Despite efforts from fellow Candidate Terry Mills and myself to stop/amend this proposal, were were unable to. While mayoral candidate Rob Ford did support this community all the way on this issue, only three other Councillors were opposed to the rezoning. Eleven members of council obstained, or were absent for the vote. The Toronto city planner and the local councillor were in favour of this motion, which makes it an uphill battle in any ward. Thanks to those who wrote, emailed and appeared at Community Council and City Council. For those of you who are interested I am back on the campaign trail on Monday. I have never been as motivated to fill the leadership void, as I am right now. Lets bring planning back into the community, together we can make sure this never happens again. On a side note* the local Councillor/City Council has also lowered the speed limit on Roe Ave from 50km/hr to 40km/hr(east of Avenue Road) .The extension of sidewalk on the north and south sides of Lytton Boulevard, from Bathurst Street to eastern property line of 484 Lytton Boulevard and the western property line of 2671 Bathurst Street has also been approved. Despite the local Councillors best efforts to present the motion this evening( while council attendance was lower), democracy prevailed and the item will be read to a full council tomorrow! "In fact, the targets set by the Province for the Yonge and Eglinton Urban Growth Centre have already been met, and the area continues to intensify. The objective intended by the requirement in the Growth Plan to identify a Major Transit Station Area has already been met by the existing designations within, and beyond, the 500m radius of Yonge and Eglinton." Toronto City Planner Much of what went on last week at North York Community Council had little to do with good planning and respect for technical aspects and more to do with politics and political survival. For over two hours deputants spoke against a 17 storey building that increased to a 20 storey building by the end of council. The concerns were based on traffic, safety, inadequate parking, health, access to sunlight and human rights concerns. Technical aspects were mentioned as to whether this is even part of an area required to intensify. The building will take the air rights of the neighbouring building preventing an additional 120 affordable housing units from ever beeing built. Shortly after the proceedings began, Terry Mills, fellow candidate for Ward 16, proposed increasing the size to 20 storeys. This proposal was moved by Councillor Stintz and she had the amendments ready. Many concerned residents approached me after and I thanked them for coming and strongly encouraged them to attend : Toronto City Council Friday, AUGUST 27, 2010. 9:30am-10am 100 Queen Street West City Council Chambers In order for this motion to pass it still requires 23 councillors or a majority to vote in favour. This is in contrast to the 4 or 5 who voted in favour last week(I could not tell who voted or obstained based on the haste of the vote). By attending City Council, you demonstrate that you are against this proposed rezoning. I encourage all concerned residents to attend. There has been a facebook group set up by concerned residents, Save orchard view as well. You can watch on Television as well. Rogers cable 10/63 is carrying the Council proceedings. Toronto Board of Trade briefing 08/09/2010
Met with the Toronto Board of Trade today and 20 other well dressed candidates for various wards. Candidates were asked to think about tough economic choices Toronto faces in the near future. I look forward to reading their proposal paper in September. Many of their discussion papers can be viewed here. How old are you? I am one year younger then the incumbent was when she took office 7 years ago. What party are you from? I put issues before political parties. Unlike the incumbent, I am not a member of any political party. Is this your first campaign? Yes, but friends on all levels of politics have advised me of what it takes to win. I have worked at Toronto City Hall in 2007, 2008 and know what it takes to run an effective constituency office. The most important factor of any election is meeting people. I have knocked on thousands of doors and am committed to knocking on tens of thousands more before the election on October 25, 2010. How are you any differant? I strive to take action, people are tired of the same mantra. Few of the incumbent's motions have ever passed. It is not effective to simply say no to others councillor's motions. You have to be convincing in your opposition of them. I believe leaders lead by example. I continue to mention her office expenses of : $4500 voice lessons after 6 years in office, $6000 personal website expenses when the City has IT staff, expensive Christmas cards and a self promoting flyer 3 months before the election is all a waste of taxpayer dollars. She voted for wage increases during the recession last year. I will create scholarships for students with the wage increase Councillors approved last year (8x$1000). She feels the developments at Orchard view Blvd/Duplex Ave.and Yonge St./Eglinton Ave. are/were not worth fighting against. I strongly disagree. Do you think you can win? I would not take unpaid time-off in the middle of the summer if I did not think I could win. My fundraising numbers are higher then any of her previous opponents. I work hard at everything I do and have never committed to a marathon I did not think I could finish. There has never been a better time to unseat the incumbent in ward 16. Residents continue to feel that the current councillor is no longer the person they voted for in 2003. Latest Article 07/29/2010
The town crier has released the latest August issue (online and print) article for my campaign. http://www.mytowncrier.ca/viewthread.php?tid=16170&extra= Its to early for snowballs 07/21/2010
The campaign continues to gain momentum. In the last few weeks, I have been heard on the Charles Atler radio show, seen in the Toronto Sun's editorial section and recently interviewed by the Town Crier. The venue has been selected for the first fundraiser, please contact me for details. Residents stand up to the City Councillor. For just under two hours, the City Councillor and City Staff heard that this proposal is not good for the community and must not go ahead. Over 60 people attended the town hall meeting. Two candidates we also in attendance, Terry Mills and Myself. Opposing the residence on 1077 Avenue Road 07/06/2010
I was amazed and touched by the numerous letters to the City Councillor that I read in opposition of this development. It reaffirms my belief that she is not in touch with the people in the ward. You can review the letters here Traffic Chaos 06/23/2010
The traffic on Eglinton Ave West continues to frustrate motorists.It grinds down to one lane westbound. The 50 + storey development will only make things worse. The local police officers are now forced to park on sidestreets to go to the station. Lawrence Ave West construction was ill timed and does not co-ordinate well with rush hour traffic. Pot holes continue to be a problem 7 years after the incumbant was elected. Developers making changes again 06/14/2010
I noticed a new development today: Hiding around the corner at 36 Eglinton West, the development that will change the 13 floor mixed use building to a 53 story building is another development. Without consultatation of all the neighbours on the Riocan Mixed use towers, there is another development proposal being pushed through.The 229 unit, 17 storey condo unit is directly behind these enormous building. Where will people park? Another proposal is a medium sized retirement home at Bedford Park and Bathurst. The sign is decreetly hanging on the Bedford Park side of the fencing. This is modestly priced compared to the large retirement homes being built on Avenue Road starting in the $850,000's | Michael Coll
A Toronto resident, political activist and marathoner. I sit on Durham Labour Council's Executive Board. I have also held the role of Treasurer at Scarborough United Soccer Club and Union in Politics Chairperson at a CAW local ArchivesOctober 2010 Categories |
Michael Coll for Toronto City Council Election 2010
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