I just wrote a letter to the ministers and the premier, and am posting it here to encourage others to do the same. Here are the addresses as well: jbradley.mpp@liberal.ola.org ; jgerretsen.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org; dcaplan.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org. For Mcguinty, you need to go to his site and enter your comment on the feedback page, but so far that hasn't been working for me this morning. Maybe it's jammed with irate messages! www.premier.gov.on.ca
To the ministers of health, environment, and transportation, and the premier,
I was dismayed to hear of the minister of the environment's failure to protect our health in his decision against electrification. Even if Tier 4 diesel was acceptable, the technology isn't available yet, and Metrolinx has been given the easy out, and is only held to Tier 4 "when they become commercially available." I am appalled. So are my neighbours. Some of us trusted the government to protect us. Now you've lost a whole corridor of votes. Hundreds of trains a day worth.
Kristen den Hartog
Perth Avenue
Toronto
Thanksgiving weekend is arriving. Here is an alternative dessert to the traditional pumpkin pie. I can't remember where I got this recipe from, so my apologies for not providing the proper reference to the original source.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 8-ounce package cream cheese
4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Yellow and red food coloring
Pretzel nuggets (stems)
Green gumdrops (leaves)
1. Heat the oven to 350º and line a 12-cup muffin tin with bake cups. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Set the mixture aside.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, stir together the oil and sugar. Whisk in the eggs and stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and gently stir the mixture until well combined. Explain to your child that she should stir only until she can no longer see any pockets or streaks of flour.
4. Stir the pumpkin into the batter until it is thoroughly combined. Spoon the batter into the lined muffin tins. Bake for 20 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle of one cupcake comes out clean. Let the cupcakes sit in the tin for 10 minutes and then remove to a rack to cool thoroughly.
5. Meanwhile, make the Cream Cheese Frosting. In a medium-size mixing bowl, beat together the confectioners' sugar, cream cheese, butter, and lemon juice until smooth. Add about 12 drops of yellow food coloring and 4 drops of red food coloring and beat until the frosting turns orange.
6. For authentic-looking pumpkins, pipe on the frosting to resemble a pumpkin's ridges. Fill a sealable plastic bag with frosting, snip a small hole in the corner, and pipe curved lines over each cupcake. (An easier option is simply to frost each cupcake orange and draw ridges from top to bottom with a butter knife.) Use pretzel nuggets for the pumpkin stems and cut flattened green gumdrops into leaves.
Makes 12 cupcakes
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Puree
For adventerous bakers and pumpkin pie as dessert traditionalists, here is a link on how to make your own pumpkin pie puree from a real pumpkin: http://www.pickyourown.org/pumpkinpie.php
Step by step directions are provided.
The disappointing announcement from the so-called Environment Minister made the front page of today's Globe and Mail http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/rail-link-to-pearso...
While the headline writer appears to buy-in to the government's ridiculous claim that they are putting "strict conditions" on the project, the reporter is quick to point to the fact the Minister is telling Metrolinx to buy technology that doesn't even exist.
You may or may not be aware, but some residents living in what is presently called the Junction Triangle in ward 18, are divided as to what to call the HOOD. This particularly group of residents feel they live in a nameless community and are in an identity crisis. Confused as to what to tell their family and friends as to where they live. Pressured to rename the neighbourhood by realtors and developers, which are non-residents and its only interest is driven by money. But then their are others, who say that they know where they live and already have a name, a neighbourhood nested between three sets of rails, who are in favor of promoting instead of renaming?
If you are in support of the name Junction Triangle and wish to promote and have your voice heard. Please call or email Councillor Adam Giambrone at 416-392-7012 or email councillor_Giambrone@toronto.ca
A community meeting will be organized regarding this discussion and a noticed will be send out at a later date. Thank you
Human Train - Local residents speak to MP Gerrard Kennedy: MP Gerrard Kennedy does Ruprecht's and Silva's job for them
It was very noticeable at the recent Human Train Rally that 2 of our 3 elected representatives were not present to support the community.
From Gerard Kennedy (who initially tried to avoid this issue but has seen the light) to Olivia Chow and Adam Giambrone, politicians and a school trustee and the Toronto Medical Officer of Health all spoke to the large crowd made up of West Enders potentially effected by Metrolinx' s dirty diesel. They all had one clear unified message: electrify the expansion from day one and spare all the communities from the dangerous pollution diesel will bring. Its too bad that we showed up in numbers but our representatives didn't.
Tony Ruprecht, who claims on his website to be a champion of environmental issues, was nowhere to be seen. In fact, since he initially made some comments months ago, he has vanished on this issue. He runs the other way when people mention it to him on the street and refers people back to a letter he issued months ago. This may not be surprising given that his own Liberal government shortened the EA process on one of the largest infrastructure projects in decades from 18 to 6 months. Given the concerns of the Toronto Officer of Health and the TDSB maybe lying low is a good idea but 25 years of future diesel pollution will keep his memory alive.
Mario Silva handlers have claimed to me all along that as the are federal MP he had no jurisdiction in the matter. Public comments by his fellow federal MP Gerard Kennedy show that this is not the case as Kennedy pushes the case for a federal EA and lambasts the Metrolinx "consultation" process as a sham. Silva's handlers in Ottawa claimed to me that he knew nothing about the rally which is hard believe considering it was promoted for 2 months and everybody else seemed to get the message. Sadder still for Silva is a flyer that arrived in residents mailboxes AFTER the protest which had a section called "Clean Transit For Toronto". This hastily put together section clearly shows that Silva has no idea what he is talking about in terms of this issue. The errors are too numerous to list but here is one:
"Through increased mobility and efficiency, and lower congestion and wait times, Toronto residents will be able to move more easily and quickly through our city."(Because of the Metrolinx project). This doesn't make any sense as the rail expansion primarily serves people living outside of the Toronto area and those going to the airport from downtown. With only one stop along the way this project does almost nothing to help residents of Toronto move around. In fact one of the issues from residents has been that this project is just a dirty diesel expressway with little effect for us except pollution. Silva never acknowledges any of the concerns or recommendations that the community has been asking for a long time such as electrification of the route and addition of stops. He states that "More trains means less cars" which in this case is not true. He states in a powerful vagueness that he is awaiting the EA results even though the Toronto MOH report has been out for over a month.
The health and environmental issues posed by the out of date Metrolinx plan is a disgrace and like 30 years ago when residents fought for this community's survival in the face of industrial pollution we once again find ourselves under attack needing all the help we can get.
So far, Tony Ruprecht and Mario Silva have fallen short of the standards set by those who rallied years before and do so again. Shame.
OMBUDSMAN CALLED ON TO INVESTIGATE METROLINX
Metrolinx suspected of using tax dollars to mislead public on eve of Environment Minister decision
October 4, 2009 (Toronto): On the eve of the Ontario Environment Minister’s decision on Metrolinx’s proposal to run over 450 diesel trains a day through some of Toronto’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, Metrolinx appears to be spending thousands of Ontarians’ tax dollars on an attempt to misinform the public about the Toronto Medical Officer of Health’s concerns about diesel train expansion plans.
An unconditional approval of Metrolinx’s current proposal for service expansion on the Georgetown South/Union-Pearson rail corridor would mean that 464 diesel-exhaust-emitting trains would run daily through 12 Toronto neighbourhoods, home to over 300,000 people.
Diesel exhaust is a known threat to human health, especially of children and seniors, and is linked to cancer and respiratory diseases. Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David McKeown, has clearly stated that using diesel for the rail expansion on the Georgetown Corridor will pose a health risk to nearby residents. He also stated that electrification is the only proven mitigation measure for this health risk.”
Yet Metrolinx recently issued a mass distribution of newsletters to homeowners that portrays Dr. McKeown as supporting a diesel-train expansion solution, which he does not.
Findings about respiratory health impacts and lung cancer are completely ignored in this Metrolinx newsletter, as is the recommendation by the Toronto Medical Officer of Health that electric trains are the best way for the project to deal with the unacceptable health risks of using diesel technology in this situation.
The Clean Train Coalition believes these tactics are highly unethical and the latest episode in a discredited public consultation process. Further, because such a massive disinformation campaign is being waged with tax dollars, the Coalition today called for an investigation into Metrolinx’s possible misuse of public funds by formally registering a complaint with the Ontario Ombudsman.
“It is an outrage that Metrolinx has used thousands of dollars of taxpayers’ money to misconstrue Dr. McKeown’s position and to wage a public relations campaign of mistruths days before the Minister of the Environment makes a decision on the Metrolinx project,” stated Keith Brooks, Clean Train Coalition spokesperson.
The Clean Train Coalition, a community group advocating for the implementation of expanded service on this rail corridor using electric trains, is hoping that the Minister’s announcement will ensure that the Georgetown South rail expansion project is built using electric trains and not diesel locomotives, a call echoed by the estimated thousand Torontonians who participated in the “Human Train” rally on September 26.
The Minister of the Environment’s decision is due to be announced by end of day on Monday, October 5.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Clean Train Coalition Spokesperson: Keith Brooks 416-702-9597
Media Inquiries: Carina Cojeen 416-886-2320
Copies of the two Metrolinx letters sent to households across west Toronto should be available from Metrolinx on their website.
Munro does a great job of pointing out the facts that Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David McKeown submitted to Metrolinx, but Metrolinx turned around and only used selective quotes from that letter to trump up their own agenda. Make sure you read Munro's article for the details.
It's also worth noting that Metrolinx has taken these selective quotes and circulated them on their own flyers delivered throughout our neighbourhoods last week and this week.
The way that Metrolinx is spinning these comments is making me feel like there's some truth to those Dalton McGuinty / Snidely Whiplash posters that I've seen around the neighbourhood.
It was great to hear residents walking by saying thanks. It shows how much people appreciate the path and want it maintained. I bet you we get more people next time. This was the first actual meeting of what will become the stewardship group.
It appears that Toronto Hydro cleaned the graffiti off the side of their building at the end of Ruskin (which partly faces onto the Railpath). The tagging on a number of the light standards was also removed over the past couple of days, but it appears someone tagged a number of the poles south of Bloor Street last night. As Katie said above, someone must know who is doing all this damage to the Park?
Full marks to the Red Cross! They are vigilant and have cleaned the side of their building at least three times since they moved in and (at the moment) it is completely free of any graffiti.
9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
100 Pauline Ave (Wallace & Dufferin), main floor, room 120
This is a Drop-In program for parents/caregivers with children ages 0-6 years old. Come and interact with your child/children while they experience the journey of learning through play.
The Davenport Perth Neighbourhood Centre is located at 1900 Davenport Road.
Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood Centre (DPNC) supports people in its neighbourhood, especially those who face economic and/or social barriers, to enrich their lives and the life of the community. They do this by working in partnership with community members and organizations to offer a range of health, employment and social support initiatives that are flexible, responsive, non-discriminatory and barrier free. We strengthen individuals and groups through cooperative action that responds to the political, social, economic, cultural, and spiritual life of this community.
Some of the programs the centre offers:
Settlement Services: If you are new to Canada, we can make your transition into Canadian society less stressful. We can help with issues like the immigration process, housing, health insurance and your child’s education.
Literacy Services: If you are 19+, out of school for a year or more and have no high school diploma, our literacy program may be for you. We can help you improve your reading, writing and math skills. Monday- Thursday 1-3 pm & 7-9 pm. 416-656-8025 ex. 420 or 421. TTC tickets are provided if needed.
Adult Services: adult services address issues and needs that include housing, literacy, isolation, access to food, employment, dealing with addictions, violence, abuse, safety and mental health.
Senior Services: services for adults who are 55+ include a range of activities that are aimed at encouraging independence, an active lifestyle, as well as increasing your physical health and emotional well being.
For more information, please see their web site at http://www.dpnc.ca/ or call 416-656-8025.
The main office at 1884 Davenport Road provides frontline services to our community, including a drop-in, food bank, perinatal program, civic engagement, bake ovens & markets, community cooking, community advocacy, sustainable food systems education and urban agriculture.
Programs Offered:
The Community Cooking program brings people together to socialize and learn how to prepare nutritious, culturally diverse and inexpensive meals are communal cooking groups that bring people together to learn, cook eat and socialize.
Our Bake Ovens & Markets bring neighbours together around fresh, healthy food. The Good Food Market at The Stop features affordable, local food and free pizza-baking session at an outdoor wood-fired oven. The Green Barn will host a year round Farmers’ Market and community bake oven.
Food Animators initiate community gardens, kitchens and fresh food markets to increase access to healthy food and build community.
The Food Bank provides community members with a three-day supply of food once a month. The program places a high priority on providing as dignified an environment and as high quality food as possible.
The Drop-in is a safe welcoming place where community members can enjoy nutritious food, meet others and access information on social issues and community resources.
Healthy Beginnings and Family Support is a pre-and post-natal nutrition and support program for pregnant women living on low incomes.
For more detailed information, please visit their web site at http://www.thestop.org/ or call 416-652-7867.
Is the graffiti going to get cleaned up as well? Why can't we have anything nice in this neighbourhood? The bridge st Bloor was tagged even before they had finished painting it. At least they were able to paint over it. And the one decal that was added has already lost his head. Someone has to know who is doing all this tagging.
A group of volunteers is meeting on Wednesday evening (Sept. 23) at 6:45 p.m. at the foot of the Wallace Street bridge to clean-up the garbage on the West Toronto Railpath. If you would like to join us, just bring a pair of work gloves and we will provide the bags. It's a great opportunity to do something nice for the hood, meet a few neighbours, get a little exercise and make the place look better for the hundreds of people who are using the trail everyday.
CONDOMINIUM APARTMENT BUILDING Proj: 9092200-5
Toronto, Metro Toronto Reg ON NEGOTIATED/PLANNING
Giraffe Condos, 1540 Bloor St, Dundas St, M6P 1A4
$50,000,000 est
Note: Owner is finalizing site plan approvals. Owner is seeking City Council rezoning and development approvals. Sales and marketing are on hold. The rezoning and development approvals have been forwarded to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). Sales and marketing are underway. Schedules for Working drawings, Invitation of a Const Mgr and Sub trades and construction will be set based on occupancy and final OMB approvals. Further update early Spring, 2010.
Project: energy Star Appliances; proposed construction of a 29 storey condominium building with 300 suites and retail and amenity space at grade level. There will be a two storey amenity area featuring a Party Room, Lounge, Fitness Room, Sun Deck, Outdoor BBQ; 24/7 concierge; 8,000 sq ft roof garden; 60/40 glass to stone ratio. Owner will seek a Silver certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.
I agree. I would advocate to have that underground tunnel filled in too. Wonder how much money that would cost? Could it be part of the larger project when it comes time to create the park extension?
I'd love to see all of those crossing opened up again, but it's not going to happen.
It's completely out of the City's control too. The railway companies will never agree to having more level crossings. Too much of a headache for them. Transport Canada would probably object too. If anything, the railways are working on eliminating level crossings, rather than adding them.
I'm hoping that when they decide to take the asphalt out, that they would consider filling in the entrance to the underpath, there were many reason for closing that underpath, one was west nile the other reason was a good breeding ground for rats, dark and damp. The family next door to the dead end has phoned the City on many occasions regarding rats coming out of the cracks from the path. By filling in and leveling the entrance will look better and make it safer for all and out of mind and sight, forgetting a sad chapter in time and a waste of money and idea.
they should open it up again and make it one way. make wallace one way going the opposite direction, as well as opening up Antler street again. I don't think not adding a few hundred metres of park will make or break the community. Wallace is really busy and crowded lately. Time to take the pressure off of it.
This week's Community Council meeting has nothing to do with voting for or against a garden. It is simply about closing that section of Paton Rd. and reassigning the space to the park. Just expanding the park. That's a good thing, in my opinion.
Later on, when they decide what to do with this additional park space, one of the ideas put forward is to put in a garden. This is not necessarily what will be done. Sure, there may be better ideas....
Currently that patch of asphalt is used to park private motor vehicles and to dump garbage. An expanded park, even if it's used by gardeners, is a heck of a good improvement over a chunk of asphalt used for private car/garbage storage. Asphalt with car/garbage storage, or park land with natural space / gardens. What sounds better?
More support for the library would be great too, I have no problem with that. It's a separate issue though, from a different part of the city's budget. A park can also be used year-round, 24 hours/day.
I just wrote a letter to the ministers and the premier, and am posting it here to encourage others to do the same. Here are the addresses as well: jbradley.mpp@liberal.ola.org ; jgerretsen.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org; dcaplan.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org. For Mcguinty, you need to go to his site and enter your comment on the feedback page, but so far that hasn't been working for me this morning. Maybe it's jammed with irate messages! www.premier.gov.on.ca
To the ministers of health, environment, and transportation, and the premier,
I was dismayed to hear of the minister of the environment's failure to protect our health in his decision against electrification. Even if Tier 4 diesel was acceptable, the technology isn't available yet, and Metrolinx has been given the easy out, and is only held to Tier 4 "when they become commercially available." I am appalled. So are my neighbours. Some of us trusted the government to protect us. Now you've lost a whole corridor of votes. Hundreds of trains a day worth.
Kristen den Hartog
Perth Avenue
Toronto
Thanksgiving weekend is arriving. Here is an alternative dessert to the traditional pumpkin pie. I can't remember where I got this recipe from, so my apologies for not providing the proper reference to the original source.
Pumpkin Cupcakes
Cupcakes:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin or homemade pumpkin puree
Cream Cheese Frosting:
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 8-ounce package cream cheese
4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Yellow and red food coloring
Pretzel nuggets (stems)
Green gumdrops (leaves)
1. Heat the oven to 350º and line a 12-cup muffin tin with bake cups. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Set the mixture aside.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, stir together the oil and sugar. Whisk in the eggs and stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and gently stir the mixture until well combined. Explain to your child that she should stir only until she can no longer see any pockets or streaks of flour.
4. Stir the pumpkin into the batter until it is thoroughly combined. Spoon the batter into the lined muffin tins. Bake for 20 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle of one cupcake comes out clean. Let the cupcakes sit in the tin for 10 minutes and then remove to a rack to cool thoroughly.
5. Meanwhile, make the Cream Cheese Frosting. In a medium-size mixing bowl, beat together the confectioners' sugar, cream cheese, butter, and lemon juice until smooth. Add about 12 drops of yellow food coloring and 4 drops of red food coloring and beat until the frosting turns orange.
6. For authentic-looking pumpkins, pipe on the frosting to resemble a pumpkin's ridges. Fill a sealable plastic bag with frosting, snip a small hole in the corner, and pipe curved lines over each cupcake. (An easier option is simply to frost each cupcake orange and draw ridges from top to bottom with a butter knife.) Use pretzel nuggets for the pumpkin stems and cut flattened green gumdrops into leaves.
Makes 12 cupcakes
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Puree
For adventerous bakers and pumpkin pie as dessert traditionalists, here is a link on how to make your own pumpkin pie puree from a real pumpkin:
http://www.pickyourown.org/pumpkinpie.php
Step by step directions are provided.
The disappointing announcement from the so-called Environment Minister made the front page of today's Globe and Mail http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/rail-link-to-pearso...
While the headline writer appears to buy-in to the government's ridiculous claim that they are putting "strict conditions" on the project, the reporter is quick to point to the fact the Minister is telling Metrolinx to buy technology that doesn't even exist.
Promote, don’t rename the
“JUNCTION TRIANGLE”
Dear Friends and Neighbours:
You may or may not be aware, but some residents living in what is presently called the Junction Triangle in ward 18, are divided as to what to call the HOOD. This particularly group of residents feel they live in a nameless community and are in an identity crisis. Confused as to what to tell their family and friends as to where they live. Pressured to rename the neighbourhood by realtors and developers, which are non-residents and its only interest is driven by money. But then their are others, who say that they know where they live and already have a name, a neighbourhood nested between three sets of rails, who are in favor of promoting instead of renaming?
If you are in support of the name Junction Triangle and wish to promote and have your voice heard. Please call or email Councillor Adam Giambrone at 416-392-7012 or email councillor_Giambrone@toronto.ca
A community meeting will be organized regarding this discussion and a noticed will be send out at a later date. Thank you
Sincerely;
Local Residents
It was very noticeable at the recent Human Train Rally that 2 of our 3 elected representatives were not present to support the community.
From Gerard Kennedy (who initially tried to avoid this issue but has seen the light) to Olivia Chow and Adam Giambrone, politicians and a school trustee and the Toronto Medical Officer of Health all spoke to the large crowd made up of West Enders potentially effected by Metrolinx' s dirty diesel. They all had one clear unified message: electrify the expansion from day one and spare all the communities from the dangerous pollution diesel will bring. Its too bad that we showed up in numbers but our representatives didn't.
Tony Ruprecht, who claims on his website to be a champion of environmental issues, was nowhere to be seen. In fact, since he initially made some comments months ago, he has vanished on this issue. He runs the other way when people mention it to him on the street and refers people back to a letter he issued months ago. This may not be surprising given that his own Liberal government shortened the EA process on one of the largest infrastructure projects in decades from 18 to 6 months. Given the concerns of the Toronto Officer of Health and the TDSB maybe lying low is a good idea but 25 years of future diesel pollution will keep his memory alive.
Mario Silva handlers have claimed to me all along that as the are federal MP he had no jurisdiction in the matter. Public comments by his fellow federal MP Gerard Kennedy show that this is not the case as Kennedy pushes the case for a federal EA and lambasts the Metrolinx "consultation" process as a sham. Silva's handlers in Ottawa claimed to me that he knew nothing about the rally which is hard believe considering it was promoted for 2 months and everybody else seemed to get the message. Sadder still for Silva is a flyer that arrived in residents mailboxes AFTER the protest which had a section called "Clean Transit For Toronto". This hastily put together section clearly shows that Silva has no idea what he is talking about in terms of this issue. The errors are too numerous to list but here is one:
"Through increased mobility and efficiency, and lower congestion and wait times, Toronto residents will be able to move more easily and quickly through our city."(Because of the Metrolinx project). This doesn't make any sense as the rail expansion primarily serves people living outside of the Toronto area and those going to the airport from downtown. With only one stop along the way this project does almost nothing to help residents of Toronto move around. In fact one of the issues from residents has been that this project is just a dirty diesel expressway with little effect for us except pollution. Silva never acknowledges any of the concerns or recommendations that the community has been asking for a long time such as electrification of the route and addition of stops. He states that "More trains means less cars" which in this case is not true. He states in a powerful vagueness that he is awaiting the EA results even though the Toronto MOH report has been out for over a month.
The health and environmental issues posed by the out of date Metrolinx plan is a disgrace and like 30 years ago when residents fought for this community's survival in the face of industrial pollution we once again find ourselves under attack needing all the help we can get.
So far, Tony Ruprecht and Mario Silva have fallen short of the standards set by those who rallied years before and do so again. Shame.
OMBUDSMAN CALLED ON TO INVESTIGATE METROLINX
Metrolinx suspected of using tax dollars to mislead public on eve of Environment Minister decision
October 4, 2009 (Toronto): On the eve of the Ontario Environment Minister’s decision on Metrolinx’s proposal to run over 450 diesel trains a day through some of Toronto’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, Metrolinx appears to be spending thousands of Ontarians’ tax dollars on an attempt to misinform the public about the Toronto Medical Officer of Health’s concerns about diesel train expansion plans.
An unconditional approval of Metrolinx’s current proposal for service expansion on the Georgetown South/Union-Pearson rail corridor would mean that 464 diesel-exhaust-emitting trains would run daily through 12 Toronto neighbourhoods, home to over 300,000 people.
Diesel exhaust is a known threat to human health, especially of children and seniors, and is linked to cancer and respiratory diseases. Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David McKeown, has clearly stated that using diesel for the rail expansion on the Georgetown Corridor will pose a health risk to nearby residents. He also stated that electrification is the only proven mitigation measure for this health risk.”
Yet Metrolinx recently issued a mass distribution of newsletters to homeowners that portrays Dr. McKeown as supporting a diesel-train expansion solution, which he does not.
Findings about respiratory health impacts and lung cancer are completely ignored in this Metrolinx newsletter, as is the recommendation by the Toronto Medical Officer of Health that electric trains are the best way for the project to deal with the unacceptable health risks of using diesel technology in this situation.
The Clean Train Coalition believes these tactics are highly unethical and the latest episode in a discredited public consultation process. Further, because such a massive disinformation campaign is being waged with tax dollars, the Coalition today called for an investigation into Metrolinx’s possible misuse of public funds by formally registering a complaint with the Ontario Ombudsman.
“It is an outrage that Metrolinx has used thousands of dollars of taxpayers’ money to misconstrue Dr. McKeown’s position and to wage a public relations campaign of mistruths days before the Minister of the Environment makes a decision on the Metrolinx project,” stated Keith Brooks, Clean Train Coalition spokesperson.
The Clean Train Coalition, a community group advocating for the implementation of expanded service on this rail corridor using electric trains, is hoping that the Minister’s announcement will ensure that the Georgetown South rail expansion project is built using electric trains and not diesel locomotives, a call echoed by the estimated thousand Torontonians who participated in the “Human Train” rally on September 26.
The Minister of the Environment’s decision is due to be announced by end of day on Monday, October 5.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Clean Train Coalition Spokesperson: Keith Brooks 416-702-9597
Media Inquiries: Carina Cojeen 416-886-2320
Copies of the two Metrolinx letters sent to households across west Toronto should be available from Metrolinx on their website.
The actual statements and backgrounders released by Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health are available at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LE7OQ2Wz9g (Dr. McKeown’s statements are around the 3:00 minute mark)
http://www.toronto.ca/health/moh/pdf/metrolinx_backgrounder.pdf
For further information on The Clean Train coalition, please see www.cleantrain.ca.
Transit advocate Steve Munro posted an excellent article on the weekend:
Metrolinx Fudges Clean Train Info
Munro does a great job of pointing out the facts that Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David McKeown submitted to Metrolinx, but Metrolinx turned around and only used selective quotes from that letter to trump up their own agenda. Make sure you read Munro's article for the details.
It's also worth noting that Metrolinx has taken these selective quotes and circulated them on their own flyers delivered throughout our neighbourhoods last week and this week.
You can also see Dr. David McKeown's speech at the Human Train rally, which is now posted on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr4e99oBhv4
The way that Metrolinx is spinning these comments is making me feel like there's some truth to those Dalton McGuinty / Snidely Whiplash posters that I've seen around the neighbourhood.
NOW Magazine has a short article with a great photo of the Dupont St. bridge., as well as an embedded video of the rally:
http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=171486
BlogTO has an article about the rally today:
http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/09/human_train_wants_to_electrify_city_r...
It was great to hear residents walking by saying thanks. It shows how much people appreciate the path and want it maintained. I bet you we get more people next time. This was the first actual meeting of what will become the stewardship group.
It appears that Toronto Hydro cleaned the graffiti off the side of their building at the end of Ruskin (which partly faces onto the Railpath). The tagging on a number of the light standards was also removed over the past couple of days, but it appears someone tagged a number of the poles south of Bloor Street last night. As Katie said above, someone must know who is doing all this damage to the Park?
Full marks to the Red Cross! They are vigilant and have cleaned the side of their building at least three times since they moved in and (at the moment) it is completely free of any graffiti.
9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
100 Pauline Ave (Wallace & Dufferin), main floor, room 120
This is a Drop-In program for parents/caregivers with children ages 0-6 years old. Come and interact with your child/children while they experience the journey of learning through play.
This is a satellite location from the Toronto-Davenport main location. For more detailed information, please view the web site at http://www.gov.on.ca/children/oeyc/en/location/Toronto/Toronto-Davenport...
The Davenport Perth Neighbourhood Centre is located at 1900 Davenport Road.
Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood Centre (DPNC) supports people in its neighbourhood, especially those who face economic and/or social barriers, to enrich their lives and the life of the community. They do this by working in partnership with community members and organizations to offer a range of health, employment and social support initiatives that are flexible, responsive, non-discriminatory and barrier free. We strengthen individuals and groups through cooperative action that responds to the political, social, economic, cultural, and spiritual life of this community.
Some of the programs the centre offers:
For more information, please see their web site at http://www.dpnc.ca/ or call 416-656-8025.
The main office at 1884 Davenport Road provides frontline services to our community, including a drop-in, food bank, perinatal program, civic engagement, bake ovens & markets, community cooking, community advocacy, sustainable food systems education and urban agriculture.
Programs Offered:
The Community Cooking program brings people together to socialize and learn how to prepare nutritious, culturally diverse and inexpensive meals are communal cooking groups that bring people together to learn, cook eat and socialize.
Our Bake Ovens & Markets bring neighbours together around fresh, healthy food. The Good Food Market at The Stop features affordable, local food and free pizza-baking session at an outdoor wood-fired oven. The Green Barn will host a year round Farmers’ Market and community bake oven.
Food Animators initiate community gardens, kitchens and fresh food markets to increase access to healthy food and build community.
The Food Bank provides community members with a three-day supply of food once a month. The program places a high priority on providing as dignified an environment and as high quality food as possible.
The Drop-in is a safe welcoming place where community members can enjoy nutritious food, meet others and access information on social issues and community resources.
Healthy Beginnings and Family Support is a pre-and post-natal nutrition and support program for pregnant women living on low incomes.
For more detailed information, please visit their web site at http://www.thestop.org/ or call 416-652-7867.
Graffiti removal would take longer than a 30-minute cleanup.
It may also require some harsh chemicals, and/or a power-washer.
I would be extremely careful about using chemicals in a park for obvious reasons (kids and other people, dogs, plant growth etc.).
The City's website has some tips for graffiti removal, though they don't specifically name any "cleaning agents" that work well for this purpose, or anything that's actually safe to use.
Is the graffiti going to get cleaned up as well? Why can't we have anything nice in this neighbourhood? The bridge st Bloor was tagged even before they had finished painting it. At least they were able to paint over it. And the one decal that was added has already lost his head. Someone has to know who is doing all this tagging.
A group of volunteers is meeting on Wednesday evening (Sept. 23) at 6:45 p.m. at the foot of the Wallace Street bridge to clean-up the garbage on the West Toronto Railpath. If you would like to join us, just bring a pair of work gloves and we will provide the bags. It's a great opportunity to do something nice for the hood, meet a few neighbours, get a little exercise and make the place look better for the hundreds of people who are using the trail everyday.
the food is good and the price is right
From the Daily Commercial news and Construction Record:
Link found via the Urban Toronto forums.
I forgot to mention in my original reply. The cost of this project is detailed if you follow the link in the original article.
I agree. I would advocate to have that underground tunnel filled in too. Wonder how much money that would cost? Could it be part of the larger project when it comes time to create the park extension?
I'd love to see all of those crossing opened up again, but it's not going to happen.
It's completely out of the City's control too. The railway companies will never agree to having more level crossings. Too much of a headache for them. Transport Canada would probably object too. If anything, the railways are working on eliminating level crossings, rather than adding them.
Also..there's a possibility that we will lose the Wallace Ave. level crossing, depending on what happens with the Davenport Diamond grade separation project!
https://www.junctiontriangle.ca/DavenportDiamondOpenHouse1
I'm hoping that when they decide to take the asphalt out, that they would consider filling in the entrance to the underpath, there were many reason for closing that underpath, one was west nile the other reason was a good breeding ground for rats, dark and damp. The family next door to the dead end has phoned the City on many occasions regarding rats coming out of the cracks from the path. By filling in and leveling the entrance will look better and make it safer for all and out of mind and sight, forgetting a sad chapter in time and a waste of money and idea.
they should open it up again and make it one way. make wallace one way going the opposite direction, as well as opening up Antler street again. I don't think not adding a few hundred metres of park will make or break the community. Wallace is really busy and crowded lately. Time to take the pressure off of it.
This week's Community Council meeting has nothing to do with voting for or against a garden. It is simply about closing that section of Paton Rd. and reassigning the space to the park. Just expanding the park. That's a good thing, in my opinion.
Later on, when they decide what to do with this additional park space, one of the ideas put forward is to put in a garden. This is not necessarily what will be done. Sure, there may be better ideas....
Currently that patch of asphalt is used to park private motor vehicles and to dump garbage. An expanded park, even if it's used by gardeners, is a heck of a good improvement over a chunk of asphalt used for private car/garbage storage. Asphalt with car/garbage storage, or park land with natural space / gardens. What sounds better?
More support for the library would be great too, I have no problem with that. It's a separate issue though, from a different part of the city's budget. A park can also be used year-round, 24 hours/day.