This issue of the CCRA News contains the referendum on traffic issues I mentioned in my report last month. Please take the time to read and respond to this referendum as it gives us the ability to speak with authority to all levels of government about what this community really wants.

Don't let anyone make assumptions about what you want to happen to your community. Even with the best of intentions, the CCRA executive, the city, the province or any of our elected officials can commit you to a course of action that you will not be happy with. Don't let this happen.

The Brumwell development continues to become an increasingly important issue. The initial application for the construction of 19 new single family dwellings, appears to be just the tip of the iceberg. Since then, an application to sub-divide and develop 80 Brumwell has been made and other developers have been trying to acquire the property between Brumwell and Centennial, north of Lawson. These developers are trying to amass an area large enough to significantly increase the development. After inspecting the area, I would estimate that if they are successful, there could be as many as 50 houses proposed.

This would destroy the creek, the ravine and the natural woodland between Brumwell and Centennial. This is a rather remarkable area partly because of its size and partly because it is so unexpected. Several years ago, we opposed any development of this area and enlisted the aid of Councillor Moeser who encouraged the City to buy up parcels of land to preserve environmentally sensitive areas which would otherwise have been destroyed. We are seeking his support again as well as the support of the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to try to block the proposed development. Councillor Moeser is trying to arrange the swap of another parcel of land to be developed in order to preserve this one. The City sometimes employs this practice in special situations. The TRCA is opposing development on environmental grounds.

The Manson situation just refuses to settle down. It has been reported that work was being conducted on site even though there is supposed to be no activity. See the Manson article article elsewhere in this issue.

Work has started on the Port Union Village Common. There is not much to see so far but now that construction is underway, we can look forward to its completion and the benefits of everyone's efforts to make this happen.

City Council has decided that the Emergency Shelter Bylaw requires more consideration. It will not be passed prior to October and in fact, there will be the opportunity for more public input before a vote is taken.

By the time you are reading this, the City should be in the midst of introducing it's new Official Plan. I have not seen a copy of it yet but had an opportunity to briefly discuss it with Councillor Moeser. Apparently, existing legislation such as the Centennial Community Bylaw will remain in force and so will community participation in the development of new legislation.

Earth Day was another success! Thank you to the people responsible for organising all the activities, to the many of you who volunteered your time and energy to cleaning up the residual garbage that builds up over the winter months, to the City and to everyone who donated materials and food to make the clean-up possible and to feed the tired and hungry when it was all done. A job well done, everyone!

I remind you again, we are about to kick-off our 2002 membership campaign and are in need of canvassers and street captains. If you can help, please call Marilyn Hodge at 416-284-9984. She would love to hear from you.

It is with regret that I give you this last piece of news. Andy Bowers, who has been our webmaster and an invaluable contributor to making things work around here for the last umpteen years, has decided to pass the torch. As you know, we are all volunteers. We're always short of time, trying to balance concern for the community with life at home and with our jobs. After seeing what Andy has done of the years, I think he must have already sacrificed his home life or his job or maybe both. Not only does he keep our website up-to-date but he programs and loads surveys and questionnaires, is a roving reporter/photographer, helps prepare the layouts for each issue of the CCRA News, is a personal reminder of when I am running late with my monthly report which is every month, is a provider of advise and information relative to a whole raft of issues and is the injector of humour at the very point when we need it the most - when it looks like there will be no tomorrow. You will be missed, my friend. Thank you.