The Eglinton and Lawrence West stations look tired and need to be cleaned up and repaired.  The old Eglinton streetcar station is overgrown with weeds and not being utilized. Only 30 of the 67 TTC stations have Automatic External Defibrillators.   Many of our public schools in Ward 16 require new fences and outdoor equipment.  Kids deserve to be able to play on equipment and in spaces that are safe.  The area is used 10 months of the year and should be maintained.

Rob Ford and George Smitherman both mentioned making the TTC free for seniors between 2pm-4pm and 10am-2pm respectively , throughout the week, for seniors.  I like the idea and would support it.  This would free up more space during rush hour.

We have the resources and we don't use them.  Different people can operate vehicles 24 hours a day to ensure that snow is cleared.  I would also create a program that Allows FREE driveway clearing for seniors.  Why should our senior members of society have to shovel themselves out of their houses, this is a shame.

I once had a conversation with a Councillor who said, "I'm not getting my dogs licensed, I tried the website and I couldn't figure it out”.  That in itself should have been enough to scrap it.  It punishes those who can afford it and is not being enforced with any regularity.  If you want to register your pet with the Humane Society or SPCA then so be it.  I would not punish people who are responsible dog/cat owners. I would ensure the focus remains on catching wild animals quickly and utilizing resources to punish those who fail to clean up after their pets.

I would vote against any wage hikes for City Councillors and take the recent increase and create 8 scholarships for secondary school students to attend university/college. These scholarships would be exclusive to residents of Ward 16 and would be named after valuable members of this community.

People will often travel to big-box outlets to avoid pay parking.  I would permit parking on Lawrence Ave West/Avenue Road/Bathurst  after rush hour 9am- noon.  Many spaces are vacant on Avenue Rd. Lawrence Ave West and Bathurst throughout the weekdays.  I would also - along with the Local Business Improvement Association - create a parking strategy that increases business but doesn't increase residential side street parking. As we learned at the Municipal Board, there is only a certain amount of retail dollars spent by the community.  If residents are leaving the area to shop at a mall or big-box outlet, then those dollars are no longer being spent in our local businesses.

I use the libraries on a regular basis, they are not funded properly.  There are not enough computers.  Too many people have to wait long times just to check their email.  In many cases they find out their computer is not working, or so slow their time is out.  Strollers go missing right outside the door because we don't have cameras/security guards to monitor this.  The libraries are filled with books/magazines from the US.  Perhaps we should prioritize those magazines and authors that live right here in Toronto.  For example Flare, Fashion and Elle Canada have offices in Toronto, yet the Toronto Public Libraries don't stock these magazines with any regularity.  I'd like to see courses for the elderly on Email, Internet Use and Facebook.

I feel if you are going to charge people for a driving licence renewal, they should be allowed to recoup that cost. Through an active lifestyle, I am proposing that a rebate be provided for those who are members of a Fitness Club, Yoga studio or Pilates Studio.  Many fitness members are paying an additional $40-$60 per/ year as a result of the HST on July 1, 2010.  I do not think that was the intended purpose.  I'm convinced that once a new council is elected, that Council can work with the province to provide incentive to those who seek to improve their overall health and well-being.

We are one of the last few places in the world where you can legally put a residence above a store, because of the increased fire hazard.  It is not legal in many states in the United States.  Any new condos/residences built above stores would be required to provide sprinklers for that building.  I would also increase inspections of the existing properties to ensure they meet current code regulations.  The fire hydrants are outdated and require a large outlet called a Stortz connection to fit onto the largest fire hoses.  Many of the hydrants in this ward don't have this connection, putting residents at risk of delayed fire operations.

I have seen way too many people struggle to fit the black bins behind their houses on Avenue Rd.  I have watched young women fight with bins that in many cases are much bigger then those pushing them.  The bins are ugly and poorly designed and I am tired of looking at them.  I would allow constituents the choice of a few colours ,as well as directing staff to examine different shaped bins that could fit through a narrow alleyway or under a porch.

I would immediately establish a zero tolerance approach to graffiti and postering of the neighborhood.  Our neighborhoods are covered in the same familiar tags and posters.  I would utilize the #311 number to report those who are doing this on a regular basis.  I would meet with local police to see if areas could be cleaned and monitored, asking if more resources could/should be provided to apprehend these individuals.  I would redirect more by-law staff to nightshifts, to cite anyone caught.  By-law infractions don't stop at 5pm and our staffing should reflect that.  Many of our postal boxes and newspaper boxes are being covered, these are not the responsibility of the city and its time we hold our federal and private partners accountable.

 I am also referring to the men and women who collect cans and bottles out of city recycling bins.  They are seen carrying hundreds of cans and bottles with shopping carts and bicycles on any given recycling day down to the Beer Store for a rebate. I would immediately request the province require identification for those recycling over a hundred items in one day.  Panhandlers would be asked to move on and notified of the numerous social services available to them.  I have received five phone calls regarding this objective, so I will clarify. Currently when you deposit your cans/bottles in the blue bin, the City of Toronto sells them.  Over a million dollars a year is lost(and increasing) due to this trend.  This is money that we could use to build affordable housing, assist shelters or provide job training. Many of those on the street struggle with addiction.  It is a very tough subject to take on and one I care about deeply. I am no longer willing to ignore those who need our assistance most. Digging threw bins are not the answer.

I do not think the Yonge/Eglinton developments are a great use of the area and space.  The larger development was widely opposed  by a citizens group and on Facebook. Over 500 people joined a group opposing it.  I believe residents felt this development was rushed and that the public was not consulted. It will eliminate one the remaining public spaces left in this city, increase parking on residential side streets and create new traffic congestion. I would ensure that nothing like this happens again. I will work with the existing developers and the opposition groups to make it the most desirable site possible.

Above ground L.R.T vehicles, cyclists, cars and pedestrians don't mix.   I would meet and discuss options of making streets safer for everyone.  More pedestrians are killed by vehicle than by gun in Toronto. The number of homicides in the city is down from 2007, yet the number of pedestrians killed has risen to 31 last year, making up 65% of all road deaths.  The incumbent sits on the pedestrian committee.

Too often have I seen developers fund political candidates.  They then purchase land in Toronto and attempt to rezone it to fit their need. If the City of Toronto says no, the developer can STILL go to the Ontario Municipal Board and appeal it.  This occurs before the City has even reviewed the plans in some cases.  In other cases Councillors will work with the developer to support the development, because the individual or CEO/President/Vice President has helped them get elected.  It is a cycle that needs to stop!  The current Councillor for Ward 16 has accepted donations from: Westdale Construction Co, Chartwell Inc. , IServe Tech Consulting, Sussex Strategy Group, Wallamerica Inc., Pizza Pizza Ltd., Weedman, Safari Bar/Grill, Panteleo Enterprises, Kahnert Furs, Fairlawn Market, Eclipse Photography, AA and J Properties, Universal Workers - local 183, OMG outdoor media, Outdoor Broadcasting Net, Pattison Outdoor Advertising (the billboards over small buildings everywhere), $1500 from the Canfar President and his wife, Lee Parsons- who is on Metrolinx advisory Board and partner at a planning and consulting firm, Peter Zahakos, CEO of CO-OP cabs, Dunpar- the Vice President of Development, Alan Menkes president of Menkes Development (Four Seasons Yorkville Development).  She has a working relationship with the Riocan group that continues to develop 50+ floor office towers and retirement buildings on Avenue Road that start at $800, 000.  There are also two instances where the current Councillor for Ward 16 was seen with Lobbyists and another where she never reported the meeting as required by the Lobbyist Registry, until a formal complaint was lodged.  Throughout my platform, I continue to call for accountability and transparency, now more then ever.  There is a growing dissent among voters I've spoken to regarding the way business is conducted at Toronto City Hall.