Highlights from the Toronto City Council meeting of May 11th and 12th, 2010.

Emergency support for displaced residents
Council approved establishing a City fund to help cover the costs to support local residents who are displaced from their homes during significant neighbourhood-level emergencies. Examples are a neighbourhood fire, a widespread power outage or a gas leak – which are classified as Level 1 or Level 2 emergencies in the City of Toronto’s Emergency Plan. Services in those situations are likely to include emergency accommodation, food, counselling and a reception centre to support potentially large numbers of displaced residents. more »

Construction on the Victoria Park Station Bus Terminal Replacement Project is continuing. One component of the project is the addition of a new automatic entrance/exit at the east side of the station to the Teesdale community.

To enable the contractor to safely work in this area without impacting subway service, hoarding will be installed. Due to the close proximity to the subway main line tracks, and to ensure the safety of the workers, it will be necessary to install the hoarding in the early morning hours when the subway is closed (see night work schedule below for details). more »

Election Day is Monday, October 25, 2010. In order to make voting a quick and easy experience, voters are encouraged to make sure that they are included on the Voters List. Being on the Voters’ List ensures that voters receive important election messaging such as their voter information card. The voter information card details where and when to vote, and also speeds up the time spent at the voting location.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is responsible for preparing the preliminary list of electors. This is an initial list of individuals who are eligible to vote in a municipal and school board election and this list is used by the City of Toronto to create the final Voters’ List. Information about property owners and tenants is included in MPAC’s database and the database is kept up to date with the help of residents. more »

Mention the name ‘McPherson’ in the Scarborough soccer community and you will always get a response – and all will come with a story and all will be favourable. You see, Jim McPherson is one of a kind – he’s as tough and hardy as the Scotch Thistle that grows abundantly in the land of his birth. And yet there is a gentleness and a kindness that comes to the fore whenever there is a needy or troubled youth that comes his way. He is really a softy at heart.

Forty years ago the pastor of Clairlea Presbyterian Church on St. Clair Avenue east of Pharmacy asked for someone in the parish to suggest an activity that would serve the youth of the community. Jim knew the game of soccer and when he approached the pastor with the suggestion of starting a soccer club, little did either gentleman guess that the result would be an organization that has served thousands of young people over its forty year history and continues to be a precious gift to today’s youth. more »

On Thursday April 1st, 2010, Toronto’s Parks, Forestry & Recreation division held a momentous event at the Don Montgomery Community Recreation Centre: a golf lesson specifically designed for the visually impaired!

The lesson, primarily arranged and implemented by Mark Latramouille and Joanne Pay (Community Recreation Programmers at Don Montgomery) was a great success. It is hoped that more golfers with disabilities will come forward to create the demand for additional lessons.

With the warm weather upon us and the golf courses recently opened, it won’t be long before we see these courageous individuals hitting the links and impressing their fellow players! Congratulations to all!

Photos:

(Left) – Iona Gherasim ; Jack Dean; PGA Pro/Teacher, Jim Crawford.
(Right) – Iona Gherasim; Jack Dean; Jim Dean; and Mark Latremouille, Community Recreation Programmer, Don Montgomery CRC.

Missing: 2 course members, and Joanne Pay, Community Recreation Programmer.

Highlights from the Toronto City Council meeting of March 31 and April 1, 2010.

Plans for Yonge-Eglinton Centre
Council approved a rezoning application from the owner of the site at the northwest corner of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue, setting the stage for redevelopment of the site. The proposal, unpopular with some area residents because it will reduce open space at that location, includes creating a rooftop garden that will be accessible to the public. The Yonge and Eglinton intersection is one of the City’s four centres designated for commercial growth. Council’s decision on the rezoning application stipulates several requirements before issuance of a building permit.

Beach volleyball contract more »

Beyond the 18 days of fun, rides, games, and shows each summer, the CNE is active throughout the year in the community, adding a little extra excitement to local events with its Community Events Team, and supporting local not-for-profit organizations through its Donations Program.

Community groups wishing to learn more about these free programs, and how they can be incorporated into local events, are encouraged to visit www.TheEx.com/community. Alternatively, you can contact Lynn Yorke at (416) 263-3814 / lyorke@theex.com, or Kyle DeSousa at (416) 263-3812 / kdesousa@theex.com.

Victoria Park Station Bus Terminal Replacement Project

Work is continuing on the Toronto Transit Commission’s three-year construction project at Victoria Park Station that will bring many improvements to the bus terminal and station area. During the project, the station will remain operational, but access to and from the station and to buses will change during various construction phases.

Work Conducted From January to March, 2010: more »

Notice of Commencement of the Transit Project Assessment Study and Open Houses

The City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) are holding two Open Houses where you can learn more about this transit project, ask questions and share your comments. Details are as follows:

• April 12, 2010
  6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
  Jean Vanier CSS (959 Midland Avenue)

• April 15, 2010
  6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
  Chinese Cultural Centre (5183 Sheppard Avenue East)
  

Background
As part of Transit City, the City of Toronto and TTC are planning the conversion and extension of the existing Scarborough Rapid Transit (RT) line. The project will support economic development, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide effective alternatives to driving. The project will double the passenger capacity of the Scarborough RT and provide fast, reliable and accessible service. more »

The City of Toronto has released the 11th edition of its online newsletter, City Update. This edition provides readers with the latest news on City services, innovations and initiatives and can be viewed at http://www.toronto.ca/city-update.

The following stories are included in the new edition: more »