world19's Village Gleaner article

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The  Challenge of Change:
A new Village Partnership emerges

 By world19

In the summer of 1999, world19 initiated the “Save the Village” petition campaign which attracted attention locally and beyond. At issue was the ongoing demise of owner-operated, independent businesses on Bloor – particularly those that have defined the neighbourhood’s character, that serve the everyday needs of the community and help to create a true Village atmosphere.

The campaign struck a chord, and revealed how strongly people feel about the issue – our petition gathered over 4000 signatures in a few weeks. And while the focus was on Village businesses in particular, it also sought to create a venue for community input on issues like this one, that affect the entire neighbourhood. City Council passed a motion of support, and over the past year, community consultations were pursued through a large public meeting in December 1999 and several smaller “community drop-ins”.  As well, we participated in a series of dialogues involving residents, BIA, City Councillors and staff, realtors and others.

The shape of business on Bloor remains an issue of real concern. But we realize that it reflects only one aspect of ongoing change in our neighbourhood. The question isn't:  will there be change?  The question has always been:  how can we all, as interested community members, participate in the changes and feel that our voice is heard? Like the Bloor issue, many of the decisions facing our community demand the input of a broad-based constituency.  Such issues include:

Housing
Toronto and other cities have declared homelessness a National Disaster. Ensuring access to affordable housing is the responsibility of every community. Locally, a project is planned to build 42 low-cost housing units at Lakeshore & Windermere. How can we ensure its success?

“Appropriate” Development
The Oak Ridges Moraine controversy is just one example of the price of urban sprawl. Disappearing greenspace, traffic pressure and air pollution all impact the environment and our quality of life. Toronto may grow by an additional million people within 30 years. Locally, developments large (Stelco site) and smaller (the Ellis Park condominiums), remind us of the continued growth. How do we create new housing and other types of development, and redevelopment, that are responsive to environmental demands, yet responsible within the context of our community?

Environment – a “green” Village
The Adams Mine debate created a determination by citizens and City Hall to deal responsibly with our garbage. How can we keep that commitment? How can we change our practices locally in order to support the greening of the Village and through it, the preservation of our environment?

These are issues that affect not only our community, but communities across the country. Their importance is emphasized in the headlines we read daily.

A Response:
Our neighbourhood has great strengths to build on, including a number of organizations and groups that speak for various constituencies. And we believe that bringing the collective strengths, perspectives and diversity of these groups together could more effectively address the major challenges facing our community.

Consequently, over the past several months, world19 and other Village groups have been building the “Bloor West Community Partnership”.  The BWCP is a new and evolving joint process, intended to bring together community-based groups to better address issues of common concern, like those introduced above.

There are several successful examples of broad community participation. In the St. Lawrence neighbourhood, the “St. Lawrence Works” is an umbrella group made up of residents’ associations, BIA, churches, theatres, community groups and others that have taken on issues affecting their community, such as the preservation of the old Front Street facades. Or, closer to home, the West Toronto Junction Team’s efforts to revitalize their neighbourhood have been accomplished by co-operation among City, businesses & residents. In a different fashion, community-built playgrounds in High Park and St. Cecilia School are dramatic examples of what a community working together can accomplish.

The BWCP is in its infancy.  We don’t yet know how it will evolve. We hope it will promote wider participation in, and a broader understanding of our community, as well as build a greater voice for all of us. Together, we hope we can find some local answers to some of these complex challenges.

We encourage involvement. If you’re interested, please contact us.

Check our website or newsletter for updates on this and other issues.

On behalf of world19,
Elizabeth Lines                                      John Leeson

world19 is a community group active in a wide range of local issues. We maintain a website, www.world19.com and offer a newsletter by email or fax.

Contact us at: phone: 416-766-8605;  email: world19@world19.com;  fax: 416-766-0578.