world19News #80 - February 18, 2001

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In this issue:

• world19's Gleaner article & a reaction to the Gleaner's editorial
• City Finances: Will Mel's rabbits save the city, our libraries & our pocketbooks?
• Ellis Park Development: update from Community Council
• Upcoming events: Fair Taxes, Olympics & west-end, energy, and more.

1. VILLAGE GLEANER
a) world19 in the Gleaner
The February Village Gleaner carried an opinion piece by world19 entitled "The Challenge of Change: a new Village partnership emerges". The article discussed the "Save the Village" campaign, and the larger issues of change and community involvement that it raised. As a result, over the past year, we have been meeting with various members of other community organizations to begin to create a synergy and dialogue among these various community partners who often have been working separately -- even on common issues. We'll be writing more on this.

In the meantime, for those who haven't yet received a copy of the Gleaner, the article is on our website: http://webhome.idirect.com/~jleeson/gleaner_article_feb01.htm

b) Chains, independents, posters & community
The article was on the op-ed page; opposite it was an editorial discussing the differences between chains and local stores. While it warned of the cost of neighbourhoods like Bloor West Village becoming like every other neighbourhood from Yorkville to Mississauga, it asked legitimate questions about how the local independent coffee shop really differed from the Starbucks and other outlets down the road, and how there is "such little difference for the customer between an independent stoe and the tentacle of a large chain".

Ironically, just a few days after reading this, we came across a reminder of just how independents differed from the chains -- in a way that makes a real difference to the community. For our story, see: http://webhome.idirect.com/~jleeson/Village_notes.htm

The above webpage also contains notes on two other Bloor street changes:

- the possible closing of the Humber Theatre.

- the local Sam the Record Man outlet will be closing in a week -- forced out of its location by a subsidiary of Sporting Life "New Balance". Ironically, some may remember the former Sam's franchise holder being forced out of his old location just east of Jane St. a number of years ago, as he claimed the head office wanted the location for their own (larger) outlet. However, Sam's is still looking for a new location in the Village.

2. CITY FINANCES
Every day brings more scare stories about the state of Toronto's finances. We're a city that every year generates an estimated $5 billion in tax revenues for other levels of governments beyond what we get back -- and still we're faced with a huge ($300 million) deficit. Tax hikes are coming (how large?) and service cuts (how many?). Locally, the Swansea Public Library is just one of many around Toronto facing closure; as is the Swansea and/or Annette Recreation Centres. Dental clinics serving children and seniors may be closed, the public health department (once seen as a leader) is facing serious cutbacks to its services.

At the same time, critical decisions on how to deal with these problems are being dealt with behind closed doors (e.g. Mayor Lastman's report on privatizing city services). This is clearly a time for widespread public involvement and discussion. We have some more information and comment on this, as well as links to a number of relevant recent new stories on our city pages: http://www.city.world19.com

On Monday night, Feb. 19 a second public meeting of the Committee for Fair City Taxes will be held. See "Events" below.

3. ELLIS PARK The Feb. 13 meeting of the Southwest Community Council dealt with this issue following the OMB approval of the development. It passed two motions tabled by Councillor David Miller: it voted to appeal the recent OMB decision granting the huge variances Context Development wants in order to build a 10-storey condo next to High Park; and it voted to pursue public acquisition of the property. These motions will now go before the next City Council meeting (Mar.6,7,8) where they are expected to run into some tough opposition.

For more details see: http://www3.sympatico.ca/2BIG/, and we also have background on the world19 website http://www.community.world19.com

4 .EVENTS Coming up in the near future: - and see http://www.events.world19.com for more details on some of these events.

a) Monday Feb. 19 7:30pm, City Hall Council Chambers
Committee for Fair City Taxes
A group (including former mayor John Sewell) propose solutions to the financial mess. Speakers at this meeting include Councillors David Miller, Kyle Rae, Joe Mihevic. Others (including the mayor & Minister of Municipal Affairs (Chris Hodgson) have been invited.

For more information: http://www.faircitytaxes.org or phone 416-977-7947.

b) Tuesday, February 20, 6:30-9:00pm, Fern Avenue Public School
The Olympics & west-end neighbourhoods

If Toronto wins the 2008 Olympics (to be decided this July), it will have a big impact on all of the city, including the west-end (Exhibition Place will be the site of many events).

Dundas West Residents Association, in conjunction with Roncesvalles-Macdonell Residents Association, has invited the Olympic bid public consultation team to a neighbourhood meeting to look at how the Olympics would affect Toronto's west end. We are inviting other west end groups from Swansea, the Junction and Parkdale to take part.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 20, 2001, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm at Fern Avenue Public School (on Fern Avenue, east of Roncesvalles). You can view maps, plans and other materials from 6:30 to 7:00. The formal session will begin at 7:00. Olympic bid committee members will be present and the workshop will be facilitated by Nicole Swerhun of Lura Consulting.

For more information, call the DWRA voice mailbox: 416-533-4650

c) Wednesday, February 21, 7:30-9:30pm, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts
The End of Cheap Fuel: Opportunities for Green Energy
at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St. E.

Free admission. Sponsored by: The St. Lawrence Centre Forum, Coalition for a Green Economy and Energy Action Council of Toronto.

Exciting new green energy projects are on the horizon, making sustainable energy a viable alternative to traditional fuel. In Toronto, wind turbines are planned for Ashbridges Bay, some large buildings will be air conditioned with water from Lake Ontario, and waste may soon be digested to "natural" gas and compost. More can be done.

What are the full costs of traditional energy? What are the green energy alternatives? What are the obstacles standing in the way?

Speakers: Greg Allen: Environmental Engineer, Allen Kani Associates; Director, Energy Action Council of Toronto; co-author Toronto's Sustainable Energy Plan. Christine Elwell: Senior Policy Analyst, Sierra Club of Canada Tom Tamblyn: Duke Energy. A representative of City Council has been invited Moderator: Bob McDonald: Quirks and Quarks, CBC radio.

d) Thursday, Feb. 22, 7:00pm
Swansea Town Hall Annual General Meeting
95 Lavinia Ave.
With a special exporation of "The urge to get involved with City Hall. Don't fight it" Reflections on Civic Engagement by David Miller, Councillor Ward 13 & Hilda Briks, Policy Analyst City CAO's office. Information: 416 392-1954

e) Friday Feb. 23, 10:30am Opportunity to speak up:
A joint meeting of the Budget Advisory Committee and Policy and Finance will be held on Friday, February 23, Committee Room 1, City Hall. Public deputations will commence at 10:30 am. To get on the list to make a deputation, call Margaret Sexton at 416-392-1032. For other related committee meetings, see http://webhome.idirect.com/~jleeson/city_finance.committees.htm

f) Sunday, Feb. 25 1:15pm High Park Walking Tour
This Sunday: "Identifying Trees in Winter"

These moderately-paced walks may go on uncleared trails; dress warmly and wear appropriate footwear! Meet at 1:15 p.m. at the benches south of the Grenadier Café and Teahouse in High Park. Tours take about 2 hours ending with a visit to historic Colborne Lodge for a hot drink and a brief tour of the premises. A $2 donation is suggested to support these and other volunteer programs.

Organized by the High Park Citizens’ Advisory Committee and by the City of Toronto, Parks and Recreation Division and by Colborne Lodge, City of Toronto, Culture Division. For more information: (416) 392-1748 or (416) 392-6916 (Colborne Lodge). See also the HPCAC page on world19's website: http://webhome.idirect.com/~jleeson/high_park_cac.htm

And coming up:

g) Tuesday, Feb. 27 7:30pm Affordable Housing in Bloor West Village
Windermere United Church Involving the community in finding local answers to a wider problem. For more details, see http://webhome.idirect.com/~jleeson/housing_meeting_feb27.htm

h) Wednesday, Feb. 28 7:30pm
Making Every Vote Count: Does Canada Have a Democratic Deficit?
at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Sponsors: The St. Lawrence Centre Forum, Fair Vote Canada and the Centre for Social Justice

Do Canadians get what they vote for? Since the birth of multi-party democracy in Canada, voters have become increasingly frustrated with our electoral system. Majority governments are routinely elected with less than 50% of the vote, and smaller parties get squeezed out. Proportional representation, widely used in Europe, New Zealand and Australia, is often proposed as a solution to voting distortions, deckling voter turn-out, and exaggerated regional differences. How would 'PR' change the face of Canadian politics? Is major electoral change realistic? What are the merits of different voting systems?

As always, we solicit comments, suggestions, events, issues and opinions on issues affecting the community.

For world19,
John Leeson

world19:
Supporting citizen involvement in our community and its future.
Phone: 416 766-8605
Fax: 416 766-0578
email: world19@world19.com
web: www.world19.com