For Immediate Release
Contact: Tony Bolla
416-652-6768
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MyStClair.com Lands In Middle of St Clair Streetcar Debate
Community-based website provides information from all perspectives on important issue.
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Toronto: This week the City of Toronto and the TTC began the first round of public consultations regarding plans for the St Clair West streetcar line, which includes a controversial plan for a dedicated right-of-way. MyStClair.com, a local community-based website, has positioned itself in the centre of the debate by serving as a source of information for all interested parties.
“We realized some time back that the proposed changes to the streetcar line would be of interest to virtually everyone with an interest in this community’, states Tony Bolla, the principal behind the website. “We wanted to make sure people would have the facts so they could come to their own conclusions about this important issue – and have a venue to express their thoughts and concerns.”
The website, which was started in a very quiet way just about one year ago, has slowly been building its presence in the area. Beginning with just a few pages of text encouraging people to get involved, it has now grown to be a fairly extensive site with a lot of information on a variety of subjects – with more planned.
“There seemed to be a need for this type of thing”, continues Bolla, “so we looked at starting something in a very simple way. The reaction was so positive that we were encouraged to continue on. When Disero announced in January that a streetcar right-of-way was being planned, similar to the one on Spadina, we realized we needed to continue on.”
The site does in fact contain a wealth of information on the streetcar issue, including summaries of the events leading to these first public meetings. There are also notes placed throughout the content stressing the sites impartiality. “We see ourselves in the middle of the debate, but not on any side".
In addition to the streetcar issue, there are other issue-oriented sections, as well as items of general interest. One of the more popular features is ‘The Couch Potato Chronicles’ a regular column about entertainment, written by Jim Murray. In addition, there is an email bulletin that is broadcast whenever the needs arises, such as announcing public meetings or other local events.
While the audience for the site is still growing, the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Realizing that attracting visitors and subscribers over such a large and diverse area would not be easy – an area the site refers to as the Ridge, which stretches from Bayview Avenue to Scarlett Road - it was decided to focus on the important centres in the community, business and resident associations, churches and schools, politicians. It has done has done a very good job in getting known in these circles.
“We’re new and we’re learning as we go”, sums up Bolla, “but it feels like we are on the right track.”
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