The most common feedback I get from residents is appreciation for my weekly newsletter, social media engagement, and general responsiveness. Communications can make or break stories and issues, which is why I’ve dedicated significant amounts of time and effort in ensuring Barrhaven East residents are aware of what’s happening in the community and in the City. You can count on that to continue in the next term of council!
As an aside, I am truly grateful for the positive comments I receive regularly about my newsletter. Writing it takes up a substantial part of my Mondays (sometimes evenings), so I’m happy it’s informative, helpful, and appreciated.
When Barrhaven East was created as a new ward for the 2022 election, space for a ward office in the community was unfortunately not provisioned. Options were available to me in the three community buildings in the ward, but I was not willing to kick out community groups whose programming relied on the space. Instead, I took meetings at coffee shops, parks, and even homes (and of course, online)–in fact, it was more enjoyable than meeting in an office!
Despite that, an office in the community is still important to improve access to local government, for times when discussions involve more sensitive matters, and to serve as a workspace. Space at the Walter Baker Sports Centre was identified by City staff, but it’s just a small meeting room with no public-facing element. Barrhaven East deserves a local office like every other ward in Ottawa, and I will continue fighting for the space we deserve.
(Yes, Walter Baker is in Barrhaven West, but that’s just how the boundaries were drawn.)
Despite our digital world, in-person communication is still important in information sharing and community-building.
Last year, I tried out an open town hall to add another option for interacting with residents. Although attendance was low, it was a valuable learning experience for me for future meetings in that format, which I will refine and restart next term. I also held information meetings for major and controversial files (mostly development proposals) which I will continue next term, including one related to Amazon.
Priorities are listed above and throughout the website, but it doesn’t mean I’ll ignore everything else. Let’s chat about what’s important to you!