CJRO News January 25 to January 31, 2021
Hello, bonjour, and welcome, et bienvenue, to CJRO News on Carlsbad-Vars Radio. I’m Candice Vetter, reporting from near Carlsbad Springs.
The public can tune-in for virtual public information sessions on South Nation Conservation’s draft Natural Heritage System maps. Residents of Stormont Dundas Glengarry can participate on Tuesday, February 9th at 7:00 p.m., and residents of Prescott Russell can join the next day, Wednesday, February 10th at 7:00 p.m.
Sessions will be livestreamed at www.youtube.com/SouthNationCA
For more meeting information, draft maps, and frequently asked questions, please visit: www.nation.on.ca/nhs
A statement from SNC says the objectives of this mapping project are to: identify key natural heritage features and support areas; identify local wildlife links and corridors between natural heritage elements and central areas; improve existing environmental policies to better protect environmentally important areas and their linkages; establish a scientific foundation to guide land and water stewardship activities; protect and improve regional biodiversity, indigenous species and ecosystems; conserve natural heritage for future generations; and mitigate the effects of climate change, such as flooding and drought. The statement also said feedback from the public will assist in updating Official Plan policies for the Counties, so it is important to get your word in now.
I hope to have an interview with South Nation before the public meetings.
The Carlsbad Springs Community Association has postponed its bottle drive. The bottle drive will not take place on Saturday as advertised. However the community association plans to host it as soon they are allowed. Currently members are aiming for the end of February- or beginning of March. So keep those bottles a little longer.
The City of Ottawa has allowed the use of outdoor skating rinks and toboggan hills during the stay-at-home order. That is good news for Carlsbad Springs residents, as both outdoor rinks beside the community centre are now open and have good conditions. Remember there is a 25-person limit. People from different households should stay a minimum of two metres apart. Everyone within 15 metres of the rink or hill must wear face masks and masks are recommended while skating. There is no hockey or shinny equipment allowed on the ice. If you have questions, call 613-821-3431.
The draft of the City of Ottawa’s new official plan has been put online for public input. To see the full plan, the one-pagers describing how the draft plan addresses topics, and to comment, see engage.ottawa.ca. The surveys are open until Feb. 17th.
There are only a couple of weeks until CJRO radio Bingo starts. The first set of three games will be live on February 11th at 7 p.m. on air and on CJROradio.com. Prizes are up to $1,000. Bingo cards are available at Rene’s Corner, Carlsbad Variety or Vars Gas Bar for $5 each. Funds raised will go to support the Carlsbad Springs and Vars’ Optimist Clubs. You can listen to my interview with Denis Labreche about the game on Local First on CJROradio.com.
Russell Township is still mulling whether to cancel its bus service, Russell Transpo. Last week I reported that councillors had voted 3-2 in favour of cancelling the service completely and not renewing, either this year or in 2022. However, there seems to be some issues regarding funds, including the cost of cancellation which is $274,000 and the loss of the municipal gas tax payments which support local transit. Council held a closed meeting on the subject last week and it is an agenda item again for the next meeting. For more on the pros and cons, you can hear my interviews with rider Anders Trankalis, and with Councillor Andre Brisson, who voted to keep the service after 2021, online at cjroradio.com under podcasts.
Do you have news that matters to our area? If yes, contact me by emailing newsCJRO@gmail.com. I’m Candice Vetter. Stay well. CJRO – Last on the dial, first for local news.