From: Jeff Gillan
To: Tony Bolla
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 11:09 AM
Subject: Questions for the Candidates

We would like to congratulate MyStClair.com for asking the candidates for Wards 17 & 21 to respond to questions regarding issues and concerns affecting St Clair West. I would also like to thank all those candidates who have so far replied and would encourage the remainder to let our communities know where they stand.

Every candidate of course has a right to their own opinion and also an obligation to let their potential constituents know what they are.

Mr. Mihevic is one of the responding candidates from Ward 21. Unfortunately, he only answered 2 of the six questions;

 

# 1. He is in favour of a dedicated right of way e.g., “the Spadina model may be too restrictive..’, and,

# 6 He is in favour of the current Drive-thru Bylaw e.g., “worked with businesses and residents to stop McDonald’s drive-thru”

 The questions he missed were:

# 2. No mention of the Environmental Assessment process

# 4. He made no reference to the Official Plan or “intensification”

# 5. He made no response to his position on the Wychwood carbarns.

He waffled on question # 3. What is your position with regards efforts to to revitalize StClair Ave West?

He inferred that the TTC will “Beautify St Clair West” by “investing millions of dollars in the St Clair West community”. The truth is the TTC will spend between 25 and 35 million dollars on track reconstruction. By its own admission, none of this is available for streetscape improvements. (By the way, the TTC has no money- the 25 –35 million

comes from the City).

 

We are pleased that Mr Mihevic wants “Both a better TTC AND a strong business sector”. We share these goals. However, we want to correct a couple of inaccuracies in his interpretation of what the TTC is saying. (Toronto Works Committee report Nov 25/02)

- A dedicated streetcar line would take a minimum of six minutes of a ROUND TRIP from Yonge St to Keele and back

- A dedicated streetcar line will INCREASE traffic congestion (Toronto Works Committee report Nov 25/02)

The business community wants our new councillors, whoever they may be, to consider the following points:

 

On service improvements: The TTC admits that two-thirds of its delays in 2002 were operational problems. We believe the TTC should focus on improvements such as rear-door loading, advanced greens and improved traffic signal controls, to name a few. Perhaps we should also be considering alternatives to fixed lane public transit.

 

On traffic congestion: The TTC must encourage a large proportion of drivers currently using St Clair Ave West for commuting back and forth to downtown from the suburbs to take public transit otherwise traffic congestion and air pollution will increase. Does anyone really believe that a savings of three minutes will accomplish this? Lets stop trying to punish drivers and get creative!

 

On parking: parking is an major issue right now on St Clair as it is all over main street Toronto. The right-of-way proposals neither add to nor subtract from this problem. We must address this issue regardless of the final TTC decision.

 

On beautifying St Clair Ave West: Most people do not know that streetscape improvements are an initiative of local businesses and are funded through a VOLUNTARY TAX on those businesses, which is matched by funds from the City’s general revenues. Once paid-for, the improvements become the property of the City, although their maintenance remains the responsibility of the local business community.

 

On improved transit systems: The business community is on record as favouring an improved transit system; however, improvements should be made in a manner that ensures sustainable, attractive and vibrant neighbourhoods.

 

 

Jeff Gillan

Chair , Corso Italia

Business Improvement Area

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Editor's note : The facts and opinions expressed in the above email 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