School Trustee Maria Rodrigues is a joke. I have left messages with her and emailed her over the past term and she has never called me back or emailed me.
Seriously our area needs better representation than this and I encourage somebody who cares to run.
It is great to see the leg work being done on electrification but we should keep in mind that there is no financial commitment from the Liberal government and the NDP abandoned us. So this will be an election issue in our area.
Here are a couple of thoughts about the panels.
1. There seems to be no reference to adding stations along the APL or the corridor. Once again Metrolinx needs to catch up with where the public is as using the corridor as part of an western DRL is gaining momentum by the day. It should, its a good idea.
2. Metrolinx still refuses to admit that electric rains are quieter than diesel ones despite the fact that every electric rail operator on earth says so and it doesnt matter whether the trains are European or North American designs. These panels say that with electrification noise will not get worse than with diesel trains which is a true but misleading statement; the trains will be quieter but to say that means that Metrolinx will have to admit diesel is louder and they cant do that. For the last few years Metrolinx has said that electric trains are not quieter because of things like the noise from the overhead pantograph but now they state "Therefore, no adverse noise effects are anticipated due to pantographs.". Its sad when an organization tries to invent its own science.
3. Metrolinx still plays down the impact of diesel pollution in our area by always referring to pollution levels within a regional framework. They never talk about pollution locally because they know it looks bad. Other rail systems like CalTrain have the courage to tell the public the truth and thats why they are getting rid of diesel.
"In addition to the air quality benefits of reducing automobile use for commuting by
increasing rail ridership, electric operations are expected to produce substantial
reductions in corridor air pollution emissions when compared with diesel locomotives,
even when the emissions of electrical power generation are included in the analysis.
Electrically powered trains are also more energy efficient than diesel-electric trains.
Reduced energy use also translates into reduced air emissions. Reductions in air
pollutant emissions represent long-term health benefits for Caltrain riders, and residents
and employees along the Caltrain corridor. " (http://www.caltrain.com/Assets/Peninsula+Rail+Program/Electrification+20...)
From the weekend edition of the Villager, "South Parkdale resident Ric Amis...said he was disappointed to find the meeting was presented as a series of panels as opposed to a presentation by Metrolinx followed by a question-and-answer period. "
After wasting a lot people's time over a couple of years, the school board finally said there is not enough room at Perth Public School for French Immersion. A very frustrating experience and one that leaves the re-election of the School Board Trustee in serious doubt. She was a bystander in the process and of no real help in the end.
Hi.
I wasn't able to attend the meeting, but I am definitely interested and in support of a FI program at Perth. If there are more meetings or anything I can do to help, please keep me posted.
There will be a new access way directly in the middle of the development.
Sadly Tom Falus owns the Solways property but I agree that the JT is a food desert in some ways. We desperately need an affordable place for fresh fruit and vegetables.
Thanks for that info, most appreciated. It would be great if more path access did happen. Still, from what I can understand, there seems to be some resistance. For example, it seems like the commercial space at the Wallace Walk development will have entrances from the road only, not the path. Or at least it looks that way to me when I browse their website. Am I mistaken? Maybe this is due to zoning issues, and not the developer's preferred choice.
And while wishing away, it would great with, say, a grocery store where Solways was located, with direct access from the path. But I guess I'm getting off topic now.
The chorus for electrification and integration to provide real transit solutions is growing by the day and getting harder to ignore. Folks, what we have been saying is catching on. This story captures all the details and all the potential that electrification could bring. THIS story is what we need to make front and centre during the next election.
Railpath is always looking for new access points along the route. Friends of Railpath has met with many folks along the route to make this happen. We met with Castlepoint (and got great support) and the Planning Department re the new Wallace Development among others. There is an active movement to create new openings as property along the path develops.
Thats odd, usually with new street names they try to find names that have some direct connection to the area. No offence to Mendes but I dont see the connection.
Perth/Dupont crossing has more going on than TMO. Popular churrasqueiras chicken place Eduardo's (Conditional Pass), has something going on. I see drunk and hangover construction workers leaving the place via front doors early mornings.
The Junction Triangle Rail Committee has sent NDP provincial leader Andrea Horwath a letter asking her to make electrification of the rail corridor a condition for supporting the spring budget. If you agree that the NDP should seize this opportunity to make good on their promise of Clean Trains Now, please consider copying the letter and sending it with your name on it directly to Andrea at ahorwath-qp@ndp.on.ca
January 28, 2014
Andrea Horwath
Leader, New Democratic Party of Ontario
Room 113, Main Legislative Building
Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A5
Re: Spring Budget Opportunity – Open Letter
Dear Andrea:
The provincial spring budget offers the Ontario New Democratic Party an opportunity to deliver on your frequently stated promise of “Clean Trains Now.”
The NDP holds the balance of power in the legislature and this will be the last opportunity for you to make good on your pledge before an election this year. Many Junction Triangle residents have been disappointed by your party’s failure keep your promise on two previous occasions.
You have visited our neighbourhood and indicated your support for electrification personally. NDP MPPs have posted hundreds of signs around West Toronto calling for Clean Trains Now.
Can you assure area residents that you will keep your promise this time and negotiate support for the spring budget in exchange for electrification of the Georgetown South rail corridor?
Many thanks for your consideration. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
(Sent Electronically)
Kevin Putnam
Junction Triangle Rail Committee
Cc. All members, Junction Triangle Rail Committee
JunctionTriangle.ca
Roncesvalles-Macdonell Residents Association
Jonah Schein, MPP, Davenport
Cheri DiNovo, MPP, Parkdale-High Park
I also didn't hear anything and have friends that live on Hugo. But I do agree that " this month only " has to GO. It has been a thorn in my side for years. I have seen everything you can think of happen there, drugs, prostitution and overly drunk costumers, which I've seen drive away. I have contacted Ana Bailao office about this many times, they say that there working on it...well 4 yrs. Mrs. Bailao and the local police haven't done much??? But guess calling the police is all we have ??? hoping for better solution.
Sousa Mendes was a Portuguese Consul General in Bordeaux France, during the second World War II . He was able with fake documents and other means help thousands of Jews and other racial minorities escape the Nazi war machine that was occupying France and taking to the death camps. So I guess certain groups in Toronto, Portuguese and Jewish are doing this to honor his name for what he did to save there lives, and deserved respect...
I sent the same comment to Metropolis' owner and he said they would definitely look into pursuing a railpath entrance and café one they get going, but step 1 is get the restaurant going.
Interesting. Haven't read the details of this whole report, but anyone know why the Edwin Ave. extension is called Sousa Mendes Street / Road? Any context of who that's named after?
I live on Wallace Ave., not far from the Metropolis Factory, and I am very supportive of a restaurant there.
I am not sure what the regulations allow, but I have suggested in an e-mail to Councillor Bailao that the restaurant be required, or at least encouraged, to have an entrance from the West Toronto Railpath. That would make it easier for patrons to arrive by foot or bike, rather than by car.
I think it would also set an interesting precedent for potential rezoning of other areas around the path, which could make it easier to get to cafes, restaurants, bars and grocery stores by foot and bike, without bothering drivers. The Railpath is nice but I find it immensely frustrating that is doesn't get me anywhere I need to go. To get groceries or a coffee I have to risk my life just crossing Dundas.
Moreover, if residents on Edwin Ave. would have any concerns about noise and traffic around Metropolis, I imagine it might help if the restaurant were to be accessed only from the Railpath, and not from the street. I hope zoning regulations would allow that.
School Trustee Maria Rodrigues is a joke. I have left messages with her and emailed her over the past term and she has never called me back or emailed me.
Seriously our area needs better representation than this and I encourage somebody who cares to run.
Here is a link to the panels that Metrolinx is showing the public.
http://www.gotransit.com/electrification/en/UPExpress_Jan%202014%20POH2_...
It is great to see the leg work being done on electrification but we should keep in mind that there is no financial commitment from the Liberal government and the NDP abandoned us. So this will be an election issue in our area.
Here are a couple of thoughts about the panels.
1. There seems to be no reference to adding stations along the APL or the corridor. Once again Metrolinx needs to catch up with where the public is as using the corridor as part of an western DRL is gaining momentum by the day. It should, its a good idea.
2. Metrolinx still refuses to admit that electric rains are quieter than diesel ones despite the fact that every electric rail operator on earth says so and it doesnt matter whether the trains are European or North American designs. These panels say that with electrification noise will not get worse than with diesel trains which is a true but misleading statement; the trains will be quieter but to say that means that Metrolinx will have to admit diesel is louder and they cant do that. For the last few years Metrolinx has said that electric trains are not quieter because of things like the noise from the overhead pantograph but now they state "Therefore, no adverse noise effects are anticipated due to pantographs.". Its sad when an organization tries to invent its own science.
3. Metrolinx still plays down the impact of diesel pollution in our area by always referring to pollution levels within a regional framework. They never talk about pollution locally because they know it looks bad. Other rail systems like CalTrain have the courage to tell the public the truth and thats why they are getting rid of diesel.
"In addition to the air quality benefits of reducing automobile use for commuting by
increasing rail ridership, electric operations are expected to produce substantial
reductions in corridor air pollution emissions when compared with diesel locomotives,
even when the emissions of electrical power generation are included in the analysis.
Electrically powered trains are also more energy efficient than diesel-electric trains.
Reduced energy use also translates into reduced air emissions. Reductions in air
pollutant emissions represent long-term health benefits for Caltrain riders, and residents
and employees along the Caltrain corridor. " (http://www.caltrain.com/Assets/Peninsula+Rail+Program/Electrification+20...)
From the weekend edition of the Villager, "South Parkdale resident Ric Amis...said he was disappointed to find the meeting was presented as a series of panels as opposed to a presentation by Metrolinx followed by a question-and-answer period. "
After wasting a lot people's time over a couple of years, the school board finally said there is not enough room at Perth Public School for French Immersion. A very frustrating experience and one that leaves the re-election of the School Board Trustee in serious doubt. She was a bystander in the process and of no real help in the end.
Hi.
I wasn't able to attend the meeting, but I am definitely interested and in support of a FI program at Perth. If there are more meetings or anything I can do to help, please keep me posted.
hollytreddenick@gmail.com
Thanks. Holly
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/02/04/go_rail_construction_for_unio...
The noise hurts but the more work they do the sooner it'll be over.
There will be a new access way directly in the middle of the development.
Sadly Tom Falus owns the Solways property but I agree that the JT is a food desert in some ways. We desperately need an affordable place for fresh fruit and vegetables.
Latest report from Fraser Inst shows Perth continues upward trend,
Great news...
http://ontario.compareschoolrankings.org/elementary/Perth_Avenue_Junior_...
Thanks for that info, most appreciated. It would be great if more path access did happen. Still, from what I can understand, there seems to be some resistance. For example, it seems like the commercial space at the Wallace Walk development will have entrances from the road only, not the path. Or at least it looks that way to me when I browse their website. Am I mistaken? Maybe this is due to zoning issues, and not the developer's preferred choice.
And while wishing away, it would great with, say, a grocery store where Solways was located, with direct access from the path. But I guess I'm getting off topic now.
The chorus for electrification and integration to provide real transit solutions is growing by the day and getting harder to ignore. Folks, what we have been saying is catching on. This story captures all the details and all the potential that electrification could bring. THIS story is what we need to make front and centre during the next election.
http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2014/01/cityrail-getting-gta-moving
Railpath is always looking for new access points along the route. Friends of Railpath has met with many folks along the route to make this happen. We met with Castlepoint (and got great support) and the Planning Department re the new Wallace Development among others. There is an active movement to create new openings as property along the path develops.
Thats odd, usually with new street names they try to find names that have some direct connection to the area. No offence to Mendes but I dont see the connection.
Perth/Dupont crossing has more going on than TMO. Popular churrasqueiras chicken place Eduardo's (Conditional Pass), has something going on. I see drunk and hangover construction workers leaving the place via front doors early mornings.
The Junction Triangle Rail Committee has sent NDP provincial leader Andrea Horwath a letter asking her to make electrification of the rail corridor a condition for supporting the spring budget. If you agree that the NDP should seize this opportunity to make good on their promise of Clean Trains Now, please consider copying the letter and sending it with your name on it directly to Andrea at ahorwath-qp@ndp.on.ca
January 28, 2014
Andrea Horwath
Leader, New Democratic Party of Ontario
Room 113, Main Legislative Building
Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A5
Re: Spring Budget Opportunity – Open Letter
Dear Andrea:
The provincial spring budget offers the Ontario New Democratic Party an opportunity to deliver on your frequently stated promise of “Clean Trains Now.”
The NDP holds the balance of power in the legislature and this will be the last opportunity for you to make good on your pledge before an election this year. Many Junction Triangle residents have been disappointed by your party’s failure keep your promise on two previous occasions.
You have visited our neighbourhood and indicated your support for electrification personally. NDP MPPs have posted hundreds of signs around West Toronto calling for Clean Trains Now.
Can you assure area residents that you will keep your promise this time and negotiate support for the spring budget in exchange for electrification of the Georgetown South rail corridor?
Many thanks for your consideration. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
(Sent Electronically)
Kevin Putnam
Junction Triangle Rail Committee
Cc. All members, Junction Triangle Rail Committee
JunctionTriangle.ca
Roncesvalles-Macdonell Residents Association
Jonah Schein, MPP, Davenport
Cheri DiNovo, MPP, Parkdale-High Park
I also didn't hear anything and have friends that live on Hugo. But I do agree that " this month only " has to GO. It has been a thorn in my side for years. I have seen everything you can think of happen there, drugs, prostitution and overly drunk costumers, which I've seen drive away. I have contacted Ana Bailao office about this many times, they say that there working on it...well 4 yrs. Mrs. Bailao and the local police haven't done much??? But guess calling the police is all we have ??? hoping for better solution.
Sousa Mendes was a Portuguese Consul General in Bordeaux France, during the second World War II . He was able with fake documents and other means help thousands of Jews and other racial minorities escape the Nazi war machine that was occupying France and taking to the death camps. So I guess certain groups in Toronto, Portuguese and Jewish are doing this to honor his name for what he did to save there lives, and deserved respect...
Excellent, many thanks for that update! Let's hope no zoning regulations or such will stand in the way.
I sent the same comment to Metropolis' owner and he said they would definitely look into pursuing a railpath entrance and café one they get going, but step 1 is get the restaurant going.
I do mean the #168. Thanks for pointing that out. I will change the post.
Hello do You mean #168 Symington Bus?
Interesting. Haven't read the details of this whole report, but anyone know why the Edwin Ave. extension is called Sousa Mendes Street / Road? Any context of who that's named after?
Click here to read recent appeal:appeal is allowed
Wallace moves forward with plans. Only the freezing weather slowing it down now.
I live on Wallace Ave., not far from the Metropolis Factory, and I am very supportive of a restaurant there.
I am not sure what the regulations allow, but I have suggested in an e-mail to Councillor Bailao that the restaurant be required, or at least encouraged, to have an entrance from the West Toronto Railpath. That would make it easier for patrons to arrive by foot or bike, rather than by car.
I think it would also set an interesting precedent for potential rezoning of other areas around the path, which could make it easier to get to cafes, restaurants, bars and grocery stores by foot and bike, without bothering drivers. The Railpath is nice but I find it immensely frustrating that is doesn't get me anywhere I need to go. To get groceries or a coffee I have to risk my life just crossing Dundas.
Moreover, if residents on Edwin Ave. would have any concerns about noise and traffic around Metropolis, I imagine it might help if the restaurant were to be accessed only from the Railpath, and not from the street. I hope zoning regulations would allow that.
How did this meeting go? I back on to the property and emailed in my support assuming things are done properly.