Community Consultation Meeting For 158 Sterling Road

Posted on September 30, 2011

There will be a community consultation meeting a proposed development at 158 Stirling Road on October 13th, 2011 from 7-9 PM at 72 Perth Ave.

While the site is in Ward 18, it borders our ward and some residents many be interested in attending.

See attachment for more details: 158 Sterling Road

The Kind of City You Want

Posted on September 30, 2011

 

Friends,

 

First, thanks to the great many of you who have phoned, written, or come to meetings to discuss what kind of City you want over the last several weeks. Your dedication to our neighborhood and our City is inspiring.

 

I wish I could tell you all that the recent Council meetings came to a conclusive decision about proposed cuts to City services, but truth is most decisions were pushed off until the January budget debate.

 

I will keep you posted as the debate moves forward and ensure you get an opportunity to be heard.

 

One piece of news that came out during the debate may be of interest. For months I have been saying that the supposed $774 million dollar “deficit” facing Toronto is grossly exaggerated. Specifically, I have been claiming that the City’s revenue projections were far too low. In a just published City report it is clear that revenue projections are indeed low. As of August, the Land Transfer Tax revenue is 33% above forecast. If that holds our bottom line will be at least $75 million better than we thought. Many other revenue streams are likely to have improvements as well.

 

 

The report reviews a wide range of social and economic indicators and I urge all of you to take a look. In broad terms business and particularly real estate are doing very well. The social indicators are quite mixed. While food bank use and unemployment are down, welfare rates, daycare waiting lists, and affordable housing waiting list are climbing. This points to a growing level of inequality in Toronto.

 

I am very disturbed by this. Representing Ward 14 I know that a healthy mixed community depends on all groups doing well together. I hope my colleagues take this into account when we get to the City budget. We need to invest to ensure we don’t create a painful destructive social divide.

 

All the best,
Gord

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes

Posted on September 30, 2011

 

 

This past Thursday I took part in the Toronto’s  third annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes benefit for the White Ribbon Campaign.  Along with 500 Male counterparts, we walked in support of the White Ribbon Campaign to end violence against women.

I would like to thank everyone who took part in this year’s event and urge you to continue to support the elimination of gender based violence.

 

For more information see:

www.walkamiletoronto.org

whiteribbon.ca

 

Fall Water Tips

Posted on September 26, 2011

Please see the attached PDF with tips on how to save water, money and the environment.

 

See:  WaterSource – Fall Tips 2011

Road Closure: Parkway Ave at Dundas St. West

Posted on September 26, 2011

From Wednesday, September 28th/2011, to Monday, October 1st/2011

Dundas St. West will be closed from just east of HowardPark Avenue to just west of Dovercourt Road.

 

For more information see: Parkway Intersection Closure Notice

In a remarkable week we discovered that when Toronto speaks City Hall must listen

Posted on September 23, 2011

 

In a remarkable week we discovered that when Toronto speaks City Hall must listen.

 

A plan to sell off the Portlands portion of the Waterfront to a mall developer was unanimously defeated at City Council on Wednesday because of community action. Under the banner “Code Blue” (http://codeblueto.com/) Torontonians from all walks of life mobilized and overturned the ill-conceived mall-ferris wheel-monorail proposal floated by Councillor Ford. Council upheld a much better plan which will develop the area for mixed uses, community access to the waterfront, marvellous green-spaces, and smart protection from flooding at the mouth of the Don River.

 

Earlier in the week I attended a 20 hour committee meeting to hear from hundreds of people who treasure our City services and were speaking out against hasty deep cuts. Moved by the huge public outcry  the Executive Committee (which is appointed by Mayor Ford) backed off cuts to many services and put off consideration of many others. The issue will come to City Council Monday. I want to caution you that these victories are only temporary. These and other service cuts will be before Council when we debate the 2012 budget in January.

 

Finally, yesterday Council agreed to hire two public health nurses which Mayor Ford had previously refused. Congratulations to the many community volunteers who lobbied, collected petitions and fought for investments in a healthier Toronto.

 

I want to tell you about three tools your neighbours used in winning these victories. First, I and other members of Council received 6000 emails this week on these issues in just over a week. Letting City Councillors know how you feel may take a little time, but it works. Second, two very different public protests took place at City Hal Thursday and Friday. In the first about 100 parents and small children came to City Hall and offered us cookies and juice and asked us to pinky swear  that we would not cut daycare spaces (I made the pledge). In a more sombre protest a die-in was staged at City Hall to remind us of the risk we take if we cut funding for AIDS prevention grants. Third, I was invited to address two different groups of Ward 14 residents about Toronto’s finances and future. Each of the conversations with groups of 15 of your neighbours was lively and intimate. And in both cases all of us left with a renewed sense of what we value about Toronto, and the work we must do to stand up for our City.

 

City Hall can be frustrating and disappointing right now. But the dedication to a Toronto that works for everyone is tremendously heartening. Please join the work.

 

All the best,
Gord

Police Division Boundary Changes

Posted on September 20, 2011
The Toronto Police Service Divisional boundary changes involving 11, 12, 14 and 31 Divisions, will be effective Monday, September 26, 2011, at 6 a.m. 

11 Division will now be responsible for policing the area south of St. Clair Avenue, from the Humber River in the west to the CNR tracks in the east.

From there, the boundary follows the CNR tracks, south to the CPR line, then east to Dufferin Street, south along Dufferin Street, south to Queen Street West, west along Queen Street West to Roncesvalles Avenue, where it turns south to Lake Ontario.

There will be no disruption to policing services as a result of these changes.

Weekend work at the West Toronto Diamond Grade Separation

Posted on September 19, 2011

“Beginning this weekend, work to install small diameter piles (micropiles) to support temporary bridge spans will be installed over three weekends (September 24-25, October 1-2, 15-16. This work will take place mostly between the hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. However, construction crews will be on site between the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Micropile installation produces low noise levels with little to no vibration. The attached construction update is being distributed to the community to make them aware of the work.”


For more information see:  WTD Weekend work update_FINAL

Roncesvalles Polish Festival

Posted on September 16, 2011

Just a quick reminder, that this great festival is happening this weekend!

 

Come celebrate Roncesvalles Village’s Polish heritage and experience North America’s largest celebration of Polish Culture.

 

Date and Times:

Friday September 16th : 8:oop.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Saturday September 17th : 10:00a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sunday September 18th : 10:00a.m. – 7:00p.m.

Opening Parade: Saturday at noon

Opening Ceremonies (at Polish Credit Union Stage): Saturday at 1:30

 

For more information visit: polishfestival.ca

9th Annual Queen West Art Crawl / Parkdale Nightcrawl

Posted on September 15, 2011

The Parkdale Community Development Group is presenting the Queen West Art Crawl this September 16th-18th. http://www.queenwestartcrawl.com/

The Parkdale Nightcrawl is this Saturday, September 17, from 7 pm to 11 pm.  For more information on this event as well as The Community Partner Crawl, and The Parkdale Studio Tour & Art Walk visit: http://parkdalenews.com/issues/pn14/index.html#Page2

 

This event is a great opprotunity to get to know the vibrant art and culture community in ward 14!

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