Campbell Park dump cleaned up.....almost
As you probably already know and have even possibly experienced in one way or another, Campbell Park was used as a temporary garbage dump during the recent City of Toronto workers strike.
The "garbage strike", as it was often referred to, lasted for just over one month, and our local rink at Campbell Park was used as a temporary dump site for approximately two weeks starting around July 16th. A group of residents calling themselves Friends of Campbell Park protested the use of Campbell Park as a dump.
Over the August long weekend, City Staff finally hauled the garbage away and started to clean up the rink. However, people are reporting that the site is still contaminated with the sticky leftovers of two weeks worth of garbage runoff.
Since I was away and unable to truly experience the effects of this strike on Campbell Park myself, I will leave it up to these media / blog / photo links to tell the story. If you have any of your own stories or comments about how this strike affected our neighbourhood, please feel free to share them in the comments below.
Media / Blog Links:
- Protests mark opening of new temporary dumps, CTV, July 16 2009
- Residents upset with three new dump sites, Toronto Star, July 16 2009
- Residents to protest Campbell Park dump site, The Villager / Inside Toronto, July 16 2009
- New Day, New Dump Sites, CityNews, July 16 2009 (With video)
- Campbell Park anti-dumping protest: it was a circus, Michael's Bloor-Lansdowne Blog, July 17 2009.
- Photos from Thursday's protest at Campbell Park, Michael's Bloor-Lansdowne Blog, July 19 2009
- Park fans trash dump-free CNE, Toronto Sun, July 21 2009
- Campbell Park garbage protesters chain selves, CTV, July 22 2009
- Clean up our park: Residents, Toronto Sun, July 28 2009
- Garbage pickup resumes as some steamed over dumps, CTV, August 4 2009
- Garbage gone but contamination fears remain, The Villager / Inside Toronto, August 6 2009
A few more photo links on Flickr:
- Campbell Park Garbage Park, by Martin Reis
- The Big Clean-up, by Martin Reis
- TOStrike - Human Chain, Friends of Campbell Park, by Himy Syed
Comments
Well Said Carla
Well said.It was great to meet you at the really successful Perth Park Party this year, an event that was truly representative of our community. Celebrating what is good in our community is the way to go.
Helping Others
Through these discussions the topic of issues for the community keeps coming up. Why don't we list some of those here so that others can see what is needed to improve this community further and work towards some resolutions. I have been here long enough to see this area go down hill and now it is picking up again thanks to some of the new neighbours moving in. So many people care about where they live.
I agree
I do agree with you 100%. I know that there are companies that burn garbage and in turn use that for energy to power 20 homes. I know that in Durham, one is being built as a pilot project. With pressure from all of us maybe there woun't be a strick.
Incineration won't help
Disposal is a different issue from collection.
Even with incineration, we would still require garbage collection. If a strike happens, then garbage still piles up locally before pickup resumes. Incineration also does not provide as much incentive to reduce the amount of waste generated, so we may end up in a WORSE situation if it has to pile up locally.
Let's bring this back on-topic
Hi everyone,
I'm glad to see that there is so much activity on this site, but we're veering far off-topic now.
Sounds like people have too many pent-up emotions around here. :) Let's try to bring this energy back to doing something positive.
I think we can pretty much all agree that the strike was an inconvenience for many people in the neighbourhood, and that using a local park as a dump really stinks (in more ways than one). Let's make sure this doesn't happen again.
Here are three ways to keep it from happening again:
With a bit of pressure and forethought, this type of situation can be prevented in the future. And if it happens again, we can minimize the impacts on our neighbourhood.
Condescending Nastyness and Spurious Credentials
I don't know if you are an arrogant person, and I don't care. If you think other people would benefit from learning feel free share a snide comment with a friend and keep it out of a community discussion. This comment is most certainly condescending and extremely unlikely to have any positive value.
Along those lines I would suggest we can the credentials as well. Your ideas can stand on their own. Sometimes it is hard to express them. That's ok. If you don't convince everybody of the absolute righteousness of your position on the first go-round, you can try again. It might be helpful to focus on the most important thing you are trying to say. You are no more convincing for living here for 72 years or being the mother of seven children, or having spent 32 hours bleeding in a ditch, or my favorite: responsible for clean air. Do we have a hubris award? That one was really fantastic - aside from it being useless in the current conversation.
A better way to support a claim would be posting link to a credible source. If someone claims to have scientific proof of something they should be prepared to back it up.
On a discussion forum moderation note I would suggest the comment titled "Get Real" that starts "I woun't play your stupid game" and gracefully if somewhat ironically signs off with the phrase "think before you speak." seems not to have any merit to counterbalance it's venom. It might present an excellent opportunity for pruning. If this is to be a family show we need to keep things civil.
Get real
I woun't play your stupid game. When you have lived in the community as long as I have then you can have bragging righs. Right now you are green around the gills and think you know everything. Think before you speak.
Virginia At least Get Your Euphemisms Correct
"Right now you are green around the gills and think you know everything." You mean that he is ill and thinks he knows everything?
I think you mean "Wet behind the ears".
I am not sure who you are referring to but once again your comments say more about your own arrogance than anything else.
setting things stright
No I mean green around the gills. They used this term a long time ago. I simply means that someone still needs to learn more about a subject then they think they know. And I was refering to the person who made a comment about red coat and beard. I am not arrogant. Far from it.
replying to everything
I'm replying to everything thing that has been getting posted of late for the most part. I know what I did could be considered an attack earlier but I see everyone has been attacking each other too much. I don't think it matters how long one person has lived in the area over another. They should each have equal footing/say in the community. There should be no bullying. Someone new could offer some thing that the old residents may not even of considered. Should not shut them down or out. I want to add more to this but don't want to make this too long. I'm sure people will get what I'm trying to get at.
Thanks Virginia for showing Your True Colours
Thanks Virginia for showing us all how you think you are better than everybody else and should have special rights because you have lived here longer. You sound xenophobic.
I started work in this area in 1978 at Follis Auto on Geary Avenue and then at Wallace Studios in 1981 so in my case I think I have some bragging rights too. But for the record your highness how long does one have to live here to be a "real" resident like you. Come on we all want to know. You have our attention so I dare you to answer that question. And will it be you granting us citizenship?
Let me also help you with your fuzzy memory as there were many many people involved in the area in the 1980's regarding pollution not just you so please give credit where it is due.
Your deluded comments of self grandeur may impress your cronies but but like all communities things change and people come and go and nobody "owns" an area. You don't speak for the community, you don't speak for anybody I know nor I, and your tone about how long people have lived here is offensive to ALL residents.
simple comment
I am glad that you have lived in this community that long. But you did not answer my question what have you done to give back to your community? I don't insult anyone that doesn't want to be insulted. But don't come down on Jack or myself if we have done more then you. And yes that gives us bragging rights. The community that I live and serve tells me when to stop helping people and so forth. By the way Jack and I are the one's that formed "South Junction Residence Association". What have you done.
give all of us a break you
give all of us a break you have no dame right to brag you or jack you don't care what others have done for the community, and if you want us to pat you on the back gives examples of what you have done for the community we have asked you then many times and have yet to get an answer.
Virginia continues to feel superior to everyone
Virginia I ask you again to have the courage to explain to the hundreds of residents in our area when by YOUR definition people become "real" residents. If you want to throw your bragging rights around than the guts to back it up. So the community is still waiting for your answer.
My personal record in Parkdale and here speaks for itself. The fact that dont know about me, or about others, doesn't negate our contribution as you are not the Queen of the community.
For the record, the SJTA fell apart weeks after it started. In case you haven't noticed its the people who you call outsiders and new residents who have been keeping this site going and forming other groups and committees that are getting stuff done in the area.
So answer the question Virginia when are people "real" residents?
Re: simple comment
For shame. You shouldn't be doing this for bragging rights. You should be doing this because you want to do this. There should be no fame or glory involved in this. And what does it matter how much more one does over another? It doesn't really make you any better. So what if you have more time on your hands to commit to the community verses someone who may only have a few hours per week or say month. What matters is that they tried to commit some thing. Some may also be too sick or weak to commit as much as they'd like to or even commit at all. Maybe there's a person out there who if they were in a better position could do more than you and run you down as you are doing to others.
Lets get real
I don't think that my energy should be spent on renaming of a community. Juntion Triangle has alway been here. The fact that we have 3 sets of railway tracks signifies our name. I am sure all those who want the name changed are those who have just moved into the community. So tell me once you have changed the name are you then going to move to the Annex and change that name because it doesn't suit you? Embrace the neighbourhood you live in and stop trying to change history to suit your taste. As for the GO/APL rail line it is going ahead. It's called progress. We have trains coming and going all day long and we are doing just fine thank you. I tell you what, why don't you do something like help the needy in the community. Your heart will feel much better for doing it.
reply to lets get real
you want to get real ok there maybe trains already going through our area but if we can change what kind of fuel they will use i think that's a benifit , and you talk as if your the queen bee of the neighbourhood some of us have been areound here longer then you so get off your high horse
Let Past Behaviour Speak for Itself
People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones:
http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=159916&archive=27,4,2007
These Kids Hate Their Veggies
Now Magazine
"Fava claims that Giambrone's garden plot has further lowered opinion of him in a neighbourhood he claims feels ignored in favour of "WASPs" and the "bio-toilet" crowd."
"The controversy escalated into nasty arguments when Fava set up white boards at the garden and encouraged local kids to "express themselves." "
"He maintains the kids "knew what went down" and no one coerced children into writing "Gardens are for loser's [sic] so be cool!" or "I hate veggies! Yuck." "
http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=160002&archive=27,5,2007
Letter from Jonathan Libralesso to Now Magazine about the article “These Kids Hate Their Veggies”
http://www.campbellpark.ca/wiki/wiki.php?n=NeighbourhoodNews.FoodShareGa...
Foodshare Garden Controversy in Erwin Krickahahn Park
What great long lasting improvements have occurred since squelching a food garden that would helped feed many people with low income? There is more to improvement than calling in the police for crack bags. Perhaps other residents have wonderful ideas but fear their projects will be sabotaged through mis-truths and rumours.
You can't have things both ways, portray yourself as the champion of the downtrodden with such public eye vigor and then feel harassed when some of your less then stellar actions are questioned.
I don't have time to answer your lies, but will touch on a few
To Whatchamacallit, try using your real names, I know you live on campbell ave. I'm sorry I have never read the left wing news paper the Now Mag, so I can't answer you about what they wrote, because I haven't read the article and don't have intention to reading it. As far as what the kids wrote about hating veggies, I guess you would have to ask the parent about what the child meant, but I guess the child was mad because they were going to take all the park away, instead of sharing, like kids are taught to do. About feeding the hungry with the community garden, we were told this was for personnal use only. I won't get into all the details, the majority of the residents spoke up, they didn't want the garden. Now Adam has future plans for some gardens and he would have to consult with the general community, speacilly for those who live close to the gardens. I hope I answered some of your questions, you can write and say whatever you like, this does not bug me or make me feel bad, people are judged by there action, people know me and they can make there own conclussions about me.
The Message is the Medium
It doesn't matter what my real name is or where I live, you wouldn't me if I passed you on the street. As I've said before, you've made yourself a public figure around here.
This in NOT about the FoodShare garden. It is about the methods in which you incite people to react.
Yelling at people and name calling: those people throwing out their garbage in the Campbell Park hockey rink are NOT to blame for the strike and yelling at them, as you yelled during the FoodShare meetings and calling people names assaults. It doesn't further debate on an issue where BOTH sides can be heard.
Riling people up with anger: the white boards put up in the park for the food garden, after spreading lathering people up in a frenzy, what do you think you'll "encourage" children to write on it. Pleases and no thank yous? A civilized debate where BOTH sides can be heard? Same goes for putting up funeral wreaths in Campbell Park. Creating a charged up atmosphere does not create a two sided debate.
Stating that the public was NOT informed properly:
If you want to debate public consultation about FoodShare, from this link:
http://www.campbellpark.ca/wiki/wiki.php?n=NeighbourhoodNews.FoodShareGa...
Excerpt from an email from Chris Gallop to Jack, dated August 21, 2007:
"We hand-delivered 500 flyers to the surrounding streets to let people know this garden was being considered and to invite them to the consultation meeting. Volunteers also went door to door on Rankin Crescent to let them know about the meeting. While it's true that some people can't understand English or Portuguese, those two languages are understood by the vast majority of residents. While it's true that only 13 residents attended, we can't force people to attend meetings and every single person who did chose to come supported this project. Over the past three months that we have been working on this project, not a single person has raised an objection with our office to the installation of this garden until now."
500 flyers! You can't force people to read their mail properly. Therefore, yes, one can knock on 200 doors and people will honestly respond that they were not consulted. Volunteers went door to door on Rankin Crescent to let them know about the meeting. Then who is lying? Adam's office? For personal use -- how is a partnership with FoodShare for personal use? Moreover, FoodShare and Adam's office were willing to discuss compromises. This must have been a huge misunderstanding on your part and all those residents who ended up opposing the project?
It's a similar complaint Fuzzy Boundaries heard -- why wasn't the community informed of the first meeting? 5000 postcards were mailed out. You can't force people to look and read through their mail properly.
There are many who do good deeds in this area but do so quietly without fanfare. You and your merry bunch of men and women have been fighting the "good fight" for so long that now it seems you all cannot tell the difference between your friends and your enemies. Perhaps many of these people, myself included, would want to fight the "good fight" along your side but are discouraged due to all the drama and one sided angry atmosphere that is created.
to whtamacalilt
I have always believed that Food Share and other organizations are needed in the community. However, your NDP left wing magazine has a habit of misquoting individuals. Jack and I have and will always work to help the poor in this community.
About the vegetable garden. When Jack and I approached many individuals in that area it was plan to us that many had not seen the flyer and those that read it saw a different picture of what was planned for the park. They thought that a flower garden at the edge for what you wanted to plant. When Jack and I told the neighbours that you were going to construct a vegetable garden and how big, now that angered them. I know you don't like to hear this but I worked with the develeoper and convienced him that a new park was needed to be considered for the housing that was planned. After 2 long years of working with the City and the developer we today have a park. I wasn't about to let you take what I worked so hard for the children be taken away. If you needed more space then move to a area that has large backyards. Some of my neighbours have dug up their backyards and have beautiful vegetable gardens were they share their bounty with their neighbours. You are piss-off at us for bringing the community together and showing your true colours. That night after the meeting Jack was in the meeting room and was swarmed by your cronies and threated him. I walked in just as someone made theatening comments to Jack. Now that's real gown-up.
As for Fuzzy boundries, I never got any information or flyer of your meeting. I was told some time later of the meeting. Again it is a group of people who have moved in the neighbourhood some time ago and want to change the communities mame. Each community is named for a reason. And if you look at the picture of the neighbouhood when you open the SJRA page you will see why it is named that way. Tell me something, when you are throught living in this area and you move to another location are you going to change that communities name aswell? There is a lot of history here and one should not mess with history.
I have noticed that their are only 5 0r 6 not including Jack or myself who blog on this site. I believe I know who some of you are even though you hide by using silly names. 6 negetive induviduals does not speak for the whole community. I know your politics, and your ideals. Jack and I know you are doing everything to discredit us. Nice try, it's not working only a very, very small hand full of people read this. The majority applaude us.
From time to time the media gets involved it helps our message. Left wing individuals that I have meet over the years like yourself, to be negative and see negative in other people. I see the good in everyone, and yes even you. Jack and I would like to work with you but I have never gotten along with negitave individuals.
How sad
How sad that you have missed the point entirely on so many points and on top of that by getting left wing and right wing ideologies confused, by getting negative and positive attitudes confused too.
There are more people out there than you can imagine that do read this web site but are the silent majority. I wouldn't assume anything as to who they are. *sigh*
RE: I don't have time to answer you lies, ......
I think you both should read the article to understand what the child meant plus to get a better understanding what is or isn't going on in the community. It isn't right to tell another to read the article to get the understanding and that you have no intention on doing so. How do you expect to be completely informed?
I don't understand why you
I don't understand why you are referring to things going on in the neighbourhood as yours and mine. Aren't things like the bike path there for the whole community to use? Again I will repeat myself and say if we work together more issues can get resolved.
Mother of two, attacked the father of one first
This is really getting boring. It was the mother of two who suggested to the father of one, also a parent, to get a bin. It wasn't me who said negative things, go back to your past blogs. Just because people don't conform like some of you or believe in your ideology, dosen't mean it's bad. This neighbourhood is made of different people, ideas and ways. I never said anything bad about, your murals on bridges, bike paths or whatever else you said it your past blogs, but many have critized those residents who protested???
Mother of two, why didn't you get a bin
Mother of two. I helped put more garbage bags on the pickup truck for seniors, then you can imagine. We don't have BIA to get a bin, if you were so interested in getting a bin, why didn't you come forward and done it. The other thing is, if you seen so many crack bags at Rankin Park, why have you not reported this??? First time I heard this!!!
Tora, Tora, Tora
Jack:
Tora, tora, tora is not the way to build community unity. Attacking moms with young children ranks even lower. Any chance you can tone down the over-heated rhetoric and have a discussion?
Perhaps Mother of Two didn't require a separate bin because she went with the seniors and the majority of neighbourhood residents and used the temporary dump site.
Mother of Two is calmly raising a bigger issue about the protest effort, beyond your strong objections about using the outdoor hockey rink, what different measures would you have implemented? Should Mother of Two kept the garbage, the kitchen waste and the disposable diapers in the backyard play area? Would it be better to have all this garbage festering in homes with children in a thousand spots around the neighbourhood or would is it better to manage the risk of insects and rodents in a limited number of focused areas like unused hockey rinks and parking lots? That was clearly the opinion of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and his officials. Is there some reason to suspect their judgement?
Did the police really threaten members of your group with arrest if you didn't stop blocking neighbourhood residents from disposing of their garbage in the sanctioned spot at Campbell Park?
Was it really worth all that effort and manufactured rage just to get on a local news cable channel with the Mayor or are there other ways taxpayers and residents can (and do) let him know their views?
In retrospect, was all the negative neighbourhood media coverage
generated by your group with talk about the sky falling really warranted? Are there actually enough tangible results from all the negative publicity to justify the arbitrary actions of a few but impact everyone in the neighbourhood?
REPLYING to your question
Kevin, I will respond, but I won't continue to go back and forth with this. I can say the same to you, What do you think you are going to accompishing by wanting to change the name of the Junction Triangle???
Let me start with the facts. Toronto Eagles didn't play at Campbell when the strike began. They stopped playing at Christie and Campbell and had to play eles where. We kept in contact with each other. They were mad at the fact that they had to pay $12,000 of there own money for irrigation at campbell. Also some of the coaches were involved in the protest.
What did we accomplish, of all the 21 dump sites, Campbell was the most active, we kepted the pressure and sent a strong message to the City and Provincal Government to resolve this strike and to not use parks as dumps. Telling them they shouldn't dump in parks. The strike should not of happened to begin with. We even went live from campbell park to CP24 with the Mayor, like I said the garbage strike was just part of the strike and the reason why we were protesting, people didn't have proper health care, many of the welfare office closed, city dental office, rec centres, pool and so on. This protest got people out of their homes and the residents were able to speak out against something they were not in favour off, dumping of garbage that was to close to their homes and the children play ground. I had many strangers come to me or email me, thanking us about speaking out and protesting. The other two things I want to respond to was. About kids/people using other parks, yes there are other parks, but why should they go elsewhere, when they have a park across the street or close to them. The other is the evidence about poisoning the park. We don't know what PERMETHRIN long or short term effect this pesticide had on people, wildlife or pets, but I don't think any long term use of pesticide is good for the environment. Specially when it's band for use in Toronto homes. Lastly using our energy, it's no ones business, where we use our energy on. We wanted to express our frustration as a tax payer and resident and we did just that, this is a democratic society were one is able to express themselves and we did just that. So if you want to direct your energy of something go ahead, but don't dicdate to people what they should or shouldn't do.
replying to your question
Jack i watched you on cp24 talking to the Mayor the only thing you said was shame there was not one direct question to the Mayor second you are a tax payer like everyone else but that doesn't give you the right to speak for all of us , between the wreaths and the candles and everything else you and Virginia were doing only made it seem like a circus , it seems to me that if the both of you
are getting your faces on tv then you are at the front of the line but other wise no one sees you. so please stop making our neighbourhood sound like the slums .you also have no right to be ordering people to take the garbage else where or taking there pictures , and if you were so concerned about people taking there garbage to the transfer station then you such have offered the use of your van to transport it .
Mandy
Waaaaa! I like to criticize
Waaaaa! I like to criticize and comment about others plus let them know my likes and dislikes but heaven forbid that they should do such a thing back to me. It is not a allowed. What I hear is your concerns are more important than others.
You are public figure in this area
Jack you are a public figure in this here parts. You're often quoted in The Villager and are on local news television. You have been active with Virgina for a very long time. You've been involved with many groups. Therefore, many people know you or OF you. Your reputation precedes your presence. More people know of you than you would know of them. Your attitude sets the pace for how others outside your usual network see you too. That's just the reality of being a public figure.
There is truth to the comment by lkajflkasjlkfaj, from others who have worked around you. Pot calling the kettle black.
You make your views KNOWN many times and it does seem you place your causes as more important than others. Social issues are very important and you trot those out as though you and Virgina are the ONLY ones doing the big important work around here and everyone else are just frivolous bourgeoisie.
Let's try to give each group credit that all are working towards the same end, including all your causes.
WE are all trying to do something better for our community. All are just as important as the other.
enough is enough
I have always believed in giving back to the community. I have lived in the Tunction Triangle all my life, never moved. The community knows of Jack and myself quite well We will quite often have someone approach us from the community to help them because all else has failed....and we do. The garbage strick was one of them. Many of our community members are elderly and afraid to voice their oppion. I was told by someone who works in managment at City Hall, that the exposure that Jack, Connie and I had regarding Campbell was getting the Mayor nervious as well as Adam J. And this individual believes that the presure we were doing resulted in both the union and the City to come together and end this strick. Jack and I have succesfully challanged both of them many times in the past.
I have served this community for over 32 years. How many of you can say that? You can thank me for the clean air that you breath today. Up to 1980 we had hudge pollution problems in this community. Myself and another resident fought long and hard to clean up this area. We replaced industry with a Co-op apartment, homes, and a park. I have sat on many committies along with the city to make this a good place for you to live. Jack has worked tiredlessly on many issues, and yes social issues are a major factor in this community. We both care about the children who live and play here. That has always been our goal to help the needy. And if we are in the news media, that's the way we get our message across. We have many people who help Jack and I. We are not a ONE man show. Jack and I have won many awards for our hard work. Can you say that? So the next time you want to slam someone's hard work then my suggestion to you is get off your ass and join the movement. We could always use more hands.
I grew up in this area and
I grew up in this area and chose to raise my children here so that makes me a resident for as long if not longer than you. I will not list the things that I have done for this community because you probably will not hear me over the sound of your own horn. Like I have already said twice, to get things done we need to come together but when you constantly stand around saying "ME, ME, ME" nothing can get done. I know for a fact that there are a large number of residents who are willing to solve issues that arise in this area. That is what a community is about. But when we can not cut through the BS to see the real issues at hand how can anything get resolved? So no Virginia, I am not sitting on my ass like you said!!
Welcome to Guess Who I Am!
"Okay contestant number one, tell us all about yourself, and then we will guess your all-knowing name. I'll get things started, Do you wear a red suit and live in the North?"
I am a mother of two and was
I am a mother of two and was angry that Campbell Park was being used for a dump due to the proximity of the play structure and the fact that the Early Years Centre was using Campbell for their summer programming but I refused to come out to protest once I saw Mr. Fava yelling at the neighbours on the news. At the beginning of the dump being used the media were showing elderly neighbours walking their garbage to the dump in their shopping carts. If Mr. Fava was so concerned about the other interest groups that were affected by the strike he could have helped out by planning for a bin to be set up for these citizens to use. It was done in the Dundas West BIA area. People with low incomes have no access to a vehicle to transport their waste. I agree with Virginia when she said in the Villager that the dump should be cleaned up correctly the first time but what I disagreed with is her use of the word "Pristine". Since when have any park in this area been pristine? I refuse to take my kids to the park on Rankin due to the many crack bags I was finding in the sand.
I would also like to address the comment about dividing the community. I have attended several meetings where Jack has done just that. Calling people names and not allowing the other side to be heard. I really do not know why there is such a divide between the newer neighbours and the longer time residents. This area is a perfect example of what works. The mix of incomes and ethnicities creates a beautiful community that I am proud to raise my children in. I would love to see us coming together more to deal with the issues instead of yelling and having the media focus on that. Things can be solved if we are willing to work together.
Comments from Dr Phil, see top aug 4th, 2009
Dr Phil, I was one of the protesters that was out for for just over ten days. This was not about been on TV and yes taken our park away from kids to dump garbage was an issue. Not to mention spraying pesticide, near homes and the children play ground was an issue. This strike was not only about the garbage strike. There are 3 vulnerable groups who were affected by this strike, the poor, children and the seniors. Closing welfare offices and public health office and not providing the services, shame on them. As a tax payer I wanted to voice my opinion and this is how we done it. I have been active in the community for over 10 yrs and also Virginia for over 30 yrs, involved in Environmental issues. So before you make a comment about people, know the facts. What you are doing is dividing the community. Saying one issues is more Important then the other. There are lots of issues in this community and residents have and always pick stuff that is interesting to them, you can't forces others to get involved.
What Was Accomplished?
Jack, I agree with at least two things you have written here; you can't forces others to get involved and residents have and always pick stuff that is interesting to them. No denying that!
I am curious to know what you think the protest effort accomplished? Did the strike end one second earlier because of your initiative? Did the community agree with you and stop using the park as a dump site? How many people are actually using the hockey rink in the summer (because the park itself was not closed and it was still used for soccer and cricket during the strike)? Why is this park so important when there are four other parks less than a five minute walk from Campbell Park (including the new West Toronto Railpath that stretches for more than two kilometres)? Where is the scientific evidence to indicate the city was poisoning the environment or are your claims just a feeling?
I don't think Scott is attmepting to divide the community, but instead expressing frustration about all that effort and energy that could be better utilized without making claims about how the sky is falling.
I look forward to reply (and let's keep it civil and avoid the name-calling).
Lets get back to the real issues now
Those who were so concerned about the health of our area during this short strike can now join the rest of the community in fighting a real environmental issue; the electrification of all Go/APL rail expansion which if not enacted will affect every citizen of our area, of all ages, for the next 30 years.
Instead of being a small group that wants to be on TV putting our area down at the drop of a hat there is a larger more optimistic group fighting to make real change happen and you can see it all over from Railpath, street murals, gardening clubs, new business, Fuzzy Boundaries, it just keeps growing. These are the same people fighting for green public transit instead of GO's toxic diesel. There is a lot to be excited about in our area and some challenges but I see all sorts of people taking the initiative and making change happen.
Anybody can get on TV, because as the press saying goes "if it bleeds it leads" but it will be the quiet army of optimists who will change things for the better in our area.
Keeping People Motivated for the Long Term is Harder
I agree. It's easy to get people riled up and angry for one day or a few short days.
It's more difficult to sustain long term, positive change and keep a large group of busy people motivated and involved when the effort requires commitment that goes beyond a few hours for one day or perhaps a couple of days -- when perhaps some of the work needed isn't about a burst of public display full of drama but done quietly without individual glory.