I respect the work that you've done in researching your position to ensure it's an informed one. It's commendable that you put so much effort into being engaged in the local community.
I write now because as a BOW purchaser I have often read about your stance on development in the area. Unfortunately, I feel as though my young family isn't exactly welcome in the area because we bought into a new development that you and others were/are opposed to (for varying reasons). I find it difficult to understand how a new residential development, mostly bought by young couples and families, is a bad thing considering the previous use of the property?
If Somerset Homes develops on that parcel of land and respects the spirit of the area related to appearance and functionality, as well as traffic flow and access, how can it be worse than what the land-use was, or is now?
While I understand your position on candidate funding and their actual agenda if elected, the development issue smacks of NIMBYism. Your neighbourhood is changing, you don't feel like you've had adequate input in the process and neither is acceptable to you. In my opinion, developments like BOW do nothing but remove heavy industry from a residential area, improve property values, increase local school catchment and create a greater sense of community. My hope is that when BOW buyers do move in that we are welcomed warmly and not viewed as the people who ruined the neighbourhood.
Many thanks to Michael and Shelly at Boo Radley's for hosting the Municipal Election Issues Forum last night. It was a great success! Nice to see so many people from the neighbourhood out to chat with the candidates and I left with a clear impression that everyone enjoyed the event. Perhaps this is the start of something special in the Junction Triangle.
In a lot of ways politics is about the friends you keep. It helps guide others in understanding where you are coming from and what your vision is. There are some serious questions about who exactly Ana Bailão wants to represent.
It is clear that in 2003 almost her entire campaign was funded by the construction industry or those within it without almost any donors actually listing addresses from Ward 18. In 2003 Ana Bailão raised almost TWICE the amount of the next candidate (Bailão 70024.54 Giambrone 42,00.70) Who exactly is paying for the Ana Bailão campaign this time?
Based on publicly available donor information from her 2003 campaign, there are serious questions unanswered about Ana Bailão and the company she keeps; questions that relate to issues going on right on my very street, issues that will impact what kind of community we will live in for the rest of our lives. Ana Bailão has done nothing wrong; but as a citizen of Ward 18 I have to question the company, or rather the companies she keeps.
Ana Bailão is quoted on page 6 and 7 of this summers edition of “New Voices” magazine: “Bailão also notes the difficulty of launching a campaign for candidates who lack a strong network of wealthy and influential contacts.” That may be true for some but she can’t possibly be referring to herself.
The Issue
Was Ana Bailão really running to serve the community in 2003? Her 2003 donor list (108 0f 112 Donors that could be identified) shows:
- Only 7 donors out of 108 had addresses listed within the ward accounting for a very very small % of her donations.
- The vast majority of donors listed addresses well outside the riding and at commercial construction businesses.
- The overwhelming majority of these commercial addresses were companies in the construction industry, especially concrete (such as Lee Rocca Concrete Forming in Oakville) even including St. Lawrence Concrete in Montreal Quebec! (St. Lawrence Cement is now called Holcim (Canada) Inc. and is a 1.3 billion dollar construction company). A large company outside of your province is donating to a Toronto councillor campaign?
- Many of the “individuals” names were actually the owners or presidents of the construction business (such as Pat Dipaolo , President of UCC Construction Group) listed at those addresses. Why not just just call it a business donation and list it as such? And if not a business donation then why not list a home address?
- Some of these individuals list addresses that are the HQ’s for very powerful construction industry lobby groups where they work or are involved (such as Michael O’Conner on Brundel Road Mississauga which is where he works at the Ontario Hot Mix (paving ) Association or what about Tony Carreira and John Meportin who both use the address of the Labourors union LiUNA local 183, or Scott Marus who lists the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association(IAFF Local 3888) at 39 Commissioners Road, or Manuel Valenti who is the director of Masonary Contractors Association of Toronto.) From contractor, to developer, to lobbyist---they are all in Ana Bailão’s donor list. All good people but shouldn’t some of these donations have been listed under unions, lobbyists, and company categories like the other candidates did so we have a better sense who whom is backing a candidate?
- Many of these companies including developers (Somerset Homes) who have or will at some time do work in our Ward and with the City. There is nothing wrong with that but shouldn’t citizens know this before they vote so people know who is bankrolling your campaign?
- The pattern of donations is so overwhelmingly consistent that you can only come to one conclusion. Ana Bailão was the 2003 construction/developer industry candidate in Ward 18 by a mile. How might that effect her votes at Council? Shouldn’t voters have known? If you did not take the time to actually look up the addresses you wouldn’t have.
One has to ask, is Ana Bailão running to represent the citizens of Ward 18 or running to represent the development and construction industry? In 2003 she had almost zero financial support from Ward 18 business and residents and could not have run a campaign without the backing of the construction industry.
How would her winning then or now effect the development, rezoning, and future land use in our area? One of her donors, Somerset Homes told me yesterday that they are sitting on the property a block from my house until council changes the “employment lands” zoning now in effect on that property. When that vote comes up at Council who will be more important to Ana Bailão: the West End residents who want to protect Railpath that runs along the property and have developments that fit in with the existing community, or the construction/development industry who doesn’t have to live here and gets to leave when the money is made?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being the construction industry candidate, if Ana Bailão wants to be that. The construction industry helped build this great city and have provided lots of good jobs over the years. But the reality is that all industry has motives and agendas that will favour themselves first and there can be no mistake about that. That’s the way it works. But the theory behind local politics is that resident seek a representative that will honour and forward THEIR agenda; to level the playing field between Junction Triangle and the Holcim (Canada) Inc. Conglomerate, UCC Group with revenues of 50 million, or even SC Construction of Woodbridge with 5 million in revenues: all Bailão donors in 2003.
As a resident of Ward 18 I want to know that votes on zoning and development will be based on what is best for the Ward and not what is best for one industry special interest group.
or in person as I got copies quite a few years ago. Every single name, address, person, company, or detail is publicly available to anyone who wishes to look it up.
Some of the companies and donors have changed addresses since that campaign and I tried to call each and every one of them to confirm. I corrected some mistakes of addresses that were innocent and I probably have made an honest error in an address or two myself but the pattern is unmistakable.
Ana Bailão has NOT done anything illegal nor has anybody who donated to her campaign. That is NOT what concerns me so lets not disrespect people. Every single person on her donor list is a verifiable and reputable person as far as I am concerned and by donating to her campaign has performed a valuable public service. I come from from a union construction family where hard work was respected as was making your voice heard at election time and getting to the bottom of things.
Posting an email question to Ward 18 candidates, on behalf of Jutta Mason
...
September is almost here and I'd like to post some material about your various positions on public space issues (e.g. parks). We have a (still almost empty) section here: http://celos.ca/wiki/wiki.php.
I'd like to send you a practical public space issue from time to time over the next few weeks, and post your replies, linking them on the Dufferin Grove website, and then in October, on the cityrinks website too. I'm hoping you're interested and can make the time to respond. We'll advertise the link in the park newsletter and by word of mouth.
Here goes the first 'issue':
What's your position on city staff collaborating with park users when public funds are being spent for repairs or renovations to public facilities? Are you aware that City Council passed a non-consultation policy last year http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-26065.pdf, regarding spending on Stimulus Funds projects AND state-of-good-repair projects? (That can include even million-dollar projects.)
Here is one example of what this means in practical terms in Ward 18:
The MacGregor field house Stimulus Fund renovation includes virtually boarding up the windows, NOT because of vandalism but because of a design error. This is what can happen when there is an explicit policy of not working with park users. It will make the building much less useful for programming and for community events.
If you could send your comments about this non-collaboration policy, including what you would do to remedy the bad consequences of central rather than local control, I'll post whatever you send.
This forum is about the 362/370 Wallace Ave. lands. If you want to discuss the 2010 municipal election, please post on that thread. And actually...since Giambrone isn't running for re-election, please post this stuff in a separate thread.
One of the more interesting items is the money raised from developers.
Here are a couple interesting items: Ford got more money from unions than Miller (who funded 100% of his campaign with donations from individuals) For also got over three and a half times as much from developers than Giambrone. Gord Perks raised extremely little from developers.
The bottom line is are you representing the residents (which includes business) or are you supporting other interests that while perfectly legal, are potentially at odds with the residents of a ward. I think people would be surprised by some of the publicly available information about that. It would certainly concern me if a councillor had a lot of ties to developers and related companies doing business in my ward, on my street. Wouldn't it concern you? I'll be posting some more interesting publicly available information about this very soon.
Scott D posted an interesting link over on the 370 Wallace (Former Glidden site) forum. The link goes to votetoronto.ca, which has been collecting and summarizing campaign contribution statistics from some previous municipal elections. Unfortunately, their site is somewhat disorganized, but you can find some interesting details in there, especially if you do some Google searching (e.g.: "Ward 18" site:votetoronto.ca)
The bottom line is are you representing the residents (which includes business) or are you supporting other interests that while perfectly legal, are potentially at odds with the residents of a ward. I think people would be surprised by some of the publicly available information about that. It would certainly concern me if a councillor had a lot of ties to developers and related companies doing business in my ward, on my street. Wouldn't it concern you? I'll be posting some more interesting publicly available information about this very soon.
Thanks for posting that. It's definitely interesting that a residential developer is sitting on the land now. If the employment lands designation doesn't change anytime soon, that property might sit empty for a really long time. Admittedly, I really loved seeing it get used as an informal dog park....but hope it will get put to a good official use someday.
It would be interesting to know just how much lobbying Somerset Homes and Fred Guth have done with past, present, and future candidates about this land. I just hope that our elected representatives listen to the actual local residents more than developers / campaign contributors from outside of our area.
Note: Let's keep discussions on this forum focused on the 370 / 362 Wallace lands. OK to talk about lobbying etc. related to it, but more general discussions about candidates etc. should be in a different forum, e.g. the 2010 Municipal Election forum.
They refer to the address as 362 Wallace and I was told that they are basically waiting for the employment lands designation to be changed by a future council. Gee I wonder what candidate in the area they have donated to? Wasn't hard to find...
It would have been nice to have a showcase building by Teepe, slowly becoming one of the best firms in the world, near us. Too bad that TAZ didnt use their brain when considering the access.
Its also too bad that the Church on Wallace failed in their first attempt to sell their church; Teeple would have been the firm on that too.
Speaking of brains, whatever happened to Gord "transportation and intensification" Perks? Maybe he will be running in Etobicoke next time. : )
We're always prone to ask the candidates direct questions - and so we should...
At the same time, I'm wondering what we could learn (in a roundabout way) by asking the candidates to take ten minutes to write a one-pager entitled: Ward 18: The Past Four Years - and the Next Four Years. I suggest "writing" since the first couple of speakers might be at a disadvantage with an open question like that...
Hearing what they have to say about the the recent past (especially off the tops of their heads) could provide unscripted insight into what they truly think has been important (good or bad) over the past little while.
Tony Ruprecht visited the wonderful Perth Coop party just long enough to make a short speech and then race off before anybody could ask him any questions.
That aside, thanks to the Coop for throwing the party and inviting everybody. I don't know the name of the lady with the black electric guitar was but she should have a regular gig in our area; she has a fantastic voice.
I wanted to say thank you very much to Brenda and all of the Neighbourhood Ladies for the beautiful "welcome to the hood" card, it was so thoughtful and kind...
Everyone has been so welcoming and wonderful, we truly appreciate it!
Thank you....
It seems that Friday night soccer is not the best time - and we will be looking for another time. I am thinking that perhaps an earlier time on Sunday evenings might be better now with the summer winding down (less light hours) and with Sunday being a more "time friendly" day.
What kind of interest could there be for a Sunday evening soccer pickup?
Let us know!
-cc
Great place - just made a couple of quick stops by for a drink - no food. But, the atmosphere is great, and a very welcome addition to the neighbourhood - love it!
Also looking forward to trying Zocalo. SOunds great!
-cc
JUNE HARLOWE FOOD'S LUNCH MENU
1627 DUPONT STREET
OPENS 11:30 AM WEDNESDAY - FRIDAYS
CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, and croutons with house Caesar salad dressing ~$8 with BBQ chicken add ~$4
GRILLED ASPARAGUS SALAD grilled asparagus, parmesan cheese, scallions, toasted slivered almonds and mixed greens, served with an apricot red wine vinaigrette ~$8
BLUEBERRY AND APPLE SPINACH SALAD blueberries, sliced apples, Goat’s cheese, toasted slivered almonds, red onion, and avocado in a creamy poppy seed dressing ~$8
HOUSE SALAD mixed greens with fresh herbs and shallot vinaigrette ~$6
HORSERADISH BBQ WINGS 1LB of not too spicy wings with French fries ~$9
GRILLED CORN BREAD with tomatoes, basil and olive oil ~$6
CROSTINI toasted baguette with Goat’s cheese, grilled zucchini and roasted pepper puree ~$7
Lunch all sandwiches and burgers served with served with fresh cut fries or house salad
ROAST BEEFSANDWICH shaved roast beef, jalapeno havarti, balsamic glazed onions, and grainy Dijon mustard ~$13
CLASSIC ‘ESCONDIDO’ CHICKEN BLT grilled chicken, Canadian bacon, avocado, tomato, mixed lettuce, and chipotle mayo ~$12
GRILLED VEGETABLE WRAP grilled zucchini and peppers, oven-dried tomatoes, and goat’s cheese ~$10
EGG SALAD 3 minute eggs with grilled asparagus, parmesan, scallions and mayonnaise~$8
BREAKFAST BURRITO scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, house salsa, scallions and sour cream ~$8
PASTA AL FORNNO penne with grilled chicken, sundried tomatoes, and red onions in a basil cream sauce ~$12
DIXON BURGER Canadian cheddar cheese, peameal bacon, and finely diced sautéed shallots and mushrooms ~12
JUNE HARLOWE BURGER Brie and avocado with a chipotle mayo ~14
I respect the work that you've done in researching your position to ensure it's an informed one. It's commendable that you put so much effort into being engaged in the local community.
I write now because as a BOW purchaser I have often read about your stance on development in the area. Unfortunately, I feel as though my young family isn't exactly welcome in the area because we bought into a new development that you and others were/are opposed to (for varying reasons). I find it difficult to understand how a new residential development, mostly bought by young couples and families, is a bad thing considering the previous use of the property?
If Somerset Homes develops on that parcel of land and respects the spirit of the area related to appearance and functionality, as well as traffic flow and access, how can it be worse than what the land-use was, or is now?
While I understand your position on candidate funding and their actual agenda if elected, the development issue smacks of NIMBYism. Your neighbourhood is changing, you don't feel like you've had adequate input in the process and neither is acceptable to you. In my opinion, developments like BOW do nothing but remove heavy industry from a residential area, improve property values, increase local school catchment and create a greater sense of community. My hope is that when BOW buyers do move in that we are welcomed warmly and not viewed as the people who ruined the neighbourhood.
Blog TO features last nights event and Ana Bailao's donor past start to get attention.
http://www.blogto.com/city/2010/08/drinks_with_the_candidates_for_ward_18/
Many thanks to Michael and Shelly at Boo Radley's for hosting the Municipal Election Issues Forum last night. It was a great success! Nice to see so many people from the neighbourhood out to chat with the candidates and I left with a clear impression that everyone enjoyed the event. Perhaps this is the start of something special in the Junction Triangle.
In a lot of ways politics is about the friends you keep. It helps guide others in understanding where you are coming from and what your vision is. There are some serious questions about who exactly Ana Bailão wants to represent.
It is clear that in 2003 almost her entire campaign was funded by the construction industry or those within it without almost any donors actually listing addresses from Ward 18. In 2003 Ana Bailão raised almost TWICE the amount of the next candidate (Bailão 70024.54 Giambrone 42,00.70) Who exactly is paying for the Ana Bailão campaign this time?
Based on publicly available donor information from her 2003 campaign, there are serious questions unanswered about Ana Bailão and the company she keeps; questions that relate to issues going on right on my very street, issues that will impact what kind of community we will live in for the rest of our lives. Ana Bailão has done nothing wrong; but as a citizen of Ward 18 I have to question the company, or rather the companies she keeps.
Ana Bailão is quoted on page 6 and 7 of this summers edition of “New Voices” magazine: “Bailão also notes the difficulty of launching a campaign for candidates who lack a strong network of wealthy and influential contacts.” That may be true for some but she can’t possibly be referring to herself.
The Issue
Was Ana Bailão really running to serve the community in 2003? Her 2003 donor list (108 0f 112 Donors that could be identified) shows:
- Only 7 donors out of 108 had addresses listed within the ward accounting for a very very small % of her donations.
- The vast majority of donors listed addresses well outside the riding and at commercial construction businesses.
- The overwhelming majority of these commercial addresses were companies in the construction industry, especially concrete (such as Lee Rocca Concrete Forming in Oakville) even including St. Lawrence Concrete in Montreal Quebec! (St. Lawrence Cement is now called Holcim (Canada) Inc. and is a 1.3 billion dollar construction company). A large company outside of your province is donating to a Toronto councillor campaign?
- Many of the “individuals” names were actually the owners or presidents of the construction business (such as Pat Dipaolo , President of UCC Construction Group) listed at those addresses. Why not just just call it a business donation and list it as such? And if not a business donation then why not list a home address?
- Some of these individuals list addresses that are the HQ’s for very powerful construction industry lobby groups where they work or are involved (such as Michael O’Conner on Brundel Road Mississauga which is where he works at the Ontario Hot Mix (paving ) Association or what about Tony Carreira and John Meportin who both use the address of the Labourors union LiUNA local 183, or Scott Marus who lists the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association(IAFF Local 3888) at 39 Commissioners Road, or Manuel Valenti who is the director of Masonary Contractors Association of Toronto.) From contractor, to developer, to lobbyist---they are all in Ana Bailão’s donor list. All good people but shouldn’t some of these donations have been listed under unions, lobbyists, and company categories like the other candidates did so we have a better sense who whom is backing a candidate?
- Many of these companies including developers (Somerset Homes) who have or will at some time do work in our Ward and with the City. There is nothing wrong with that but shouldn’t citizens know this before they vote so people know who is bankrolling your campaign?
- The pattern of donations is so overwhelmingly consistent that you can only come to one conclusion. Ana Bailão was the 2003 construction/developer industry candidate in Ward 18 by a mile. How might that effect her votes at Council? Shouldn’t voters have known? If you did not take the time to actually look up the addresses you wouldn’t have.
Googlemap of 2003 Ana Bailão Donors
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=229+Perth+Ave,+Toronto,+Toronto+Division,+Ontario+M6P+3X7,+Canada&msa=0&msid=103158910526987248582.00048e5b09258e7a9f5f4&ll=44.47796,-76.760489&spn=3.053216,7.36084&z=8
Lets Put Everything In The Open
One has to ask, is Ana Bailão running to represent the citizens of Ward 18 or running to represent the development and construction industry? In 2003 she had almost zero financial support from Ward 18 business and residents and could not have run a campaign without the backing of the construction industry.
How would her winning then or now effect the development, rezoning, and future land use in our area? One of her donors, Somerset Homes told me yesterday that they are sitting on the property a block from my house until council changes the “employment lands” zoning now in effect on that property. When that vote comes up at Council who will be more important to Ana Bailão: the West End residents who want to protect Railpath that runs along the property and have developments that fit in with the existing community, or the construction/development industry who doesn’t have to live here and gets to leave when the money is made?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being the construction industry candidate, if Ana Bailão wants to be that. The construction industry helped build this great city and have provided lots of good jobs over the years. But the reality is that all industry has motives and agendas that will favour themselves first and there can be no mistake about that. That’s the way it works. But the theory behind local politics is that resident seek a representative that will honour and forward THEIR agenda; to level the playing field between Junction Triangle and the Holcim (Canada) Inc. Conglomerate, UCC Group with revenues of 50 million, or even SC Construction of Woodbridge with 5 million in revenues: all Bailão donors in 2003.
As a resident of Ward 18 I want to know that votes on zoning and development will be based on what is best for the Ward and not what is best for one industry special interest group.
Where Does This Information Come From?
From Ana Bailão herself. Everything I am concerned about stems from Ana Bailão 2003 “Financial Statement and Auditors Report” signed by Ana Bailão on June 30 2004 and available from:
Toronto Elections office website ( http://www.toronto.ca/elections/contribution-info.htm)
Vote Toronto website ( http://www.votetoronto.ca/financial/wards/2003T/Ward18_2003T.htm)
or in person as I got copies quite a few years ago. Every single name, address, person, company, or detail is publicly available to anyone who wishes to look it up.
Some of the companies and donors have changed addresses since that campaign and I tried to call each and every one of them to confirm. I corrected some mistakes of addresses that were innocent and I probably have made an honest error in an address or two myself but the pattern is unmistakable.
Ana Bailão has NOT done anything illegal nor has anybody who donated to her campaign. That is NOT what concerns me so lets not disrespect people. Every single person on her donor list is a verifiable and reputable person as far as I am concerned and by donating to her campaign has performed a valuable public service. I come from from a union construction family where hard work was respected as was making your voice heard at election time and getting to the bottom of things.
Just ate at Jean Harlowe's for the first time last night... great food and fantastically friendly service. Highly recommended!
Posting an email question to Ward 18 candidates, on behalf of Jutta Mason
...
September is almost here and I'd like to post some material about your various positions on public space issues (e.g. parks). We have a (still almost empty) section here: http://celos.ca/wiki/wiki.php.
I'd like to send you a practical public space issue from time to time over the next few weeks, and post your replies, linking them on the Dufferin Grove website, and then in October, on the cityrinks website too. I'm hoping you're interested and can make the time to respond. We'll advertise the link in the park newsletter and by word of mouth.
Here goes the first 'issue':
What's your position on city staff collaborating with park users when public funds are being spent for repairs or renovations to public facilities? Are you aware that City Council passed a non-consultation policy last year http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-26065.pdf, regarding spending on Stimulus Funds projects AND state-of-good-repair projects? (That can include even million-dollar projects.)
Here is one example of what this means in practical terms in Ward 18:
The MacGregor field house Stimulus Fund renovation includes virtually boarding up the windows, NOT because of vandalism but because of a design error. This is what can happen when there is an explicit policy of not working with park users. It will make the building much less useful for programming and for community events.
If you could send your comments about this non-collaboration policy, including what you would do to remedy the bad consequences of central rather than local control, I'll post whatever you send.
Thanks for working for the public good!
Jutta Mason
This forum is about the 362/370 Wallace Ave. lands. If you want to discuss the 2010 municipal election, please post on that thread. And actually...since Giambrone isn't running for re-election, please post this stuff in a separate thread.
Thanks,
Vic
One of the more interesting items is the money raised from developers.
Here are a couple interesting items: Ford got more money from unions than Miller (who funded 100% of his campaign with donations from individuals) For also got over three and a half times as much from developers than Giambrone. Gord Perks raised extremely little from developers.
As I said on the Wallace section...
The bottom line is are you representing the residents (which includes business) or are you supporting other interests that while perfectly legal, are potentially at odds with the residents of a ward. I think people would be surprised by some of the publicly available information about that. It would certainly concern me if a councillor had a lot of ties to developers and related companies doing business in my ward, on my street. Wouldn't it concern you? I'll be posting some more interesting publicly available information about this very soon.
Scott D posted an interesting link over on the 370 Wallace (Former Glidden site) forum. The link goes to votetoronto.ca, which has been collecting and summarizing campaign contribution statistics from some previous municipal elections. Unfortunately, their site is somewhat disorganized, but you can find some interesting details in there, especially if you do some Google searching (e.g.: "Ward 18" site:votetoronto.ca)
For the 2006 municipal election, you can get all of the campaign contribution details from the city's website here:
http://app.toronto.ca/EFD/search.do?DIALOG-EVENT-init=true&office=All
Would be interesting to see 2010's numbers too, but apparently we have to wait until next year to see those.
The bottom line is are you representing the residents (which includes business) or are you supporting other interests that while perfectly legal, are potentially at odds with the residents of a ward. I think people would be surprised by some of the publicly available information about that. It would certainly concern me if a councillor had a lot of ties to developers and related companies doing business in my ward, on my street. Wouldn't it concern you? I'll be posting some more interesting publicly available information about this very soon.
Thanks for posting that. It's definitely interesting that a residential developer is sitting on the land now. If the employment lands designation doesn't change anytime soon, that property might sit empty for a really long time. Admittedly, I really loved seeing it get used as an informal dog park....but hope it will get put to a good official use someday.
It would be interesting to know just how much lobbying Somerset Homes and Fred Guth have done with past, present, and future candidates about this land. I just hope that our elected representatives listen to the actual local residents more than developers / campaign contributors from outside of our area.
Note: Let's keep discussions on this forum focused on the 370 / 362 Wallace lands. OK to talk about lobbying etc. related to it, but more general discussions about candidates etc. should be in a different forum, e.g. the 2010 Municipal Election forum.
I talked with Somerset Homes and yes they own the land and plan to develop it.
http://www.somersethome.ca/
They refer to the address as 362 Wallace and I was told that they are basically waiting for the employment lands designation to be changed by a future council. Gee I wonder what candidate in the area they have donated to? Wasn't hard to find...
http://www.votetoronto.ca/financial/wards/2003T/Ward18_2003T.htm
Here is another example of the stunning design by Teeple who came up with the Giraffe.
http://spacingtoronto.ca/2010/08/24/tour-60-richmond-by-teeple-architect...
It would have been nice to have a showcase building by Teepe, slowly becoming one of the best firms in the world, near us. Too bad that TAZ didnt use their brain when considering the access.
Its also too bad that the Church on Wallace failed in their first attempt to sell their church; Teeple would have been the firm on that too.
Speaking of brains, whatever happened to Gord "transportation and intensification" Perks? Maybe he will be running in Etobicoke next time. : )
We're always prone to ask the candidates direct questions - and so we should...
At the same time, I'm wondering what we could learn (in a roundabout way) by asking the candidates to take ten minutes to write a one-pager entitled: Ward 18: The Past Four Years - and the Next Four Years. I suggest "writing" since the first couple of speakers might be at a disadvantage with an open question like that...
Hearing what they have to say about the the recent past (especially off the tops of their heads) could provide unscripted insight into what they truly think has been important (good or bad) over the past little while.
Hope to make it to Boo's.
Tony Ruprecht visited the wonderful Perth Coop party just long enough to make a short speech and then race off before anybody could ask him any questions.
That aside, thanks to the Coop for throwing the party and inviting everybody. I don't know the name of the lady with the black electric guitar was but she should have a regular gig in our area; she has a fantastic voice.
Yay! 5 Stars.
Great to have a four star place in JT! I'm happy now reviewed it and gave it the credit it deserves.
I wanted to say thank you very much to Brenda and all of the Neighbourhood Ladies for the beautiful "welcome to the hood" card, it was so thoughtful and kind...
Everyone has been so welcoming and wonderful, we truly appreciate it!
Thank you....
Like any day, it depends on what's going on. I could probably make it this Sunday. But I'm not sure if the weather will cooperate!
I was fine with Friday but Sunday works too.
Grilled asparagus salad is incredible.
It seems that Friday night soccer is not the best time - and we will be looking for another time. I am thinking that perhaps an earlier time on Sunday evenings might be better now with the summer winding down (less light hours) and with Sunday being a more "time friendly" day.
What kind of interest could there be for a Sunday evening soccer pickup?
Let us know!
-cc
Great place - just made a couple of quick stops by for a drink - no food. But, the atmosphere is great, and a very welcome addition to the neighbourhood - love it!
Also looking forward to trying Zocalo. SOunds great!
-cc
JUNE HARLOWE FOOD'S LUNCH MENU
1627 DUPONT STREET
OPENS 11:30 AM WEDNESDAY - FRIDAYS
CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, and croutons with house Caesar salad dressing ~$8 with BBQ chicken add ~$4
GRILLED ASPARAGUS SALAD grilled asparagus, parmesan cheese, scallions, toasted slivered almonds and mixed greens, served with an apricot red wine vinaigrette ~$8
BLUEBERRY AND APPLE SPINACH SALAD blueberries, sliced apples, Goat’s cheese, toasted slivered almonds, red onion, and avocado in a creamy poppy seed dressing ~$8
HOUSE SALAD mixed greens with fresh herbs and shallot vinaigrette ~$6
HORSERADISH BBQ WINGS 1LB of not too spicy wings with French fries ~$9
GRILLED CORN BREAD with tomatoes, basil and olive oil ~$6
CROSTINI toasted baguette with Goat’s cheese, grilled zucchini and roasted pepper puree ~$7
Lunch all sandwiches and burgers served with served with fresh cut fries or house salad
ROAST BEEFSANDWICH shaved roast beef, jalapeno havarti, balsamic glazed onions, and grainy Dijon mustard ~$13
CLASSIC ‘ESCONDIDO’ CHICKEN BLT grilled chicken, Canadian bacon, avocado, tomato, mixed lettuce, and chipotle mayo ~$12
GRILLED VEGETABLE WRAP grilled zucchini and peppers, oven-dried tomatoes, and goat’s cheese ~$10
EGG SALAD 3 minute eggs with grilled asparagus, parmesan, scallions and mayonnaise~$8
BREAKFAST BURRITO scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, house salsa, scallions and sour cream ~$8
PASTA AL FORNNO penne with grilled chicken, sundried tomatoes, and red onions in a basil cream sauce ~$12
DIXON BURGER Canadian cheddar cheese, peameal bacon, and finely diced sautéed shallots and mushrooms ~12
JUNE HARLOWE BURGER Brie and avocado with a chipotle mayo ~14