#ward 23

[dempseypark]

Join us April 19 2015 at 11am for a Community Clean-up at Dempsey Park.

Come to the park Sunday at 11am for Toronto’s Annual Clean Toronto Together Spring Clean-up event.  We’ll be picking up litter in the park, and along the West side of Beecroft from Park Home Ave up to the ‘deck’ at Canterbury Place Park.  We’ll provide the trash & recycling bags, but please bring any work gloves you way want to use, and feel free to bring a broom/dust pan along and we can give an extra spruce up to the walkways in the park as well.

Please bring a litter-less lunch as well to join in a group picnic afterwards.

Note the “Bike Tune-up” portion of the day won’t be happening like it did last year.  I wouldn’t rule out a spontaneous bike-parade though for the kids.

Also on April 19 at 1pm in the park, Chris Nolan will be hosting a conversation circle on our environmental rights, as part of the blueDot movement.  Check his event page for details.  Why is clean water, fresh air, and healthy food important to you?

[dempseypark]

Petition for an All Way Stop near the Park

Local resident Erwin Lerch has posted a petition to "Implement an All-Way Stop at Ellerslie Av. and Tamworth Rd." and is hoping Councilor Filion will support it.  This is the intersection just north west of the park which many people use when traveling to and from the community to Dempsey Park.

Local resident Chris Nolan has shared his opinion on why he doesn't support the all way stop: Signs don't equal Safety.

[ellerslieave]

"Reasons for Signing" posted on the "Implement an All-Way Stop at Ellerslie Av. and Tamworth Rd."

[ellerslieave]

These two volunteers, Chris and Alexander, were out distributing the attached flyer to the residents of Ellerslie this afternoon on behalf of the John Filion Campaign. 

[ellerslieave]

Speed monitor device installed.

Tuesday morning this week, a pole was inserted on the edge of the road in front of 222 and 224 Ellerslie Ave with a solar panel and black block attached to it.

Upon closer inspection it is a "Traffic Logic SafePace 450" unit in what appears to be 'stealth mode' (serial # 14090393) .  This device seems to be collecting traffic speeds as cars head west bound toward Senlac.  Ironically the 'Guild Electricians' crew that installed it, have it obstructing the 'School Zone' sign which traditionally meant that the speed limit was now 40km.

It is unknown at this time if it is in fact collecting data covertly, or if it just hasn't been turned on yet to display a warning to drivers who are speeding.

On whose authority was this surveillance device placed here?  Willowdale Middle School?  Toronto Transportation Services?  A 'concerned citizen'?  A private party?

[chrisnolan-ca]

Here are two views of my 'hood that one doesn't normally seen.  "Rooftopper" Steven Lou appears to have scaled the new Gibson Square development and photographed southbound showing "Mel's Bells", Mel Lastman Square, the Arts Centre, the Falcon's perch, and all the condos and construction down Yonge st.  Also, he turned his attention slightly to the east and shows Empress Walk, with Earl Haig SS in behind it and off into the distance at Bayview and Sheppard.

[chrisnolan-ca]

A note I sent to my Councillor's office about some complaints I had about work done near by.

One of those things I see around the neighbourhood that makes me question if the people involved are corrupt, or just incompetent:  The bridge at the Civic Centre that heads over to the library is under repair - again.  It has had work done on it ever year for the last 3 or 4 years.  How is it possible that this continues to happen?  I assume it is some city department that must manage the building and the grounds outside the building and someone must know why this is happening.  Also last summer the steps down to the square under the bridge were shut down for weeks for refurbishment and got an all new paint job.  The 'safety paint' is already half worn away.  I'm no fan of safety paint, so I don't mind seeing it go, but my guess is whoever envisioned that work being done thought it would last more than a year?

Uh oh, I started ranting so I'll keep going.  The pedestrian crossing at Beecroft and Park Home near the civic centre got a new paint job yesterday.  An incredibly sloppy paintjob.  They are using some ridiculous reflective goop and I know 4 year olds who can stay within the lines  better than these guys have.  Having to cross this intersection a dozen times a week or more, I'm going to be irked every time by the unsightliness of the work.  (The photo shows north south, but the east west on the south side is much worse but it was after dark when I experienced that so didn't get a picture).  The environmental issues of that paint made me wonder too... there was reflective power dust all around the area that looks like it'll just get washed away into the storm drains and ultimately the river. Also at that intersection it looks like they are planning on activating an 'advanced' green for cars going southbound on beecroft... cars get priority over pedestrians again.  I can't decide if it is a temporary thing due to the timing changes made at this light for the yonge street water work, or if it is in prep for the Gibson Towers to open.

Maybe it isn't worth looking into, but it makes me wonder.

Thanks for your time

[dempseypark]

The City of Toronto holds its annual Clean Toronto Together weekend on April 25 – 27.  It’s an opportunity to get together with friends, family, coworkers and classmates to clean a park, laneway or any other space that needs your help.  Working together we can eliminate litter, stop graffiti vandalism and keep Toronto clean and green.

There are a few other Clean Toronto Together events happening this weekend.  See the attached blog post from the Councillor's office if there are other events near by you'd like to take part in as well. See you Saturday in the Park. Also nearby, but outside of Ward 23, is the Friends of Earl Bales Park clean-up on Sunday the 27th.