COMMUNITY NOTES: from the desk of Councillor Gower - Stittsville Central - Local Stories, Events and Business
July is quickly passing by and weather has been a large part of many conversations, especially the wildfire smoke. This week the Councillor shares information on the outside air quality to keep residents. . .
July is quickly passing by and weather has been a large part of many conversations, especially the wildfire smoke. This week the Councillor shares information on the outside air quality to keep residents healthy. He also share some upcoming events – the West Side Pride Festival and celebrating Erica Wiebe. He provides a recap of the last Council meeting before their summer break. Did you know that Hydro Ottawa has a new program called GridFlex where residents can receive financial rewards ranging from $75 up to $500 for enrolling. On July 13th, a joint commercial vehicle safety blitz took place along Terry Fox Drive with police officers bringing more than 60 trucks in for inspection. He also shares some safety tips for both drivers and motorcyclists to prevent collisions. And, as always, should you require assistance, reach out to the Councillor’s office at the contact information provided below. (Marion Steele and Kevin Hua have been organizing the West Side Pride Festival since its inauguration in 2023. )JULY 25: West Side PrideThis year’s West Side Pride Festival runs from 11:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. at Alexander Grove Park (10 Warner-Colpitts Lane) and features entertainment, a community fair, food, and lots of fun. Join us as we celebrate and support our local LGBTQ2S+ community! For more info please visitWest Side Pride. Hope to see you there!(In June 2019, kids and parents came from across the Ottawa Valley — Renfrew, Barrhaven, Kanata, Ottawa and Stittsville — to meet Erica Wiebe at the gym in her namesake in Stittsville). AUGUST 15: Celebrating 10 Years of Olympic Gold with Erica WiebeOn August 15, we invite the entire community to come together at the Erica Wiebe gymnasium at CARDELREC (1500 Shea Road) to celebrate her legacy, inspire the next generation of athletes, and enjoy a wonderful afternoon with neighbours, friends, and family. This is a free, all-ages event open to everyone. Come watch incredible wrestling, grab a bite from local food trucks, and hear from some very special guests. More info…City Council recapWe covered a wide range of topics at last week’s Council meeting – our last one before our summer break. Topics included:July 1st storm recoveryTransportation and mobility improvementsDevelopment charge reductionsRenovictions / bad-faith evictionsResolving the Miller’s Farm zoning appealRatifying a transit union contractYou can read a summary here…Power your home and your communityAre you a Hydro Ottawa customer? Eligible residents can voluntarily enroll eligible devices, such as smart thermostats, electric vehicles, and battery storage systems, to help reduce pressure on the grid during brief peak demand periods. Those without smart devices can opt-in for a manual track where adjustments are done manually. In return, participants receive financial rewards ranging from $75 up to $500 for enrollment, plus ongoing annual incentives. Programs like GridFlex are an important part of building a more resilient, sustainable, and affordable energy future for Ottawa. Residents interested to learn more and confirm eligibility can visit theHydro Ottawa GridFlex page. (Wildfire smoke – Ottawa River at Pembroke – July 2026)Outdoor Air QualityAir quality warnings are issued jointly by ECCC and the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) when theair quality health index (AQHI)reaches a high-risk range (AQHI 7-10) or the very high risk range (10+). These warnings can range from a few hours to a few days and include when wildfire smoke is expected to cause deteriorating air quality. Outdoor air pollution can be harmful, especially over a long period of time. Those most at risk include people with pre-existing cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, children, and older adults (65+). When extreme heat and poor outdoor air quality occur at the same time, prioritize cooling down. Visit the OPHOutdoor Air Pollutionwebpage for information on how residents can protect themselves from outdoor air pollution, including wildfire smoke, and suggestions on how to reduce exposure. Air Quality Ontario(a website of MECP) has additional health messaging. Commercial vehicle safety blitz takes 27 vehicles off the roadThe Ottawa Police Service (OPS), alongside the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and conducted a joint commercial vehicle safety blitz along Terry Fox Drive on July 13. In total, officers brought more than 60 trucks in for inspection. The enforcement initiative resulted in:67 inspections conducted27 vehicles taken off the road38 charges laid1 licence plate removed2 suspended drivers identifiedRead more…Motorcycle safetySummer is on the forecast and with that comes warmer weather, bringing motorcyclists back on Ottawa roads. Riders and drivers both play a role in preventing collisions, so let’s work together on keeping everyone safe. Driver tips to help protect motorcyclists:Check blind spots before merging or changing lanes – motorcycles are smaller, making them easier to miss. Don’t tailgate; leave plenty of stopping distance. When turning left, give extra space – motorcycles may be closer than they appear. Why gear matters for riders:Helmets are required, and protective gear can prevent serious road rash and burns. Wear full gear every ride, even for short trips. Consider extra visibility: added front/rear lights or a helmet brake light. Learn more atOttawa. ca. Get in touch!If we can help in any way, please email me atglen. gower@ottawa. caor leave a voicemail at 613-580-2476. Please call3-1-1if you require immediate assistance, or submit a request online atottawa. ca/en/311. – Councillor Glen Gower