Action Sandy Hill notebook
April – May 2020
Annual General Meeting, 2020
Delayed but not cancelled. The Sandy Hill community association’s annual meeting will happen online via Webex on Tuesday, June 30 (see notice at left). The meeting will be shorter this year because the MP, MPP and city councillor held a Q&A with Sandy Hill residents at the ASH “virtual assembly” on May 25 (see John Cockburn’s report on page 1). This will leave lots of time for you to hear from President Susan Young and committee chairs, then speak up about concerns for the coming year. If you are not one of ASH’s 224 members in good standing, the easiest way to sign up is to go to www.ash-acs.ca/join-ash/, complete the simple form and make an online payment. Your $8 annual fee brings you a vote at the AGM and regular information about municipal and neighbourhood issues, the neighbourhood skating rink and ASH-sponsored community events such as the annual BBQ, yard sale, One & Only craft fair and winter carnival.
Police reports
A spike in the number of home break-ins in Sandy Hill was seen early this year—19 from January through March, compared with seven during the same period in 2019.
COVID-19 response
• Sandy Hill activities of the week. A series of weekly treasure hunts has been posted at the ASH website between April 18 and June 5, devised by creative Sandy Hill residents and intended to help us live through the quiet days of isolation.
• The Centre 454 day program on King Edward at Daly opened for showers, by appointment, as of May 4. The National Gallery has donated Plexiglas sheets to protect staff in the reception area.
• Food deliveries for seniors – In April there was growing frustration over costs and delays in dealing with Loblaws on Rideau, which was making more than 700 deliveries per day. In May, a “contactless” and free delivery service for seniors started up through a partnership with Groceries to You/Achats à vous. Any senior or person in financial need able to use the PC Express online order app is asked to use it when ordering, otherwise one can contact the service directly at achatsavous@gmail.com or 613/893-2786.
Planters and trees
Photo Bob Whitelaw
The storm sewer work on Mann Avenue has meant more than 16 trees have been removed from the street’s south side. As well, the trees in planters between Chapel and Blackburn, installed as compensation for the lack of green space on the St. Clement church development at Russell and Mann, are expected also to be removed. Their final destination is as yet unknown.—Marilyn Whitaker
Bollards have replaced the planters at Besserer and Nelson; a new planter should be coming soon.