GLOBE
& MAIL
Proposal
for streetcar lane divides residents
TTC
says it's only one option in search for ways to improve traffic
flow on St. Clair
By ERIN
POOLEY
With a report from Jennifer Lewington
Saturday, October 25, 2003 - Page A16
The
debate over whether the Better Way should have the right of way
in Toronto's west-end Davenport riding is shaping up to be a hot
topic in the race for City Council.
For
residents of Ward 17 (Davenport), whom former councillor Betty
Disero describes as "hard-working, honest people," a Toronto Transit
Commission proposal to replace the aging tracks along St. Clair
Avenue West with a dedicated streetcar lane has deeply divided
business owners and residents who are worried about the impact
on parking, traffic safety and congestion.
Mitch
Stambler, manager of service planning for the TTC, is emphatic
that "absolutely every option is on the table, including getting
rid of streetcars."
The
TTC recently commissioned an environmental assessment on ways
to improve transit in the St. Clair corridor between Yonge and
Keele streets. The study will be completed in the spring.
The
cost of rebuilding the tracks is an estimated $25-million. If
the TTC proceeds, construction would not be finished until the
fall of 2005.
Mr.
Stambler says that improving the St. Clair line has priority because
it has the highest streetcar-to-car collision rate of any route
in the city. As well, he said, there were 338 hours of delay on
the line last year.
A
total of five candidates in the riding, which has Toronto's largest
immigrant population -- about 30 per cent Portuguese -- are vying
to replace interim councillor Fred Dominelli, who replaced Ms.
Disero last May after she stepped down from an 18-year run as
city councillor.
Cesar
Palacio, Ms. Disero's long-time executive assistant, is being
endorsed by his former boss and Mr. Dominelli.
The
51-year-old candidate immigrated to Toronto from Ecuador in 1972
and is considered one of the front-runners in the race.
"This
has divided the community. They feel there is a sense of discontinuance
from one side to the other. I have very serious concerns with
the [TTC] proposal," said Mr. Palacio, indicating he would like
to see the city complete a series of detailed traffic studies
before instituting a streetcar lane like those on Spadina Avenue
and Queens Quay.
Mr.
Palacio's major opponent cites similar doubts but acknowledges
that effective public transit will play a vital role in the revitalization
of St. Clair West.
"Do
I think that we need to move more people faster? Yes. The streetcar's
full right now. But I don't think the Spadina model is appropriate
for St. Clair," said Alejandra Bravo, who has been endorsed by
former Toronto mayor John Sewell. "But the businesses are feeling
so vulnerable right now. Every month there's a business that's
for lease or closing down."
Ms.
Bravo, 32, immigrated to Canada with her family from Chile in
1974 to flee the military coup there. After an unsuccessful attempt
to return to her homeland, she settled permanently in Toronto's
west end in the early 1980s.
The
NDP policy researcher, who speaks Portuguese, Spanish, Italian
and French, says her campaign is focused on protecting and enhancing
vital public services such as garbage collection and increasing
transparency at City Hall.
"I'm
a community candidate; I'm going to put the interests of residents
first and not developers and lobbyists," she said. "We're making
it clear that there aren't lobbyists walking in here to make donations."
Both
candidates agree the streets need to be cleaned up and made safer
to attract new businesses and residents to the area.
Mr.
Palacio founded Toronto's first police-community partnership in
1991 with the participation of officers from 12 Division.
Other
candidates:
Romolo
Cimaroli . The 41-year-old Italian-born immigrant moved
to Toronto when he was 7 and has worked in Ward 17 for the past
10 years as manager of the St. Clair Flea Market. .
Nicolo
Fortunato .The 61-year-old consultant moved to Toronto
from Italy in 1971. He entered politics in 1982 when he was elected
councillor in the former City of York, a position he held for
three consecutive terms.
David
Senater -- The 29-year-old former business development
manager opposes the concrete right of way for the TTC and is also
proposing a radio or satellite tracking system to monitor cleaning
equipment.
An
all-candidates meeting will be held on Oct. 28 at the J.J. Piccininni
Recreation Centre (1369 St. Clair Ave. W.) at 6:30 p.m.
