President's Report

Jeff Forsyth

Posted Feb.06

As I write this article, the weather is more like spring than winter.  I hope we can have more winter like conditions by the time Winterfest arrives.   I know the organizing committee put a lot of time and effort into this community event.  We hope everyone enjoyed themselves.  Thanks to all our sponsors.  

Our annual membership campaign is still a few months off but already Membership Chair Tony Sibley has started to organize it.   Although we have been delivering the newsletter to the Port Union Village area since early last year, we have not been able to recruit canvassers for that area.  Please contact Tony if you are able to help. 

This past month there was an official opening for the new 43 Division Police Headquarters on Lawrence Ave near Manse Road.  The official opening for the public will be held later this spring.  Community Police Liaison Committee Chair Marilyn Hodge will provide details once the plans are finalized.

You may have noticed in early December that the province issued its proposal for the City of Toronto Act.  This act will give more power to the city and its elected council, particularly the mayor.  I would suggest you take note of the changes proposed and voice any concerns you may have when the opportunity for public input arises.   The way we are governed by the city affects all of us.

The city is proposing to install new recycling/garbage bins in selected locations throughout the city.  These new bins will have

rolling billboard advertising on them.   The city conducted a 3 month trial test.  The report on that test can be viewed at:

www.toronto.ca/legdocs/2006/agendas/wks.htm.  Community Council will be hearing public deputations in early February and will report to Council in early March.

 In December an application to sever the back sections of some properties on Centennial and Brumwell was heard by Community Council.  The application was turned down by Council.  They advised that the application was premature and did not satisfy some sections of the Planning Act.  The properties were shown to front onto a new street, St Magnus (running north from Lawson near Centennial).  This street is not presently a public road allowance and thus the properties cannot be severed at this time.

You may be interested to know that “No Frills” has applied to the City to convert the old White Rose Nursery on Island Road to a grocery store.  The application is subject to the City of Toronto site plan control process.  

On January 16, I attended the Waterfront Working Committee meeting.  We received a construction update.  The Toronto Region Conservation Authority expects to complete shoreline work to Highland Creek by mid February.  The preliminary design of the bridge was reviewed.  The Conservation Authority will be tendering the bridge construction shortly and expect to have the bridge complete by September 2006.  The target date for the opening of the trail from Port Union Road to Highland Creek is October of this year.

Jeff Forsyth

President