world19News #101 - March 23, 2002 |
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In this issue: 1. HEALTH CARE FORUM We'll be distributing some flyers on this Sunday at the Home Show. (See item #3 below). For more information (including our poster -- see item #8 below), visit www.medicare.world19.com. We hope to see many of you on Tuesday.
The air we breathe, and the water we breathe are so
vital, that they shouldn't be considered "issues". But as we (painfully) know,
they are. Here is a highly relevant local event: Monday, March 25, 2002, 7.30 p.m Toronto’s water supply may be safe today, but what about the future? What will happen if the City follows through on its plans to set up a separate water agency? Are we moving down the road to privatization? This workshop will look at the big picture of global, provincial and municipal water issues, as well as the personal level: Should I buy bottled water? or a filter system? How can I conserve water in my own home? How can I make better use of stormwater? Find out what lies ahead for this life-sustaining resource and what you can do to protect it! Bloor West Eco-Village
3. WEST END HOME SHOW
A couple of notes from readers: If people object they should call Donna Pimentel, Liquor Licensing Officer at 416-326-0406. [A note from world19:
The next reader mentions the efforts to preserve the
historic brick paving on Halford Ave (just east of the Humber, near the Old Mill), and
passes on a letter from the residents of her street: Councillor David Miller — High Park-Parkdale Dear David, Many thanks for your very real support in saving the last stretch of our heritage brick-paved road, which was completed, in a thorough and professional manner, during the winter of 01/02 Our appeal was, as you know, originally made during Bill Saundercook’s tenure; but the fact that it survived Toronto’s transition to GTR, is a credit to your commitment to local issues. Historically-significant and unique urban features, are a vital part of the character of any city; now our red-brick road has been saved for future generations to appreciate. Regards, Ann Adams cc: World 19
6. GOLDIE JOSEPHY JOSEPHY, Goldie at the Village of Riverside Glen on Wednesday, March 13, 2002. Goldie Josephy at the age of 78 years. Goldie was born in London, England, was a Jew by birth and later an Anglican by choice. She served in the British Women's Land Army during WWII. She was a lifelong student of literature, poetry, music and philosophy, with a depth of knowledge that left professors scrambling to keep up. In Ottawa, she was an early advocate of nuclear disarmament and opposition to the war in Vietnam. She worked on behalf of Amnesty International and the rights of persons with disabilities. She was a proud mother and grandmother and mentor to many young people, and her unfailing enthusiasm and love will be greatly missed. Memorial contributions to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.
7. "COMMUNITY" NEWS The lead-in for the story was the ending of the Cambridge Reporter's 106-year history as a daily paper, and conversion to a semi-weekly community paper. The paper is owned by Torstar Inc. -- 40% of Canada's community papers are owned by major media outlets (mainly Torstar, Sun & CanWest Global). The conversion meant that editorial staff was cut from 14 to 6, but significantly, advertising staff had to be increased. The advantage in these "community" papers is their ability to deliver customers to their advertisers. Torstar owns Metroland, which publishes 70 community papers, including The Villager. Last year, Metroland earned more than the Toronto Star. Why? The president and CEO of Torstar David Galloway was quoted, saying "The beauty of those [Metroland] papers is you basically publish according to an advertiser's need." It cited a dissenting view, from John Miller, director of newspaper journalism at Ryerson University in Toronto: "Unless the proprietor cares about newspapers and is prepared to reinvent them and invest in quality, people are just going to say 'Well, I can't trust this any more.' " Needless to say, world19News does not publish according to advertisers' needs. And on a related note, Etobicoke Life, ceased publication in January after 18 years an independent community paper . It couldn't compete with Metroland/Torstar's competion, the Etobicoke Guardian.
8. POSTERING Many feel that postering should be banned or restricted, that it makes a mess of public space. On the other hand (a view we believe in), is that public postering is one means of true public communication. Not everyone has access to the larger media; postering (who can forget the "Democracy Wall" in China?) is messy. Democracy is messy. On Monday, the Planning & Transportation Committee at City Hall will be holding a public meeting to discuss severe restrictions to postering. We have a page on our websiste with more information on this issue --including details of the committee's agenda. We would be very interested to hear readers' views on this issue. (www.world19.com or http://webhome.idirect.com/~jleeson/postering.htm) 9. BIX BOXES COME CLOSER
10. STELCO SITE DEVELOPMENT - STAR ARTICLE
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