Ana Bailao: Promise Made, Promise Kept
Motion Passes to Bring Back Parking on Dundas West
“My motion to bring back parking on Dundas passed unanimously at 8:47pm,” Bailao announced on Twitter on Tuesday night. (referring to her first meeting of Toronto and East6 York Community Council. Seems room was packed with civic engagement! Great!
Recommendation will go to full council for approval soon and should be a slam dunk. Thanks Ana.
THE CITY BUDGET !
Public Consultation on Budget TONIGHT !!!
Budget Sub-Committee for Etobicoke York, and Toronto and East York Consultation will be meeting Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at the EAST YORK CIVIC CENTRE Council Chamber at 6:00pm
* Note the location * 850 Coxwell Avenue · North-west corner of Coxwell Avenue and Mortimer Avenue Toronto ON M4C 5R1
Councillor Mike Del Grande (Chair), Councillor Michelle Berardinetti, Councillor Chin Lee hosting.
Contact (you would have had to9 register to make 5 minute in person deputation)
Merle MacDonald 10th floor, West Tower, City Hall, 100 Queen Street West. Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
email: buc@toronto.ca phone: 416-392-7340 fax: 416-392-1879
This will be pretty well the ONLY chance for the public in ward 18 to have any impact on the budget, although you could still send suggestions, ideas, concerns to our City Councillor Ana Bailao
(but she is but 1 of 45 votes on Council)
* Side Note: I had registered to make deputation in person, but had a slip and fall inhjury so I am hobbling about. Not surte if I will be able to make it.
The TTC - Planned Service Cuts
Do any of these proposed cuts affect YOU? If so, speak up, here's your chance:
TTC Public Meetings on Proposed Route Changes
Proposed route changes being considered for implementation in May 2011 would reallocate service, during some times of the week, from bus routes which have low ridership. These changes are required to free up resources to increase service on routes where it is needed most due to record-level ridership.
Four public meetings will be held to provide information on the routes which are proposed for reallocation and alternatives to those routes, and to obtain feedback from customers (these venues have barrier-free access):
Toronto area meeting = •Monday, January 24, 2011, 7:00pm to 9:00pm - Metro Hall, Room 308/309, 55 John Street at King Street; direct access from St Andrew Station.
For those unable to attend any of these meetings, but wish to provide comment, go to TTC Service Complaint/Suggestion Form. Weblink click here
The public can also call the TTC at 416-393-3030, Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm, or can contact their City Councillor.
........................
Proposed Route Changes
5 AVENUE RD – No service after 7:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No service on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
61 AVENUE RD NORTH – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.
6 BAY – No service after 10:00 p.m., every day.
9 BELLAMY – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No service after 7:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
8 BROADVIEW – No service after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
120 CALVINGTON – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday. No service on Sundays and holidays.
20 CLIFFSIDE – No service after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
42 CUMMER – No service east of Kennedy Road after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No service east of Kennedy Road on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
127 DAVENPORT – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.
105 DUFFERIN NORTH – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.
26 DUPONT – No service after 10:00 p.m., every day.
32 EGLINTON WEST – No 32D (Eglinton West Stn-Jane & Emmett) service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday. No 32D (Eglinton West Stn-Jane & Emmett) service after 7:00 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. No 32A (Eglinton Stn-Renforth & Skymark) service west of Renforth on Saturdays.
15 EVANS – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.
33 FOREST HILL – No service after 7:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No service Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
135 GERRARD – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday. No service after 7:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.
14 GLENCAIRN – No service after 10:00 p.m., every day.
122 GRAYDON HALL – No service after 10:00 p.m., every day.
169 HUNTINGWOOD – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No service after 7:00 p.m., Saturdays. No service on Sundays and holidays.
110 ISLINGTON SOUTH – No service on Horner Avenue or Browns Line to Long Branch Loop after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.
43 KENNEDY – No 43B (Kennedy Stn-Scarborough Centre Stn via Progress) service after 7:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday. No 43B (Kennedy Stn-Scarborough Centre Stn via Progress) service on Sundays and holidays.
30 LAMBTON – No service after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
162 LAWRENCE-DONWAY – No off peak service. Service to operate Monday-Friday morning and afternoon peak only.
56 LEASIDE – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No service after 7:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. No service west of Laird Drive to Eglinton Station Sunday/holiday daytime.
51 LESLIE – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday. No service after 7:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.
59 MAPLE LEAF – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No service after 7:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
130 MIDDLEFIELD – No service after 10:00 p.m., every day.
132 MILNER – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.
116 MORNINGSIDE – No 116A/E (Kennedy Stn-UofT Scarborough Express/Conlins) service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No 116A/E (Kennedy Stn-UofT Scarborough Express/Conlins)service on Saturday, Sundays, and holidays.
62 MORTIMER – No service after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
74 MT PLEASANT – No service after 7:00 p.m., every day.
103 MT PLEASANT NORTH – No service after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
72 PAPE – No 72A service south of Eastern Avenue to Commissioners and Union Station after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday, September-May. No 72A service south of Eastern Avenue to Commissioners and Union Station after 7:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays, September-May.
101 PARC DOWNSVIEW PARK – No service, September-May.
167 PHARMACY NORTH – No off peak service. Service to operate Monday-Friday morning and afternoon peak only.
80 QUEENSWAY – No off peak service east of Humber Loop, every day. No service after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
48 RATHBURN – No service after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
73 ROYAL YORK – No 73B (Royal York Stn-Eglinton & La Rose) service after 7:00 p.m., every day.
76 ROYAL YORK SOUTH – No 76B (Royal York Stn-Queensway & Grand Ave) service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. No 76B (Royal York Stn-Queensway & Grand Ave) service on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
78 ST ANDREWS – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.
86 SCARBOROUGH – No off peak 86D (Kennedy Stn-Beechgrove via Lawrence) service. Service on 86D (Kennedy Stn-Beechgrove via Lawrence) to operate Monday-Friday morning and afternoon peak only.
115 SILVER HILLS – No off peak service. Service to operate Monday-Friday morning and afternoon peak only.
60 STEELES WEST – No off peak service west of Martin Grove to Highway 27. Service west of Martin Grove to operate Monday-Friday morning and afternoon peak only.
124 SUNNYBROOK – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.
55 WARREN PARK – No service after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.
94 WELLESLEY – No service west of Wellesley Station after 10:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.
112 WEST MALL – No 112C (Kipling Stn-Disco Rd) service north of Eglinton Avenue after 10:00 p.m., Saturdays. No 112C (Kipling Stn-Disco Rd) service north of Eglinton Avenue after 7:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays.
98 WILLOWDALE-SENLAC – No service after 10:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday. No service after 7:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays. No service east of Sheppard-Yonge Station, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
96 WILSON – No 96C/F off peak service to Tandridge Crescent or Thistle Down Boulevard. Service on 96C (York Mills Stn-Tandridge & Thistle Down via Albion) to Tandridge Crescent or Thistle Down Boulevard to operate Monday-Friday morning and afternoon peak only.
SGT. RYAN RUSSELL, Toronto Police Services Funeral
Sights from the Funeral Procession
Why Police Mourn en masse for Slain Cops
A City in Mourning
Now magazine article
It is indeed tragic that someone doing service to keep the city safe loses his life in the line of duty.
However, some reading between the lines of some reports, particularly the last one listed above, have dire overtones. Witness this from midway through the story:
"Having weathered the fallout from the G20 arrests last June, some welcomed the funeral as a chance to show loyalty to the Toronto Police Service. “There’s an element of society armed with body piercings, video phones and lawyers with no moral compass who made it their business to go on a vendetta against the police, especially since the G20,” Mr. Opher told me. “The silver lining of this tragedy is that it gives me and the other 98% the opportunity to express our feelings and show the police that we respect, honour and love them.”
I certainly hope no one thinks this puts an end to the terrible G20 civil rights violations by some police last summer.
In my opinion, these two events are totally unrelated.
* Update: Protestor at a Funeral? Yes it was tasteless, but not illegal. His being arrested is proof of police state mentality it seems. They probably set him up for a good civil suit against the police/city. sigh
* Update2: Torontoist John Lorinc has a well thought out article about the en masse funeral phenomenon here
* Update3: Video reminnder of the culture of G20 is here
Showing posts with label Dundas West BIA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dundas West BIA. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Where Is Ward 18 Constituency Office?
New Councillors Face Obstacles Getting Up to Speed
Since City Council cut office budgets for councillors from $50,450 down to $30,000 I have noticed several innovative councikllors like Gord Perks and Josh Matlow looking into getting the okay to book space at Toronto Public Libraries as a way to be available to their constituents. No more centrally located, disabled access in ward constituency offices?
Look at Adam Giambrone's past expenses (public record) he paid about $800 a month for the Margueretta/College location.
What is Ana Bailao doing?
...
Online Tool to Follow Votes, Attendance, expenses:
Very nice to see: The public can look at the voting and attendence records of their councillors right HERE
(can also see campaign expenses)
...
Who Owns Constituency Files?
On another note, I've also heard and now see in the papers (CBC news) that they find literally empty offices with no records of issues dealt with by their predecessors.
I am sure that its not just Kristyn Wong-Tam who has found no help from former councillor Kyle Rae, or Mary Margaret McMahon who has gotten the cold shoulder from Sandra Bussin in the Beaches.
How many think NDPer Adam Giambrone left anything for Liberal Ana Bailao to find in her office?
*Update: rbmorra had tweeted to @Kristynwongtam This is rich when your EA (Kevin Beaulieu) did the same thing for the outgoing ward18 councillor (Adam Giambrone)
... Not sure if this is true as I think Kevin had to resign from being Adam's EA during the election. But I still suspect Adam pulled a Kyle Rae on Ana too.
Such materials should be designated as public records and protected!
UPDATE: COMMUNITY COUNCIL TO MEET JAN 18
Toronto and East York Community Council (includes ward18) will be meeting on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 9:30 am at City Hall. This is where they consider and recommend on truly local issues like:
Parking, closing roads, liquor licences, special exemptions, rezoning, tree removals, etc etc
Whatever they do happens and some things are strongly recommended to city council and get passed.
*** For example, the hot button issue of Dundas Parking will be considered (Item T3.58)
They will also at this meeting decide on who will be on the varios BIA's (Like Spiro, the strip club owner, for Bloordale Village)
Full details: agendas, committee membership, minutes, decisions can be found HERE
If you have something you want to suggest or bring up, this is the place to do it.
Truly effective democracies have local involvement between elections and not just during a campaign every 4 years.
Since City Council cut office budgets for councillors from $50,450 down to $30,000 I have noticed several innovative councikllors like Gord Perks and Josh Matlow looking into getting the okay to book space at Toronto Public Libraries as a way to be available to their constituents. No more centrally located, disabled access in ward constituency offices?
Look at Adam Giambrone's past expenses (public record) he paid about $800 a month for the Margueretta/College location.
What is Ana Bailao doing?
...
Online Tool to Follow Votes, Attendance, expenses:
Very nice to see: The public can look at the voting and attendence records of their councillors right HERE
(can also see campaign expenses)
...
Who Owns Constituency Files?
On another note, I've also heard and now see in the papers (CBC news) that they find literally empty offices with no records of issues dealt with by their predecessors.
I am sure that its not just Kristyn Wong-Tam who has found no help from former councillor Kyle Rae, or Mary Margaret McMahon who has gotten the cold shoulder from Sandra Bussin in the Beaches.
How many think NDPer Adam Giambrone left anything for Liberal Ana Bailao to find in her office?
*Update: rbmorra had tweeted to @Kristynwongtam This is rich when your EA (Kevin Beaulieu) did the same thing for the outgoing ward18 councillor (Adam Giambrone)
... Not sure if this is true as I think Kevin had to resign from being Adam's EA during the election. But I still suspect Adam pulled a Kyle Rae on Ana too.
Such materials should be designated as public records and protected!
UPDATE: COMMUNITY COUNCIL TO MEET JAN 18
Toronto and East York Community Council (includes ward18) will be meeting on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 9:30 am at City Hall. This is where they consider and recommend on truly local issues like:
Parking, closing roads, liquor licences, special exemptions, rezoning, tree removals, etc etc
Whatever they do happens and some things are strongly recommended to city council and get passed.
*** For example, the hot button issue of Dundas Parking will be considered (Item T3.58)
They will also at this meeting decide on who will be on the varios BIA's (Like Spiro, the strip club owner, for Bloordale Village)
Full details: agendas, committee membership, minutes, decisions can be found HERE
If you have something you want to suggest or bring up, this is the place to do it.
Truly effective democracies have local involvement between elections and not just during a campaign every 4 years.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Hey Ana Bailao - Take Note
Recurring Issues and Ramping Up for Change?
* PEDESTRIAN SAFETY: We should all be disturbed that being a pedestrian in Toronto can be a dangereous - and increasingly so - activity. SIXTEEN Pedestrians Hit Over Two Days - One of Them KILLED: http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101118/101118_hit?hub=CP24Home That pedestrian killed was a 50 year old woman at Dundas and Dupont ( http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/905077--pedestrian-struck-killed-near-dundas-and-dupont ). It angers me that every time the media report on this, the message seems to be blaming the pedestrian, not the rushing drivers that hit them. In a related Spacing story, the often quoted Sgt. Tim Burrow comments that the media are the ones that seem to blame pedestrians, not the police: http://spacingtoronto.ca/2010/11/19/sharing-responsibility-for-pedestrian-safety/ In a big city increasingly becoming car-centric and cyclist/pedestrian unfriendly, I fear things will get much worse. Despite having a 'Pedestrian Charter' and some inroads on building a sensible cucling structure, we now have to deal with the Ford agenda. Who will stand up for the people in ward 18, many of whom are like the rest of the city aging and slowing down ?
* METROLINX- ELECTRIC TRAINS ? Yes this is still an ongoing fight. It seems everyone does NOT want polutting diesel trains running through our ward (and others), yet it is still being rammed down our throats by the non-elected entity. http://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/915#comment-2767 My fervent hope is that Ana doesn't take the expedient political manoeuver of saying - 'oh that's a provincial issue'... kind of hard when she is a Liberal and it is the Dalton McGuinty driven initiative at its core. I actually know of a resident who is considering moving away because of this. I suspect there are more. How exactly will Ana stand up for the people of ward 18 in this matter? (Better than the non-entity Tony Ruprecht, I hope)
* DAYCARE DILEMMA: Yes,. I know it's across the street from ward 18, but the city-run Dovercourt Child Care Centre just north of College Street gave notice it is quite suddenly closing in just 6 weeks. http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/education/article/895033--toronto-parents-angered-by-closing-of-city-run-daycare We all know that most families have two parents working to be able to afford living in the city, so this is an unacceptable hardship and a step backward for Toronto. In the past we've seen closings of daycars the other direction for ward 18 near High Park (unbelievable community complaints there were 'too many' daycares on the street). This needs to be dealt with FAST by incoming council. There is a great fear that the Rob Ford administration in its crusade against "the gravy train" will cut many city services... What will Ana Bailao do?
* VOICE OF RESIDENTS: Ana Bailao during the election campaign, like everyone else running, said that community-councillor relations and representing the voice of the ward to city hall (and not vice-versa) was a priority issue and promise. (Reconfirmed in today's Toronto Star article http://www.thestar.com/news/torontocouncil/article/895074--city-hall-rookies-2010-ana-bail-o ). Ana "plans to launch a community advisory board made up of residents who have a mix of ideas and a mix of experience, including local business people, planners and environmentalists". This was said in relation to local residents having a say in future development in ward 18 - but I hope she expands it to become an advisory panel on other issues, not just development. If there was one key thing that the people are looking for to be different in the ward, it is to be the exact opposite of Adam Giambrone when it comes to timely consultation with ALL the ward and allowing input to inform actions at council.
* Some recommendations for her 'Community Advisory Board": Frank de Jong (environmentalist); Please NOT Spiro Koumoudouros - Bloordale BIA and strip club owner (He is simply speculating on tons of properties in Bloor Lansdowne area); I don't klnow exactly who, but it would be nice to reach out to the NDPers... Kevin Beaulieu? ... at least, I hope all members live in the ward or have an active interest in it. What about Hema Vyas as someone who knows multiple cultural interests? And just what sort of mix of ideas is Ana looking for? Doug Carroll had some interesting things to say about city governance. There have also been many engaged people in the ward, like: Dyan Marie, Jack Fava, Sam Galati, Steve Barbosa, Kirk Russell, (and me)..... AND what about HIMY SYED who ran for mayor, is a Muslim, lives in the near area and is the most civic engaged person I have ever met with tons of knowledge and wisdom? How will she put such minds to work?
* DUNDAS PARKING RESTORATION: Again quoted in the above referenced Toronto Star article, Ana says that's the first thing she'll do on council. It shouldn't be hard, given Rob Ford's love affair with anything that involves individual motor vehicles. Yet, it is a double edged sword, since TRANSIT (TTC) is also an important issue for most of the ward. 41% of the work trips in ward 18 are by transit - an often reported statistic in profiles of the ward: http://torontoist.com/politics/ward18.php As well. pretty much all of the runnbers up in the election were in favour of 'Complete Streets' where we give equal weight to the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, cars, transit, seniors, disabled, etc. How will Ana handle the TTC issues at council?
* POVERTY: In an article from the Hamilton Spectator about provincial (non) reponse to poverty issues, they said: " The City of Hamilton is tied with TORONTO for the highest poverty rate in Ontario, at 20 PER CENT of its population " Source: http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/277949--ten-things-queen-s-park-needs-to-know-about-hamilton-s-demographics Now whther that is accurate or not, we know that ONE THIRD of ward 18 residents live on less than $30,000 a year in our very expensive Toronto - and that many live below the poverty line on less than $12,000 a year. All you have to do to see the need is visit a Food Bank or see tha constant dire warnings that demand is outpacing supply. HUNGER, HOMELESSNESS, POVERTY, WORKING POOR do exist in ward 18, Ana. Despite the ongoing gentrification of our area and the rise of upscale yuppie-artsie boutiques and eateries, there is still those left behind. What will Ana do to respond to this?
* CONSTITUENCY OFFICE: So, I am wondering where Ana will locate her ward constituency office - if she has one. There is no requirement for councillors to do this, and in today's The Star article she says she "will hold weekly open office hours at community centres across the ward". Not a bad idea if she can do it and it is well publicized and equally rotating. I actually favour heving city-owned lodgings located in a central geographic area of the ward that is wheelchair/disabled accessible and close to public transit. (This stops politicians from favouring one part of the ward over another). But... rotating is good if equitably done.
Davenport Deserved Better - Did We Get It?
The NEW City Council meets December 6-7.
We shall see... If We Watch....
* PEDESTRIAN SAFETY: We should all be disturbed that being a pedestrian in Toronto can be a dangereous - and increasingly so - activity. SIXTEEN Pedestrians Hit Over Two Days - One of Them KILLED: http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101118/101118_hit?hub=CP24Home That pedestrian killed was a 50 year old woman at Dundas and Dupont ( http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/905077--pedestrian-struck-killed-near-dundas-and-dupont ). It angers me that every time the media report on this, the message seems to be blaming the pedestrian, not the rushing drivers that hit them. In a related Spacing story, the often quoted Sgt. Tim Burrow comments that the media are the ones that seem to blame pedestrians, not the police: http://spacingtoronto.ca/2010/11/19/sharing-responsibility-for-pedestrian-safety/ In a big city increasingly becoming car-centric and cyclist/pedestrian unfriendly, I fear things will get much worse. Despite having a 'Pedestrian Charter' and some inroads on building a sensible cucling structure, we now have to deal with the Ford agenda. Who will stand up for the people in ward 18, many of whom are like the rest of the city aging and slowing down ?
* METROLINX- ELECTRIC TRAINS ? Yes this is still an ongoing fight. It seems everyone does NOT want polutting diesel trains running through our ward (and others), yet it is still being rammed down our throats by the non-elected entity. http://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/915#comment-2767 My fervent hope is that Ana doesn't take the expedient political manoeuver of saying - 'oh that's a provincial issue'... kind of hard when she is a Liberal and it is the Dalton McGuinty driven initiative at its core. I actually know of a resident who is considering moving away because of this. I suspect there are more. How exactly will Ana stand up for the people of ward 18 in this matter? (Better than the non-entity Tony Ruprecht, I hope)
* DAYCARE DILEMMA: Yes,. I know it's across the street from ward 18, but the city-run Dovercourt Child Care Centre just north of College Street gave notice it is quite suddenly closing in just 6 weeks. http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/education/article/895033--toronto-parents-angered-by-closing-of-city-run-daycare We all know that most families have two parents working to be able to afford living in the city, so this is an unacceptable hardship and a step backward for Toronto. In the past we've seen closings of daycars the other direction for ward 18 near High Park (unbelievable community complaints there were 'too many' daycares on the street). This needs to be dealt with FAST by incoming council. There is a great fear that the Rob Ford administration in its crusade against "the gravy train" will cut many city services... What will Ana Bailao do?
* VOICE OF RESIDENTS: Ana Bailao during the election campaign, like everyone else running, said that community-councillor relations and representing the voice of the ward to city hall (and not vice-versa) was a priority issue and promise. (Reconfirmed in today's Toronto Star article http://www.thestar.com/news/torontocouncil/article/895074--city-hall-rookies-2010-ana-bail-o ). Ana "plans to launch a community advisory board made up of residents who have a mix of ideas and a mix of experience, including local business people, planners and environmentalists". This was said in relation to local residents having a say in future development in ward 18 - but I hope she expands it to become an advisory panel on other issues, not just development. If there was one key thing that the people are looking for to be different in the ward, it is to be the exact opposite of Adam Giambrone when it comes to timely consultation with ALL the ward and allowing input to inform actions at council.
* Some recommendations for her 'Community Advisory Board": Frank de Jong (environmentalist); Please NOT Spiro Koumoudouros - Bloordale BIA and strip club owner (He is simply speculating on tons of properties in Bloor Lansdowne area); I don't klnow exactly who, but it would be nice to reach out to the NDPers... Kevin Beaulieu? ... at least, I hope all members live in the ward or have an active interest in it. What about Hema Vyas as someone who knows multiple cultural interests? And just what sort of mix of ideas is Ana looking for? Doug Carroll had some interesting things to say about city governance. There have also been many engaged people in the ward, like: Dyan Marie, Jack Fava, Sam Galati, Steve Barbosa, Kirk Russell, (and me)..... AND what about HIMY SYED who ran for mayor, is a Muslim, lives in the near area and is the most civic engaged person I have ever met with tons of knowledge and wisdom? How will she put such minds to work?
* DUNDAS PARKING RESTORATION: Again quoted in the above referenced Toronto Star article, Ana says that's the first thing she'll do on council. It shouldn't be hard, given Rob Ford's love affair with anything that involves individual motor vehicles. Yet, it is a double edged sword, since TRANSIT (TTC) is also an important issue for most of the ward. 41% of the work trips in ward 18 are by transit - an often reported statistic in profiles of the ward: http://torontoist.com/politics/ward18.php As well. pretty much all of the runnbers up in the election were in favour of 'Complete Streets' where we give equal weight to the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, cars, transit, seniors, disabled, etc. How will Ana handle the TTC issues at council?
* POVERTY: In an article from the Hamilton Spectator about provincial (non) reponse to poverty issues, they said: " The City of Hamilton is tied with TORONTO for the highest poverty rate in Ontario, at 20 PER CENT of its population " Source: http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/277949--ten-things-queen-s-park-needs-to-know-about-hamilton-s-demographics Now whther that is accurate or not, we know that ONE THIRD of ward 18 residents live on less than $30,000 a year in our very expensive Toronto - and that many live below the poverty line on less than $12,000 a year. All you have to do to see the need is visit a Food Bank or see tha constant dire warnings that demand is outpacing supply. HUNGER, HOMELESSNESS, POVERTY, WORKING POOR do exist in ward 18, Ana. Despite the ongoing gentrification of our area and the rise of upscale yuppie-artsie boutiques and eateries, there is still those left behind. What will Ana do to respond to this?
* CONSTITUENCY OFFICE: So, I am wondering where Ana will locate her ward constituency office - if she has one. There is no requirement for councillors to do this, and in today's The Star article she says she "will hold weekly open office hours at community centres across the ward". Not a bad idea if she can do it and it is well publicized and equally rotating. I actually favour heving city-owned lodgings located in a central geographic area of the ward that is wheelchair/disabled accessible and close to public transit. (This stops politicians from favouring one part of the ward over another). But... rotating is good if equitably done.
Davenport Deserved Better - Did We Get It?
The NEW City Council meets December 6-7.
We shall see... If We Watch....
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
THE ROGERS LIVE WARD 18 TV DEBATE
SOME REVELATIONS, PROMISES AND FIREWORKS
Of the 12 registered candidates, the following 9 showed up for the 8PM Wed Sept 29 debate:
Bailao, Ana
Beaulieu, Kevin
Carroll, Doug
de Jong, Frank
Le, Nha
MacDonald, Joe
Russell, Kirk
Vyas, Hema
Wood, Ken
Of the 12 registered candidates, the following 9 showed up for the 8PM Wed Sept 29 debate:
Bailao, Ana
Beaulieu, Kevin
Carroll, Doug
de Jong, Frank
Le, Nha
MacDonald, Joe
Russell, Kirk
Vyas, Hema
Wood, Ken
Elmi, Abdirazak and Muhit, Mohammed and Teliatnik, Joanna did not attend.
Being given only 90 seconds for an introduction and 30 seconds for a close makes it pretty hard for a candidate to get all their platform in - but most did an admirable job.
Dale Goldhawk, the moderator, was his usual affable self - yet kept everyone on point.
Call in questions were about:
- Lack of consultation in the ward by 'soon-to-be-former' incumbent Adam Giambrone, who was criticized for poor judgement and his related effect on his former campaign manager, executive assistant and current candidate Kevin Beaulieu. Some real fireworks here - and a coincidence? *
- Ana Bailao's ties to the developers and support from outside the ward plus a demand for her to reveal donor list one week before the election was extended by Mr Goldhawk to everyone who promised a big unanimous YES.
- What will candidates do about development in the ward, Dundas West parking mentioned
- Who do each of the candidates support for Mayor. 4 answered Joe Pantalone, many avoided answering and I (Ken Wood) promised to post it on my ward18.ca website one week before the election. As Dale noted, it was a fair question for voters to ask.
In responding to questions, Joe MacDonald managed to do a bit of a pitbull attack on at least three competitors: Ana Bailao, Kevin Beaulieu and Hema Vyas for their ties to parties and the mistakes of the past, and for shopping around for a ward to run in (Hema lives in ward14 he pointed out).
I hope a lot of ward 18 voters tuned in because it was a great (if too short) one stop shopping for city councillor. Weblink for the show: http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=12&rid=16&sid=3614&dat=9/29/2010 If you are a Rogers subscriber you can see it online.
I may post more as I remember it and hope someone has live-streamed it or taped it)
* Coincidentally (Adam) Giambrone criticized for $15,000 TTC Promo Video as waste of taxpayers' money for self-aggrandizing: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/ttc/article/868219--giambrone-criticized-for-15-000-ttc-promo-video Video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1emO_zZTHAk This is the Toronto Sun article:
This raise two important questions:1. "The $15,000 for the report and video - which was written with TTC staff input but generated by the chairman's office (Giambrone) - will come out of "various councillors' budgets" ? ... Which councillors? - the left wing Millerites? Why should it be out of councillors' local ward budgets? And why DOES this out of the ordinary report prominently figure Mr. Giambrone? - building name recognition for what?
2. "The councillor ... brushed off suggestions he was fact-checking the current mayoral candidates"... What give Mr Giambrone the right to in my view so blatantly campaign for Mr Pantalone's view of the TTC using city taxpayers' money?
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
EVERYBODY WANTS ENDORSEMENTS
SURVEYS SAY.... VOTE FOR .... ?
At this point in the running for election for City Councillor for Ward 18 Davenport, I have been contacted by the following lobby groups or news groups seeking to rate my worthiness for election for their specific causes:
At this point in the running for election for City Councillor for Ward 18 Davenport, I have been contacted by the following lobby groups or news groups seeking to rate my worthiness for election for their specific causes:
- Friends of Dufferin Grove Park, Jutta Mason (Actually on the CELOS website: http://www.celos.ca/wiki/wiki.php?n=MunicipalElection2010.FrontPage )
- Toronto Community News/InsideToronto asking who I support for mayor, amongst other things: http://www.insidetorontovotes.ca/wards/bloor-west-parkdale/ward-18-davenport/
- ArtsVote Toronto http://artsvotetoronto.ca/report-card/#18
- Social Planning Toronto http://socialplanningtoronto.org/ - The Poverty Pledge: http://davenportdemocracy.blogspot.com/2010/09/poverty-election-issue-priority.html
- McMaster University Political Science Department survey http://socserv.socsci.mcmaster.ca/limesurvey/index.php?lang=en&sid=55267&token=t4h375fmxrkdwtj
- Toronto Environmental Alliance: http://www.torontoenvironment.org/voteto/candidatesurvey
- OpenFile: Josh OKane http://www.openfile.ca/toronto-votes (about Brockton Village)
- CP24 telephone poll person asking who I support for mayor (undecided)
- Dundas West BIA http://wp.dundaswestbia.ca/ (about parking)
- Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations: http://www.torontotenants.org/
- Toronto Open Budget Inititiative: http://sites.google.com/site/torontoopenbudget/
- Public Transit Coalition: My Response is at: http://davenportdemocracy.blogspot.com/2010/10/transit-ttc-survey-results.html
- Toronnto Womens Alliance http://www.twca.ca/
There maybe more, but these are the ones I recall. I wonder if this is typical and like elections in the past - or are groups just getting more organized?
I really wonder whether the intent is decide and promote amongst their group who to vote for - or, who to go after once he/she gets elected and they don't follow up.
An interesting exercise in accountability at the very least.
... * Update: saw a tweet Sept 29 saying only Kevin, Hema and Joe completed a Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation survey (TCAT) http://torontocat.ca/main/platform_election_surveys
...* Update: I have now completed that survey I didn't initially receive it and wonder if all 12 candidates in the ward got it?
...* PROBLEM: Most of these groups seem to pick arbitrary times to send out surveys, ignoring the fact that we don't know all the names that will be on the ballots before September 10, 2pm when nominations closed. Thus a lot of candidates get forgotten or left out.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Ana Bailao Leads By Following?
Ana Bailao Jumps on Platform Bandwagons - AFTER THE FACT
1. Dundas West BIA PARKING Issue:
See Open file story "Bailao Wants More Parking for Ward 18" http://tinyurl.com/2dv3fdk
In my recollection, the taking away of parking from the Dundas West BIA happened a LONG time ago and has been a hot issue since. It was raised at the very first candidates' debate in the ward on May 18, when that BIA acknowledged that they had supported incumbent councillor Adam Giambrone but (like so many of us) had lost faith in him over time. Answering a question about what candidates would do about it if elected, Ana dodged the question, only saying that she knew they had lost 42% of their parking, that businesses had lost money and that it was difficult for people to stop and pickup cakes because they get tiocketed.
Why didn't Ana take the position then that she espouses now? Opening her campaign office in that area, with this Sept 18 announcement smacks of OPPORTUNISM in my view.
(To be fair, most candidates waffled a little on the question, Ken Wood (me) stated that the immediate solution is for the city to compensate businesses for the disruption; Kevin Beaulieu said we shouldn't punish streetcar riders; Hema Vyas agreed consultation was lacking; Kirk Russell said grants, a street festival, sidewalk improvements would help - but at least Kirk committed to restoring Dundas parking - put it on his website long ago.)
2. "Better Transit for your $3" issue:
Got the (hmmm... Hema Vyas' campaign colour?) - YELLOW - flyer proclaiming Ana will improve transit and give 'the best service'.
In it, Ana promises no more St. Clair boondoggles...push for federal/provincial fair share funding...go with the PRESTO fare system (of course! Ana IS a Liberal!)...Bring back street parking on Dundas...bike lanes...electric trains...environment friendly vehicles... In short - everything everybody's been saying for a long, long time. Kind of like motherhood and apple pie now, isn't it?
Well I guess Ana's feeling safe that she's the frontrunner now and will only risk committing to things everyone else has already. Doesn't that tell the voters how she will stand up for us in city council? Act only when others have already agreed?
I don't really know Ana personally, and I am left with relying on many of the same past experiences. A party loyalist who acts after the fact, and joins the herd rather than leads.
EVery time I tyhink of Ana the phrase 'Ana the Opportunist' comes to mind.
Voters: please choose wisely. ONE VOTE, ONE FUTURE.
Make sure its the future you want..... because....
1. Dundas West BIA PARKING Issue:
See Open file story "Bailao Wants More Parking for Ward 18" http://tinyurl.com/2dv3fdk
In my recollection, the taking away of parking from the Dundas West BIA happened a LONG time ago and has been a hot issue since. It was raised at the very first candidates' debate in the ward on May 18, when that BIA acknowledged that they had supported incumbent councillor Adam Giambrone but (like so many of us) had lost faith in him over time. Answering a question about what candidates would do about it if elected, Ana dodged the question, only saying that she knew they had lost 42% of their parking, that businesses had lost money and that it was difficult for people to stop and pickup cakes because they get tiocketed.
Why didn't Ana take the position then that she espouses now? Opening her campaign office in that area, with this Sept 18 announcement smacks of OPPORTUNISM in my view.
(To be fair, most candidates waffled a little on the question, Ken Wood (me) stated that the immediate solution is for the city to compensate businesses for the disruption; Kevin Beaulieu said we shouldn't punish streetcar riders; Hema Vyas agreed consultation was lacking; Kirk Russell said grants, a street festival, sidewalk improvements would help - but at least Kirk committed to restoring Dundas parking - put it on his website long ago.)
2. "Better Transit for your $3" issue:
Got the (hmmm... Hema Vyas' campaign colour?) - YELLOW - flyer proclaiming Ana will improve transit and give 'the best service'.
In it, Ana promises no more St. Clair boondoggles...push for federal/provincial fair share funding...go with the PRESTO fare system (of course! Ana IS a Liberal!)...Bring back street parking on Dundas...bike lanes...electric trains...environment friendly vehicles... In short - everything everybody's been saying for a long, long time. Kind of like motherhood and apple pie now, isn't it?
Well I guess Ana's feeling safe that she's the frontrunner now and will only risk committing to things everyone else has already. Doesn't that tell the voters how she will stand up for us in city council? Act only when others have already agreed?
I don't really know Ana personally, and I am left with relying on many of the same past experiences. A party loyalist who acts after the fact, and joins the herd rather than leads.
EVery time I tyhink of Ana the phrase 'Ana the Opportunist' comes to mind.
Voters: please choose wisely. ONE VOTE, ONE FUTURE.
Make sure its the future you want..... because....
Davenport Deserves Better !
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Dundas West BIA and Parking Issue
PARKING ON DUNDAS WEST - LANSDOWNE NARROWING
This is How a Councillor You Elect Can Hurt You
I walked the Dundas West parts of ward 18 today and saw again what Adam Giambrone's TTC ambitions have done to local constituents. Through an appalling lack of consultation (like Lansdowne Avenue narrowing), he forced through changes that hurt residents and businesses.
Most of us know - or should - that parking was removed in both instances. On Lansdowne - it was in the name of "traffic calming" - never realized. On Dundas West , it was to speed up transit TTC and reduce gridlock. The result there is plain to see: during rush hours, gridlock no savings in time; off peak hours, close calls for pedestrians avoiding speeding cars and TTC...
* side note: Anyone notice yet how many pedestrian close calls and accidents we have because of TTC related incidents?
Another real cost has been to the businesses along the Dundas West BIA. What was touted as a 'pilot project' no one wanted became permanent. Businesses suffered - and are STILL suffering. I spoke with business owners and staff who said the effect of taking away parking ranged from 'I lost my house' to 'it bites'.
PARKING ON DUNDAS WEST was a big issue at the start of this campaign and before, and will continue to be a hot issue button right up to and after election day (Oct 25). Inside Toronto community news agrees: http://www.insidetorontovotes.ca/wards/bloor-west-parkdale/ward-18-davenport/
Mayoral candidate George Smitherman today promises to compensate businesses for construction delays http://tinyurl.com/2evxf2u (refers to the Roncessvalles mess, St Clair TTC?) ... yet that does not go far enough. If the city through lack of consultation and proper planning neglects to take into account the impact on businesses, they should be on the hook for losses they cause. Wonder if Smitherman or any candidates will go that far?
It is certainly something that needs much more consultation, no matter what!
My take on this? What do we do?
This is How a Councillor You Elect Can Hurt You
I walked the Dundas West parts of ward 18 today and saw again what Adam Giambrone's TTC ambitions have done to local constituents. Through an appalling lack of consultation (like Lansdowne Avenue narrowing), he forced through changes that hurt residents and businesses.
Most of us know - or should - that parking was removed in both instances. On Lansdowne - it was in the name of "traffic calming" - never realized. On Dundas West , it was to speed up transit TTC and reduce gridlock. The result there is plain to see: during rush hours, gridlock no savings in time; off peak hours, close calls for pedestrians avoiding speeding cars and TTC...
* side note: Anyone notice yet how many pedestrian close calls and accidents we have because of TTC related incidents?
Another real cost has been to the businesses along the Dundas West BIA. What was touted as a 'pilot project' no one wanted became permanent. Businesses suffered - and are STILL suffering. I spoke with business owners and staff who said the effect of taking away parking ranged from 'I lost my house' to 'it bites'.
PARKING ON DUNDAS WEST was a big issue at the start of this campaign and before, and will continue to be a hot issue button right up to and after election day (Oct 25). Inside Toronto community news agrees: http://www.insidetorontovotes.ca/wards/bloor-west-parkdale/ward-18-davenport/
Mayoral candidate George Smitherman today promises to compensate businesses for construction delays http://tinyurl.com/2evxf2u (refers to the Roncessvalles mess, St Clair TTC?) ... yet that does not go far enough. If the city through lack of consultation and proper planning neglects to take into account the impact on businesses, they should be on the hook for losses they cause. Wonder if Smitherman or any candidates will go that far?
It is certainly something that needs much more consultation, no matter what!
My take on this? What do we do?
- Plain and simple: The city MUST compensate business owners for loss of business for the period past. No ifs, ands or buts
- The TTC Chair should be an elected and SEPARATE position from local councillor. It is to me an obvious conflict of interest when one person looks after city-wide transitr issues and (supposedly) his local ward issues. Advantages, besides what I just said? Getting a transit-savvy set of skills going into the job and enhancing city-wide transit as an important vision (most of our city budget).
- Remedy the parking situation in Dundas West with city Green P parking lot (probably a structure too). Roads are for moving, yet we need compromise.
*** Update: September 20th Ana Bailao announce she is making parking a campaign issue. (Kind of late isn't it?)
And, as always, as most of us candidates are saying: CONSULTATION...CONSULTATION...CONSULTATION !
because..... Davenport Deserves Better
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