Orleans Weekly Journal
Published: Friday, January 2, 2009 

Resolved to be patient in 2009 

It’s resolution time again with 2009 just under way. As an update, I kept half of the resolutions I made last year. The other half I’ve simply punted into this year. Now for a change and because it’s more fun, this year I’m making resolutions for others to try to keep.

First up, our beloved Ottawa Senators. Each and every player should resolve to play hard every shift and perhaps, just maybe, then can play 60 minutes of solid hockey, win some games and climb back into playoff contention.

As for ATU 279 bus drivers, mechanics, etc., maybe they could resolve to take off their blinders, stand up to their intransigent and out-of-touch union bosses and actually accept the fair offer made by the city (read: us taxpayers). Enough of crippling commerce, confining seniors to their dwellings and disrupting daily life for over half of Ottawa’s working families.

Closer to home our local councillors (Rainer Bloess, Rob Jellett and Bob Monette), MPP Phil McNeely and MP Royal Galipeau should all resolve to work together and publicly identify one economic and one environmental project that they will collectively advance in 2009.

On the economic side, new federal jobs, private sector investment attraction or finally moving forward with the revitalization of St. Joseph Boulevard immediately spring to mind. As for sustainable initiatives, fixing our sewers, green development at Petrie Island or setting new transit ridership targets combined with extending the carpooling that’s happening now are projects that could be pursued.

As for the rest of you, my resolution/wish is for a little more patience and courtesy on our local roads. And yes, this applies to me as well. Too often I’ve seen exasperation from drivers who get frustrated with the car in front of them at the intersection of Watters and Varennes – or choose your local intersection – because somebody actually obeys the law and fully stops at the stop sign.

Think about it, an extra five seconds in your commute to the LCBO, the local arena or the grocery store won’t kill you. Relax, please.