly $204,000 of the total $407,000 amount. Each municipality has presented or is in the process of presenting the individual contracts to their respective municipal councils. Danso-Coffey says all 11 municipalities have given every indication that the user-fee system will be approved by their councils by Dec. 1. Susan Jones, manager of bylaw services for the city of Nepean, says Nepean and Vanier are among the municipalities with contract approval. Jones says under the new user-fee system, Nepean can expect to pay about $49,000 for its share of animals that come to the pound. The contracts are being negotiated for one year so both parties can evaluate the process. Multi-year contracts may be considered. Danso-Coffey says the Humane Society will give the cities records of the number of animals and that money should then be forwarded by each municipality. “The municipalities were getting all the revenue from dog tags, licenses and so on but never had to contribute to the pound services, so now, this takes the pressure off the region having to pay for everything,” says Regional Coun. Robert van den Ham, who supported the municipality funding. Municipalities first hired a Toronto animal control consultant to study alternatives to the Humane Society. “The consultant told the municipalities that they were getting a good bang for their buck,” says Danso-Coffey. Almost 6,000 strays were brought to the pound in 1996, up 1,000 from the year before.
By Chandra Price
A substantial increase in Centretown road construction, that has been going on for several months, is upsetting area residents and keeping customers away from small businesses. “It’s driving everybody crazy ...it’s a nuisance,” says Geoff Dooling, owner of The Little More Corner Store at the corner of Arlington and Percy streets. “They blocked off the access from Bronson to Arlington in the summer, where you couldn’t go down the street without being fined $105,” he adds, “so instead of driving one block from Bronson, customers would’ve had to drive eight blocks past another corner store to get to mine...which isn’t realistic.” Dooling says the ongoing construction on Percy is not only annoying as a resident of the street, it is detrimental to his business. He says he has lost at least 15 to 20 per cent of his business since construction began in early June. The technical field and services engineer for the City of Ottawa, Paul Sauve, acknowledges there has been a definite increase in road construction in the Centretown area this year. But he says it is an older part of the city and the sewage and water systems have to be upgraded. Various streets including Percy, Frank, MacLaren, Rochester, Booth and Primrose are being renewed by the City of Ottawa. “It is difficult to put a handle on how much money businesses have lost due to construction,” says Sauve. “Especially when the economy is so low...maybe these businesses would have lost money with or without construction.” Sauve says the city doesn’t plan on compensating small businesses for possible losses. Nevertheless, small business owners feel the construction is having a negative impact on them. “From the point of view of a small business that is on a street that is virtually closed for the whole summer...your business is very bad,” says Arlington Books’ store owner Gail Graser. “Presumably all of the engineers have not been able to figure out a way to do it in a co-ordinating manner,” she adds. Neighbors living in the area are as distraught about the construction as businesses are. Resident Anna Simon says the construction begins at 6 a.m., and disturbs her sleep “all the time...early in the morning and late at night.” Simon lives on the corner of McLeod and Percy, right in the centre of the overhaul. She says she is looking forward to its completion at the end of this month. Sauve says the construction has to be finished before the winter comes. He says the old systems were built around the turn of the century with materials of an inferior quality that need to be replaced. Sauve says the overall project is quite extensive and the city is spending approximately two-thirds of its $15-million annual construction budget in the Centretown area. “The main reason we are going in there is not for the roads themselves but for the underground stuff,” says Sauve. “But once you start digging under there, the roads are totally destroyed...and we have to rebuild the roads.” Graser says she understands that the sewage and water systems have to be updated because they are hazardous, but says she doesn’t feel that it should take several months.
By Kate Yule
Business owners between Bronson and Bell Streets on Gladstone have once again hired a private security company to “clean out the johns” in their area. On Oct. 8, 19 business owners and landlords in the area made a deal with Response Safety Security and Investigation to keep an eye on their property. The company will patrol buildings in a five-block radius, including Bell, Cambridge and Bronson streets and Gladstone Avenue. The program involves foot and car patrols and community involvement. Residents in the area are encouraged to report problems or unusual events to Response security guards or to police. According to Denis Condie, owner and security guard of Response Security, having a guard on the street to record johns’ license plate numbers for police has discouraged 90 per cent of the activity. “We are a visible deterrent,” says Condie. “The johns think the neighborhood’s open, we’re telling them it’s closed.” Condie says the guards discourage johns from picking up prostitutes in the area, so the prostitutes will move on and establish themselves in another area. The guards, whose uniforms closely resemble those of the police, wear bullet-proof vests and carry a flashlight, pager, cellular phone and two-way radio. There is a guard on duty 24 hours a day. Chrissie Kritikos, manager of Fairview Towers apartments on Bell Street North, says last year the program worked so well the community noticed a decrease of activity in the area in one week. This time, Kritikos noticed a difference in a few days. She says last year’s program also kept the prostitutes out of the area for 10 months after the company stopped patrolling the area. “It was the first time in the history of the area that it was so quiet — we were flabbergasted,” says Kritikos. Prostitutes became more visible after Labour Day this year. By the end of September, they were out during the day as well as the evenings. Kritikos says the police were on the situation right away, referring to the police hooker-and-john sweep on Sept. 12, 13 and 15. Police arrested 60 people in the sweep. Many arrested in the sweep will go to “john school,” where they will learn the effects of prostitution from social workers and ex-prostitutes. Condie emphasizes that his guards are not police officers. “We are an extra set of eyes and ears for the police,” he says. “We just stand guard and report.” Ottawa-Carleton Police Sgt. Joe Simpson, who is involved in policing the area, calls the program a good example of the community and the police working together. “(Response Security) provides a good service — as long as they stay within their limits and avoid confrontations.” Kritikos says the community is aware the program may only be moving the prostitutes from one area to another, but insists that doing nothing about the problem is not the answer. “The area gets such a raw deal,” she says. “On good days here, it’s just so nice. That’s what makes you go on.”
By Lindsey Parry
It took a long 10 years, but now Caroline can finally speak out about abuse. She still speaks quietly and with little self-assurance. It has only been three months since Caroline (not her real name), 35, and her seven-year-old daughter moved to Harmony House, a community shelter for battered women and their children. But already she sees positive changes in herself. “My esteem and my confidence are better,” she says. “Nobody puts you down here. They accept everything about you . . . I’m able to voice my concerns here.” Two years ago, the staff at Harmony House had some concerns of their own. When provincial funding was cut in 1996, the shelter almost had to close. But because of fund-raising efforts by community members and corporations, Harmony House has already raised three-quarters of this year’s $120,000 goal. Meanwhile, Caroline’s main worry is not an unusual one among abused women at the shelter: her abuser is looking for her. But, she adds, he should not be able to find her. “I feel safe here,” says Caroline. “Nobody knows the location, and if somebody calls, they’ll say they don’t even know you.” Leighann Burns-Campagna, director of Harmony House, says its unknown location is one of the reasons abused women come to the shelter. “Women being stalked need high security,” she says. But sadly, she adds, only one in five women who come for help are able to get accommodations. Taking in more victims of abuse is an often impossible demand to meet. This is because Harmony House is different from other shelters in Ontario which take in battered women and their children for a maximum of six weeks. Harmony House, on the other hand, provides protection and counselling for up to a year. “For many women leaving violent situations, their problems can’t always be solved in six weeks,” says Burns-Campagna. She points out examples such as custody and criminal cases against the abuser. “Sometimes, these women just need time to rest and decide what to do for their futures,” she adds. Burns-Campagna is the only full-time employee of three at the shelter. Before their budget was cut two years ago, there were six people on staff. Still, she says, the community has helped the shelter forge ahead. Some people make snow sculptures, leaving a bucket alongside for people to throw small change into. Others make donations through their businesses. And fund-raising events have included a recent women’s golf tournament. No other events are planned for the rest of the year, but Harmony House will continue accepting donations and working on grant proposals, including one to the United Way. Regional Coun. Diane Holmes sees a need for shelters like Harmony House. She is a member of Round Table on Violence Against Women, which seeks to change the justice system. “One of the problems is that the justice system doesn’t treat women very well,” she says. “A defense attorney may try to prove the abuse is the wife’s fault, or that she’s lying. In some situations, a woman may not call the police until she has been abused 30 times. So, shelters are very important.” Holmes stresses a need to keep Harmony House open, to provide what she calls “alternative housing” for victims of abuse. “Some women feel if a situation is so explosive and so violent, that they have to take the kids and leave the house,” she says. “In a shelter, they can learn about their legal rights, get counselling, and alter their self esteem.” Caroline agrees. As long as she is safe, she is on the road to recovery. But the shelter must stay open. “I can say that if I weren’t here, I may not be alive,” she says. “I don’t know where else you might go, where you’d feel so protected.”
By Nick Greenfield
A pair of bronze plaques hold a place of honor at the front of St. Luke’s Anglican Church. Commemorating former parishioners who died in the world wars, the plaques are only a small part of the church’s long legacy of service in the community. On Oct. 18, the parish, on the corner of Somerset and Bell streets, will celebrate its 125th anniversary. “I remember we used to have the Cubs meet in the basement of the church, and at the time there were windows along the bottom of the building facing the street. “Some of the local boys used to come and look in on meetings, so we invited them in,” laughs Bill Gervin, 73. He was christened at St. Luke’s in 1924. A member of St. Luke’s for 20 years, Joyce Harford has been researching the history of the church. Harford says she wants to create a social perspective of the parish while documenting a concise history of the church. She has based a large part of her research on personal letters from the City of Ottawa archives. “You really have to keep your eyes open,” she says. In 1872, Rev. George Jemmett came to Rochesterville, a suburb of Ottawa, to establish a church that would serve Anglicans in the area. The first church at the parish’s present location of Somerset and Bell was built in October 1889 by Rev. Thomas Garrett. Given the name St. Luke’s, the building was completed in 1892 and the church quickly became an active and expanding parish. On Saturday, Nov. 4, 1903, the first St. Luke’s church was destroyed by fire, but was immediately restored a year later. By the ‘20s, the continuing growth of the parish required a larger church. The cornerstone of the new edifice was laid on July 31, 1922 by former prime minister Sir Robert Borden. Harford says the resiliency of the parish during the ’30s is a tribute to its charitable spirit. In one of St. Luke’s first community outreach initiatives, the parish began helping out-of-work families during the Depression. Harford says the parish’s devotion to the well-being of the community during this era is a testament to its faith. “It is a parish that has always been based on Christian principles...not Christian in your face,” she says. “The programs back then really helped the church keep its focus.” Serving the community has always been the driving force behind St. Luke’s. Rev. John Bridges, of St. Luke’s parish, says the church has evolved from a family-based parish to a church that meets the needs and concerns of the community. “We really need to recognize the needs of where we are and respond,” he says. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, Rev. John Stevenson started the St. Luke’s Lunch Club in 1983. The Lunch Club is open every Monday to Friday and offers a hot meal for those unable to provide for themselves. Harford says members are expected to volunteer and there are very few “freeloaders” in the club. She says community outreach programs like the Lunch Club have opened her eyes to the evolving role of St. Luke’s. “When I was growing up, the Anglican church didn’t have a reputation of doing very much,” she says. “Since joining St. Luke’s 20 years ago, my view has certainly changed.” While the history of St. Luke’s is certain, Gervin grudgingly admits that the future of the parish is not. Like Harford, he says that changing lifestyles have meant the church no longer fills the void it once did. Despite this trend, Gervin says community initiatives such as the church’s lunch club lead him to believe that there will always be a place for St. Luke’s in the community.
Public library asks for $9.5 million The Ottawa Public Library is asking city council for $9.5 million to upgrade its building at the corner of Metcalfe Street and Laurier Avenue. The facility is 22 years old and in need of renovations and new technology. Board chairman David Daubney says “the main library is dysfunctional, aging and does not meet the needs of persons with disabilities.” The library requires outside assistance because it is already working with a shortfall of possibly $2 million. —Carrie MacAfee
Parking lot wins council's approval City council reversed its decision last week on the future of two Sparks Street heritage buildings. The site will be turned into a parking lot. Council voted 6-5 last week to allow the owner, the Bank of Nova Scotia, to build a parking lot after the buildings are demolished. Council had turned down the parking lot on Oct. 1. According to the bank, the demolition began a few weeks ago, and should be complete by the end of October. —Adam Hickman
Barrier to replace ignored signs The region hopes building a concrete barrier will prevent westbound traffic on Lisgar Avenue from illegally continuing past the intersection at Kent Street. In 1990, to reduce accidents, traffic was prevented from going through the intersection during weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. But regional Coun. Diane Holmes says many drivers ignore the signs, and police lack the resources to enforce the law. The barrier will be a self-enforcing solution, and will be tried for six months. The barrier, to be ready by November, will force traffic on Lisgar Street to turn on to Kent Street. The barrier costs $2,000, traffic lights would cost $65,000. —Adam Hickman
Richler leaves fans in stitches
By Bethany Harpur
A packed house was in stitches at the National Library Wednesday, Oct. 8 as renowned Canadian author Mordecai Richler read from his latest novel, Barney’s Version. Chock full of sexual witticisms and sarcastic remarks, the reading tour introduced the public to Richler’s first novel in eight years, a novel that is currently number one on the best seller list and has been nominated for the Giller award in its first three weeks on the market. “On the whole, people seem to be enjoying it, and it’s been getting good reviews,” said Jennifer Tiller, an independent Ottawa publicist. “So far, so good.” That alone would bring a smile to most faces, but Richler remained deadpan throughout the evening, despite the ongoing commentary from the novel that kept the crowd in hysterics. “You have reached the Montreal General Hospital,” Richler droned as he read from the book. “If you have a touchtone phone. . press number seventeen for service in the language of les maudits anglais, or number twelve for service en francais, the glorious language of our oppressed collectivity.” The crowd again roared with appreciative guffaws. “He’s becoming more cynical. . . there’s an undertone that is not as positive-looking as he used to be,” said Odile Waslander, a member of the audience. “I see new development in his work.” The tale of Barney Panofsky is both a love story and murder mystery that spans over the last half of this century. Barney, the multi-millionaire owner of Totally Unnecessary Productions, is desperately trying to develop his own set of memoirs before his rival does it for him — revealing the ugly truth about his three wives and how he is suspected of murdering his best friend. Richler, in a question-and-answer period after the show, said creating Barney was very demanding. “You try and make it different each time,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve ever written a novel in the first person. The difficulty was finding the voice, and once I found it, I just ran with it. “I don’t know it I’d ever do it again, but it was fun to do once,” he added. And the end result was Barney, a vulgar whiskey drinker and cigar smoker who laments the past, complains about the present and wakes in the middle of the night wondering what that “whatchamacallit used to strain spaghetti is called,” as Richler read from the novel’s first chapter. The audience, made up mostly of Richler’s own generation, related instantly, chuckling among themselves. Several people were invited to speak after the reading and shared their insight on the new novel and its author. “He’s a great writer, but deep down he’s a dirty old man,” joked Dan Turner, quoting a tribute from his 84-year-old mother. The audience erupted again into gales of laughter. And the stone-faced Richler cracked his first — and only — smile of the night.
By Sonia Toews
The Great Canadian Theatre Company and the National Arts Centre are joining forces to shine the spotlight on local theatre artists. Ottawa’s two largest English theatre groups are staging a new artistic development program to give emerging theatre artists experience and support. “There’s a commitment from both sides,” says Lise Ann Johnson, GCTC’s director of the initiative. “We have to do it — it’s in the interest of our artistic community.” The program consists of four components aimed at developing various kinds of talent. “The Unit” and “10 x 10” are writing workshops for new playwrights, while “New Directions” and “Beyond Borders” provide directing opportunities for new directors. Johnson says the idea for the program was conceived out of a common frustration. “A lot of Ottawa-based artists have no outlet to try something new like producing a script,” she says. “The Unit” consists of eight local writers aged 18 to 30, with a range of writing experience. The group meets twice a month, and each member will write a new play. The final draft will be presented at a staged reading at Arts Court on Apr. 24 and 25. Alan Neal is one member of the writer’s group. He hopes the group members will offer valuable feedback for his writing during the workshop sessions. “The idea of hearing other writer’s voices intrigued me,” says Neal. “Everyone is coming from a range of wavelengths.” “10 x 10,” will showcase 10 seperate 10-minute pieces, by 10 anglophone and francophone women playwrights. Each playwright will write for an actor or actress of their choice, who will then perform the piece at Arts Court on Apr. 5. “New Directions,” gives new directors the opportunity to assist established directors with mainstage productions at the GCTC or the NAC. In September, Linda Balduzzi assisted Micheline Chevrier with the direction of Les Belles Soeurs, the GCTC’s first production of the season. As part of the “New Directions” program, Balduzzi’s duties included working with the chorus, the script and providing one-on-one support to the cast’s 15 female actors. “I’ve been out of the directing loop for some time, so it was a rare opportunity I felt I had to take,” says Balduzzi. The last component of the program, “Beyond Borders,” will provide five local directors with the experience of directing readings on stage. The readings will feature new writing by women from England, Ireland, the United States and Mexico, in keeping with the theme of GCTC’s season, Portraits of Women. The results will be presented in the form of free public readings, staged at the GCTC on Dec. 8, Jan. 26, March 9, Apr. 6 and May 11.
By P.C. Pethick
Whoever said Canadian history is boring never heard Josephine MacFadden tell the story of Ottawa’s enigmatic founder Col. John By. Col. By was the resourceful military officer overseeing the design and construction of the Rideau Canal between 1828 and 1832, a period marked by extraordinarily harsh conditions. His triumph turned to tragedy when changing tides in England caused the empire to stray away from colonial support. Shortly after completion of the canal, accusations of overspending eventually led to his disgrace in London. But his contribution to Ottawa won’t go uncelebrated by MacFadden, an Ottawa film and documentary producer. She is currently working on a way to bring the colonel’s tragic story to life in a full-length feature film. Setting her sights high, MacFadden hopes to attract the interests of a major backer so the film can be ready for international distribution by the new millennium. “It’s very important to present generations and the generations to come that we understand the difficulties and human effort that went into the founding of the capital,” says MacFadden who has given the film the working title Triumph and Tragedy: The John By Story. MacFadden has been intrigued by the colonel’s story for the past two decades. “He achieved the impossible with this amazing engineering feat,” says MacFadden. “He founded the capital and basically got shafted.” In 1981, MacFadden made her first attempt at bringing the story to the big screen, but the project proved too big for the then infant Canadian film industry. She tried again in 1994, with the well-received television documentary, John By, Hero Without Honour, The Rideau Canal Story. The latest attempt at producing the film has the support of Ottawa 2000, a group overseeing the capital’s plan to welcome the new millennium. “We’re looking at some permanent legacy projects,” says Shirley Westeinde, chairwoman for Ottawa 2000. “We were certainly impressed with the ideas [MacFadden] presented to us.” Although the film will shed new light on a largely forgotten aspect of Canadian history, parts of the story — such as By’s personal life — will be fictionalized. Serge Barbe, reference archivist for the City of Ottawa says there are no ethical problems with fictionalizing the characters to some extent. “If you’re just going to dwell on the known facts then that may not be enough for a story,” says Barbe. “It’s up to the creator to produce the continuity.” The Friends of Bytown, a group of interested locals brought together by MacFadden, are spearheading the efforts to raise funds for the writing of the script. They are looking to the community for the $25,000 which will eventually be needed to bring the film out of development and into production. Support has been trickling in — one anonymous donor offered $1,000 after MacFadden went public with her plan a couple of weeks ago. The scene-by-scene script has been commissioned to Ottawa scriptwriter John Sifton. Sifton has worked with a number of well-known Canadian directors including Michel Brault on his film Patriote, about the 1837 uprising in Lower Canada. Once the script is completed, MacFadden says she plans to present it to major Canadian and British film producers in hopes of attracting a co-producer with enough money to fund an epic film. “You just need some seed funding to get to that point where you can bring in the big Canadian companies,” says MacFadden. “We’re asking locally that people help us get to first base.”
By Spencer Ferron-Tripp
The television revolution is turning your TV set into a magazine shop. And the effect is sure to be dramatic. Or perhaps comedic, if you tune in to the Comedy Channel, one of 16 new cable channels which debuted this past week. No longer will networks such as the CBC and CTV share the bulk of Canadian viewership. Indeed, the stalwarts of Canadian television may find themselves searching for a niche in an increasingly splintered audience. How long will these networks be able to offer comedies and hour-long dramas on one channel when the specialty channels claim to do the same in a more comprehensive way? South of the border, ratings for the “Big Three” networks -- ABC, CBS and NBC -- have steadily fallen from a 90 per cent share to almost half the total television viewing audience. The trend is the same in Canada where specialty cable channels have swelled to 20 per cent of the market. This fragmentation should come as no surprise. After all, there is no such thing as an all-in-one magazine, so why should there be one in television? Television appears to be heading in the same direction as the magazine: less is more. By appealing to a small, clearly-defined market, the specialty channels can better serve their audiences and advertisers with interest-specific programming. For instance, science-fiction buffs want the Space channel because other stations program science-fiction shows irregularly. The new channels even sound like magazine titles: Home & Garden, Golf, Outdoor Life. It won’t be long before magazines cross-over to partner with the new stations, or face the possibility of being beaten at their own game. But Canadian cablevision plays by its own rules. Cable companies have always had the attitude they know what’s best for their customers. You only have to look at their recent marketing blitz, featuring the “You don’t want to miss all of this, do you?” ads. The commercial is flashy enough that we can all believe there is something worthwhile in this significant step towards a 500-channel universe. But it’s a magician’s trick. Unlike the magazine store, this product has packaged the Golf Channel and Space: the Imagination Station together. You can buy both, or leave empty-handed. Just remember, Rogers hasn’t put millions of dollars into fibre optic cable just to give you 16 new channels. We still have about 450 to go. Smart consumers will wait, and stock up on magazines.
By Jennifer McCarthy
Some local businesses are having no problem with Ottawa’s new smoking bylaw. They’re choosing to ignore it. The bylaw came into effect on Oct. 1, and requires all bars and restaurants to designate 70 per cent of their space as non-smoking. The regulations have owners worried about losing smoking customers, but so far they haven’t been chased away. “The bylaw hasn’t really affected us,” says Dan Byrne, owner of the Celtic Cross pub on Bank Street. “But that’s because we haven’t really complied with it.” Byrne says during lunch hour they have a designated non-smoking section, but at night it’s too hard to enforce. “There are so many people especially in a pub atmosphere who smoke,” says Byrne. “If we told people that two-thirds of our place was non-smoking we would lose two-thirds of our customers.” Byrne says he wants to see how strongly the bylaw is enforced before he upsets customers. Currently, the city is only investigating when it receives a complaint about a restaurant or bar breaking the bylaw. “We’re responding on a request for service basis only,” says Martha Boyle, manager of licensing for the City of Ottawa. “We’re relying on voluntary compliance.” If there is no complaint then the bylaw won’t be enforced, says Boyle. “We’ve had, I think, one request for service.” Bill Macy, owner of the Cave and its adjoining restaurant says most bar owners have no desire to live with tobacco smoke and the problems it creates. But he adds, smoking is a reality of the business. The bylaw hasn’t had enough of an effect in his bar, says Macy, because “people still smoke.” Most restaurants seem to be having an easier time complying with the bylaw. Vera Naufal, who has owned a small restaurant with her husband for 11 years, says she was worried about losing her customers because many of her regulars are smokers. “I was watching all last week and the week before,” says Naufal. “A few customers, they left because there was no smoking, but I’ve had the same thing with non-smokers. They come and see lots of smoke and they leave,” she says. Naufal says most of her customers know why the smoking section got smaller and any complaints she hears are directed at the government that created the bylaw rather than at her. “My customers understand,” she says. “It’s a law, we have to follow it, and that’s it.” But Byrne says he doesn't think the 70/30 split will work at a pub like the Celtic Cross. "It's got to be all or nothing. Either zero tolerance or forget it. It's just too hard to abide with."
By Howard Nason
Residents and business owners on Elgin Street are one step closer to finalizing an Elgin Street revitalization plan. About 20 people, including councillors Elisabeth Arnold and Diane Holmes, attended the latest workshop of the Elgin Street Study on Oct. 8 at St. Bethel Field House on Frank Street. A six-point proposal plan was discussed. There was spirited, but constructive, debate on the issues. “I was generally happy with it,” says John Smit, the study’s project leader. “I think right now that we’re getting closer to actual discussion on proposals. There seems to be greater interest and there’s a lot of good suggestions that are coming out.” Smit works in the department of economic planning and housing for the Ottawa-Carleton region. He says the recipe for success lies in communication. “The intent is to go out and try and connect with the business community along Elgin Street - the owners and merchants in particular - to try to get them onside with what we’re trying to do.” The six points focus on land use, the creation of a retail strategy, strategic intervention - such as city sponsored redevelopment projects - a business improvement area, streetscape improvements, and cash-in-lieu of parking. “At the end of the process we will have not just a zoning study but, really, a strategic plan for Elgin Street that will have a number of different ways to achieve the goals that were articulated,” says Coun. Arnold. Despite the fact the meeting was only a discussion, the issue of a business improvement area (BIA) brought out a strong reaction in some people. “We’ve lost our hardware store, we’ve lost our theatre,” says Abby Evenchick, an Elgin Street property owner. “The mix (of stores) has degenerated to a point where the people who need exposure go out and advertise for themselves, like restaurants.” Recent legislation changes could see missed fee payments by business owners default onto property owners, which most see as a big deterrent for a BIA. But the absence of a BIA has always been the norm. “Elgin Street has always been resisting to a BIA,” says Smit. “Every other commercial street in the downtown area - Sparks Street, Bank Street, Somerset Street - they all have BIAs. A lot of that has to do with the inability of the merchants to come together, they don’t see that there’s value in it.” But for Evenchick and others, a stronger reason against a BIA can be found in their light wallets. “The property owners along that street have had a rough go of it in recent years,” he says. “I don’t think they should be off-loaded another fee or charge. All it is, is off-loading.” Evenchick is more concerned with issues like customer parking, which is in short supply, and stricter enforcement of zoning bylaws. But to discuss these issues, he’ll have to wait until the next workshop. Nevertheless, those who have participated in the past three years of workshops are pleased with the progress to date. “I’ve been on a lot of planning studies, and nothing moves swiftly,” says Evenchick. “I think this one is going along quite well. It’s slow, but...I can see the end of the tunnel.”
By Adam Hickman
The NHL All-Star Game is one of the most spectacular events in hockey, and, arguably, all of sports. The entire hockey world watches, as its elite superstars compete for one weekend, in a chosen city. Thousands of fans are attracted to the host city for the game and festivities. The economic spin-offs from hosting an all-star game are lucrative, as hotels, restaurants, stores and sports bars all benefit. Unfortunately, Ottawa won’t reap these rewards anytime soon. The NHL has rejected Ottawa as a host site because there’s a lack of convention space in the nation’s capital. Excluding the ice facility, the 200,000 sq. feet must be guaranteed to accommodate the party that accompanies the game. Unfortunately, the Congress Centre is only 40,000 sq. feet. This should send a message to politicians and developers. The nation’s capital is falling behind in its ability to host conferences. An all-star game aside, what other conferences, conventions and trade shows, are passing up the national capital region in favor of more spacious sites in Toronto and Montreal. In the short run, local businesses lose out on spin-offs. In the long run, the lack of space stunts economic growth since the region is less attractive to entrepreneurs seeking to start up businesses. It’s a shame a lack of infrastructure causes the loss of business because Ottawa has so many resources. As Canada’s capital, Ottawa benefits from government resources that aren’t available in other cities. The region is rich in research facilities, culture and home to a burgeoning hi-tech sector. Reputation is also at stake. A country’s capital city must impress a world class image upon visitors from around the globe. Part of this image, is offering a place where large groups of people can congregate to discuss ideas or do business. It’s embarrassing that Canada’s capital must pass up opportunities to invite the world because it lacks space. The Congress Centre, once effective, can’t expand to meet present demand. A new convention centre needs to be built on a site, where future expansion is possible, if necessary. In an age of joint ventures between government and business, both need to get together to solidify a plan to build a major convention centre, so Ottawa can host major events. If they ever do, perhaps by 2011, Ottawa may finally get to host the NHL’s all-stars.
By Julie Delaney
Lynsey Bennett, 17, dressed in Glebe Collegiate’s blue and gold, stands on the sidelines cheering for the senior boys football team. Her shoulder-length blond locks are held back by a red bandanna so she can keep a close eye on the game. She’s not a fan, or a cheerleader — she’s the placekicker. The 5-7, 120-pound OAC student has produced eight of the Gryphons 20 points this season. The team has dubbed Bennett, “Auto”, because it’s automatic when she’s on the field — points are delivered. Steve Snell, the Gryphons coach and also Bennett’s math teacher, says she is an exceptional field goal kicker. “With Lynsey, if we get within 35 yards from the goal line, we have a pretty good chance of scoring,” says Snell. “Usually with high school football, field goals outside the 25-yard line are questionable.” Bennett’s accuracy has been honed by her experience as a soccer player. She has been playing soccer for 10 years, the last eight of these competitively. “I didn’t know a lot about men’s football when I joined the team,” confessed Bennett, “I still don’t know half the positions, but I am learning.” Bennett can’t help but learn the game between practices every weeknight. She has a 15-year-old brother who is a placekicker for a competitive Ottawa team and a mother who held Ottawa Rough Riders season tickets since the age of 12. Bennett’s mother, Marnie Bennett, can be found watching from the sidelines at all the Gryphons football games and most of the team’s practices. Marnie Bennett says she was shocked when Lynsey came home and told her she was invited to try-out for the team after some of the boys on the squad dared her to kick a few field goals. “I would’ve thought it would have been my son playing for Glebe, not my daughter,” says Marnie Bennett. She says her heart is in her stomach every time Lynsey tries for a field goal or a convert. “I don’t know which way to look because either the ball’s going to go through the uprights or somebody is going to hit her. So I try my best to look at the uprights.” Bennett, who plays in soccer cleats because her feet are too tiny for football cleats, says it’s unlikely she’ll continue with contact football because there aren’t many options available for women in the sport. Instead, she hopes to try out for the women’s soccer team at the University of Ottawa, where she wants to study human kinetics next year. Bennett says it’s unlikely she will tryout for the Gee Gees men’s football team. “The guys would intimidate me a little bit,” said Bennett with a laugh. “I guess that’s because they’d be even larger than the guys I play with now.”
By Jason Ramey
Perhaps you have seen them playing it before. If you have, you’ve probably wondered what they’re doing. They play at the corner of Kent and Catherine streets across from the bus terminal. The game looks like volleyball, it sounds like volleyball, but it’s not volleyball. There’s something slightly different about this sport. “It’s called overgame,” explains Sam Antony, a Carleton University student. “It’s a form of volleyball we’ve brought from Sri Lanka.” “The object of the game is the same, but we don’t play the ‘set-up’ game, meaning ‘bump-set-spike’ style,” adds Antony. In overgame you’re only allowed to hit the ball by clenching your fists together and striking it, not with your knuckles, but with the outside of your hands. It’s illegal to hit the ball with your palm. “There are a couple of other conditions,” says Carleton student Niranjan Chelliah. “For example, only the person closest to the net can smash the ball, and they must be in the air.” There are seven players per team, and the first team to 14 points is the winner. The serve is the same as in volleyball, and you are allowed three hits to get the ball back over to the other side. “I like our game better because it is a bit faster. The ball usually goes back over the net after one hit, as opposed to three in the set-up game,” says fellow Carleton student Derick Thurairajah. A group of them get together and play every day during the summer right through until the end of October. The players are either students at Carleton or the University of Ottawa. “We play for fun, and also to get out and enjoy the weather and get to know each other,” says Chelliah. Playing overgame is an opportunity for them to relate to their Sri Lankan culture. “We’re all from Sri Lanka, and most of us met through the cultural club at school,” says Thurairajah. “We’ve taken it (Carleton’s cultural club) further and connected it to sports.” The core group has been playing at the same court for three years. They have been able to organize tournaments among themselves in the summer when they have the most players. “In the summer we get over 30 guys out. But the numbers drop off in the fall because we have more school work and the weather isn’t as nice,” says Chelliah. He adds that they only play a couple of times through the winter in a gym. The overgame season is now coming to an end as winter fast approaches. But, expect to see them back at it again when spring rolls around.
By Travis Brine
Here’s a question for all Ottawa football fans: Where have you all disappeared to? It’s been one year now since the era of the Ottawa Rough Riders collapsed and local football fans have now faded away. Last year at this time, fans in Ottawa came out of the closet proclaiming their love for the Riders and stressing the team’s importance to the city. Remember the “Save the Riders” ticket drives and rallies? It seemed people felt the city couldn’t survive without the Riders. Well, believe it or not, life after the Riders has continued along merrily. The pleas to keep CFL football in Ottawa seem to be forgotten. And just like it was when the Riders were playing in a nearly empty Frank Clair Stadium, die-hard football fans in the city are hard to find. Local university and junior football teams were hoping the loss of the Riders would be their teams’ gain. The Ottawa Redskins, a junior football team, even changed their name to the Junior Rough Riders and moved their games into Frank Clair Stadium in an attempt to fill the football void for Riders fans. But these teams have discovered that even without the competition of the Riders, Ottawa is a tough football market. Attendance for Ottawa’s junior football teams, such as the Sooners and the Junior Rough Riders, has been low as usual. When the two rivals clashed at Frank Clair Stadium in September less than 300 were there to watch. The university football teams aren’t doing much better. Carleton averaged only 830 fans this season (not including the Panda game) and the Ottawa Gee Gees are averaging only slightly more, despite being one of the top teams in the country. “It (football attendances) doesn’t show me that this city is football hungry,” says Carleton’s sports marketing director Dave Kent, “and it doesn’t prove that the Riders should be back.” If all those Riders fans loved football so much, where are they now? It seems after their failed attempt to save the Riders, Ottawa football fans have gone back into the woods. Perhaps the Riders were not as important to this city as many had thought. Very few are crying for the return of the Riders and the only effect the loss has had on the city is leaving it with a useless stadium on Bank Street. Obla dee, obla da, for Riders fans life has gone on.
It’s called taking responsibility. The Humane Society’s new funding plan is a step in the right direction in terms of animal control. Starting in January, funding for the Humane Society will no longer be the responsibility of the region. Currently, regional government forks out a grant of $357,000 annually. But that’s about to change. Last spring, regional council voted to discontinue funding for animal control and pound services provided by the Society as of next January. Claiming that the Humane Society is “not really in our bag of responsibilities,” council suggested the Society turn to the 11 individual municipalities to make up the shortfall. Councillors reasoned that the region shouldn’t be paying for the care of animals that are the property of all of the municipalities. Good for them. Under the new funding plan, each municipality will pay an amount proportionate to the number of animals that come from its area. In other words, there’s now a user fee. What that means is that each municipality now has more incentive to crack down on animal control. Rather than sitting back and doing nothing, secure in the knowledge that the region is footing the bill, each municipal government will have a reason to take action to keep its animals under control. If it doesn’t, it will face financial consequences. For example, about half of the Humane Society’s animals come from the City of Ottawa. Under the new plan, Ottawa alone will have to cough up about $204,000. And when money is hard to come by, the Humane Society will surely welcome a little extra income: it expects to get $50,000 more under the new plan than it used to get from the region. Paying for your own property just makes sense. If one area’s animals are a particular problem, there’s no reason why others should have to carry the cost of their care. Taxpayers in Gloucester aren’t interested in paying to take care of animals that belong to Ottawa. The only hitch in the plan is the instability. Each municipality is expected to be under contract with the Humane Society for one year, after which the situation will be reviewed. The Humane Society could run into problems if any of the municipalities decide not to provide the money again. But the review is a normal precaution to take with any new financial plan. Municipal governments will finally have to deal with their own problems. Taking care of your own —what a concept. — Crystal Kingwell, Meranda Waters