Residents call for change to confusing street names

Some residents of a south Ottawa neighbourhood are worried that confusion over two street namesFielding Court and Fielding Drivecould put people in danger.

The two streets not only connect with one another, they share some of the same house numbers.

"We get taxis for the other folk, we get mail for the other folk, I've had their oil put in my furnace tank, I've had their chemicals put on my lawn," said Quintin Wight, who lives on Fielding Drive. "The new family just moved in down the other street and they remodelled. And I wound up (with) their drywall, I got their appliances. It happens all the time."

Wight, who has been living on the street for 35 years, said he stopped calling on the city to change one of the names about 20 years ago because no action was taken.

'It's just not right'

Denise Germain lives down the street. Her husband Guy Germain, who has had two strokes, also has Alzheimer's disease. Last year he had lost feeling in his legs when he woke up, and Denise Germain called an ambulance.

"I waited for themit never takes very longand I saw them going by so I knew they were going to the wrong place," she said. "So I went outside and then they came back. Fortunately, it wasn't critical. He just couldn't walk anymore. It wasn't one of the times he had strokes."

Denise Germain said their front lawn was also dug up by workers who had the wrong address. And the same thing happened to their roof.

"That time I lost my temper, I must admitI really lost it. I was so angry at them for doing that to meBut they repaired it," she said.

"After 40 years you're used to it and it's almost like part of life, you don't worry too much about it. But it is true, if he (Guy Germain) had a stroke or was even bleeding for instance, and the ambulance was even three minutes late, by the time they get over there, realize they're at the wrong house and come back, it would take about five minutes for sure.

"It's just not right. First of all, it doesn't make any sense. Whoever did it firstwell, we don't knowbut they didn't know anything about numbering streetsThe way it is is just silly. I don't know if there are any other places in town that are like that, but I'd be surprised."

148 street names changedafter amalgamation

Since amalgamation about 148 street names have been changed to avoid duplication, said Coun. Rick Chiarelli. There are 12 street names left to be changed, which was supposed to have been done last year.

While the Germains and the Wights want a street name changed, others don't.

"(It's) the last thing in the world that should be done," said Lilian Pearce, who has lived on Fielding Court for 18 years. "Absolutely not. The city tried it, or suggested it, about 10 years ago, and everybody said, absolutely no. There is no need for it."

Rhoda Thexton agrees.

"I'd find it a lot of trouble, a lot of work, and expensive I guess because you have to pay the post office to change addresses," Thexton said.

But Chiarelli said the transition isn't as difficult as people think it is.

"It's fine for people to have irrational attachments to street names, but I don't think anyone should have to die over it," Chiarelli said. "And I think people need to understand that."