This
email has been posted with the permission of David Shanoff
Friday
October 17, 2003
To: Dick Watts, Tony Bolla:
Here
is an exchange of emails between myself and James Yacoumidis,
Public Consultation Coordinator, regarding last night's meeting.
My initial letter is at the bottom.
David
Dear
Mr.Shanoff,
Thank you for your email and comments concerning the St.Clair
study and last night's meeting. Your comments will be compiled
in a report summarizing the public's comments on the study. Please
note that the comments will not be attributed to you specifically.
I will bring forward the suggestion you raise concerning left-turns
from the curb lane as an option for the project team to consider
in the study.
Thank you also for your comments about public perception and statements
made by Councillors. As City staff, we are reminding the public
that despite comments in the media and other sources, this study
is in phase 1 and no decisions have been made on any preferred
alternative. This is the message we also provide to City Councillors.
If you did not get a chance to sign in last night at the meeting,
and would like to be added to the mailing list for the study,
please email me with your mailing address.
Thank you again for your comments. We appreciate you taking the
time to provide us with your concerns and suggestions.
Regards,
James Yacoumidis
Public Consultation Coordinator
WES - Public Consultation & Community Outreach
55 John St., 19th floor
Toronto, Ont. M5V 3C6
Phone: 416-392-4331
Fax: 416-392-2974
TTY: 416-397-0831
Email: jyacoum@toronto.ca
As
an introduction, I have lived in this neighbourhood, on Regal
Road, which is south of St. Clair Ave., since 1974. I usually
drive my car but when I do use public transit, it is usually the
Ossington Bus to the Bloor subway. I have rarely used the St.
Clair street car although I do drive on St. Clair Ave. several
times a week.
I attended the Phase 1 Public Meeting which was held at JJP last
night (October 16) and it was abundantly clear to me that the
majority of people had the perception, in spite of the numerous
denials made by various representatives of the TTC, that a dedicated
street car right-of-way was, in fact, the ultimate end game of
this process. You are going to have to deal with this perception.
And it doesn't help you when politicians, such as Howard Moscoe,
make statements that they have already madeup their minds. For
these public meetings to have any credibility, every official
involved must be on the same page; no decision until the whole
process has been completed. I know that you can't control what
politicians say, but they must be made aware of the lack of trust
that exists within the community.
On another issue; I remember being in a European city in the '60's
(I think that it was Amsterdam) and being struck by the fact that
cars were making left-hand turns from the curb lane. I never really
thought much about it until recently. It is such a radical change
from what happens in this part of the world but it just might
work. With cars
making left-hand turns in the curb lanes waiting for their green
light (either at the beginning or end of their direction having
the green light) this allows street cars, buses, and other cars
to proceed ahead without being stopped by those who are waiting
to make the left turn for a break in traffic.
The implementation of this new procedure, as radical as it is,
would undoubtedly cause much confusion in the beginning but if
it were tried out on an existing route, such as King or Queen
Street for a trial period, with appropriate signs, etc., it just
might work. I would certainly like you to give it your consideration.
I would also recommend that for your next meeting(s), you directly
address the concerns that were expressed at last night's meeting
(and other meetings). If, by the end of the process, large numbers
of people are still opposed to the final decision, and you implement
it in spite of this, then you will have helped to destroy any
confidence that people have in local government.
David L. Shanoff
Toronto, ON
Editor's
note : The facts and opinions expressed in the above article are
those of the author and do not represent the views of MyStClair.com.
Our interest remains to act as a conduit for information regarding
matters relating to neighbourhoods along St Clair Ave W and the
Ridge. Anyone wishing to comment is encouraged to do so.
editor@mystclair.com
