By Joel Weiner
The Lowertown Community Association’s (LCA) deep-bench strength was on full display earlier this summer when a number of eminently qualified residents stepped up to the plate and were elected as members of the LCA Board of Directors. The occasion was the organization’s annual general meeting on June 11 at the Routhier Community Centre, where elections were held to fill 12 slots for 2018-2019.
Five directors on the previous board who agreed to continue were returned to their positions by acclamation: Liz Bernstein, president; Peter Ferguson, chair of the Planning Committee; Ana-Maria Tarres, director for Active Transportation; Catherine Hacksel, director for Housing and Homelessness, and; Sandra Milton, chair of the Safety and Security Committee.
Five newcomers were elected to the board along with a former board member who will assume new responsibilities. Each of them brings important skills and experience to the new board.
Although new to the board, Sylvie Grenier, now our vice president, is a veteran of the LCA. She founded the planning committee in 2009, was its first chair and is still heavily engaged in its work. Sylvie also represented the LCA for several years on the ByWard Market Core Team, co-organized our community’s first formal meeting with the City and the Project for Public Spaces in 2013, and has continued to work for an improved ByWard Market since then.
François Giroux, treasurer, is not only new to the board but also new to Lowertown, having moved here just two years ago from Montreal with his family. “We chose this neighbourhood because it’s the perfect place to raise a family,” François explains about the relocation. “It’s close to two rivers and the canal, there are lots of parks and families with young, bilingual children, and I can walk to work.”
A chartered professional accountant with an MBA, François is well suited to manage the LCA’s finances. He’s also interested in the economic development of the Byward Market and in preserving our community’s history.
“I chose to get involved because we use the facilities and services in Lowertown,” he says. “You will always find our family on the skating rink on winter weekends, [and] at the pool on sunny summer days. We play hockey and soccer in the parks, as well as tennis and baseball. If we want to keep all that, we need to give back to the community.”
Another new member who lives near her work is Leah Resnick, the board director with lead responsibilities for the LCA’s active transportation file. She is a seasoned arts administrator who manages travelling exhibitions and partnerships at the National Gallery of Canada. “I’m passionate about preserving the unique heritage features of our community,” says Leah, “and ensuring that our neighbourhood remains walkable and vibrant.”
Andrew Waldron, is another newcomer to Lowertown, having moved here two years ago from Alta Vista. He is now chair of the Heritage Committee and brings considerable experience to the position. Currently, he is the heritage-conservation manager at a facilities and project management company; previously, he was Canadian Registrar of Historic Places, manager of the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office and a Parks Canada superintendent. Andrew is also an architectural historian, past president of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, author of Exploring the capital: An architectural guide to the Ottawa-Gatineau region and an adjunct professor in the History and Theory of Architecture programs at Carleton University.
“We came to this area because we were searching for a more urban neighbourhood, a historic house and to be closer to amenities,” Andrew explains. “Lowertown was a pleasant surprise. I’ve been in the heritage field as a professional career for over 20 years and was interested in volunteering to promote and protect the historic values of Lowertown.”
As for his vision, Andrew wants to engage owners and tenants in Lowertown development issues, bring more attention to the importance and benefits of living in a designated Heritage Conservation District, both socially and economically, and manage the way we invest in community identity. In addition, he hopes to see more accountability by City Council in developing sustainable approaches to improve the urban environment.
Jeffrey Neto is the board director responsible for community outreach. An experienced government analyst, he co-founded Design for Citizens, a non-profit organization that simplifies public policies for marginalized groups, and has worked on numerous community projects in Ottawa and Toronto. “My passions include community development, entrepreneurship and public administration,” he reports. “As community outreach director, my vision is to build strong and lasting relationships with likeminded community organizations and businesses to support the prosperity of Lowertown.” Jeffrey plans to realize his vision by championing community services and developing strategies to engage LCA members and small businesses in the community.
The former board member who takes on new responsibilities is Norman Moyer, secretary. He previously served as the LCA’s liaison on the ByWard Safety and Security Committee, and co-led efforts to gain accessibility to crime data for our community and improve safety and security. Norman is also chair of the management board of Centre 454, a non-governmental organization serving the homeless in our community.
In conjunction with the election, four directors or committee co-chairs retired from the LCA after varying periods of providing our community with outstanding service: Nancy Miller-Chenier, John Chenier, Liz McKenzie and Ted Lawrence. Earlier in the year, Thierry Harris resigned as a prelude to his campaign in the upcoming civic election. All have undertaken to stay on as active members of the LCA.