Choice for transportation chair 'Watson Club' at work, councillor says

Coun. Tim Tierney'stentative appointment to the helmof Ottawa's transportation committee is already coming under fire as another attempt to shut downtown councillors out of the mayor's inner circle.

Tierney, thecouncillor for Beacon Hill-Cyrville, will replace Cumberland Coun. Stephen Blais,who stepped down from the committee chair's role to run in the provincial byelection in Orlans.

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The transportation committee oversees the city's roads, sidewalks and cycling infrastructure, as well as parking and long-term transit network planning.

Tierney,who put his name forward to replace Blais, was appointedby a vote of 10-1 Tuesday ata special combined meeting of the city's nominating and finance and economic development committees.

Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper, the transportation commitee'svice-chair, also put his name forward, butthere was no vote on his candidacy after Tierney was selected, according to a processthe city clerk said had been followed in the past.

Mayor Jim Watson applauded Tierney's appointment.

"I think members were very impressed by how Tim has handled thelibrary file. It's a big file. It's our second-largest infrastructure file, and there's a lot of infrastructure that goes with the transportation committee," Watson said.

'Watson Club' is back: Menard

But for councillors who don't sit on the city's powerfulfinance and economic development committee (FEDCO), it was another disappointment.

FEDCO, which is chaired by the mayor andmade up of chairs of the city's other standing committees, operates like Watson's cabinet. Urban councillors who weren't appointed toFEDCO expressed frustration when the roles were doled out at the start of the term, and say they're still frustrated.

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"I was elected here to represent people, and we're getting the short shrift when it comes to committee meetings despite having eminent qualifications," said Capital ward Coun. Shawn Menardafter Tierney's selection Tuesday.

"I think what's happened here is the Watson Club is back again, and they are producing the results that they want to see for getting decisions through at these committees. It's not about representation of the regions of Ottawa."

Coun. Catherine McKenneypointed toLeiper's keen understanding oftransportation options and climate change, and said he would have been an ideal choice to take on the major job of updating the city's list of transportation priorities.

Tierney's plate full

Tierney already hasa seat on FEDCO as a member-at-large, and as vice-chair. He also chairsthe Ottawa Public Library board, is vice-chair of planning committee, and sits on the transit commission and the IT subcommittee.

Watson said it would be up to Tierney to give up arole if he feelsthatworkload is too great.

Councillorsselected Coun. Jenna Sudds to take Blais's seat on the board of Hydro Ottawa's holding company. Councillors Rawlson King and Shawn Menard had also wanted that role.

The matter isn't settled: McKenney said there's a motion in the works to nominate Leiper to chair the transportation committee instead of Tierney. It will be presented when the selections go to council for final approval next week.