What was said …

Residents share their thoughts on sidewalks at public works committee meeting

A total of 18 individuals offered their opinions on the sidewalk issue during the March 30 meeting of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. The Chronicle has compiled some quotes from those presentations that best reflect the sentiments expressed to the committee.

“One of the few places we’ve found to be fully accessible is our neighbourhood Manor Park.”

— Ellis Westwood, Manor Park father. His nine-year-old son Alfred has a serious, complex medical condition and uses a wheelchair and adaptive tricycle. Their presentation was titled: ‘Accessibility and safety in Manor Park — WITHOUT sidewalks’.  

“When the road is being torn up for other work, that’s our one cost-effective chance to get this right. If the city skips putting these sidewalks in now, you’re all voting to lock in known safety deficiencies for decades. In addition to being inequitable, that’s fiscally and operationally irresponsible.”

— Rob Attwell, Orleans resident speaking for a consortium of advocacy organizations including Ecology Ottawa and Ottawa Disability Coalition.

“I followed this debate over sidewalks with a mix of disbelief and deep frustration. Sidewalks may seem like an unnecessary thing for some but to many of us they are the difference between independence and isolation.”

— Mark Lindenberg, wheelchair user, resident (presented by Christina Keys)

“I ask, why do people with disabilities like Mark have to keep struggling for inclusion when it’s already in our policies?” 

— Christina Keys, resident

“I really hope these sidewalks are implemented, because this is a safety concern for the children in the neighbourhood and for residents who need to use them.”

— John Gomes, resident

“Children’s needs have not been prioritized during this process … it’s their future at risk if we as adults don’t work to mitigate the effects of climate change and make their city more sustainable, healthy and safe.” 

— Eugenie Waters, resident, representing For Our Kids Ottawa-Gatineau

“We are not asking for anything special. We are asking for what the city already promised. We are asking for what the city’s own planners, engineers and public health experts have said is the right thing to do.”

— Ayse Comeau, resident

How does six street segments represent a connected, accessible network? They don’t. The proposed sidewalks would, in fact, create a disconnected network … and would leave a bunch of orphaned sidewalks for decades.”

— Peter Burpee, resident

“Councillors, this is not an entitlement. You are being asked to decide on sidewalks without having accurate and complete information of community feedback, on an understudied plan, and without workable alternatives or proper evidence. Deferring sidewalks is the appropriate decision.”

— David McInnes, resident

“I think what’s frustrating is that by plunking in these sidewalks and just saying it’s so much less expensive to build them as you do the roadwork … it just sort of lets the city tick off a box that says, ‘Oh, we’re being more accessible, we’re being more connected,’ but in truth, how those roads work and where they are isn’t going to connect the rest of the neighbourhood.”

“…as a community association we have been pounding to try and get certain sidewalks installed where they are actually needed and wanted (London Terrace and Manor Park Public School).”

— Natalie Belovic, MPCA president, speaking as individual resident

“Even the opposition said themselves they do want more sidewalks as well. What they really don’t want is one in front of their house. It’s important to stay integral to the Transportation Master Plan.”

— Julie Zhang, resident