Video: Watson Responds To Tierney’s Casino Play

- May 23rd, 2013

While at the Ottawa International Airport today to see the capital’s campaign for Canada’s 150th birthday, I asked Mayor Jim Watson what he thought about Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney wanting to revisit council’s position on a new casino in Ottawa. (Other councillors weighed in throughout the day).

Ottawa Stadium Plan Possibly Coming Later In June

- May 22nd, 2013

Another Ottawa Stadium update that’s low on the newsiness scale but worth noting here.

Mayor Jim Watson told reporters today there will be a stadium plan presented to the community and protective services committee at an upcoming meeting. The next two CPS meetings are scheduled for June 20 and Aug. 15.

It’s a bit curious it will take until at least the last half of June to get some kind of strategy for the stadium, a month or more into the typical baseball season. I assume that whatever is approved at committee will need council’s endorsement, too. The first council meeting after the June CPS meeting is scheduled for June 26.

And as far as the city’s negotiations to bring double-A pro ball to Ottawa, well…

—–
Follow City Hall reporter Jon Willing on Twitter at @JonathanWilling and at ottawasun.com.

Watson’s Advice To Toronto Mayor Rob Ford

- May 22nd, 2013

Mayor Jim Watson was asked in a post-council scrum today about what Toronto Mayor Rob Ford should do in the wake of the alleged crack-smoking video that has made international headlines.

Sens Window Wars At City Hall

- May 16th, 2013

First we had Orléans Coun. Bob Monette:

And now we have Stittsville Coun. Shad Qadri:

Maybe Qadri, the councillor for Scotiabank Place, was pushed into competition after Monette claimed he was the biggest Sens fan on council a couple weeks ago.

A corner office at the top of City Hall wants in on the action:

Video: Manconi On 2% Budget And Fares

- May 15th, 2013

The transit commission met this morning and in the post-meeting scrum reporters asked Transpo GM John Manconi how his department might be affected by council’s direction to keep 2014 budget increases below 2%.