By Laurentian Place: Walmart Grand Opening
Walmart officially opened on Friday, January 28, 2011. Thank you to everyone who participated in the grand opening, as well as the design and consultation process. Your feedback helped shape this new development.
Walmart Shopping Carts
Walmart is investigating options to prevent shopping carts from being removed from SmartCentres’ property. I will provide more information as it becomes available.
Illegal Snow Dumping in Central Park
Further to complaints regarding illegal snow dumping on City property in Central Park, By-law & Regulatory Services will apply a “Zero Tolerance” approach to any person or company found violating the by-law this season. This means that the City will charge all violators and issue no warnings. Staff will lay charges if they witness an act or after the fact, if it is reported by someone else.
If you witness illegal snow dumping, please feel free to call 3-1-1 to report it. Staff will ask you for specific information such as the description of the vehicle, license plate, City License number (if applicable), time, etc.
Regarding the City License number, all commercial snow removal companies must display their license number at all times. Some companies display the plate in the window. It is illegal to operate a snow removal company without a license.
2011 Budget
The 2011 budget process is underway. As part of the process, City staff have organized five multi-ward, bilingual consultations across the city. Senior City staff from key departments will be participating and will be available to answer residents’ questions. I encourage you to participate in this important process to help shape the 2012 budget. Meeting details are as follows:
Dates and locations:
| South | Tuesday, February 22 | Nepean Sportsplex Halls A/B | 7 to 9 p.m. |
| West | Wednesday, February 23 | Holy Trinity Catholic School, Kanata | 7 to 9 p.m. |
| Rural | Thursday, February 24 | Stuart Holmes Arena, Osgoode | 7 to 9 p.m. |
| East | Monday, February 28 | Shenkman Arts Centre (Theatre) | 7 to 9 p.m. |
| Central | Thursday, March 3 | City Hall (Andrew Haydon Hall) | 7 to 9 p.m. |
City of Ottawa 2011 Summer Student Employment Program
Students interested in summer employment with the City of Ottawa can apply online as of Monday, January 31, 2011.
The Summer Student Employment Program is a great opportunity to gain valuable work experience and insight into today’s workforce, discover a career path, showcase skills and enhance academic goals.
Positions are available in the following areas:
- Administrative and Support Services
- Building, Roads, Forestry and Parks Maintenance
- By-Law Services
- Engineering and Science
- Environmental Science
- Finance and Accounting
- Information Technology and Geomatics
- Laboratory Technologist/Chemistry
- Library Services
- Marketing and Communications
- Paramedic Services
- Parks and Recreation Services
- Public Health Services
- Heritage, Community and Social Services
- Traffic and Parking Operations
For more information including eligibility criteria and other requirements, visit ottawa.ca/careers. Applications will be accepted from Monday, January 31 to Friday, February 25, 2011.
Integrated Road Safety Program (IRSP)
January Initiative
Police charged 390 motorists for running stop signs and tailgating as part of the City’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) in January.
Stop sign running accounted for the majority of the traffic tickets with 312 charges being laid, while 78 motorists were caught tailgating.
February Initiative
Drivers who are distracted with electronic hand-held devices or making unsafe lane changes have the full attention of the City’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) in February.
Between 2007 and 2009, driver distraction was either fully or partially the cause of 5,800 traffic collisions in Ottawa. These collisions resulted in seven deaths and 1,952 injuries (81 of them serious).
Unsafe lane changing is also a serious issue. In 2009 alone, 1,162 reportable collisions occurred on Ottawa roads due to unsafe lane changes – resulting in 142 injuries (three were life-threatening) and one fatality.