I must take exception to the Oct. 14 editorial regarding the temporary Ottawa District Parole Office on Gilmour Street that Corrections Canada secretly opened opposite Elgin Street Elementary School.
The editorial criticizes Ottawa Centre MP Ed Broadbent for his performance in relocating the office. In his defence, it must be said that Mr. Broadbent has been steadfast in his efforts to have the office relocated back to a more suitable location in the Ottawa business district. And please give credit when it is due — federal Centretown Conservative candidate Keith Fountain has made relocation of the Parole Office an election promise.
Let’s look more closely whose performance has been lacking. The Parole Office location opposite Elgin Street Elementary School is in direct violation of government policy not to be within 200 metres of a school or a day care.
Corrections Canada has admitted that there is an inherent risk in having a parole office no matter where it is located. The sleaze surrounding the Parole Office continues to grow. However, despite numerous appeals from the community, the minister responsible for the Parole Office, Anne McLellan, continually avoids her political accountability and responsibility and keeps passing the buck to bureaucrats. Richard Mahoney, Ottawa Centre Liberal candidate and reported confidante of Prime Minister Paul Martin, has remained mute and totally ineffective on this important community issue.
Ana Paquette, the director of the Parole Office, has said that the office will not move. However, with all due respect, she is a bureaucrat who reports to the deputy commissioner and then on to the Commissioner for Corrections Canada, who in turn reports to Ms McLellan.
Minister McLellan and Mr Mahoney should not forget that we still live in a democracy and they should start listening to their constituents and respect our wishes.

Albert Galpin,
Frank Street

I would like to point out that moving the Gilmour Street Parole Office is one of my five priorities as the Conservative candidate for Ottawa Centre.
Moving the office is thus an election issue. Rather than fading away, this issue is growing.
It may be time for others to admit that they can do nothing, but it does not mean that nothing can be done. If elected, I will have that office moved.

Keith Fountain
Conservative Candidate,

I live off Somerset West in the area of the Asian markets. Many trees were planted along Somerset West during the dressing up of the neighbourhood several years ago.
Most of the trees have been cut down, victims of neglect and abuse.
The beautification was ill-conceived, a waste of money and, more sadly, of trees.
I do hope someone has the foresight to budget for maintenance of the greening of Bank Street.

Julia Cipriani,
Lorne Ave.