The August 2022 issue of The Centretown BUZZ is out! We hope you’ll enjoy reading it.
Our volunteer team will be distributing the paper around Centretown this weekend. If you’re in Centretown, you should have the choice of reading the 12 pages on newsprint or here as a PDF.
How to read this paper online
Read this month’s newspaper online here, or as a flipbook. We also have a high-res version for printing your own copy.
In this issue
The BUZZ has 12 packed pages this month!
Nominations for the next city council and school boards closed yesterday. In Centretown, you’ll have 14 choices for mayor, three for councillor, and at two for school board trustee, depending on which board you support. In this issue of The BUZZ, we pose one question (on the LRT inquiry) to all three councillor candidates in Somerset Ward, and another (on Strong Mayors) to all mayoral candidates. You can read the councillor answers in the paper or online BUZZ, and the mayoral answers online at centretownbuzz.ca/2022/08/mayoral-candidates-speak-out-on-working-with-city-council-and-the-strong-mayors-bill.
A group of Ottawa residents are not satisfied with the federal or city investigations into the convoy occupation last winter, or with the continued risk of the convoy’s return. Learn more about the People’s Commission hearings they plan to hold this fall.
It looks like Ottawa’s downtown has changed for good, and a new task force is looking for alternative ways to rejuvenate it. We tell you who’s involved, and Robert Smythe has a historical perspective.
The Bytown Museum has reopened after two years, and we give you a sneak peek into its latest exhibit of rarely-seen paintings (more photos at centretownbuzz.ca/2022/08/bytown-museum-reopens/).
Robert Smythe casts a critical eye over the new “landmark” building planned in the midst of the heritage district at Kent and Gilmour.
You may know Don Kwan best from the Shanghai restaurant, but he’s developed a substantial reputation as a visual artist as well, and recently won a major award. We interview him about his Ottawa Art Gallery exhibit and more.
There’s two tall towers planned for Albert at Booth: are they going to be an asset to the neighbourhood? Ed McKenna dives into the details.
Are new suburbs a Ponzi scheme? An American engineer and planner argues that the taxes they’ll generate will never pay for the infrastructure they use. We delve into the arguments in his recent book. (And BTW, he loves traditional neighbourhoods like Centretown.)
When it comes to library branches, it looks like the OPL believes in 40-minute (not 15-minute) neighbourhoods, unlike some other major Canadian cities. Read about how you can comment on the OPL’s facilities framework, and how it would affect a downtown library branch.
Ryan Lythall examines the effect of the heat island in Centretown on those who cannot afford air conditioning.
You plant it, you water it, and someone steals it. Jack Hanna explains why Dundonald Park gardeners are unhappy.
People before parking lots is the message tenants at 142 Nepean are telling the city planning committee. They got a reprieve in July, but it’s not clear whether the committee will reject the developer’s proposal next Thursday. Read the arguments in our article.
If you’re an Ottawa library user, you might be peeved at the reduced hours introduced in January. We don’t have any good news for you, but we do have a rationale from the library.
BUZZ writer Stephen Thirlwall recounts some of the fine music played at the Ottawa Jazz Festival this year. And we profile Centretowner Phil Lillies and his life-long love of singing.
MP Yasir Naqvi gives his vision for a no-car Wellington Street, and MPP Joel Harden defends a local ice cream shop. And we have news from your community associations.
Looking for things to see and places to go? Our What’s On column has lots of suggestions from free to a bit more.
We need your ideas, feedback, and ads
Please let us know what you think of this issue: which articles did you enjoy most? Is there anything we missed? Email us at editor@Centretownbuzz.com.
As always, this newspaper is a community effort. Thanks to everyone who contributed articles, photos, ideas, tech support, and proofreading to this issue.
We also appreciate the financial support of our advertisers who enable us to bring you this community newspaper,
Our next issue will be published September 16. Tell us your feedback, ideas, and news tips at editor@centretownbuzz.ca or 613-565-6012 x2! Our deadline for letters, articles, and ideas is Tuesday, September 6.
And if your business would like a boost from advertising in The BUZZ, we’re happy to talk: ads@centretownbuzz.ca or 613-565-6012 x 1. The deadline to confirm ads is Tuesday, September 6.
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