News Headlines / February 25, 2005

Customers to foot bill for smart meters   It is a “virtual certainty” that Ottawa renters will be paying more for hydro once the new smart meters are installed in April 2006 says Tom Adams, executive director of the watchdog organization Energy Probe.   Plastics recycling restoration awaits city waste report   Margarine containers, Styrofoam and plastic bags will continue to be shipped off to local landfills, as city council has backtracked on a promise to restore plastics recycling.   City delays community centre decision yet another year   Rochester Heights residents who expected to receive their own community house this year are being told to put their hopes on hold.   Zoning to protect vendors from Safe Streets Act   Vendors in Ottawa could be selling goods in designated areas come summertime, if the city passes a proposed bylaw limiting them to certain zones.   Local clinic could serve as model for family health teams   The Ontario government says family health teams are the answer to creating stronger, more accessible community-based primary health care.   Preston BIA applauds O-Train, housing plan   Part of the land set aside for an O-Train station off Gladstone Avenue may also be home to an apartment building some day, and the Preston Street Business Improvement Association welcomes this possibility.   Vietnamese community needs $2M for museum   Members of Ottawa’s Vietnamese community plan to launch a $2-million fundraising campaign later this year to establish a permanent museum dedicated to the Vietnamese Boat People in Canada.   Parents say they will miss popular pediatrician   On Monday, Dr. Bill James will close his well-established practice at the corner of Kent and James streets after 35 years of service — there’s nobody to take it over.