Full Service Backyard Tree Planting Program
Posted on September 13, 2011
LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection and improvement of the urban forest. The Backyard Tree Planting Program offers native trees and shrubs to homeowners at a subsidized cost. Their certified arborists will help you make an educated decision about the type of tree that best suits your property, and where it should be planted.
For more information see attached pdf. LEAF Flyer
or visit www.yourleaf.org or call 416.413.9244.
Emerald Ash Borer
Posted on September 13, 2011
Important Information On Service Cuts
Posted on September 13, 2011
Toronto needs us. Everywhere I go, your neighbours tell me how worried they are by the Mayor’s erratic and destructive approach to government.
- The City Manager’s Report, released earlier this week, outlines the reduction and elimination of dozens of City services. Taken together, these cuts will make Toronto dramatically less liveable, less prosperous and less fair. A copy of the full report is available on-line at: http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&meetingId=5053 , a Summary of the Report is detailed below.
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You can speak out against the cuts by making a deputation to the Executive Committee on Monday, September 19th at 9:30 AM.
- We hope many of you can make it down to speak. Alternately you can submit written comments. The Committee Administrator, Frances Pritchard 416-392-6627, exc@toronto.ca to will be able to assist you in arranging a deputation or filing written comments.
- One Toronto is hosting a free breakfast at Holy Trinity Church, 10 Trinity Square, behind the Eaton Centre, before the Executive Meeting, Sept 19th from 7:30 to 9:30 AM. Please RSVP moy office at 416-3927919 if you are interested in attending, invitation attached. Champions of Toronto Breakfast Flyer – Sept 19 11
- We all need to be part of the larger conversation about what kind of City we want to have. If you belong to any community association, parent group, congregation, or a sports club see if you can raise the topic. I would be happy to come and make a presentation and answer questions. Also, please consider having a few friends over to your home for a conversation about the City. Again, I will make myself available.
Gord Perks
Toronto City Councillor
Ward 14, Parkdale-High Park
Report Summary:
Who do the cuts hurt most directly?
1. Children, Seniors and Struggling Families
a) Children
- Eliminating or reducing Dental Health—Investing in Families
- Eliminate Christmas Bureau
Outsource or eliminate zoos and farms
- Reducing Library Services
- Close museums with least attendance
- Toronto Zoo
- Reduce grass cutting in parks, except sports fields
b) Struggling families
- Rolling back TTC service improvements; also eliminate Blue Night Network or make it a premium service
- Reduce new affordable housing
- Reduce the number of subsidized child care spaces through attrition
- Sell Long Term Care homes
- Eliminate 4 free garbage bag tags
- Reduce snow clearing in parks (dog owners)
- Reduce Child Care funding and subsidies
- “Transferring” child-care centres to community or private operators
- Terminate community based child care programs
- Transfer Long Term Care homes to non-profits
2. Business
- Reducing business services
- Reducing staff support to BIAs
- Eliminate building and zoning information available to public by writing and phone, migrating it to the web
- Reducing Sectors and Trade development
3. The poor and disadvantaged
- Eliminate Hardship Fund
- Reduce new affordable housing
- Develop individual plans for Wheel-Trans users to use conventional system
- Eliminate Christmas Bureau
- Rolling back TTC service improvements; also eliminate Blue Night Network or make it a premium service
4. The suburbs
- Eliminate windrow clearing
- Review option to sell or lease TTC and TPA parking lots and garages
5. Cultural communities and arts
- Reduce CPIP to legal obligations, eliminate where City funding is less than 5% of program or less than $10,000
- Close museums with least attendance
- Options to cover the city’s administrative costs for Percent for Public Art Program
- Reducing Heritage grants and tax rebates
- Toronto Centre for the Arts
- Hummingbird Centre
- St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts
- Heritage Toronto
6. The environment
- Eliminate environment days
- Change of timeframe for achieving Tree Canopy goals
- TAF and TEO: Consolidate and reduce environmental services, focusing on regulatory requirements, city’s interests, and greatest ROI
7. Everyone
- Reduce snow clearing to minimum required levels
- Reduce mechanical and manual street sweeping
- Eliminating horticultural activities
- Eliminate Neighbourhood Improvement Program for 44 wards
- Closing some library branches
- Police budget savings, including hiring of new officers
- Less proactive planning review process
- Reducing level of proactive MLS investigations and enforcement
- Eliminating inspection and enforcement of illegal signs
- Eliminate EMS community medicine activities
- Outsource EMS non-emergency transfers
- Reducing range of medical calls to which Toronto Fire responds
Proposed 2012 Dufferin St Construction
Posted on September 13, 2011
City staff is working on design proposals for construction on Dufferin St. from Springhurst Ave to Queen St. West.
Design and Construction – Linear Infrastructure, TTC, and Special projects are initiating detailed design for the 2012 Capital Works Programs with construction (pending budget approval) to begin in March 2012.
The projects scope will reconstruction the track, road, sidewalks, and watermain.
I would like to be able to provide some community input from residents on the design of the project. If you have some concern or suggestions please email my office: councillor_perks@toronto.ca or call:(416) 392-7919
Sidewalk Repairs on Queen St. West
Posted on September 13, 2011
Starting next week sidewalk repairs will begin on Queen St W from Roncesvalles to Dufferin. Utility cuts, tripping hazzards will be repaired. It will be a 6 week project starting at Roncesvalles and Queen, south side over to Dufferin, then north side Dufferin to Roncesvalles. The City was waiting for Roncesvalles and King to be finished before starting this project.