Website
We are in the process of revising & re-writing our website (www.world19.com). It contains more information on some issues in this newsletter, other news items, links to some news stories as well as some pages submitted by world19 readers.

We hope to make both the newsletter and our website more of a community resource. We can make sections of the site available to community groups who don’t currently have a website (we are starting to put up some information from the Bloor West Eco-Village). As well, we can post items, events & issues you send to us. We currently have pages from readers on police helicopters, the Fred Victor Centre and Meow Club.

We welcome input.

Ellis Park Development
Readers may remember that Context Development’s application to build a condominium beside High Park was turned down by the City’s Committee of Adjustment. The developer has filed an appeal with the Ontario Municipal Board. The City has instructed its solicitor to attend the OMB hearings in support of the Committee's decision, and is still officially investigating the possibility of acquiring the site.

Stelco site
A developer (Reon Development Corporation) is planning a very large housing development (800 - 1000 units) on the old Stelco lands. This is the area lying between the Queensway and the Gardiner Expressway. It extends east from the South Kingsway to Ellis Ave (kitty-corner from Grenadier Pond) - a distance of about 1/3 of a mile. The entire site is a little over 13 acres.

As the biggest-ever parcel of land to be developed in the area, it has a huge potential to improve or degrade the area. The developer has engaged a company, TeleCommons Development Group to work with the community in developing ideas that work for all.

world19 is particpating with other community residents and organizations - much more community input is needed. Focus groups concentrating on planning, traffic, social/recreation amenities, and other issues will be created very soon. Other means of soliciting ideas & suggestions will be developed.

And TeleCommons' web site: http://www.telecommons.com

Some more information is now up on our website, and much more will be coming soon. We strongly urge people to think about the potential of this site.

Fred Victor Centre
Another proposed development very close to the Stelco site.

The City of Toronto's "Let's Build" program was started to address the problem of homelessness, and lack of affordable housing. It is also a result of federal and provincial governments' elimination of social housing support.

This program has identified seven City-owned properties that would be used to build 344 units of affordable housing. (The Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness claims 2000 units are needed each year). Let's Build will find organizations to build housing on these sites.

One site is at 1978 Lakeshore - the old Joy gas station at the north-west corner of Windermere and Lakeshore. This would be built and run by the Fred Victor Centre, and contain 42 units.

This proposal was part of a report approved by the community services committee at City Hall on Sep. 12, and it now goes to City Council in October.

On our website are links to some recent news stories on the centre, the City’s program and the recent committee hearing. It also has submissions sent to us by two readers.

More on this development later this month.

Police Helicopters
The following note was sent to us by a reader. We have put this and some other information on the issue up on our website.

Stop the Police Helicopters. Before It's Too Late!

Toronto Police have begun a six month helicopter pilot project. Many people are being woken up late at night to the sound of noisy chopper blades whirring over their homes. Police say we need this form of invasive surveillance. But many cities have refused helicopters because they are noisy, expensive and not effective.

Toronto's stretched budget would be put to far better use by investing in crime prevention - social housing, recreation programs and more. Helicopters create new social problems such as noise pollution and stress.

If they are made permanent, they will cost $5.3 million a year to lease and operate. There will likely be five noisy choppers in the air for up to 24 hours a day.

You Can Help Stop the Choppers! (see over)

City Council has the final say.

* Contact Mayor Mel Lastman to state your opposition. ph 395-6464, fax 395-6440
* Contact your City Councillors (numbers in the Blue Pages, pg. 21-22)
* Contact Budget Chief Tom Jakobek, who is opposed to the helicopters: ph 392-7915, fax 392-0390
* Contact the City Auditor, who is keeping track of complaints for City Council.

Above all, help make this an election issue. Get your candidates to take a stand against the police helicopters.

[The above is from a flyer prepared in Pagemaker format]

Please ask concerned citizens to email me or phone me at 604-9972. The helicopter has disturbed our family -- and many others -- in the middle of the night on several occasions. This is a difficult issue to work on, as no established organization has come forward to speak out on the issues. We have less than five months left in the six month police
helicopter pilot project. I hope to work with others to make this an election issue - to be raised during mayoral debates and all candidates meetings.

Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

Helen Armstrong

"The police helicopter seems designed as an in-your-face sign of intimidation." - John Sewell, Eye newspaper

To be continued...
More items (including progress on Bloor West Village issues) in our next newsletter.

For world19,
John Leeson