Dear residents,
Last week's storm caused some localized power outages, tree damage and basement flooding in Ward 22 and across Toronto. I would like to commend our city's first responders, Toronto Hydro workers and City Forestry staff for working around the clock to deal with emergency situations, restore power and remove fallen trees and branches. Of course, all of our thoughts are with our neighbours in the northeastern United States, and further south, who bore the brunt of Hurricane Sandy. A week later, there are still many people without shelter, power, fuel or food. If you would like to help, please support the Red Cross' efforts to support those affected by this tragedy.
Please see my community update, along with upcoming public meeting dates, below.
Sincerely,
Josh
Preservation of historic Postal Station K in North Toronto
As some of you are surely aware, Postal Station K is an building and still-functioning post office that sits on Yonge just north of Eglinton. Its long-standing service to the community, sitting on the site of the Upper Canada Rebellion's Montgomery Tavern, along with its Art Deco architecture and the rare Royal Cipher of Edward VIII make this a very valuable and historic building. I have therefore put my support behind the Eglinton Park Residents' Association's formal application to have the City grant Postal Station K heritage status. I invite anyone who wishes to find out more about the issue and get involved to take a look at their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/YongeEglintonPostOfficeStationK.
Mount Pleasant Village BIA Annual General Meeting
I'll be speaking at the Mount Pleasant Village BIA Annual General Meeting, tonight, Monday, November 5 at 6:30 PM at The Briton House (720 Mount Pleasant Road). Please visit their website for more information about events and activities in the community. In addition, congratulations to their Coordinator, Julie Federman, and the BIA Board, for hosting a very successful Harvest Fair and for winning a TABIA award for their original street tapis event, "Restaurauntacular".
US Election Night with Democrats Abroad
On Tuesday night I'll be watching the US election results with Democrats Abroad at the Sheraton Centre Hotel (123 Queen Street West). I hope to see you there! Election returns begin at 8 PM. Tickets are $25 at the door.
Maurice Cody Public School FSA
The next meeting of Maurice Cody PS Family and School Association this Tuesday, November 6, at 7 PM in the school library. I'll be stopping by to speak with parents about my support for school initiatives including improving their school field.
17-25 Lascelles Boulevard Planning Meeting
I invite you to attend a community consultation meeting with City Planning staff and myself on Wednesday, November 7, at 7 PM, at Christ Church Deer Park about a proposed development at the Brentwood Towers on Lascelles Boulevard. A rezoning application has been submitted to City Planning to permit the construction of 12 townhomes, each three storeys high.
Oriole Park Association Public Meeting
The Oriole Park Association is hosting a public meeting on Wednesday, November 7, about developments at Yonge and Eglinton. Toronto's Chief Planner, Jennifer Keesmaat, will be the guest speaker. Everyone is welcome. The event begins at 7 PM at North Toronto Memorial Community Centre in the Multi-Purpose Room on the ground floor.
Councillor Matlow at Remembrance Day Ceremonies
As Remembrance Day will be falling on a Sunday this year, on Friday, November 9th, I will be attending Remembrance Day ceremonies at Northern Secondary School and Maurice Cody Public School to commemorate the thousands of men and women who sacrificed their lives as members of the Canadian armed forces. I am very pleased to be addressing this generation of students, and to be honouring all Canadians who have served to protect our country and take part in important international peacekeeping missions.
Midtown Planning Group Meeting
The Yonge-Eglinton area is considered a Centre within the Official Plan, and thus is designated for intensification of employment and residential uses. There is a great deal of development currently underway in, or being proposed for, the Centre and the construction of the light-rapid transit along Eglinton will likely increase development pressures.
Currently the Yonge-Eglinton area is divided between two planning departments, two Community Councils and three municipal ward boundaries (Wards 22, 16 and 25). The North York Community Council adjudicates planning applications for the north-west and north-east part of the Centre north of Roehampton, and the Toronto and East York Community Council adjudicates planning applications for the southern portion of the Centre. Although there are Urban Design Guidelines, an Area Study and work underway on a planning study related to the Eglinton Crosstown, a strategy is required to ensure this work is comprehensive and consistent across Community Council boundaries.
For decades, successive Councils and prominent residents have done important work toward the creation of a strong neighbourhood. I deeply appreciate the significant contributions you have made towards developing our community. This is why I am delighted to invite you to the first meeting of the Midtown Planning Group.
Please join myself, Councillors Stintz and Robinson, and City Planning staff at our first meeting on Monday, November 12th, 2012 at 10 am. Kindly let me know if you'll be able attend by calling my office at 416-392-7906 or by e-mailing [email protected]. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Ecumenical Food Drive
Churches in Rosedale, Moore Park and Leaside are again sponsoring a Christmas Drive (the 41st consecutive) to help local food banks and agencies that are in urgent need at this time of the year. Flyers will be delivered to households on Saturday, November 17 and pick-up of donations is Saturday, November 24.
There are two locations for this year's drive: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (OLPH), one block west of Mount Pleasant Road on St. Clair Avenue East and Leaside Presbyterian Church on Eglinton Avenue, just east of Bayview Avenue. Times on both days are from 9:30 am until 12 pm.
Donations are sorted and packed at OLPH with same-day delivery to recipient food banks and agencies. Last year about 20,000 items were collected. Upwards of 300 volunteers are required and community hours are available for high school students and members of youth groups.
Two area Sobeys stores (Yonge/St. Clair and Wicksteed Avenue near Laird Drive) are again supporting the event by holding in-store drives throughout the Christmas season. They have specially prepared bags for purchase containing nutritious foodstuffs and these sources usually add another 10,000 to the overall total.
For ongoing council and community information, along with a calendar of events, please visit www.joshmatlow.ca.
