Dear residents,
As you already know, I have been working on several important issues coming to City Council along with local priorities here in our community. Please read my latest update to learn more about the proposed casino, an upcoming meeting regarding the proposed development at 1331 Yonge Street, and many more events including our Community Clean-up Days tomorrow and Saturday.
In particular, I am very happy to report to you that the Toronto Seniors Strategy is finally ready after two years of hard work, research, and city-wide consultation. The Community Development and Recreation Committee unanimously supported the Seniors Strategy and its pathway to a truly age-friendly Toronto. It will be coming to City Council for a final vote on May 7 and 8.
Sincerely,
Josh
Community Clean-up Days
This weekend, I will be joining registered groups for Community Clean-up Days on April 19th, 20th and 22nd. Groups that are participating in this year's clean-ups include local schools, community groups and BIAs throughout Ward 22. For more information on the City of Toronto's Community Clean-up Days please visit http://www.toronto.ca/litter/clean-up/20minute.htm.
You will be able to find me at the following Clean-up Days events. I hope to see you there!
Friday
- 11:30 am Greenwood College School
- 1:15 pm Forest Hill Junior and Senior Public School
- 2:15 pm The Mabin School
- 3:00 pm Forest Hill Village BIA
Saturday
- 10:00 am Republic of Rathnelly
- 1:30 pm Foxbar Neighbourhood Association
Network Breakfasts for Seniors' Care Givers
Please join me at the ElderConnection Networking Breakfast on April 24th from 7:30 am to 9 am where I will be there speaking about the Toronto Seniors Strategy. You can join this networking group to make new contacts, catch up on news and developments, and get new business. The location of the meeting is the Dunfield Retirement Residence at 77 Dunfield Avenue.
Cost:
- Members $25.00
- Non Members $30.00
- 65 + or fulltime student members $20.00
- 65 + or fulltime student non-members $25.00
Agenda:
- 7:30 - 8:00 am: Registration and networking:
- 8:00 - 8:30 am: My talk on the Seniors Strategy
- 8:30 - 9:00 am: More networking
Beltline Clean-up
This spring, the Friends of the Beltline Clean-up will be on Saturday, April 27th from 10 am to 12 pm, beginning at Forest Hill Road Park. Please join me and the Beltline community in cleaning up our unique trail! For more information on the clean-up, please click here to view the event poster.
Yonge-Eglinton Helicopter Disturbance Update
Last night, I was contacted by many residents disturbed by the persistent drone of a helicopter flying low over the Yonge and Eglinton area. I have learned that it was a private flight, not a film crew, and well within the rules set by Transport Canada, the federal agency that regulates aviation in Canada. This is clearly unacceptable. There is absolutely no excuse for a private, non-emergency flight to interrupt the peace and quiet enjoyment of thousands of midtown residents.
I intend to approach Transport Canada and our local federal representatives to have this regulatory loophole closed so that no private helicopters are permitted to fly low over our neighbourhoods on any weekday evening, unless it's an issue of health and safety. During other times, we should have plenty of advance notice to prepare for the disturbance.
1331 Yonge Street Public Meeting
In response to resident concerns about traffic and safety related to a potential development at 1331 Yonge Street (the former CHUM site) I am holding a community information meeting on Tuesday, April 30th at 7 pm. The meeting location will be The York School Gymnasium at 1639 Yonge Street. Representatives from City Fire, Ambulance and Transportation Services, along with our local planner, will be available to provide information and answer questions.
Please see the meeting notice for more information.
City Council to Vote on Casino: May 7, 8
After several months of debate, delay, and distraction, the question of a Toronto casino will finally be decided by City Council at its meeting on May 7 and 8. I have heard from hundreds of members of our community on this issue, and I appreciate the deep passion for our City and our neighbourhoods that it has inspired in many of you. On both sides of the debate, I believe we all genuinely want to achieve a liveable, vibrant, prosperous home.
I have made my own position on this issue public for some time now. While I recognize the need to find sources of revenue to pay for our city's priorities, I do not believe that the long-term impact on Toronto, its neighbourhoods, its economy and its people are worth the gamble. I will not be supporting any proposal to place a casino in our city, nor any other proposals that contribute to the adverse social and economic impacts that gambling has.
Bright Hope Concert by Basakoli Choir of Toronto
Join the Basakoli Choir of Toronto for its Bright Hope Concert, a night of vibrant African music and fundraising. Proceeds are going to the refugee work of The Salvation Army in the Congo. The fundraiser is on Sunday, May 26 at 6 pm at the Global Kingdom Ministries, 1250 Markham Road. For more information and tickets, please visit http://basakolichoir.eventbrite.ca/.
Heritage Toronto Awards Call for Nominations
Heritage Toronto celebrates outstanding contributions by individuals and community organizations as well as industry professionals and associations in promoting and conserving Toronto's history and heritage landmarks. Nomination can be made by phone at 416-338-2175 or email at [email protected].
The deadline for nominations is Monday, June 3rd. The awards will be announced and presented on Tuesday, October 15th in conjunction with the William Kilbourn Memorial Lecture. For more information, please visit www.heritagetoronto.org.
My Visit to the Fred Victor Bethlehem United Shelter
I recently had the pleasure of visiting with the Fred Victor Bethlehem United Shelter. The Fred Victor Bethlehem United Shelter is unique in many ways but in particular one very unique feature is that it allows for individuals who are homeless to bring their pets when accessing Bethlehem Shelter's beds. It was immediately apparent to me what an incredible impact that having pets in the shelter has on wellbeing.
At this time, the Bethlehem Shelter is greatly in need of the following items to continue to provide these incredibly special services:
- Gently used clothing
- Towels and facecloths
- Toiletries (shampoo, soaps, shavers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, laundry soap, etc)
- Pet supplies (dog food, leashes, treats, flea powder, grooming supplies, litter/boxes, etc)
Fred Victor Bethlehem United Shelter is a registered charitable organization that relies on the generous support of individuals. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Danielle Ashby at [email protected] or by mail at:
Fred Victor Bethlehem United Shelter
1161 Caledonia Road
Toronto, Ontario M6A 2W9
Music and Memory: iPod Project
When you are visiting or caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, it can be a challenge to communicate and find ways to help him or her rediscover pleasure in the world. Based on the evidence of the beneficial effects of music and stimulation on people with dementia, the Alzheimer Society of Toronto is offering the Music and Memory: iPod Project, which uses iPods to bring personalized music to people with dementia. Please contact the Alzheimer Society at 416-640-6305 or [email protected] to inquire about eligibility with this exciting program. You can also learn more by visiting http://www.alzheimertoronto.org/ipod.html.
Would you like to have green bins in your apartment building?
The (Organic) Green Bin Program is now available to all multi-residential buildings across the City that participate in the City's collection services. The Green Bin Program allows participants to put organics (fruit and vegetables scraps, paper towels, coffee grinds, etc) out for separate collection along with garbage and recycling. By separating organics, such as food waste and soiled paper food packaging, your building will reduce the volume of garbage it sets out, reduce its fees, and ultimately help divert more waste from landfill.
If your building is on the program, or is about to start on the organics program, City staff are offering "in building" presentations for both residents and building staff/owners to learn about the program and to answer any questions. The City will also provide free kitchen containers for each unit.
To find out if a presentation has been scheduled for your building, simply contact your property management team or superintendent and they can call the Multi-Residential Inquiry Line at 416-396-5200. Additional information can be found by visiting http://www.toronto.ca/garbage/multi/green_bin_program.htm.
