Nothing like a good LRT beef to bring parties together…
Bélanger – Galipeau – Dewar — Letter to Jim Watson and Councillors Re. LRT
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Chateau Stays Neutral On LRT Station
If you’re looking for a Switzerland in this whole Elgin St. LRT war, it might be the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.
It’s not taking a side on whether or not Elgin St. should have a station.
Deneen Perrin, the Chateau’s public relations director, said the hotel received a call from the National Arts Centre about the change in the city’s station alignment to gather its opinion.
But it turns out the Chateau doesn’t really have one.
“Either/or worked for us,” Perrin said.
Moving the Rideau station east of the canal really didn’t affect the Chateau directly, she said, but the hotel is very much in support of LRT.
While there’s buzz about which businesses have been hammering out deals with the city on station locations, the Chateau apparently hasn’t been involved.
“We have not been in talks with anyone at City Hall,” Perrin said.
The Chateau is letting the Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association take the lead on any advocacy.
I checked in with the association’s executive director and he says the matter will be discussed next week at its board of directors meeting.
Before you ask, yes, the GM of the Lord Elgin Hotel is a board member.
I Just Had To Ask About Those Flights
In case anyone else is curious about the free NYC flights Thursday for Mayor Jim Watson, his staffer and Deputy Mayor Steve Desroches provided by Porter Airlines, this is a response from Porter’s spokesman…
Hi Jon:
Porter isn’t receiving anything for providing the flights. It is a gesture made in the same spirit as the mayors’ bet.
I hope that this is helpful.
Regards,
BradBrad Cicero
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs—–Original Message—–
From: Jon Willing
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2012 3:17 PM
Subject: Ottawa mayor’s trip paid by PorterHello,
Just curious, is Porter receiving anything in return from the city for sending Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and two other city officials to NYC for free on Thursday, as announced by the mayor today?
Thanks for your help,
Jon Willing
City Hall Bureau, Ottawa Sun
Watson is making good on a bet with NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg on the Ottawa Senators/New York Rangers series, which the Rangers won in seven games. Watson put a BeaverTail on the line and he’s delivering it to Bloomberg. “BeaverTails Canada Inc. founder Grant Hooker and his wife, Pamela, will provide a special BeaverTail called the Playoff Payoff Tail, topped with New York Rangers blue and the score of the series,” a news release from Watson’s office says.
It’s also somewhat of a business trip since the Ottawa delegation will meet with Consul General John F. Prato on economic development opportunities.
Five Reasons To Be Interested In Council Wednesday
1. You drink tap water in Orleans, or you’re simply a taxpayer anywhere in Ottawa.
2. You’re sick of waiting for shovels to break ground at Lansdowne Park.
4. You want these buildings on Rideau St. razed.
5. You wonder what’s going on with that old home that used to be Friday’s Roast Beef House.
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Follow City Hall reporter Jon Willing on Twitter at @JonathanWilling and at ottawasun.com.
Queale’s TV Zinger
Sometimes you don’t catch an interesting quote until you listen to your tape after a scrum.
After OC Transpo GM John Manconi tabled his business plan last Friday, reporters asked union president Garry Queale a bunch of questions on transit issues, including labour relations, which apparently have been smashing since Super Man-coni took over in February.
Queale said he likes that Manconi is scaling back the renovation plan at the St. Laurent Blvd. headquarters and he referenced the boss’s decision to remove a TV from his office and put it in an employee cafeteria.
Said Queale:
“I guess back in the old day we could say they were watching cartoons, but that’s not fair to say.”
Pictured: ATU Local 279 president Garry Queale speaks to reporters Friday at City Hall.