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GCA 50TH
6 Glebe Report March 10, 2017

Glebe Community Association in 1978 – 1979: making the Glebe better

by John McLeod lished area representatives and block ling Depot for recycling glass and tin
reps who went door to door increas- in oil drums behind the then IGA, now
(Note: This is the third in a series ing the membership every year. In my Metro; Sandra Hawkins of the Glebe
of articles by past-presidents of the time, it was Joy Heft who boosted it to Non-Profit Housing Co-operative; and
Glebe Community Association to 1,790 adult members in 1979. John Smart and Dave Hagerman, com-
mark the 50th anniversary of its 1967 One of the main issues then was the munity and day care leaders.
founding.) proposed Fifth Avenue Court develop- The car wash at Bank and Glebe
Federal politics were hyperactive ment. This was more awkward because posed another challenge. It operated
in 1978 – 1979 with Pierre Trudeau the community was divided and angry. long hours, seven days a week, 363
nearing the end of his first period as The GCA executive felt that we were days a year. Cars would block traf-
prime minister (1968 – 1979), loved by lucky that the building would only be fic when lining up and drying, would
some, disliked by others, and soon to two storeys, as it was zoned for more. Photo: ellen mCleod dump their litter and cigarette butts
be replaced by Joe Clark. Ed Broad- The design would refurbish a rundown on the grass, and speed down Glebe
bent was NDP leader. We pretty well part of the business district. However, Avenue, apparently to fully dry their
knew the political preferences of the many in the community were strongly cars, to the potential detriment of both
executive members at the GCA level opposed, mainly on the basis of the John McLeod in 1979, age 35, prepar- children and trees. The car wash had
but that didn’t prevent us from work- increased traffic at and around the ing for a GCA meeting. a pre-existing (before 1964) non-con-
ing together; in fact, it seemed to help, Bank and Fifth intersection, parking forming right to operate commercially
as there was a lot of teasing. and truck deliveries. The GCA had the Ex, this too died a natural death, as and it wasn’t clear if licensing or traf-
A by-election for Ottawa Centre to be content with helping bring the the Ex dwindled and attitudes softened. fic enforcement would solve the
was called for October 16, 1978 fea- developer and the community together. Michele MacKinnon, a former problem. In the end, licensing and
turing Bryce Mackasey, Liberal, Bob In the end, some compromises were president of the GCA, became our good will served to reduce the num-
de Cotret, PC, and Steven Langdon, made and the building went ahead. alderman (city councillor) in Nov- ber of days and the closing time from
NDP. The GCA held an all-candidates The longest standing issue in the ember 1978, succeeding Alderman 10 p.m. to 8 p.m.
meeting at Glebe Collegiate and it was Glebe was the relocation of the Ex. It Joe Cassey who moved to Wellington Looking back, has the GCA been
raucous to say the least. The questions was discussed at every meeting and I Ward. She was upset that, in spite of fighting a losing battle, bearing in
were pointed and different partisans remember reporting at least one agree- all her community work, some resi- mind such things as snarled traffic
booed most of the answers. Bryce ment in principle for the Ex to lease dents suddenly regarded her as the and a spate of unnecessary demoli-
Mackasey was accused of being a para- property from the NCC southeast of enemy and subjected her to angry tions? I think not. The Glebe is a better
chute candidate and he took pleasure in Bank and Hunt Club, the site of the phone calls at all hours. neighbourhood than it was in the ’70s,
anglicizing de Cotret’s name; de Cotret International Plowing Match. The Other valuable outside activists partly thanks to the GCA. We have
was the eventual winner, for a short problem was that the Ex couldn’t afford included Sue Pike and then Alfred fought brush fires and all the commit-
time. The GCA also held an all-candi- to move and not enough organizations Holden, editors of the Glebe Report; tees have been proactive. Credit is also
dates meeting at Mutchmor School for wanted to help. Many years later it died Rick Sheffer, president of GNAG with due to our sister institutions such as
the municipal elections of November a natural death, to the credit of Randal whom we organized a pub night and GNAG, the Glebe Report, the Glebe
1978 but it was more civil. Marlin, Don Ray and others. a casino night; Roger Short, Howard Community Centre, St. James Tennis
The GCA put a lot of effort into mem- A spin-off from the Ex was the issue Smith, Pat Kealey, Doug McKeen and Club, the churches, schools and parks,
berships during the rest of the year. An of front yard parking. Some residents Bruce Rosove and others who led the the Glebe businesses and our council-
unsupportive alderman had accused the near Lansdowne Park felt the inconven- Glebe Neighbourhood Study, which lors over the years.
GCA executive of being a left-wing iences of the Ex and football justified was all-consuming that year; Joyce
clique representing only themselves their charging for parking spots on their McCaffrey and Sylvia Holden who John McLeod was the GCA president
and a small number of members. The front lawns. Some of their neighbours pulled a lot of strings to get things for 1978-1979 and is currently a mem-
GCA took up the challenge and estab- objected on the basis of aesthetics. Like done; Hazel Mackenzie of the Recyc- ber of the GCA Heritage Committee.

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