By Laragh Dooley and Lattitia Taylor
The Ottawa District Parole office will relocate away from Elgin Street Public School by 2009, but residents say the move is not soon enough.
“If they wanted to move today, they could,” says Teresea deMarco, who lives just a few blocks from the parole office. “There is office space available now.”
Chris Kincaid has a child attending Elgin Street Public School and she says the longer the parole office stays where it is, the longer the children are at risk. Kincaid’s youngest daughter is scheduled to start school next year but she says she will not send her to the Elgin school if the parole office has not moved.
“The decision to put the parole office across from the school should never have been made and they should take immediate and direct action to correct it,” says Joan Spice, a public school board trustee.
“We are very pleased they will be moving, but three years is just too long to wait.”
Holly Knowles, a spokesperson for CSC, said there is no undue risk to the neighborhood despite concerns from some members of the community.
However, she said the parole office will move because the department is aiming to improve the trust and confidence of the area.
Albert Galpin, chair of a neighbourhood safety committee, says he’s doubtful CSC will relocate at all.
“If there is a risk factor (to the children) than why aren’t they moving immediately? If there isn’t a risk factor than why are they moving at all?” he asks. Galpin has two children enrolled at the elementary school and has led the campaign to have the office moved.
In November 2004 Galpin requested a copy of all documents relating to the lease of the parole office.
He says he has failed to see anything in writing stating the parole office will be moved in 2009. A copy of the lease seen by Centretown News states that the lease runs from August 2004 through August 2014.
The parole office’s 10-year lease at the Elgin Street location is divided into two five-year options, says Knowles. CSC has chosen not to accept the second five-year term and will instead find a new site for 2009.
However, since Galpin has not seen reference to any five-year option, he is suspiscious this option exists.
“I think they are basically trying to mislead the public (by saying they will move by 2009),” says Galpin.
Knowles says relocating is a long and lengthy process and three years is a reasonable window of time for the department to find a new office that suits all of their needs.
Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes says the CSC is doing the right thing by moving the office. She says if the move is promised in writing, she is fairly optimistic that it will occur.
However, Galpin is not so optimistic.
“Victory will be when I actually see the moving vans.”