This Is Not High School, It’s City Public Policy

So this is what the kids are doing now … discussing things while putting on their makeup.

It’s called Get Ready With Me.

Renoviction is a serious topic. Putting on your makeup disrespects the issue, Ottawa City Council, municipal public policy and the people to which this is directed. If you were talking about Goofy’s funny socks in gym class, this might be a way to address it.

One is not sure that Somerset Councillor Ariel Troster is exactly oozing concern for the renovicted as she covers her pores with makeup (no doubt a luxury in the world of the renovicted). There is an arrogance about this video that is disquieting. The issue demands more thought and gravity than this ridiculous video shows.

You know, your agent has hired a few people in the past and I can tell you that if this was part of resume, I’d just cancel the interview. If the only time you can spare to speak publicly about important policy is when putting on makeup, that does a disservice to the renovicted who don’t have a place to apply their makeup … if they can afford it.

The current council has been one that people do not respect. From practising noversight to Alta Vista Councillor Marty Carr mugging for the camera, this group of the odd appears not to be taking their jobs seriously. Why some mysterious person has told councillors not to discuss the most pressing issue in this community, our disastrous light rail, and they agree not to discuss it. This is public policy. Get it? Public as in for the people you represent and policy because it is an important issue that needs an airing.

Here is one thing absolutely certain. Had light rail been discussed publicly everyday by this misguided council, there’s a very good chance it would be fixed before what is now the third year of this council (and with no fix in sight … what’s that root cause again?).

This group of councillors, many of whom don’t deserve to be taken seriously but who should want that, is more like a glee club than a sober body deliberating the laws by which we live. Being a councillor is serious business. It should be treated that way. And that does not include putting on your make-up while discussing the plight (yes the plight) of the renovicted.

Who does Ariel Troster think she is? This isn’t high school anymore and if this GRWM is trendy, keep it in the vacuous place where it belongs.

This GRWM might be a good place to talk about if Joey and Bethany were caught kissing in science lab, but not public policy where people are suffering.

Used for council business, this is not new media or fashion or whatever.

It’s bad manners.

Get serious Ottawa City Council.

Billions spent yet no wonder LRT doesn’t work.

The public won’t take council seriously if it doesn’t take itself seriously.

Ken Gray

This post below is courtesy of the city-wide community group Your Applewood Acres (And Beyond) Neighbours

Hi all,

Just FYI: Somerset Councillor Ariel Troster’s motion passed at Planning and Housing Committee today directing staff to set aside other files they are working on (rules governing leaf blowing / small engine use and licenses of massage parlors) and instead use the time to conduct research needed for the city to consider a bylaw that would protect tenants from bad-faith evictions — also known as ‘renovictions’ and ‘demovictions’.

The issue will go to Ottawa City Council on Jan. 22 for approval. We will share more once the mainstream media has posted its coverage of the three-plus-hour meeting that included several people sharing the trauma they have faced after being evicted, or potentially facing evictions, from their affordable rental units.

In the meantime, click on the link below that will take you to a video Councillor Troster posted on Instagram a couple of days ago outling her reasons for wanting the bylaw.

For those not familiar with this approach: Troster is speaking to the camera while putting on her makeup as she gets ready for the day.  This is a communications trend for new generations and is referred to as GRWM — Get Ready With Me—where people film themselves getting ready for the day or some event and share thoughts at the same time.

Some old folks find this approach somewhat distracting from the many details Troster shared, but a Gen Z observer found it really helpful.

For You:

Forget Renoviction, Build More Units: PATTON

Grow Up Ottawa City Council: BENN

What Leiper And Luloff Are Reading: TOP 10 LIST

Ottawa Is Just Ottawa And That’s OK: QUOTABLE

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