Andre Cornellier – the most hated man in Ottawa during the bitter 51 day OC Transpo bus strike of 2008 – died on Saturday January 15th, 2011. He had been diagnosed with kidney cancer about a year ago. I don’t think it’s difficult to argue how despised he was during the strike. His legendary appearances on CTV were a combination of stubborn, maddening, and unbelievable in what was a municipal situation that saw the local economy undeniably affected and people walking and carpooling. Calling the bus strike an inconvenience is a gross understatement. Assuming that Andre Cornellier was nothing but an asshole is an even greater one.

I’ll be the first to admit that the bus strike had little effect on me. I drive. I haven’t taken the bus in a long time. I did however see how crippled the city became in the midst of it. Who was Andre Cornellier? Why was he so passionate about the plight of the bus driver? How could a man – considered so willingly inarticulate and maliciously defiant to the people of Ottawa – become the voice representing the interests of the city’s bus drivers?

Cornellier joined OC Transpo in 1977, and was first elected president of Branch 279 of the Amalgamated Transit Union in 2000. Cornellier is survived by his wife Lisette of 44 years, daughters Rachel, Micheline, Lyne and son Michel. He was known for his brash and gruff comments, his bluntness when dealing with an issue, and his unapologetic deameanor. If I’m looking at some of the world’s best union leaders – anyone from Jimmy Hoffa to Eugene Debs – these aren’t necessary personality characteristics considered a hindrance if you’re in this kind of position. He was concerned with the interests of his membership. What was the issue at hand that created this mess in the first place? Well…the main one was scheduling. Other side issues included seniority and payroll. The scheduling issue was the most contentious one though. The short of it was that the existing scheduling system at the time allowed OC Transpo drivers to exploit an exemption that OC Transpo had to the city’s labor code, allowing them to earn extra income through back to back shifts via overtime pay. It also allowed drivers to pick their shifts – something many of them used to work the shift work around family time. The city was characterizing this situation as a dangerous safety issue. The drivers had been doing this for such a long period of time that they became accustomed to it – and safety issue or not – it was contentious because it gave the city the control over shifts – something they perhaps should have never have given away control of in the first place. CBC News back in 2008  said…

Alain Mercier, general manager for OC Transpo, the public transit company owned and run by the city, said the answer is simple — there are serious problems with the current system.

“Basically, we have what we consider an unfair and to some extent unsafe and inefficient scheduling system,” he said, adding that the new system would:

• Reduce annual costs by $3.4 million immediately.
• Eliminate the need for 20 more buses.
• Eliminate the need to hire 100 more drivers.

The issue arises because many OC Transpo drivers work split shifts — that is, they have part of their shift in the morning and part of it in the afternoon, with a break in between, in order to accommodate customers’ peak travel periods.

Under the new system for weekday scheduling, morning and afternoon shifts would come as a pair, Mercier said, adding that shifts are already paired on the weekends. The two shifts would have a maximum spread of 13½ hours, meaning that a driver who started at 8 a.m. would go home no later than 9:30 p.m.

Currently, drivers can choose from separate lists of morning runs and afternoon runs, with more senior drivers getting to choose first.

Graham said that makes it easier for drivers to schedule around their personal lives.

According to Graham, drivers are also unhappy about the scheduling issue because the union was only informed about the changes two weeks ago, although the city alleges the scheduling change was always on the table.

The current system was introduced almost a decade ago. Prior to that the city assigned shifts, but in 1999, drivers gave up the 12-hour limitation in exchange for the ability to pick their shifts, Graham said.

Now, the city wants to take away the decade-old right, but isn’t offering to restore the 12-hour limit. Instead, the limit will sit at 13½ hours.

“The longer the spread, the longer you’re away from your family and the less opportunity you have to do other things,” Graham said.

Mercier said the 1999 change had some serious consequences for drivers, customers and taxpayers, but acknowledged that bus drivers might not want to go back.

“We’re dealing with an ingrained way of doing things that we gave up 10 years ago and now everybody’s realizing that this is not to everybody’s advantage,” he said.

Whetever your judgement is on Andre Cornellier – he was a passionate guy. I couldn’t have disagreed more with his approach to the bus strike, and often found myself bewildered as to how the transit union would be ok with such an adversarial guy speaking for them, but his focus was on representing the frustration of his membership, being a hard ass with the city, and calling their collective bluff – something he was wildly successful at. He was also instrumental in painting an accurate picture of how the city has run and perhaps continues to run OC Transpo. Either way – he’ll be remembered.

Sony pictures just recently released this screen cap of The Social Network’s Andrew Garfield in director Marc Webb’s reboot of the Spider Man franchise. This looks awesome. I think Andrew Garfield really looks the part of Peter Parker – moreso than Tobey Maguire. For those of you who didn’t see The Social Network – Garfield played Eduardo Saverin.

Stoked.

The Flour Shoppe located at 617 Bank Street makes delicious cupcakes. I had the opportunity to sample some of these delectable treats over the holidays. I’d highly recommend the Chocolate Peanut Butter cupcake – but I’d be prepared to name your first born after Melissa Somers – the shoppe’s owner – once you have one. Purchased a few for Christmas bring overs and visits over the holidays.

Dave’s Drum Shop located at 390 Gladstone Avenue. Dave Dudley was the drummer in Furnaceface. It’s his store. He’s also a super nice guy. If you’re a drummer, you may want to check out their wares – especially the vintage kits he gets in here. They also have a wicked line of Vic Firth custom sticks – which I got a pair of for Christmas.

The Whalesbone Catering. It’s good. I had the pleasure of having it at a good friend of mine’s wedding at the Cube Gallery back in November. They had a risotto bar. Isn’t that enough of a reason to call this guys when you get married?

If you’re looking for a house cleaning service in Ottawa – check out Greenapple House Cleaning, Inc. They don’t believe in bleach (trust me that’s a good thing), and they’re as professional as they come. They’ve got a very cool policy about always having the same person visit your pad, and they give a no charge consultation at your home before they clean anything to ensure your expectations are met and a consistency is created. Bought a few gift certificates for friends and family over Christmas….

That’s it.

5 out of 5

Had the pleasure this evening of going to Tennessy Willems – one of Hintonburg’s newest restaurants. It’s what I happen to think is Ottawa’s best pizza.

Located at 1082 Wellington Street West - where the old Melrose Grocery used to be, the building stands out in Hintonburg. I wouldn’t say it’s gawdy, but I always like it when a cool business or restaurant doesn’t do something predictable in terms of their brand. This place is no exception. From the outside, and from the name – it looks more like a barbecue sauce factory. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. These guys could have gone with a look and feel that maybe would have said Naples style pizza a little more obviously – you know – the standard fare. An old lady with an apron….a picture of the boot….some scripty font tagline that said “Traditional Wood Fire Italian Pizza” or “A Small Taste Of Naples In Every Bite”…or some shit like that. But they didn’t. I dig that.

Inside, the place is small but cool. You can see the action in the kitchen, and they have an ample bar where patrons sit. Cool looking varnished wood tables deck the floors, and the place was packed, so everyone was eating these beautiful looking pies. The smell is great when you walk in.

I’ve had plenty of wood fire oven pizzas. I’ve had them in New York, Montreal, and even in Italy (granted I was 11). I’m not an expert – but the product here is the best. They source local ingredients and pay homage to their neighbors – The Elmdale Tavern – by having a pie on the menu with it’s name. They have a perfectly sized menu with enough variation in styles and taste that you won’t get bored. Check it out…

MARGHERITA
Fire-roasted tomato sauce, fresh Mozzarella and basil … $10

THE ELMDALE
Fire-roasted tomato sauce, spicy Italian salami, mushrooms, roasted red peppers and fresh Mozzarella … $14

HELEN’s
Baby spinach, fresh Parmesan, C’est Bon goat cheese, and oven roasted pine-nuts, squeezed with fresh lemon … $14

GREEK PIZZA
Basil pesto, oven roasted red peppers, Calamata olives and feta … $16

WILD BOAR
Local wild Boar sausage, carmelized apple, sage, garlic and sharp Cheddar … $18

DUCK CONFIT
Carmelized onion, white Truffle oil, Riopelle and duck confit … $18

SOPRESSATA
Fire-roasted tomato sauce, fresh Mozzarella, red onion and Sopressata salami … $15

FOUR SEASONS
Fire-roasted tomato sauce, fresh Mozzarella, Cremini mushrooms, artichokes, Calamata olives and Capicola ham … $15

THE CHORIZO
Olive oil, carmelized onion, Chorizo sausage and local C’est Bon goat cheese … $16

BIANCO
Pear, walnuts, smoked prosciutto, fresh Mozzarella and Gorgonzola … $16

I’d seriously recommend the charcuterie as an appetizer. They make this pate with cranberries that is delicious. I’d also recommend the duck confit pizza. Very good.

I had the pleasure of eating at Luxe Bistro last night, and left with the opinion that this is one of Ottawa’s best restaurants. I’m sure that will piss of some of Ottawa’s more well known foodies who swear by the Gastropub or Beckta (also excellent establishments).  What I really like about the restaurant, besides it’s convenient location, is the French brasserie feel. It’s just a cool spot, and doesn’t come off as pretentious.

Our waiter and sommelier, Neil Gowe, provided friendly and knowledgeable service, and paired a fantastic Argentinian wine with my main course of Steak Frites. The whole table was talking about his selection, as two of us had the Steak Frites. I also had the opportunity to meet with Duane Keats, who is the executive chef there.

If you’re going here, you have to try the fish chowder as an appetizer. One of the best I have ever had. Dinner is pricey, but worth it in my opinion. I know Luxe had a bit of a rocky start, but that seems to have worked itself out as I found this to be worth the money. Has anyone tried Stella Osteria? This is one of the other restaurants that the Firestone Group has in it’s roster besides the Blue Cactus.