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We always encourage people to send us comments, ideas, as well as information
about events or issues affecting our community.
We've received a couple of inquiries from readers asking if
they were still on our list, since they hadn't received a newsletter in some time. It
seems that this summer either the weather was too nice or too miserable to spend working
on a computer, so our newsletter took a summer holiday.
We are back, and will have a number of items to deliver soon,
including news on various local developments. In the meantime, here's a quick
"end-of-summer" issue.
In this issue:
1. Meeting with MP
2. Newfoundland report
3. Events
4. Swansea Town Hall
1. MEETING WITH OUR MP
This Tuesday, world19 will be meeting with Parkdale-High Park MP Sarmite Bulte to
discuss a few items of interest, including follow-up to the Sgro Commission's interim
report on urban issues. Other topics may include the government's committment to signing
the Kyoto Protocol and to other environmental action, as well as responses to the upcoming
Romanow Commission report on Health Care. There is great speculation recently on the
government's "action agenda" for the expected 18 months remaining under the PM;
we'd like to put in our 2-cents worth. We'd also like to hear from any of you if you have
comments or issues you'd like to pass on.
We may also discuss arranging a larger public meeting with Ms
Bulte to discuss federal issues of interest.
2. NEWFOUNDLAND REPORT
This may seem a little distant from the Bloor West Village area, but I recently
returned from a vacation in Newfoundland, and came across more evidence of the same
problems we want to discuss with Ms Bulte. On arriving in St. John's -- the oldest city in
North America, and one of the most significant in Canada -- my wife & I were both
struck by how run-down it seemed in many ways -- "shabby" came to mind at times,
despite the setting, the history, and architecture of many of the old buildings. One more
city in Canada that cannot afford to keep up with the cost of basic urban maintenance and
infrastructure.
We also came across "boil water" advisories across
the province, were amazed to see the smog blanketing the Great Northern Peninsula, and
heard stories of the many dead seals found on lakes in Gros Morne National Park because
the warm winters don't provide enough ice cover on the lakes to allow the young seals to
eat.
However, on another note, we were surprised and happy to run
into and have dinner with some newsletter subscribers while staying on the Northern
Peninsula, and a couple of days later, doing the same with someone we knew who used to
work at Boemia (the Portuguese restaurant on Bloor near Islington).
3. EVENTS A few local events coming up:
a) Environment - Sep 8
A meeting sponsored by Parkdale-High Park NDP, and some other organizations:
CLEAN AIR: Inspiration for Change. Join us for a citizen’s forum on the Kyoto
Accord and your neighbourhood. Featuring: Joe Comartin, Federal NDP Environment Critic;
Richard Morris, Better Buildings Partnership; and Gord Perks, Toronto Environmental
Alliance. With representatives from Auto Share, Green Savers, Sierra Club and more.
Sunday Sept. 8, 1:30-4:30pm Swansea Town Hall 95 Lavinia
For more information call: (416) 537-5001
b) Dark Horse Patio hearing - Sep 18
A hearing held by the Alcohol & Gaming Commission regarding the Dark Horse Pub
(Bloor & Armadale)'s application for a patio license on Bloor.
Wed. Sep 18, 6pm at Annette Public Library, 145 Annette St.
c) Runnymede Public Library - Sep 19
A public consultation meeting on the upcoming renovation and expansion of the
Runnymede Library. The meeting will include representatives of the TPL Board, Councillor
David Miller and the architect, Bruce Stratton. Thursday, Sep. 19 7:00pm, Runnymede
Library 2178 Bloor (upper level).
4. SWANSEA TOWN HALL
The Town Hall has sent a few notices recently. One is regarding the planned
expansion of the Town Hall. The start of construction was delayed by the City strike, and
ground-breaking has been delayed. In the meantime, they are using the time to find a few
more major benefactors. Their target was $250,000, with the City matching dollar for
dollar. Almost half has been raised from 3 benefactors: the Town Hall Association, the
Town Hall Residences, and REON.
Also, the Hall is looking for volunteers to join the Board of
Directors and the Board of Management of the Hall community centre, as well as a part-time
Caretaker.
For more information on both the above, see http://www.web.net/~swansea/News/newsre.htm
Finally they have also passed on the following request: The
Swansea Town Hall web site (www.web.net/~swansea)
is becoming an increasingly important tool of communication. We've recently received a
generous offer to improve the site and some suggested improvements - including an
easier-to-remember address. Before undertaking these changes, however, we thought that it
would be a good idea to ask all of our "wired" friends to take a look at the
site and share their feedback on how it can be improved. Our redesign will be undertaken
in the Fall of 2002 at the earliest, so please let us know by Labour Day or soon
thereafter if you see any ways to make the site better or see any things that shouldn't
change.
For world19,
John Leeson
world19:
Supporting citizen involvement in our community and its future.
Phone: 416 766-8605
email: world19@world19.com
web: www.world19.com |