Leave decisions to elected officials . . . Bus routes are important, too

Letters to the Editor / April 1, 2005

Leave decisions to elected officials
I read with astonishment in the March 18 issue of Centretown News comments by Ana Paquette, director of the Ottawa District Parole Office, which opened without public consultation opposite Elgin Street elementary school that “at this point there is no intention to move (the parole office).” As Ms. Paquette is well aware, there has been overwhelming community demand to have the parole office relocated to its previous location in the Ottawa business district. In addition to some 300 signatures from neighbourhood residents, our elected political representatives, including Ottawa Centre MP Ed Broadbent, MPP Richard Patten, Mayor Bob Chiarelli, Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes and school trustee Joan Spice have all called on Anne McLellan, minister responsible for public safety and emergency preparedness, to move the parole office from its present inappropriate location opposite not only a school, but a church, a community centre, a public park and the Ottawa monument to murdered and abused women. Since when, in our democracy, does a bureaucrat, such as the director of a parole office, have the authority to tell our elected leaders what will or will not happen? When will Minister McLellan listen to the demands of residents and elected officials to take action to correct this mistake? Albert Galpin, Frank Street

Leave decisions to elected officials

I read with astonishment in the March 18 issue of Centretown News comments by Ana Paquette, director of the Ottawa District Parole Office, which opened without public consultation opposite Elgin Street elementary school that “at this point there is no intention to move (the parole office).”
As Ms. Paquette is well aware, there has been overwhelming community demand to have the parole office relocated to its previous location in the Ottawa business district.
In addition to some 300 signatures from neighbourhood residents, our elected political representatives, including Ottawa Centre MP Ed Broadbent, MPP Richard Patten, Mayor Bob Chiarelli, Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes and school trustee Joan Spice have all called on Anne McLellan, minister responsible for public safety and emergency preparedness, to move the parole office from its present inappropriate location opposite not only a school, but a church, a community centre, a public park and the Ottawa monument to murdered and abused women.
Since when, in our democracy, does a bureaucrat, such as the director of a parole office, have the authority to tell our elected leaders what will or will not happen?
When will Minister McLellan listen to the demands of residents and elected officials to take action to correct this mistake?

Albert Galpin,
Frank Street


I enjoy reading the Centretown News because of its thorough coverage of activities and issues that affect the well-being of Ottawans. High on my interest list is public transit. I use public transit for all sorts of reasons, including shopping. And I’m sure I’m not alone. So, I wonder why the centrefold advertisement in the March 18, edition for the Bank Street Promenade prominently featured parking advantages, but said not a word about the many bus routes that pass through or near that area? That would be useful information for carless individuals who might well be interested in patronizing one of the many businesses listed in the ad. Eileen Reardon, Elm Street Editor’s Note: Advertisements are the responsibility of individual advertisers. The complaint has been drawn to the attention of the Bank Street Promenade.

I enjoy reading the Centretown News because of its thorough coverage of activities and issues that affect the well-being of Ottawans.
High on my interest list is public transit. I use public transit for all sorts of reasons, including shopping. And I’m sure I’m not alone.
So, I wonder why the centrefold advertisement in the March 18, edition for the Bank Street Promenade prominently featured parking advantages, but said not a word about the many bus routes that pass through or near that area?
That would be useful information for carless individuals who might well be interested in patronizing one of the many businesses listed in the ad.

Eileen Reardon,
Elm Street

Editor’s Note: Advertisements are the responsibility of individual advertisers. The complaint has been drawn to the attention of the Bank Street Promenade.