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What Can You Do?

DECA has been in contact with Sandra Bussin’s office on this issue.  When I see something in writing, I’ll let you know.  Until then, ff you want to have your voice heard on this subject.  Here are a few suggestions.

1. Call Councillor Sandra Bussin’s office  416-392-1376 or her executive assistant, David McCully 416-392-1376 and then follow up with an e-mail to councillor_bussin@toronto.ca or dmccull@toronto.ca

2. If you live in another ward (or even if you don’t) you can also let your councillor know how you feel:

Janet Davis 416-397-4870 councillor_davis@toronto.ca

Paula Fletcher  416-392-4060 councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca

Case Ootes 416–392-4032 councillor_ootes@toronto.ca

3. Let the City of Toronto local planner know how you feel: Leontine Major at lmajor@toronto.ca

4. Make your views known about this in writing or in person during the public meeting at Toronto and East York Community Council on August 17th at City Hall (100 Queen W.).   In writing (before Aug. 16th) to:

City Clerk – Attention Rosalind Dyers

Toronto and East York Community Council

City Hall, 2nd Floor West

100 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON, M5H 2N2

or to teycc@toronto.ca or fax 416-397-0111

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Community Benefit?

So, how do you feel about the fact that the City Parks and Planning departments and Councillor Sandra Bussin decided to turn the popular East Lynn Park wading pool into a spray pad without so much as a phone call to either DECA or the Friends of East Lynn Park?  They decided to use the Section 37 ‘community benefit’ money that will result from the rezoning of the ‘big hole’ building to turn the wading pool, which is guarded and maintained, into a splash pad, which is not.

This decision was made by the councillor and City even after DECA made it very clear that as an engaged community, we wanted to be involved in the conversation about how this money would be spent.  When we asked Sandra Bussin to be involved in this conversation when DECA held a community meeting about this development, she agreed, although not enthusiastically.  The information was in a document, apparently written in June, that was not available to us until this week.

Section 37 community benefit funding from this development is also going toward Stephenson Park near Westlake and Moncur park at Coxwell and Dundas.

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Mark Your Market Calendars

Stephen Caissie Photo

There are lots of fabulous things happening at the East Lynn Farmers’ Market over the next few weeks.  DECA Diaries is taking a little hiatus, but the market will be overflowing with wonderful local produce, breads, cheeses, meats and, of course, the best pie in town.

This week – August 12th – at 4:30 p.m. come and check out the dance moves of SPACE performers.  Also, the emergency department of Toronto East General Hospital will be there with information on beating the heat.

Next week – August 19th – at 4:30 p.m. – get set for some Irish dancing and the accompanying music.  These girls are not to be missed.

August 26th is DECA’s very popular Movie In The Park night.  Bring your blanket or chairs and settle in on the hill for the Diary of  a Wimpy Kid at 8:45 p.m.

Eat a peach for me.

– Natasha

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On The Street

Big Hole Final Report To City Council

Here is the final report from the City of Toronto regarding the rezoning application of 2055/2057 Danforth.  As you’ll see, the City is recommending approval of the development based on:

  • the fact that it’s on a main artery and close to a subway station
  • it maintains adequate sunlight for residents on the Danforth and in the surrounding homes
  • the City’s belief that incremental redevelopments of this scale will not be problematic to nearby neighbourhoods
  • it’s proximity to retail, service, entertainment and places of employment, and
  • section 37 benefits that would be secured as a result including contributions toward three nearby parks. $100,000 each for the conversion of East Lynn and Stephenson Park wading pools to splash pads and $100,000 towards the redevelopment of Moncur playground.

The request will go to the Toronto and East York Community Council on Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. in the council chamber at City Hall, 100 Queen St. West.

You are invited to attend the public meeting to make your views known regarding the proposal.  If you wish to address the council on this issue, contact Rosalind Dyers at 416-392-7033 no later than August 16, 2010.  To submit written comments, forward them to:

City Clerk – Attention Rosalind Dyers

Toronto and East York Community Council

City Hall, 2nd Floor West

100 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON, M5H 2N2

or to teycc@toronto.ca or fax 416-397-0111

Detailed information about this proposal, including background information and material, is available by contacting Senior Planner, Leontine Major at 416-397-4076 or lmajor@toronto.ca.

A scanned copy of the official public meeting notice can be found here thanks to urbantoronto.ca

TTC Second Exits at Donlands and Greenwood

Thanks to Stephen for sending along these pictures from the public meeting a while back about the second exits at Donlands and Greenwood.  The TTC is looking to expropriate some of the homes to install the exits.  Folks were angry about that, but even more so, they were angry about the lack of consultation, the disregard for the fabric of the community and the heavy-handed approach.  The exits are in Case Ootes’ riding, but mainly it was TTC Chair, Adam Giambrone on the hot seat because of the form letters that were sent to residents whose homes may be expropriated.

Crossroads BIA Family Fun Festival

The Crossroads BIA begins at Victoria Park and runs east.  They’re having a fun fest on Saturday, August 14th at Oakridge Park (Danforth Ave and Danforth Rd.) from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Check it out.

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Perfect Summer Afternoons

The forecast for this evening is lovely – a great night to head out to the market!  All summer long, I’ve been taking my two little boys to the market, buying some fruit and cheese, taking part in the 4:30 fun activities, playing in the wading pool and chatting with friends and neighbours along the way.  It’s been week after week of wonderful afternoons in the neighbourhood.  I’m not alone, I’ve heard other stories of perfect summer afternoons at the market too.  Do you have one you’d like to share?  Post it here on the blog or send it to me and I’ll post it.

This week promises to be no different.  See you there. – Natasha

Break-Ins

In decidedly less pleasant news, several cars on Drayton Ave. were broken into last night.  The thieves went through glove compartments and storage spaces looking for valuables.  Items were strewn all over the cars this morning.  Apparently the cars were locked.  Just a reminder to lock your vehicles and don’t leave any valuables in them.  Also – be sure to report these kinds of incidents to the police. They likely won’t do anything, but all of these reports get filed and the more incidents that get reported, the more police are dedicated to a particular area.  If you don’t feel like calling them, send an e-mail here for north of the Danforth and here for south of the Danforth.

Second Exit At Coxwell

I was wondering why the TTC was putting in second exits all along this stretch except Coxwell station.  The TTC tells me that it has identified 14 high priority stations for emergency second exits and Coxwell is not one of them.  On the other hand, the TTC does have a plan to install elevators at all stations, however Coxwell is not slated to get an elevator until 2013.

Donations!

Thank you to all of you who have offered to donate to help paint the pool at East Lynn Park.  I was surprised by the number of you who want to help.  This neighbourhood is awesome.  Anyway, we’re working on the best way to accept donations.  We can’t paint over the graffiti in the pool until the season is over because it takes at least three days to cure.

Green Hair Care (Not Just For People With Green Hair)

Paola Girotti of Sugar Moon wants you to know that they are now carrying a eco-hair-care line called Onesta. She’s also offering a free gift with your full-body brazillian.  ‘Nuf said.

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Big Hole Public Meeting

The request to amend the zoning by-law for 2055/2057 Danforth (a.k.a. The Big Hole at Danforth and Woodbine) will go to the Toronto and East York Community Council on Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. in the council chamber at City Hall, 100 Queen St. West.

You are invited to attend the public meeting to make your views known regarding the proposal.  If you wish to address the council on this issue, contact Rosalind Dyers at 416-392-7033 no later than August 16, 2010.  To submit written comments, forward them to:

City Clerk – Attention Rosalind Dyers

Toronto and East York Community Council

City Hall, 2nd Floor West

100 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON, M5H 2N2

or to teycc@toronto.ca or fax 416-397-0111

Detailed information about this proposal, including background information and material, is available by contacting Senior Planner, Leotine Major at 416-397-4076 or lmajor@toronto.ca.

A scanned copy of the official public meeting notice can be found here thanks to urbantoronto.ca