February 1999 - Page 8 of 16

February 19, 1999 Centretown Staff

NCC criticized over lack of wheelchair access

By Tara Foslien

Some Ottawa residents are angry as plans for a wheelchair-accessible route connecting Sussex Drive to Mackenzie Avenue are up in the air because of possible construction problems.

The NCC hoped the route would be included in its $1.7-million project to refurbish the York Steps, located on Sussex near the new U.S. Embassy. But the 45 steps, measuring 11 metres wide at the bottom and seven metres at the top, are not wide enough to accommodate a ramp, says Catherine Schellenberg of the NCC. read more

February 19, 1999 Centretown Staff

Hopes her success inspires students to follow their dreams

By Corrine Weaver

Cynthia Bates is not used to being the centre of attention.

“I had attempted to keep this whole thing low-key,” she says. “I was not really out to get a whole lot of attention.”

But the December release of her first book, Mikayla’s Victory, made Bates somewhat of a celebrity in Centretown. She appeared in television segments on both the CBC and CJOH and interested people are phoning, wondering where they can get copies of the book. read more

February 19, 1999 Centretown Staff

Take it to the Bank: St. Pat’s parade gets new route

By Matt Sekeres

Not everybody likes a parade. Merchants in Centretown and the Glebe are preparing for the mixed blessings associated with an additional parade down Bank Street.

The 17th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will follow a new route this year. The change came about after the regional government enacted a by-law last year that prevents parades from crossing the Rideau canal. read more

February 5, 1999 Centretown Staff

Insight Column By Michael Bassett

Canada Post’s advertising campaign extolling the benefits of snail mail has made me realize how e-mail is changing the way we communicate.

E-mail is creeping into every facet of our lives. It has spread from the workplace to homes and now to cell phones and pagers. People are becoming so reliant on e-mail they feel the need to have immediate access. It’s not rare for people I know to check their e-mail five, six, seven times a day and to have received new mail each time. read more