All posts in Councillor Perks

City Building: Subdivided. Tonight at the library 7pm, JunctionRa newsletter out, two bits that…

By On October 17, 2016 In Councillor Doucette, Councillor Perks, The Junction, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park) With Comments Off on City Building: Subdivided. Tonight at the library 7pm, JunctionRa newsletter out, two bits that… Permanent Link to City Building: Subdivided. Tonight at the library 7pm, JunctionRa newsletter out, two bits that…Permalink

City Building: Subdivided.

In conversation with Jay Pitter and John Lorinc: Mon Oct 17, Annette Public Library, 7:00 pm-8:15 pm.

“Can hyper-diversity as a framework reduce inequality and social divisions in Toronto and other global cities? Subdivided co-editors Jay Pitter and John Lorinc in conversation about

new approaches to city-building in an urban region with more foreign-born residents than any other major city in the world.”

And
Councillor Doucette will be holding Constituency Hours at Annette Library on Friday, Oct 14 from 3:30 – 5:30 pm. By appointment only. Please call 416-392-4072 to make arrangements.
Full news letter below

Junction Residents Association

October Newsletter

The JRA’s Annual General Meeting is on Thurs., Nov. 10, 7-9 pm at West Toronto Baptist Church, 3049 Dundas St. W.
Note: If you cannot attend this meeting in person, we stream video of the meeting in real-time. To watch it live on your computer, go to www.junctionra.ca/jra-tv. There may be a 15-second commercial (not ours) before you can watch. We’ll also post the agenda there, so you can follow along. There is a facility for asking questions remotely.
News

Councillor Doucette will be holding Constituency Hours at Annette Library on Friday, Oct 14 from 3:30 – 5:30 pm. By appointment only. Please call 416-392-4072 to make arrangements.
Cheri DiNovo, MPP for Parkdale-High Park, wants to hear from you. The Ontario Legislature resumed sitting in September. What issues are important to you? What do you want her to speak up about in the Legislature? What concerns, ideas or questions do you have with regards to the provincial government and Parkdale-High Park? Send your comments to dinovoc-co@ndp.on.ca.
Volunteers needed. The Junction BIA is on the hunt for some top notch volunteers to help with this year’s Pumpkinfest on Sat Oct 29th 2016. For more details please email thejunctionbia@gmail.com.
Registration is open for High Park Nature Centre’s fall clubs for children. There’s still space in Knee-High Naturalists on Tuesday and Nature Baby on Fridays.
Upcoming Events in the Junction Area

Continue Reading →

The great TTC

By On August 15, 2016 In All Wards, Councillor Cesar Palacio, Councillor Di Giorgio, Councillor Doucette, Councillor Frances Nunziata, Councillor Perks, John Tory, Transit, Transportation, TTC With Comments Off on The great TTC Permanent Link to The great TTCPermalink

Sunday August 24th 2016


TTC information host, why cut funds to public service that understands it needs to go this far.

Video of Metrolinx Davenport Diamond Meeting: 2016-04-27

By On June 29, 2016 In Councillor Ana Bailão, Councillor Cesar Palacio, Councillor Doucette, Councillor Frances Nunziata, Councillor Perks, Junction Triangle, Metrolinx, North Junction, Ontario Goverment, Parking, Railways, South Junction Triangle, Transit, Transportation, TTC, Upper Junction, Ward 11 (York South-Weston}, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 17 Davenport, Ward 19 - Trinity-Spadina, West Bend With Comments Off on Video of Metrolinx Davenport Diamond Meeting: 2016-04-27 Permanent Link to Video of Metrolinx Davenport Diamond Meeting: 2016-04-27Permalink

Metrolinx Davenport Diamond Meeting: 2016-04-27

Published on Apr 28, 2016

A mostly complete video of Metrolinx’s meeting regarding the Davenport Diamond Grade Separation on April 27 2016, at St. Sebastien Catholic School 

by Vic Gedris.

Parkdale Residents Association concerned about The Ex grounds, so glad they are making an effort on this deep problem.

By On June 27, 2016 In City of Toronto, Councillor Doucette, Councillor Perks, Councillor Peter Milczyn, Exhibition Place, The Junction, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), ward-12--york-south-weston, ward-14--parkdale-high-park With Comments Off on Parkdale Residents Association concerned about The Ex grounds, so glad they are making an effort on this deep problem. Permanent Link to Parkdale Residents Association concerned about The Ex grounds, so glad they are making an effort on this deep problem.Permalink

A few mths ago I started a blog about the destruction of public use of the Exhibition Grounds. I never got around to finishing it, yes my bad, but I did get pictures.
And now the Parkdale Residents Association have put out some real good info on the situation,

 

 


All text below from

The Parkdale Residents Association (PRA) is very concerned about what is happening at the South end of Parkdale.
Exhibition Place (EP) is a City-owned regional amenity of extremely high public value, comprised of 192-acres in the core of one of North America’s largest cities.

As Toronto’s population continues to grow and the City becomes increasingly developed, Exhibition Place has the unparalleled potential to offer the residents of Parkdale, Liberty Village and all Toronto access to much-needed open green space.
But this potential is under threat.

Recent events indicate that, under the problematic direction of the Exhibition Place Board of Governors, the City is in grave danger of losing much of this valuable open green space amenity for future generations.
The case of MUZIK is a particularly egregious case-in point. Unbelievably, the Board has proposed an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) that would extend the lease period of MUZIK beyond the current 21-year limit to allow the lease to extend to 2034 (!).

The proposed means of extending the lease period is to *change the designation of the lands in the Westerly portion of Exhibition Place from ‘park/open space’ to ‘rejuvenation area’*—in other words, *to remove public open space in order that private businesses may benefit from public assets indefinitely into the future*.

Attend the once annual Exhibition Place Community Liaison Committee Meeting to have your interests and opinions heard.


Date: Monday, June 27th

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 pm

Place: FountainBlu – Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place, 

190 Princes’ Blvd

 

Today public use meeting an extremely important save the EX for the community meeting

By On June 27, 2016 In City of Toronto, Councillor Doucette, Councillor Perks, Councillor Peter Milczyn, Exhibition Place, The Junction, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), ward-12--york-south-weston, ward-14--parkdale-high-park With Comments Off on Today public use meeting an extremely important save the EX for the community meeting Permanent Link to Today public use meeting an extremely important save the EX for the community meetingPermalink

 

see this post for complete details 


Attend the once annual Exhibition Place Community Liaison Committee Meeting to have your interests and opinions heard.


Date: Monday, June 27th

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 pm

Place: FountainBlu – Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place, 

190 Princes’ Blvd

 

Parkdale Residents Association concerned about The Ex grounds, so glad they are making an effort on this deep problem.

By On June 21, 2016 In City of Toronto, Councillor Doucette, Councillor Perks, Councillor Peter Milczyn, Exhibition Place, The Junction, Ward 12 – York South-Weston, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park) With Comments Off on Parkdale Residents Association concerned about The Ex grounds, so glad they are making an effort on this deep problem. Permanent Link to Parkdale Residents Association concerned about The Ex grounds, so glad they are making an effort on this deep problem.Permalink

A few mths ago I started a blog about the destruction of public use of the Exhibition Grounds. I never got around to finishing it, yes my bad, but I did get pictures.
And now the Parkdale Residents Association have put out some real good info on the situation,

 

 


All text below from

The Parkdale Residents Association (PRA) is very concerned about what is happening at the South end of Parkdale.
Exhibition Place (EP) is a City-owned regional amenity of extremely high public value, comprised of 192-acres in the core of one of North America’s largest cities.

As Toronto’s population continues to grow and the City becomes increasingly developed, Exhibition Place has the unparalleled potential to offer the residents of Parkdale, Liberty Village and all Toronto access to much-needed open green space.
But this potential is under threat.

Recent events indicate that, under the problematic direction of the Exhibition Place Board of Governors, the City is in grave danger of losing much of this valuable open green space amenity for future generations.
The case of MUZIK is a particularly egregious case-in point. Unbelievably, the Board has proposed an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) that would extend the lease period of MUZIK beyond the current 21-year limit to allow the lease to extend to 2034 (!).

The proposed means of extending the lease period is to *change the designation of the lands in the Westerly portion of Exhibition Place from ‘park/open space’ to ‘rejuvenation area’*—in other words, *to remove public open space in order that private businesses may benefit from public assets indefinitely into the future*.

Attend the once annual Exhibition Place Community Liaison Committee Meeting to have your interests and opinions heard.


Date: Monday, June 27th

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 pm

Place: FountainBlu – Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place, 

190 Princes’ Blvd

 

Parkdale Pre-Application Meeting for 57 Brock Avenue – The Beer Store location.

By On April 11, 2016 In Councillor Perks, Parkdale, Regeneration, Roncesvalles Village, Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park) With Comments Off on Parkdale Pre-Application Meeting for 57 Brock Avenue – The Beer Store location. Permanent Link to Parkdale Pre-Application Meeting for 57 Brock Avenue – The Beer Store location.Permalink

Parkdale 

  

All text the group, 

  

  
Pre-Application Meeting for 57 Brock Avenue – The Beer Store location.
The developer of 57 Brock Avenue, Block Developments, will be holding a pre-application meeting to discuss their proposed plans for this site.
The developer is proposing a 7 storey residential condominium. Details will be available at the community meeting. Councillor Perks and City Planning staff will be in attendance. If you are unable to attend the meeting and are interested in providing comment and/or receiving more detailed information, please email Councillor Perks office at councillor_perks@toronto.ca.

Date: Thursday, April 21st

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Place: 1303 Queen St W. – Parkdale Library (basement auditorium)

  

Winter Public Access to Grenadier Pond

By On November 26, 2015 In City of Toronto, Councillor Doucette, Councillor Perks, High Park, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park) With Comments Off on Winter Public Access to Grenadier Pond Permanent Link to Winter Public Access to Grenadier PondPermalink

20131205-Skating-Grenadier

all text COM

Options for Winter Public Access to Grenadier Pond
Confidential Attachment – The receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege
Committee Recommendations

The Parks and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to implement an Ice Monitoring Program that would provide testing of ice thickness and quality by an ice engineer and surveyor, within a designated area on Grenadier Pond, and necessary signage and a flagging system to inform the public of the risks associated with activities on frozen bodies of water, as outlined in “Option 2 – Ice Monitoring Program” in the report (November 3, 2015) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Toronto Water.

2. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to include a new and enhanced funding request for $50,000 in the 2016 Recommended Operating Budget submission for Parks, Forestry and Recreation to fund the implementation of the Ice Monitoring Program.

3. City Council waive its client privilege respecting the confidentiality of Confidential Attachment 1 of the report (October 30, 2015) from the City Solicitor (Item PE8.7a) and direct that Confidential Attachment 1 be made public immediately after City Council has made its decision on this item.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Parks and Environment Committee recessed its public session and met in closed session to consider confidential information on this item as it relates to the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
Origin
(November 3, 2015) Report from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Toronto Water
Summary
The Parks and Environment Committee, at its meeting on September 18, 2015, referred PE5.1 Skating on Grenadier Pond to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation with the request to consult with the General Manager, Toronto Water and report to the Parks and Environment Committee meeting on a less expensive method of providing public access to the ice at Grenadier Pond which includes the following critical elements:

a. ensuring the ice is of a safe thickness and density;

b. creating new signage and flagging to communicate when the ice is safe for public use; and

c. designating an area for both use and entrance onto the ice which does not impact the environmentally sensitive areas of the pond,

so that the program can be implemented in time for the 2015/2016 winter season.

This report outlines two options which would allow the public to have access to Grenadier Pond for winter activities.
Background Information
(November 3, 2015) Report from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Toronto Water on Options for Winter Public Access to Grenadier Pond
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-85531.pdf)
Speakers
Miroslav Glavic

Motions
1 – Motion to Meet in Closed Session moved by Councillor Gord Perks (Carried)
11:23 a.m. – That the Parks and Environment Committee recess its public session to meet in closed session to consider this item as it relates to the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege.

2 – Motion to Amend Item moved by Councillor Sarah Doucette (Carried)
That Recommendation 1 in the staff report be deleted and replaced with the following:

“1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to implement an Ice Monitoring Program that would provide testing of ice thickness and quality by an ice engineer and surveyor, within a designated area on Grenadier Pond, and necessary signage and a flagging system to inform the public of the risks associated with activities on frozen bodies of water, as outlined in “Option 2 – Ice Monitoring Program” in the report (November 3, 2015) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Toronto Water.

2. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to include a new and enhanced funding request for $50,000 in the 2016 Recommended Operating Budget submission for Parks, Forestry and Recreation to fund the implementation of the Ice Monitoring Program.”

3 – Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Gord Perks (Carried)
That City Council waive its client privilege respecting the confidentiality of Confidential Attachment 1 of the report (October 30, 2015) from the City Solicitor (Item PE8.7a), and direct that Confidential Attachment 1 be made public immediately after City Council has made its decision on this item.

4 – Motion to Adopt Item as Amended moved by Councillor Gord Perks (Carried)

7a Supplemental Report – Options for Winter Public Access to Grenadier Pond (Legal Risks)
Confidential Attachment – The receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege
Origin
(October 30, 2015) Report from the City Solicitor
Summary
This report provides legal advice with respect to the legal risks of providing public access to the ice on Grenadier Pond. This report should be considered with the report from the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager of Toronto Water.
Background Information
(October 30, 2015) Report from the City Solicitor on Supplemental Report – Options for Winter Public Access to Grenadier Pond (Legal Risks)
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-85474.pdf)
Confidential Attachment 1 – Confidential Information on Options for Winter Public Access to Grenadier Pond (Legal Risks)

Sarah Doucette , Frances Nunziata, , Joe Mihevc are the only 3 GJA single registrants for City Councillor the 2014 election in their wards

By On February 20, 2014 In City of Toronto, Councillor Ana Bailão, Councillor Cesar Palacio, Councillor Doucette, Councillor Frances Nunziata, Councillor Perks, Councillor Peter Milczyn, Past Councillor Bill Saundercook, Ward 11 (York South-Weston}, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 18 – (Davenport), Ward 19 - Trinity-Spadina, Ward 20 Trinity-Spadina With 1 Comment Permanent Link to Sarah Doucette , Frances Nunziata, , Joe Mihevc are the only 3 GJA single registrants for City Councillor the 2014 election in their wardsPermalink
fsc_Candidate_List (2) fsc_Candidate_List (3) fsc_Candidate_List (4) fsc_Candidate_List (5) fsc_Candidate_List
fsc_Candidate_List (1)

CofT grants Auth Permiting Install of Stand-Alone Cell Antenna Poles – how they voted

By On January 9, 2014 In City of Toronto, Councillor Ana Bailão, Councillor Cesar Palacio, Councillor Doucette, Councillor Frances Nunziata, Councillor Perks, Councillor Peter Milczyn With Comments Off on CofT grants Auth Permiting Install of Stand-Alone Cell Antenna Poles – how they voted Permanent Link to CofT grants Auth Permiting Install of Stand-Alone Cell Antenna Poles – how they votedPermalink

fsc_Agenda_Item_History_2013_PW27_10

fsc_www_toronto_ca_legdocs_mmis_2013_pw_bgrd_backgroundfile_63557_pdf (1)

Rogers Communications proposed pole drawing

City of Toronto is granting the  Authority to  cellular companies  to Permit the Installation of Stand-Alone Antenna Poles. 

The staff report for this City Council Decision contained an extraordinary amount of letters from organizations and residents, the large number of concerned people prompted the posting of the item.

In a simple sentence the telecommunications companies that supply services such as cellular telephone service want to install their own poles on the city streets to gain a wider footprint for their services. The companies now place  there equipment and masts on private buildings and property. Now the will use the public streets.

Below are some extracts from the city documents concerning the decision. the voting record of the elected members of the GJA is pictured below 1st.

fsc_Agenda_Item_History_2013_PW27_10 (1)

so that Section 1.1 now reads:

“The City will evaluate the location based on the following criteria with the preferred locations being:

• Arterial roads versus residential streets; based on the City’s review poles may be located on streets where the right-of-way is 36m or greater;
• Locations adjacent to industrial areas;
• Flankage streets. If no flankage street exists, locations which will minimize impacts to view corridors; avoid view terminus and intersections;
• A preferred clearance of 20 metres from structures greater than nine metres in height;
• Locations that are not directly in front of a window, doorway, balcony or the frontage of a residence;
• Any other locations will be considered on a case-by-case basis;
• The placement of more than one antenna within a one-block radius shall not be permitted, except on a case-by-case basis;
• A pedestrian clearance of 2.10 metres is required;
• The antenna pole locations and associated infrastructure must not impede on the City’s ability to plant trees in the right-of-way; and
• The antenna pole location and associated infrastructure should not impede the ability of adjacent commercial properties to establish a boulevard or flankage patio.”

5. City Council direct that the following conditions apply to the authority provided to the General Manager, Transportation Services by Parts 1 and 2 above:

a. Rogers and/or any of the Other Carriers (the “Licensees”) shall enter into a licence agreement in accordance with Parts 6 and 7 below;

b. the Licensees shall develop, in consultation with City Planning Urban Design staff and Transportation Services Public Realm staff design aesthetics for proposed pole attachments that are satisfactory to the City’s Director of Urban Design and Transportation Services Director of Public Realm;

c. proposed Pole locations must comply with the “Telecommunication Antenna Placement and Design Guidelines”, established by the General Manager of Transportation Services, as Appendix B to the report (October 11, 2013) from the General Manager, Transportation Services; and

d. the Licensees must pay an application fee for each location reviewed to ensure compliance with the placement criteria.

above from this document

links  info at the city site to all the documents publicly available

Background Information (Committee)
(October 11, 2013) Report from the General Manager, Transportation Services, on Telecommunications – Authority to Permit the Installation of Stand-Alone Antenna Poles
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pw/bgrd/backgroundfile-63448.pdf)
(October 11, 2013) Attachment 1 – Major Terms and Conditions for Pole Licences
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pw/bgrd/backgroundfile-63556.pdf)
(October 11, 2013) Attachment 2 – Antenna Pole and Utility Cabinet Sketches
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pw/bgrd/backgroundfile-63557.pdf)
(October 11, 2013) Attachment 3 – Telecommunication Antenna Placement and Design Guidelines
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pw/bgrd/backgroundfile-63558.pdf)

 

The City Council Decision Gord Perks opens up his questioning for the 2014 budget with

By On November 26, 2013 In City of Toronto, Councillor Perks, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park) With Comments Off on The City Council Decision Gord Perks opens up his questioning for the 2014 budget with Permanent Link to The City Council Decision Gord Perks opens up his questioning for the 2014 budget withPermalink
Mr Perks unhappy with the city staff answer, the city manger manager then interjected that he has direct the planning department to as quickly as possible hire the 12 new planning hires

Mr Perks unhappy with the city staff answer, the city manger manager then interjected that he has direct the planning department to as quickly as possible hire the 12 new planning hires

As planning becomes much more important in the city of Toronto – a city where big planning that encounters the required big sky thinking about what our city is and what we all want it to be has lacked for some decades – although openness has recently increased in the city planning office), a council decision such as this is welcome.

 

City Council Decision
City Council on October 8, 9, 10 and 11, 2013, adopted the following:

1. City Council direct that the following service standards be added to the City Planning Division and direct the Deputy City Manager to include the necessary resources in the 2014 recommended budget:

a. the completion of 75 percent of “City Building Studies” to the timeline identified to the community or approved by Council; and

b. the mandatory attendance of the community planner at a minimum of two public meetings for each OPA/Rezoning application at the request of the Ward Councillor.

2. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to add five additional Avenue or Area studies to the workplan for 2014, and build time into the base budget so that the backlog of Avenue and Area Studies is completed by the time of the next Official Plan Review in five years, and direct the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to include the necessary resources in the 2014 recommended budget.

3. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to add the initiation of three new Heritage Conservation District Studies to the Division’s Workplan for 2014, to be started as the three Heritage Conservation District currently forecast for completion are concluding; and to build the base capacity to initiate and complete five Heritage Conservation Districts per year; and direct the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to include the necessary resources in the 2014 budget.

4. City Council direct that the service level for “Response to Reports of Construction without Permit (2 days; non-emergency)” be adjusted to 80 percent for 2014 and direct the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to include the necessary resources in the 2014 recommended budget.

The document at the city site link

2014 Service Level Review – Planning and Growth Management Programs backup for download at this blog

City Launches Budget Monday Monday, November 25

By On November 24, 2013 In City of Toronto, Councillor Doucette, Councillor Perks With Comments Off on City Launches Budget Monday Monday, November 25 Permanent Link to City Launches Budget Monday Monday, November 25Permalink

 

City Launches Budget Monday

CityBudgetWatch2014.final.1 - Copy

Believe it or not, there’s real work happening at City Hall!  The City of Toronto launches its 2014 operating and capital budgets on Monday, November 25 – its final budget before the 2014 municipal election.

We’ll be reporting daily on the budget process, the debates, the decisions, and how to get involved.  Want to receive City Budget Watch updates?  Subscribe here

Want to join with others to organize for a better budget and a better city?  Check out the Commitment to Community Campaign.

Check out the City of Toronto’s 2014 budget page.  All City reports and materials will be uploaded on this site throughout the budget process.

Councillor Perks and Councillor Doucette

@gordperks & @DoucetteWard13

will host budget town hall December 4, 7 PM @ Bishop Marrocco School.   http://t.co/7qDw8siEIO

Gord Perks answers constituents question about removing Rob Ford.

By On November 8, 2013 In City of Toronto, Councillor Perks With Comments Off on Gord Perks answers constituents question about removing Rob Ford. Permanent Link to Gord Perks answers constituents question about removing Rob Ford.Permalink

 

Gord Perks answers constituents  question about removing Rob Ford.

Text below  by Councillor Perks posted from Reddit…with comments click heret5_2qi63

Many people are asking me to work to remove Mayor Ford from office. To the core of my being I believe it should not be up to elected officials to remove each other from office.

It is axiomatic that in a democracy the community elects its government. It must also be up to the community to remove its government and replace it with another – through elections. Anything that displaces the electorate’s power to choose its government is anti-democratic. Further, our system wisely allows for a range of different points of view in government. If we allow elected officials to force each other out of office, we risk having elected officials who oppose the majority view being pushed out of office. History is replete with examples of how bad that is for a society.

Both before and during the previous election, it was clear that Rob Ford was racist, homophobic, and had problems with substance abuse and honesty. Nevertheless he won the election. We, all of us who care about justice and democracy, need to ask ourselves why this happened.

I have what I believe is part of the answer. It is increasingly common for people and institutions to succumb to anger, resentment, and an urge to punish government for real and perceived failings. Ironically, it was this very anger that helped elect Rob Ford Mayor. Recall the relentless attacks he made as a Councillor and mayoralty candidate on factually small but symbolically large uses of Councillor’s office budgets, and his mantra about ending the so called “Gravy Train”.

This style of politics draws on the slogans of people like Ronald Regan who said “Government is the problem” and Margaret Thatcher who said “There is no alternative”. Nonsense! Government is the tool we build together to solve problems. Its precise function is to find alternatives that bring us to a better future. Theirs is a politics of resentment and anger. Reject it.

When we succumb to that anger, important questions about how to build the City we want are lost and forgotten. For the record, I am not immune to this anger. Over three years of resisting the ugliest parts of the Mayor’s assault on good governance I have on occasion lost my temper and have twice decided I had to apologise to Council. Frequently, I have to remind myself to step back and count to ten and remember that I am here to build the City. I am not here to get into pointless conflict. It’s hard to do, but essential that I do it.

I want to ask you to count to ten. When you are angry at your government, remember that quick, anger-fuelled solutions usually make problems worse. When a neighbour expresses anger over a real or perceived failure of the government or public servants, speak up and remind them that so much of what holds our society together depends on those same public servants. They work to make sure that we have the comforts and community we all enjoy. When government does not solve the social problems that bring suffering to neighbourhoods, resolve not to grumble but instead to learn, participate, and organize for a better government.

Most of all spend some portion of every month – even just one hour – doing political work to ensure that we don’t elect angry anti-democratic leadership to govern this wonderful City that is our home.

Gord

Baird Park at 275 Keele St

By On May 29, 2013 In Councillor Perks, Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park), West Bend With Comments Off on Baird Park at 275 Keele St Permanent Link to Baird Park at 275 Keele StPermalink

Baird Park 275 Keele St, is looking quite lush, green and feeling fresh today.

This Parkette has a lot of fences no doubt to provide obstacles for fast moving kids from venturing out into Keele St.

The wading pool paint scape is great as is the looks location tucked into the far East north part of the lot.

Junctioneer.ca

Six City of Toronto City Council members write Minister of Transportation urging to commit to electrify rail corridor

By On April 3, 2013 In City of Toronto, Councillor Ana Bailão, Councillor Cesar Palacio, Councillor Doucette, Councillor Frances Nunziata, Councillor Perks, West Toronto Diamond project With Comments Off on Six City of Toronto City Council members write Minister of Transportation urging to commit to electrify rail corridor Permanent Link to Six City of Toronto City Council members write Minister of Transportation urging to commit to electrify rail corridorPermalink

 

fsc_www_anabailao_ca_wp_content_uploads_2013_04_GeorgetownARL_pdf

Text of letter sent,

 

April 2, 2013

Hon. Glen Murray

Minister of Transportation
Corporate Correspondence Unit
3rd Floor, 77 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1Z8

Dear Minister Murray,

We, the undersigned members of Toronto City Council, wish to formally request the electrification of the Georgetown Air Rail Link and to remind the Minister that two years ago this past March, Toronto City Council adopted a motion requesting that the Minister of Transportation immediately explore options to electrify this rail corridor in advance of the 2015 Pan-American Games.

Additionally, this April marks the one year anniversary of Council’s request to the Premier of Ontario to add a minimum of eight additional stops to the Air-Rail Link and strong support for ensuring ticket affordability along the Georgetown Corridor in order to promote local ridership.

We, the undersigned, also recognize the report of the Toronto Board of Health, which compared a rail service using the proposed Tier 4 diesel engines to a service with different levels of electrification. Looking at five factors – environment and health, user benefits/quality of life, social and community, economic, financial, and deliverability – the study concluded that electric trains provided opportunities for an improved service with lower running costs, and that electrification was currently cost-effective for the Lakeshore and Georgetown corridors.

As the local Councillors representing the areas and residents directly affected by the Air Rail Link’s diesel trains, we also support the Medical Officer of Health’s recommendations, that;

1. the Board of Health urge the Minister of Transportation to provide secure and dedicated funding to electrify the GO Transit rail service as soon as possible, starting with the Georgetown and Lakeshore corridors; and

2. the Board of Health request the Government of Ontario commit to electrification of the entire GO Transit rail service.

As you are no doubt aware, the Metrolinx Board of Directors approved the electrification of these rail lines in 2011. Now we urge you to join with local residents, councillors, Toronto City Council, the Toronto Board of Health, and numerous other organizations to formally announce secure and dedicated funds for the electrification of the GO Rail system as soon as possible.

 

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