I can't dig up email addresses from the site logs (only IP addresses) but you can send me an email through the contact form on this site, or: vic at gedris dot org
I'd be glad to step up and help organize. I wasn't able to make it to the Fuzzy Boundaries meeting (two little kids and a whole lot of other stuff on the go that week) but let's try to touch base soon on this. The environmental study is expected to happen over the summer and fall (and an air quality monitor at Bay and Wellesley is not going to give an accurate reading of the air quality on a hot summer day in our hood). So in order to be prepared for the next round of "public consultation" by GO, we need to be organized.
I don't want to post my email or phone here, but I'm pretty certain you'll be able to pull it from the site data (I assume you have access to the back end of the site). Drop me a line and we'll discuss next steps.
One of the questions that came up at the meeting regarding the grade separation (service expansion) was where the air quality monitor that would be used for the EA was located. I was informed by GO that it is in the Bay and Wellsely area. Not exactly in the hood is it?
I will be announced as having info tonight at Fuzzy about the CTC or Newmarket line. Vic I was hoping to just hand out posters so I can send people your way after if anybody comes up to me.
Hi all,
I'm wondering if anyone thinks it would be a good idea to get the neighbourhood together to talk about what we expect from GO in relation to this project. My own personal view - it shouldn't be allowed to happen for a number of reasons: the fact that the environmental study won't be taking the pollution from the Georgetown line expansion into account, the constant pile-driving noise and subsequent damage to homes in the neighbourhood (on Hook Ave and other streets nearby the Georgetown project, people are reporting that the structure of their homes are being compromised by the vibration), the potential for a number of side streets to be closed to cars and pedestrians, the fact that there will be no benefit to our neighbourhood (no stops, nothing) and the general attitude that we can simply live with about 500 diesel trains in our backyards per day.
GO is not taking these issues into account. They are relying on data that states that our neighbourhood is largely industrial which is simply not true. The perception of our neighbourhood is changing - we're finally becoming a place people want to live, not a place that people want to avoid when searching for a home. I'm all for public transit - it just needs to be done correctly and in this case, it's not a benefit but a blight to our community.
I say we organize and show GO that they can't ram this down the throats and into the backyards of our residents.
I saw the segment last night. It was nicely put together. I'll see if I can get up that early tomorrow morn. All this talk is making excited/hype. See y'all tomorrow.
Andy Barry will be interviewing Kevin from the Fuzzy Boundaries group tomorrow morning (Wed. may 13) at 5:45am. If you're an early-riser, have a listen.
A neighbourhood to call their own
By LISA RAINFORD
May 07, 2009 10:00 AM
What's in a name?
A small, but ever-growing community group is about to find out. They are the residents who live in the undefined area stretching from Davenport Road to the base of Perth Avenue and encompasses the neighbourhood between the train tracks that run east of Dundas Street West and west of Lansdowne Avenue. It is one of the last neighbourhoods in the city that remains nameless.
As they embark on what they are calling a community improvement project, the group of eight so far, has christened themselves - for obvious reasons 'Fuzzy Boundaries.'
An update of sorts, the event on this day will be more of a gathering as the path will probably not be 100% done done for a further week or so. There will be some updated info here soon thanks to Vic and don't that its Big on Bloor day too.
The following email came today from Judy Knight Vice President, Corporate Infrastructure, GO Transit:
Thank you for participating in the April 22 Public Open House at St. Josaphat School.
As you have learned first-hand, the impact of building large-scale transit projects in congested city areas can be very challenging. However, I want to assure you that, as with all projects of this nature, GO is committed to addressing community concerns.
I want to let you know about the next step of this project, which is to take the time to comprehensively review the many comments and ideas received. During this review we also want to have our technical people investigate whether it is possible to separate the two rail lines to best meets the needs of everyone involved.
Once this review is complete, we hope to resume the Environmental Assessment process in the fall and schedule new public consultation sessions to share the information and receive feedback from the community.
Reducing noise and congestion on the tracks in your area is an important part of the Davenport Diamond project. And I know we all share the common goal of getting people out of their cars and onto public transit so we can reduce congestion and car emissions.
Your participation in this process is important to us. Please do not hesitate to contact Greg Ashbee, GO's Manager of Infrastructure Expansion Planning, should you have any questions. Greg can be reached by phone at 416.869.3600 ext. 5211 or via email at greg.ashbee@gotransit.com.
Sincerely,
Judy Knight
Vice President, Corporate Infrastructure
GO Transit
20 Bay St., suite 600
Toronto, ON M5J 2W3
I have eaten the chicken sandwich here a few times. Really Really great taste and portion!
The staff was very nice, and the food was very affordable. This place is a great find in the neighbourhood
Vic and GM I agree with you and it was one of my points in my email to GO transit that I will post here. So far my complaints are mostly about the poor quality of GO's vision and organizational skills. The Wallace Avenue issue is very big for me and in my letter I asked for 3-D models to help residents better understand what the photos (some of which were not very good) actually mean.
At the same time these changes are part of increased service, something that GO is fuzzy about. When the changes are constructed it may be too late to bring up other issues such as pollution from increased service on TWO corridors that are only 1800 feet apart. GO is pretending that this is just a construction project but their "2020 Strategy" shows there is more too this. It seems to me and to local politicians that I have talked to that GO is not exactly being upfront about this. When the construction is done our area will loose some leverage with GO in terms of service and pollution.
I am personally more concerned about the electrification of the Georgetown route of which there are so many compelling reasons to do that it is rare to find politicians of all levels supporting it.
Life has taught me that it is very dangerous to ever put anything off in hopes that governments will deal with it down the road.
I totally agree with the push for electric trains too, but I see these as two separate (yet related) issues.
The Davenport Diamond project will have a much more visible, structural, "physical", and longer-lasting impact on our neighbourhood. If it's not done right *now*, we may have to live with it for a hundred years or more.
Electrification can be added at any time. Hopefully sooner than later. :)
Maybe we should have a local meeting of a few people interested in this project, just to discuss the different options and get a feel for what works out best for us? I don't mean a big town-hall type of thing with lots of people yelling at politicians, but something smaller and more community-oriented. GO and the province should also be pressured to hold another properly-publicized public meeting.
I live a stone's throw from the newmarket tracks on campbell. I feel and hear the trains going by all the time. I knew this would be the case when I bought the house. I also knew the trains were Diesel, I knew what the frequency of the GO trains were; I knew that I would be living in a triangle of three tracks.
However, the speculation of freight trains, closure of Wallace ave, no local service and elevated trains makes these the pressing issue over switching the trains to electric. It is the pressing issue because GO is going to do this NOW, not like the track electrification question which is not being presented now, probably won’t happen until at least 10 years down the line at the earliest; and then only on the lakeshore lines.
If the electric grid is stretched in Ontario to the point where brown out’s may become common place, gov’ts are asking us to dial back on ac use, etc…I can only imagine the capacity gap to make up for to run a system such as GO. Btw, Ontario only produces 70% of its own electricity; of that, 70% comes from nuclear, coal and natural gas. So even if electric powered go trains were running through our community, the would only be clean as far as nimbys are concerned.
No surprise there. Mr. Ashbee of GO gave out his email to people and then on holiday until May 4. There seems to be a real internal organization issue with GO.
I'm not sure exatcly when they were posted, but I'm guessing today. I checked the GO Transit site occasionally since the meeting and never noticed. It was actually the Urban Toronto thread that tipped me off today.
At the meeting, GO said they would email the noted to everyone who signed in...
GO Transit have finally posted the notes on their website: http://gotransit.ca/PUBLIC/en/news/davenportdiamond.htm
UPDATE, Feb 25 2010: GO Transit has re-organized their website. Current, but somewhat minimal, information about the Davenport Diamond Grade Separation can be found here: http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/improve/projects.aspx
Your point is well taken BUT for those of the many of us that live between the Newmarket and Georgetown line pollution IS an issue. Why should the Triangle be forced to eat everybody elses fumes like it was before? These lines will bring nothing to or area but fumes.
The public demand for green transit has to happen now or we will never see it in our lifetimes. It may not happen right away but politicians need to know that people demand it.
The Star reports on GO's efforts to look like they are as knowledgeable as every other person and transit authourity in the world.
Have they seen the light or is this just a stalling plan while they build a dirty diesel line?
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/640319
Tawnya,
I can't dig up email addresses from the site logs (only IP addresses) but you can send me an email through the contact form on this site, or: vic at gedris dot org
Cheers,
Vic
Hi Vic,
I'd be glad to step up and help organize. I wasn't able to make it to the Fuzzy Boundaries meeting (two little kids and a whole lot of other stuff on the go that week) but let's try to touch base soon on this. The environmental study is expected to happen over the summer and fall (and an air quality monitor at Bay and Wellesley is not going to give an accurate reading of the air quality on a hot summer day in our hood). So in order to be prepared for the next round of "public consultation" by GO, we need to be organized.
I don't want to post my email or phone here, but I'm pretty certain you'll be able to pull it from the site data (I assume you have access to the back end of the site). Drop me a line and we'll discuss next steps.
One of the questions that came up at the meeting regarding the grade separation (service expansion) was where the air quality monitor that would be used for the EA was located. I was informed by GO that it is in the Bay and Wellsely area. Not exactly in the hood is it?
I will be announced as having info tonight at Fuzzy about the CTC or Newmarket line. Vic I was hoping to just hand out posters so I can send people your way after if anybody comes up to me.
More media coverage by John Barber in today's Globe and Mail:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090513.BARBER13ART224...
Hi Tawnya,
I completely agree with you about having a community meeting. Are you willing to organize it or help organize it? I would volunteer to help.
I'll be at the Fuzzy Boundaries meeting tonight, if anyone wants to chat about this afterwards.
Cheers,
Vic
Hi all,
I'm wondering if anyone thinks it would be a good idea to get the neighbourhood together to talk about what we expect from GO in relation to this project. My own personal view - it shouldn't be allowed to happen for a number of reasons: the fact that the environmental study won't be taking the pollution from the Georgetown line expansion into account, the constant pile-driving noise and subsequent damage to homes in the neighbourhood (on Hook Ave and other streets nearby the Georgetown project, people are reporting that the structure of their homes are being compromised by the vibration), the potential for a number of side streets to be closed to cars and pedestrians, the fact that there will be no benefit to our neighbourhood (no stops, nothing) and the general attitude that we can simply live with about 500 diesel trains in our backyards per day.
GO is not taking these issues into account. They are relying on data that states that our neighbourhood is largely industrial which is simply not true. The perception of our neighbourhood is changing - we're finally becoming a place people want to live, not a place that people want to avoid when searching for a home. I'm all for public transit - it just needs to be done correctly and in this case, it's not a benefit but a blight to our community.
I say we organize and show GO that they can't ram this down the throats and into the backyards of our residents.
I saw the segment last night. It was nicely put together. I'll see if I can get up that early tomorrow morn. All this talk is making excited/hype. See y'all tomorrow.
Ranajit
Andy Barry will be interviewing Kevin from the Fuzzy Boundaries group tomorrow morning (Wed. may 13) at 5:45am. If you're an early-riser, have a listen.
Some local residents were interviewed about this week's Fuzzy Boundaries meeting. Watch the local CBC news tonight at 6:00pm.
This week's Bloor West Villager has an article about the Fuzzy Boundaries meeting:
http://www.insidetoronto.com/article/68488
More here: http://www.insidetoronto.com/article/68488
An update of sorts, the event on this day will be more of a gathering as the path will probably not be 100% done done for a further week or so. There will be some updated info here soon thanks to Vic and don't that its Big on Bloor day too.
The following email came today from Judy Knight Vice President, Corporate Infrastructure, GO Transit:
Article in today's paper
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/626621
The C-Store is closed? What was that place anyway?
Nonna's is a hidden hot table gem. The eggplant, though slightly salty, is fantastic.
I have eaten the chicken sandwich here a few times. Really Really great taste and portion!
The staff was very nice, and the food was very affordable. This place is a great find in the neighbourhood
Vic and GM I agree with you and it was one of my points in my email to GO transit that I will post here. So far my complaints are mostly about the poor quality of GO's vision and organizational skills. The Wallace Avenue issue is very big for me and in my letter I asked for 3-D models to help residents better understand what the photos (some of which were not very good) actually mean.
At the same time these changes are part of increased service, something that GO is fuzzy about. When the changes are constructed it may be too late to bring up other issues such as pollution from increased service on TWO corridors that are only 1800 feet apart. GO is pretending that this is just a construction project but their "2020 Strategy" shows there is more too this. It seems to me and to local politicians that I have talked to that GO is not exactly being upfront about this. When the construction is done our area will loose some leverage with GO in terms of service and pollution.
I am personally more concerned about the electrification of the Georgetown route of which there are so many compelling reasons to do that it is rare to find politicians of all levels supporting it.
Life has taught me that it is very dangerous to ever put anything off in hopes that governments will deal with it down the road.
I agree with your approach to this, Galleriamall.
I totally agree with the push for electric trains too, but I see these as two separate (yet related) issues.
The Davenport Diamond project will have a much more visible, structural, "physical", and longer-lasting impact on our neighbourhood. If it's not done right *now*, we may have to live with it for a hundred years or more.
Electrification can be added at any time. Hopefully sooner than later. :)
Maybe we should have a local meeting of a few people interested in this project, just to discuss the different options and get a feel for what works out best for us? I don't mean a big town-hall type of thing with lots of people yelling at politicians, but something smaller and more community-oriented. GO and the province should also be pressured to hold another properly-publicized public meeting.
Cheers,
Vic
I live a stone's throw from the newmarket tracks on campbell. I feel and hear the trains going by all the time. I knew this would be the case when I bought the house. I also knew the trains were Diesel, I knew what the frequency of the GO trains were; I knew that I would be living in a triangle of three tracks.
However, the speculation of freight trains, closure of Wallace ave, no local service and elevated trains makes these the pressing issue over switching the trains to electric. It is the pressing issue because GO is going to do this NOW, not like the track electrification question which is not being presented now, probably won’t happen until at least 10 years down the line at the earliest; and then only on the lakeshore lines.
If the electric grid is stretched in Ontario to the point where brown out’s may become common place, gov’ts are asking us to dial back on ac use, etc…I can only imagine the capacity gap to make up for to run a system such as GO. Btw, Ontario only produces 70% of its own electricity; of that, 70% comes from nuclear, coal and natural gas. So even if electric powered go trains were running through our community, the would only be clean as far as nimbys are concerned.
No surprise there. Mr. Ashbee of GO gave out his email to people and then on holiday until May 4. There seems to be a real internal organization issue with GO.
I'm not sure exatcly when they were posted, but I'm guessing today. I checked the GO Transit site occasionally since the meeting and never noticed. It was actually the Urban Toronto thread that tipped me off today.
At the meeting, GO said they would email the noted to everyone who signed in...
Were they finally posted today?
GO Transit have finally posted the notes on their website:
http://gotransit.ca/PUBLIC/en/news/davenportdiamond.htmUPDATE, Feb 25 2010: GO Transit has re-organized their website. Current, but somewhat minimal, information about the Davenport Diamond Grade Separation can be found here:
http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/improve/projects.aspx
Your point is well taken BUT for those of the many of us that live between the Newmarket and Georgetown line pollution IS an issue. Why should the Triangle be forced to eat everybody elses fumes like it was before? These lines will bring nothing to or area but fumes.
The public demand for green transit has to happen now or we will never see it in our lifetimes. It may not happen right away but politicians need to know that people demand it.