[lrt's friend]

I was reading the latest EMC newspaper last night and came across two articles that left me disturbed.

The first complaining about "too much" bus service in Heron Park. I cannot believe this. Talk about whining. Get rid of the buses. For a neighbourhood that for years was served by Route 1, I am shocked that we have become this sensitive to minor inconveniences of buses running down your neighbourhood streets. How intolerant and self-centred people have become. There were far more buses running through that neighbourhood in years past and at time when buses were much noisier. It reminds me about the fight against bus service in Greely where even one bus at rush hour was going to put every child in the community at dire risk. But the day is coming when we have to spend hundreds of millions to widen Bank Street as far as Greely because they can't tolerate a few buses running through the community. As if a few buses are so much more dangerous than the dozens of cars that they would replace.

The second related to the video board proposed for the convention centre, several blocks from the closest residence. Now, we have several community associations passing motions and submitting letters that the visual pollution will ruin people's lives. Come on! I am starting to think that sole purpose of community associations is to obstruct everything. Where are the people who are willing to constructively build our city? Yes, there are battles worth fighting, but mostly we are fighting against positive progress. Remember the ridiculous battles about locating a Dutch windmill? And that was a free gift to the city and we said no thanks.

And now I read the comments on the location of a 'downtown' casino. Place it at Scotiabank Place, Trainyards, anywhere but downtown. Let downtown remain a sterile environment that nobody wants to go, especially at night. It is not the right place, because it not consistent with existing character of downtown and the existing tourist attractions. Give me a break. Variety of attractions is what will make downtown Ottawa exciting. A casino can be part of it.

What is wrong with Ottawans?