The Ottawa Citizen from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • 39

LETTERS THE OTTAWA CITIZEN TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1998 D5 Chaudiere Falls restoration makes perfect sense Eventually it was my privilege to design and run the program. As it developed, the Centennial gift of the government of Canada to the national capital region was the construction of the National Arts Centre, overshadowing at the time the eminently worthy Chaudiere Falls proposal. Is the Chaudiere Falls initiative a suitable millennium project? You bet. Perfect! The NCC has the jurisdiction to do this. The NCC has the vision and ability to do this.

The NCC has the motivation to do this. After all, 1999 is a 100th anniversary for them. This project is a logical, visible, vi Gatineau Park; concentration of industry in designated areas, and on, and on. No wonder people flock to live in our national capital region. It is the only urban centre in North America that has a plan for people-sensitive land-use control.

All Canadians can thank the NCC for this achievement. Sure, the NCC works within a complex of divided jurisdictions but, since 1899, it and its predecessors have plugged away at turning vision into reality. My pleasure about the Chaudiere Falls potential arises from the fact that as director of the Information and Historical Division of the NCC in 1963, 1 helped develop a plan for the preservation of buildings of architectural and historic interest and a plan for the development of an historic district: Chaudiere Falls, the Timber Slide, Victoria Island and Richmond Landing. When interest in Canada's Centennial year started to stir in 1963, 1 presented this plan to the newly formed Centennial Commission as an example of a suitable centennial project. It was the first such project they had ever seen.

It was viewed as a model and used to develop criteria for the Centennial Grants Program which saw the creation of more than 2,000 projects of lasting significance throughout Canada during 1967. able and valuable way to mark, recognize, observe and celebrate their anniversary and the entrance of Canada's capital region into a new millennium. Who will pay for it? How about a millennium bond issue in small as well as large denominations: $100. $1,000. $10,000.

One on which the interest earned would be tax exempt? A tax-free millennium bond. Tax-free local bonds are commonplace in the U.S. They have facilitated construction of billions of dollars of infrastructure in municipalities all over the country. Peter H. Aykroyd, Sydenham Popular air shows promote lethal trade It is with considerable satisfaction that I observe current renewed interest in the concept of restoring the area around the Chaudiere Falls.

This plan has always been part of the Range Operations" of the Master Plan for the National Capital Region set out in the 1950 report prepared by the brilliant French planner Jacques Greber. Much of what he recommended has been accomplished: relocation of rail lines out of the urban core; acquisition of waterfront properties on the Ot-. tawa and Rideau rivers; elimination of the foul-smelling E.B. Eddy pulp mill; acquisition of the 37,000 acre Green-belt and the lands that comprise Terrified of red light runners can't sleep because in the last four months I have twice been a victim of motorists who run through red lights. In one incident, my husband and I drove with our two children to Con-.

roy Pit to walk our dog. I remarked on how little traffic there was. After walking our dog with both children in their respective strollers, I decid-. ed I would take a longer walk with son, who by then had fallen My husband drove home with our daughter and dog. I walked to the cor-ner of Hunt Club and Conroy roads with the intention of returning home along the nearby bike trail.

As I proceeded to cross the road with my son in the stroller, I remem-, ber feeling the impact of a car swerving to avoid hitting us. I remember thinking that I was not going to be hit, but my five-month-old son was about to be. I also remember looking at the light to see if it was indeed green and it was green. I remember looking at a dirty red sporty car driving away, and then slowing down a bit, but choosing not to stop. I remember thinking my baby is alive, I am alive.

I ran across the road, even though the light was still very green and there was technically no need to run. A couple in a van, obviously shaken by witnessing the event, stopped to see if I was OK. I was surprisingly calm and told them yes, of course I was all right. They informed me that the car had missed the stroller by no more than a foot. The woman gave me her business card in case I needed a witness.

I don't, however, need a witness. I am lucky. I am lucky because my son is alive and sleeping upstairs. I don't need a witness because there was no There is something irresistible about the gleaming, streamlined war planes of the modern era. After all, millions of dollars and much ingenuity are devoted to refining these leading edge products of our western society.

The upcoming National Capital Air Show, May 30 and 31, will once again attract large crowds to Uplands to view these aeronautical wonders. Children will be drawn like magnets to touch the shiny metal of planes on the tarmac, probably not realizing that, when armed, these planes carry lethal weaponry capable of unspeakable destruction. This year's air show coincides with the official visit to Canada of the highest ranking air force marshals of the Americas. At least 18 countries are sending their representatives to participate in CONJEFAMER, a Spanish acronym for the annual get-together of the top brass. 1 I t'? v- -i J- I I- 3 I I i fi Pet-dumping season a disgusting spectacle LYNN BALL.

THE OTTAWA CITIZEN Linda Wagar, with daughter Sophie, 3, and 5-month-old son Justin in the stroller, has been terrified by drivers failing to stop at red lights. blood, no ambulance ride, no emer- the stress this has caused me. Mean- gency trauma unit, no little casket for while, I remind myself that my son is my little one. alive, my three-year-old daughter has If what I write can make a few peo- a brother, my husband and I still have pie slow down and maybe even stop a son. running red lights, this will be good.

I Linda Wagar, Ottawa hope that with time I will stop reliving Stop insane Champlain Bridge expansion On May 9 two stray cats arrived at my door. Previously, I had been able to keep the strays (two cats, one dog, one rabbit) I had found. But now I had reached the quota prescribed by the city of Gloucester, so I had to surrender them to the Humane Society I was told that I had just brought in cats no. 127 and 128, and that because they were plain and black, their chances of being adopted would depend almost entirely on their personality. I was upset and decided to call the Animal Control Office to complain about the lack of laws to make pet owners more responsible for their actions.

They told me new laws are being reviewed and they hope they will be in effect by this August. On May 15 1 visited the Humane Society to see how the two cats were doing. I was told that the male had been euthanized the day before because of severe depression, lack of appetite, sunken eyes and painful abdomen. The other cat, a young female, had been put up for adoption but hadn't yet been taken. I left the shelter feeling guilty and sad but most of all disgusted and angry.

Disgusted at the cowards who abandoned these animals and angry at Gloucester for letting it happen. Frankly, I am fed up with being the dumping ground for these poor creatures that are no longer wanted. I think pet stores and breeders have a moral obligation to screen potential pet owners very carefully before they Many of these military men come from countries where human rights are systematically abused. Air forces at their command have been used repeatedly to repress their own nationals, for example in nations such as Argentina, Guatemala and El Salvador. Make no mistake, these generals are not in Ottawa to admire the tulips.

They are here to assess Canada's military hardware and to trade in arms. A military industry trade show will be ongoing at the same time as the air show. So, patrons about to flock to the airport, spare a thought for what is behind the exhibition you are about to visit. The weapons from these planes have some persons' names written all over them. In that light, should you really be doting? Colin Old, project accompaniment associated with the Coalition to Oppose the Arms Trade (COAT), Ottawa turn over any animal to them.

I think cities involved in creating new laws need to examine the overpopulation crisis of cats, dogs and rabbits more carefully and seriously, so taxpayers are not paying for irresponsible and stupid pet owners. The laws should make it mandatory to have your dog, cat and rabbit spayedneutered at six months or else you pay a hefty fine. What a great incentive to resolve the overpopulation problem. I have vowed to go once a week to count the cats in the pound that were brought from the city of Gloucester and to report my findings to the Animal Control Office and to those responsible for passing new animal bylaws. On May 15 there were 11 cats from the city of Gloucester; 12 if you count the beautiful and gentle cat that was euthanized the day before and a beautiful calico and her four newborn babies.

That is 12 too many. I want it stopped now. I also want to know how much their stay has cost the city. The summer vacation season is upon us and so is pet-dumping season. I hope this letter will convince at least one idiot to reconsider dumping or setting free as they like to call it their cat, dog or rabbit.

The animal was perhaps purchased as a Christmas or Easter gift and has now worn out its novelty and has become a burden that must be removed before the family goes on their vacation. Johanne Aucoin, Gloucester feel it is okay to allow cats to wander? Contrary to popular belief, cats do not know better than to run out into traffic. Perhaps legislation should be enacted in Ottawa-Carleton making it mandatory for cats to be kept indoors. If people are not responsible enough to make the right choices, maybe the decision making should be taken out of their hands altogether. As a volunteer in the education program at the animal shelter in Ottawa, I devote countless hours to teaching children the many dangers inherent in allowing cats to roam free.

Perhaps it is' time to start focusing our efforts on the adults who don't know any better. Maureen Sioui, Ottawa Curator not losing job We appreciate the Citizen's coverage of the opening of the Bytown Museum's 1998 Exhibition and reference to the 100th Anniversary of the founding of The Historical Society of Ottawa which operates this museum. As president of the Historical Society of Ottawa, I am bound to draw attention to an error in the report, namely, that the assistant curator is "losing her position this December." No such decision has been taken by the board of the society. I have assured the assistant curator on this point. Eric R.

Adams, Ottawa Roaming cats exposed to serious risks In view of the recently announced $150,000 study that the federal, regional and provincial governments have all signed on to and that will start in two weeks, it is insane, to say the least, for the NCC to start work on a $2i-million, three-lane Champlain Bridge one month later. i Last October, the NCC used the fail-, ure of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton (under then chairman Peter Clark) and the Outaouais Urban Community to agree on how to operate the Champlain Bridge as a pretext to unilaterally push ahead with its three-lane fantasy. NCC Chairman Marcel Beaudry summarily dismissed newly elected Regional Chair Bob Chiarelli's request for the NCC to postpone its decision for a few weeks so he could start to work with Senators fan To Randy Cunneyworth: thanks for class you've shown recently over Vi icciiA rf ijrVr woarc tri ranrain'c and being a healthy line-up scratch. To Alexei Yashin: thanks for the playmaking, goal scoring and $1 mil-, to the National Arts Centre an-- other example of class. To Daniel Alfredsson: thanks for the determination in spite of iniuries.

Al- so, thanks for the two hat tricks in the final weeks. To Lance Pitlick and Denny Lam-. bert: thanks for the determination, effort and never-say-die attitude on every shift you played this year. To Wade Redden: thanks for the stellar run to the playoffs and your great efforts during the last games. To Chris Phillips: thanks for accepting the challenge of being dumped into the lineup at just about every posi-; tion except goal this year.

Pretty damn good for a rookie. You never looked out of place in any of the positions the coach put you in. I can hardly wait to see what you can do next year. To Damian Rhodes: Thanks for giving us a Round 2 in the playoffs and for keeping each game in Round 2 close. You did your best and no one can ask for more.

To Bruce Gardiner: Thanks for the the Outaouais Chair and Aylmer Mayor Marc Croteau. Now, a scant seven months later, we have agreement from all levels of government to look seriously at real solutions to the interprovincial transportation problem. The NCC is glaringly absent from the new study. It continues to be part (if not most) of the problem, not part of the solution. The NCC has always admitted that expanding the Champlain Bridge will do nothing to help Aylmer's commuters, half of whom go to Kanata.

Still, they went ahead; the real reason for ramming through a third lane we may never know. However, the official NCC reason that three lanes may be needed in 20 years makes even less sense today in light of the clear intention to build new bridges on the says thanks penalty killing work all year and the over-time goal in Game 1. To Janni Laukennan and Shaun Van Allen: Thanks for the solid defence all year long. To the rest of the players and coaches, thanks for the memories, especially the last two months. I've renewed my season tickets so I'll see you next falL Bruce McMahon, Nepean Big improvement Our Ottawa Senators hockey team has improved considerably.

I was living out of the country for four of the team's first years ('92-'96) and it was almost impossible to hear any news of the Senators. Even so, we kept abreast of how our team was doing. It did not do very well in the beginning, but it kept getting better every year. Look where the players and coach have gotten this year. Since we returned to Kanata, my wife and I have enjoyed many games at the arena or on TV.

In 34 years of marriage I have never seen my wife so excited by a sporting event. She believes she has become an expert on the game. The team has given us many hours of enjoyment and I want to thank them for the excitement they have brought to the city and to us. They should be proud of their combined accomplishments. Boyd Coffin, Kanata periphery of the region.

The simple fact is that the national capital region is expanding, and new bridges east and west are needed. What is not needed is more bridge capacity in the middle of the region the Champlain Bridge is in Ottawa Centre. It is utter madness to keep funnelling an ever increasing Outaouais population, and its cars, through the centre of Ottawa to get to Highway 417 or, conversely, to get from Gloucester and West Carleton to the Gatineau Hills. In the west end, at any rate, what is needed is a "New Bridge for Newbridge" to connect the bedrooms of Aylmer with the board rooms and test beds of Kanata. The imminent study will examine the possibility of privately owned toll bridges.

This one would be a prime candidate. In view of the new intergovernmental agreement, the NCC's October decision has even less legitimacy than it does logic. It should be rescinded before the steam shovels start doing irreversible damage. If the NCC refuses to suspend the start of construction, the RMOC should seek a court order to stop the project. Chair Bob Chiarelli should return Chair Beaudry's slap across the face by slapping him with an injunction.

Andy Rapoch, Ottawa Letters to the Editor We welcome letters, which must include full name, an address and phone number for verification. We condense and edit for style. Cite page and date for articles mentioned. Mail: Letters to the Editor, Ottawa Citizen 1101 Baxter Road, Ottawa, K2C 3M4 Fax: 596-8458 E-mail: lettersthecitizen.southam.ca The Citizen Online: www.ottawacitizen.com Letters Editor: Brian Sarjeant, 596-3785 Copyright in letters and other materials submitted to the Publisher and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the Publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic and other forms. While out for a walk in the West-boro area, my husband and I had the misfortune recently to witness an accident in which a cat was struck and killed on Churchill Avenue.

Unfortunately, the poor cat did not die instantly but made its way off the road and into the nearby bushes. By the time we reached the cat it had taken its last breath and died of shock or the injuries it sustained. In any event, it was very upsetting to witness and not a humane way for a pet to die. The cat was not even wearing a collar, making it impossible for us to notify the owner. The worst part of all is that the driver who struck the animal did not even have the decency to stop.

I immediately notified the Humane Society but was informed that because the cat was dead they could not dispatch someone to collect it. I was instructed to phone the City of Ottawa and was told that somebody would be sent to pick up the remains as soon as possible. As a volunteer at the Humane Society, a cat-sitter and certified cat lover, I hope that by writing this letter I can bring some much needed awareness to the many dangers associated with letting cats roam outdoors. I am not sure whether it is ignorance or apathy that leads to such irresponsible actions, but whatever the cause it simply cannot continue. It is contrary to all municipal bylaws to permit dogs to run free so why do so many people.