January 18 East

Fri Aug 24, 2012

Serving WILLOWDALE, BAYVIEW, NEWTONBROOK and HENRY FARM

fri jan 18, 2013

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Giving a boost to Dufferin-Finch area BIA proponents optimistic transit improvements can spark further change LISA QUEEN lqueen@insidetoronto.com A subway extension, a new light rapid transit line and a new GO Transit station will bring more than public transit to North York.

Business leaders in an area bounded by Sheppard Avenue on the south, Steeles Avenue on the north, Dufferin Street on the east and Keele Street on the west are hoping the routes will usher in a vibrancy to an area that has struggled for years to establish an identity.

They are in the process of setting up the new Dufferin Finch Business Improvement Area (BIA) to unite businesses in a common goal of improving the neighbourhood and

‘We’re trying to revitalize the area. We need an identity. We don’t have an identity.’

–Dr. Lew Pliamm attracting more customers, said Dr. Lew Pliamm, chair of the BIA steering committee.

“We’re trying to revitalize the area,” he said. “We need an identity.

We don’t have an identity.”

Business fees collected by the BIA will be used to directly benefit the business district. >>>‘People’, page 5

Staff photo/Dan Pearce

York University student Kayla Patullo instructs a dance class for seniors Wednesday at Downsview Services for Seniors (DSS) in North York. The program is a joint project between York’s dance department and community agencies, such as DSS.

Seniors bringing joy of movement to dance class LISA QUEEN lqueen@insidetoronto.com

Staff photo/Nick perry

Dufferin Finch BIA steering committee chair Lew Pliamm, right, and board member Alaa Tannous with a bird’s-eye view of Finch Avenue and Champagne Drive.

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Senior Marina Shubin couldn’t stay for last week’s dance class but she popped in to assure her friends she would be back the following week.

But before dashing off for an appointment, she explained how much she and the other participants love the program.

“It is nice, useful, beautiful. Every movement is making us younger,”

she said last Thursday in an activity room on the ground floor of a seniors’ building on Bathurst Street north of Lawrence Avenue.

“What we don’t use, we lose. If we don’t use movement, we will lose everything. If we don’t use the mind, we lose the mind. Everything here is useful and nice. It is a Canadian present for older people in our house.

In our house, it is like a miracle and we value this.”

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fund, the program is a joint project between York University’s dance department and community agencies such as Downsview Services for Seniors, through which Shubin and the rest of her class participate.

Students from York’s dance and nursing departments teach the classes.

Dance classes provide particular benefits for seniors, said April Nakaima, a project coordinator for the program and also a course leader >>>‘THEY’, page 5

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NORTH YORK MIRROR | Friday, January 18, 2013 |

2

In Brief n North York Community Council meets Jan. 22

n New commander for Toronto Police 12 Division

This month’s North York Community Council meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. 22.

Open to the public, it begins at 9:30 a.m. in the council chambers of the North York Civic Centre at 5100 Yonge St., north of Sheppard Avenue.

Items on the agenda include a proposed 35-storey condominium building at 18-30 Erskine Ave. and a request for a heritage designation of 68 Parkhurst Blvd.

A new unit commander is in charge at 12 Division police station.

Supt. Douglas Quan has replaced Supt. Mark Saunders.

Quan will now be in charge of the 12 Division area. The police station is located at 200 Trethewey Dr. Quan was the unit commander at 13 Division before coming over and has more than 28 years policing experience.

Saunders was promoted to deputy chief and is working out of police headquarters downtown.

n New exhibit, gallery grand opening rzlbd atelier will celebrate its newest exhibit and gallery grand opening Thursday, Jan. 24 at Bayview Village Mall from 7 to 9 p.m.

Canadian Arctic: A Visual Diary, an exhibition featuring a sequence of photos taken in the northernmost part of the world by Reza Aliabadi, will be on display until Thursday, Jan. 3l.

Aliabadi traveled to Nunavut in the summer of 2007 and spent three days in a fishing boat on the Arctic Ocean, finding refuge next to 10,000-year-old icebergs. rzlbd atelier is open Monday to Friday noon to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. at 2901 Bayview Ave.

Sunnybrook honoured

n Literacy celebrated at Science Centre Jan. 27 Grab the kids for a day of fun and literacy at the Ontario Science Centre Sunday, Jan. 27.

Enjoy a day of storytelling by children’s author Robert Munsch, participate in a plasticine workshop with illustrator Barbara Reid, and test out the interactive OWL game show.

Other authors in attendance include Kira Vermond and Aaron Bell.

The Science Centre is at Eglinton Avenue and Don Mills Road. For information on admission prices, visit www.ontariosciencecentre.ca

Staff photo/Dan Pearce

AWARDED: Mahmoud Khalifa right, chief of the department of anatomic pathology at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, shows MP John Carmichael, Don Valley West, equipment used in cancer research at the hospital Wednesday. Carmichael was on hand to present Khalifa and the anatomic pathology team the Momentum Award, a national health care innovation award.

n Downsview Services for Seniors announces new executive director Susan Doyle has been appointed the new executive director of Downsview Services for Seniors.

Doyle, the former assistant executive director, began her new job Jan. 9.

The board of directors praised her leadership qualities.

Doyle replaces Joanne Jasper,

northyorkmirror.com n York’s Schulich School of Business tops at MBA Games A Schulich School of Business student team beat 21 teams from other graduate business schools to win the 2013 MBA Games on the weekend of Jan. 4 in Hamilton.

The win earns the school the right to host the 2014 MBA Games next January.

The Schulich team of 40 students placed first overall in the three-category contest, which featured events in academics, athletics and spirit, winning the prestigious Queen’s Cup. The Schulich team also placed first in the team spirit event category, winning the Spirit Cup. About 700 students competed in this year’s games at DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University in Hamilton.

Schulich MBA students will compete in at least four more national and international case competitions this term.

who left the position Jan. 9.

The organization provides a variety of services for seniors including social activities, transportation, meal delivery and home support.

Community

3

O’CONNOR CRUISES

Photo/COURTESY

Nicholas DeShane, centre, is joined by firefighters after he was recognized for alerting his family to a Dec. 18 house fire, giving them time to escape from their burning home. Firefighters presented the family with a cash donation and gifts.

North York boy honoured by firefighters for heroic act Family’s home ‘totally destroyed’ FANNIE SUNSHINE fsunshine@insidetoronto.com

N

icholas DeShane was in the living room when he noticed smoke coming through the basement vent of his family’s Gosford Boulevard home Dec. 18.

The 12-year-old immediately ran into the kitchen, where his father, Tom, was cooking lunch, to alert him of the situation.

Both ran down to the basement, where a fire was quickly engulfing the room.

Tom, who had called 911, instructed his son to find his four younger siblings and get out of the house.

After helping them over a backyard wall and onto the safety of a neighbour’s property, Nicholas ran back inside the burning house to locate the family’s three dogs.

“The house was full of black smoke,” Tom said.

“The house was totally destroyed. We were able to salvage some pictures but that was it.”

And being so close to Christmas, that meant all pres-

ents also went up in flames.

Two dogs, a pit bull and an Australian sheppard-golden retriever mix, made it out safely but sadly, chihuahua Simba did not.

After spending the night of the fire at a hotel paid for by family and friends, the family is now renting an apartment in the Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue area as they rebuild their lives.

The kids happened to be home the day of the fire because of the one-day strike by elementary school teachers, Tom said.

Firefighters who responded to the scene credited Nicholas’ quick thinking in ensuring his father and siblings, who range in age from three to nine, made it out safely.

His mother, Cheryl, was not home at the time.

A recognition ceremony was held Saturday at Fire Station 142, on Jane Street, north of Sheppard Avenue, which saw all five kids receive toys, with Nicholas getting a very special gift: an autographed hockey stick from his favourite player, Wendel Clark.

‘In our job, we see too much tragedy and heartache, we are thankful that this fire did not have grave consequences thanks to a 12-year-old brave boy.’

– Ed Kennedy, president of Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association “In our job, we see too much tragedy and heartache, we are thankful that this fire did not have grave consequences thanks to a 12-year-old brave boy,” Ed Kennedy, president of Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association, said in a release.

So does Nicholas consider himself a hero?

“I guess so,” he said. “I didn’t think I did much but I guess I did.” n A trust fund has been set up for the DeShanes. Donations can be made at any TD Canada Trust bank, transit number 3022, account number 6094145.

Staff photos/Nick Perry

NET PLAY: Top, Julia Zupo makes a block for Senator O’Connor as they face Notre Dame High School in senior girls volleyball Monday afternoon. O’Connor defeated Notre Dame 25-13, 25-21. Above, Micheala Sokolowski bumps the ball for Senator O’Connor.

| NORTH YORK MIRROR | Friday, January 18, 2013

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NORTH YORK MIRROR | Friday, January 18, 2013 |

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Opinion The North York Mirror is published every Thursday and Friday at 175 Gordon Baker Rd., Toronto, ON, M2H 0A2, by Toronto Community News, a Division of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Ian Proudfoot Marg Middleton Peter Haggert Paul Futhey Warren Elder Angela Carruthers Debra Weller Mike Banville

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Casino debate: add your voice W

ith the deadline for public input on the ongoing casino debate coming up next week, we encourage all Torontonians to take the opportunity to do so.

It’s a debate with two strong our view opposing views – both that will impact the city and the residents Issue impacts who live in it whether they City of Toronto gamble or not.

The lure of having a casino in as a whole the city is the potential revenue that it can bring in to help fund city-building projects such as much-needed transit improvements.

A report issued by the Toronto Taxpayers Coalition recently estimated $400 million could be generated annually – enough to pay for one new subway station and one kilometre of track each year.

Even if that projected dollar figure seems high, a city report released late last year indicated the fiscal benefits for a Toronto casino would be enough to virtually solve the city’s annual operating budget problems.

But is it worth the potential cost that might arise from problem gambling, which can lead to other public health problems, as Toronto’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David McKeown suggests?

“The overall evidence is that an increase in availability of gambling leads to more problem gambling,” said McKeown, adding that currently about 0.2 per cent of the population are severe problem gamblers, translating to about 11,000 people in the Greater Toronto Area.

Another concern is that more problem gamblers could equate to an increase in crime in Toronto.

City manager Joe Pennachetti noted the consultation findings will assist in preparing his report to the city’s executive committee.

That committee will consider the possible establishment of a casino in the city at its March 20 meeting.

The decision to establish a city casino will have implications affecting the whole of Toronto, and public input will be essential to help guide the decision-making process.

Residents can attend the final community consultation session taking place this Saturday, Jan. 19 at Bluma Appel Salon Reference Library, 789 Yonge St., from 1 to 4 p.m.

Residents can also fill out the online feedback form available at https://surveys.dpra.com/casino/ CasinoSurvey.aspx newsroom

Write us The North York Mirror welcomes letters of 400 words or less. All submissions must include name, address and a daytime telephone number for verification purposes.

We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Copyright in letters remains with the author but the publisher and affiliates may freely reproduce them in

print, electronic or other forms.

Letters can be sent to letters@ insidetoronto.com, or mailed to The North York Mirror, 175 Gordon Baker Rd. Toronto, ON, M2H 0A2.

Mayoral comparison is no contest To the editor: Re. ‘Mandate must continue if Ford removed from office,’ Letters, Dec. 7.

I am writing in response to David Searle’s letter.

I am compelled to share some facts about Toronto under mayor David Miller, compared with Rob Ford.

It’s true that Miller supported unions – when it was prudent. He reached a difficult agreement with the police, putting more officers on the street and bringing crime rates to their lowest point in decades. But he also stood up against unions during the garbage strike and won; a fact the letter writer forgets.

It was easy to forget that Miller left behind a $275 million operating surplus, a fact that was lost in the din of Ford’s Gravy Train rhetoric, which failed to

produce any meaningful budget streamlining.

It’s true that the land transfer tax was not popular, but the fact is that the city needed new revenue streams. It did nothing to ‘hinder real estate transactions.’

One needs only to glance at current real estate prices to see that the market has been thriving.

It was an excellent move to pull funding for the city from a massive, untapped pool of capital.

Under Miller, waterfront revitalization finally began to move forward.

Regent Park – a massive chunk of decaying, crime-ridden Toronto core – began a celebrated revitalization.

Green initiatives were passed that shine out of the muck that is Canada’s reputation as an environ-

mental wrecking machine.

Finally, Transit City came into being, a movement that continues to stand as the best idea from all points of view.

Most importantly, Miller brought honesty to Toronto’s government.

He inherited a city hall reeling from the MFP scandal and left it with an ombudsman and integrity commissioner.

Incredibly, Ford wants to remove these offices, set in place to maintain council’s honesty and accountability.

Ford’s legacy will be a record of steadily diminishing credibility.

Those who continue to blindly support a man like Ford need to review facts and – this time - make a prudent decision at the ballot box.

Jason Jazrawy

To the editor: Re: ‘A look at the realities of the interim mayor label,’ Beyond the Headlines, Jan. 11.

David Soknacki brings up a good point about the problem with an interim mayor.

Justice Charles Hackland was correct to remove Mayor Rob Ford from office. The ruling has quickly become a catalyst for more angst.

If council does appoint from within, does that councillor have two roles or do they give up on their ward – a new problem raised.

If they appoint from outside council, can they restrict that person’s aspirations to the office via the electorate?

Could they find someone to be the mayor knowing he is powerless?

Should the city have a byelection costing upward of $9 million only to have a full election in two years, at the end of this term?

More problems.

As it stands now, Ford steps aside and begins to campaign now. This would be unfair to contenders for the mayor’s office.

One simple solution exists, but at what cost and circumstance?

The mayor could be prohibited from running for election for five years, but be allowed to finish his current term under restrictions – in essence, he would be a neutered mayor with no voting rights, not even to break a tie, and no rights to raise motions.

The city and its residents should not have to pay for his wrongdoing.

As it stands, that is what we are doing.

Glenn Kitchen

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Community

5

>>>from page 1 The city matches BIA funding for capital improvement projects.

Business owners in the Dufferin Finch BIA want to capitalize on the momentum that will be created when new subway stations open at Sheppard Avenue and Chesswood Drive, Finch Avenue and Keele Street, York University, and Steeles Avenue east of Jane Street as part of the extension of the Yonge-UniversitySpadina line from Downsview into York Region north of the city, Pliamm said.

In addition, they are looking forward to a new Finch light rapid transit line that will run from the BIA’s western border at Keele Street to Humber College, he added.

A GO Transit station at what will be the new Downsview Park subway station at Sheppard and Chesswood is also part of the emerging transportation hub, Pliamm said. “This is becoming a second Union Station. That is huge for North York,� he said, adding new public transit routes will bring thousands of commuters a day through the area while the subway stations will attract development. “We were a backwater of industrial sites and now we’re going to be a new area. All of a sudden, all these people

‘It is quite exciting. It’s really is a grassroots movement. It’s coming from local folks, the businesses in the area.’ –Councillor Anthony Perruzza are going to be commuting through our area and moving closer.�

Pliamm, who owns the Polyclinic medical centre on Dufferin north of Finch, has his own stake in improving the area.

Three years ago, he and his partner Alaa Tannous bought a former Coca Cola bottling plant at 2 Champagne Dr., which runs south off Finch, west of Dufferin. They are doubling the size of a hockey academy that had been running in the building and constructing a 7,400-square-metre (80,000-square-foot) medical centre with more than 50 doctors and a variety of clinics and medical services.

York West Councillor Anthony Perruzza said the BIA will restore a “better, stronger, more vibrant and cleaner economy� to the area.

The neighbourhood has faltered with the fallout of Canada’s manu-

Baroque London

facturing sector that once dominated the neighbourhood. “It has gone through a very difficult period. When we had the manufacturing letdown of the early ’90s, a lot of plants, a lot of factories, a lot of manufacturers moved out of the district,� said Perruzza, who sits on the steering committee.

As a result, the former city of North York changed the zoning bylaw to allow expanded uses in the neighbourhood, which introduced businesses like used car dealerships and massage parlours to the area, Perruzza said.

The area has also struggled with high vacancy rates, he said.

In addition to sprucing up the area, the BIA will focus on weightier issues such as illegal dumping and security concerns, Pliamm said, In fact, the BIA is looking to hire a security company that will patrol the area with one car during the day and two cars at night.

Perruzza is looking forward to the improvements the BIA will bring to the neighbourhood. “It is quite exciting. It really is a grassroots movement. It’s coming from local folks, the businesses in the area,� he said. “People are feeling a sense of hope.�

‘They give me so much, I feel I should give them so much’ >>>from page 1 for York’s dance department. “It is to provide physical activity in the form of dance, which has the benefits of music and the esthetic elements of dance beyond the physical benefits. There are also the social benefits of doing a group activity,� she said. “Most of them come for the fun and health reasons. Some of them are already active, they already do exercise. But a lot of them say since dancing, they feel happier.�

Dancing also reduces stress, depression and anxiety and improves sleep, Nakaima said.

Because dance classes in the community are often geared to younger adults, it’s difficult for “able-bodied and quick-witted� seniors to find programs for them, Pereira said.

Not only do the classes provide participants with physical benefits but moving to music is social and fun, said Anna Pereira, program coordinator with Downsview Services for Seniors’ Healthier Living Centre.

At last week’s class, teacher Kayla Patullo, a York U. dance major who is graduating this year, smiled as she led the seniors through a number of dances including the Macarena.

‘Me, as a dance major, I’m trying to lean away from the competitive side of dance and get back to the community.’ – Kayla Patullo Hoping to open her own dance studio, Patullo likes the energy seniors bring to the class. “Me, as a dance major, I’m trying to lean away from the competitive side of dance and get back to the community,� she said. “It’s the joy of movement for them (rather than focusing on performing perfect dance moves). They give me so much, I feel I should give them so much.�

Seniors said they enjoy attending the classes.

For example, Brina Segal praised the physical and social benefits.

Florida Talaugon, who attended her first class last week, agreed. “Because I have fun. I come alive. I want music. I love music, Too bad I’m not a good dancer,� she laughed.

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NORTH YORK MIRROR | Friday, January 18, 2013 |

6

Arts & Entertainment

North York’s Stage Centre makes Shakespearean debut

T

wo years ago, when Michael James Burgess took on the role of artistic director of Stage Centre Productions he was surprised to learn that the company had never presented a Canadian play, nor had they done a single Shakespearian play.

“So I decided that this year we would right those oversights,” he said.

Jitters, the comedy by David French, opened the company’s season in September and now A Midsummer Night’s Dream is their first play by Shakespeare.

Burgess confesses: “I don’t find Shakespeare’s comedies very funny – they are from a time when a comedy simply meant a play with a happy ending – but I always had a special fondness for A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

For the production on stage at York Woods Library Theatre, he has a assembled a terrific cast from the company’s roster including regulars Roger Kell, Heather Goodall, Bob Martyn and Frank Keenan.

“The set is spectacular with

Front Row Centre Mark Andrew Lawrence trees suspended from the flies and they shimmer,” Burgess said.

He is particularly pleased with the Donkey head mask created by Pierre Rivard. (Rivard documents the creation of the mask in a video available on the company’s website.)

“I really am pleased with the production and audiences have been enjoying it,” the director explains, but notes that while some performances have sold very well the audiences have been small and the company is still facing a challenge in getting their long-time subscribers to come to the new venue for the current season.

Fairview Library Theatre closed for renovations last October and is not scheduled to reopen until September. Stage Centre opted to move to York Woods Library theatre for their current season.

This resulted in a loss of over

Photo/ Fabio Saposnik

The cast of Stage Center Productions in a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, currently on stage at York Woods Library Theatre. The comedy plays through Saturday.

half of their regular subscribers.

Despite glowing reviews, the company’s production of Jitters did not attract large audiences.

In addition, the group sustained heavy losses when a strike by library workers last spring shut down the facility and cancelled half of the performances of their play Bus Stop.

Despite the best efforts of the board to tap new sources of funding and sponsorship, they are facing a deficit of nearly $50,000.

Undaunted, Burgess is forging ahead with plans for Stage Centre’s 2013/14 season, cautioning that unless the financial situation improves the company may not be able to present it.

Once A Midsummer Night’s Dream closes this weekend, Burgess plunges into rehearsal for the next show of the current season, Taking Sides by British playwright Ronald Harwood (also author of the play and current film Quartet.) Taking Sides is adapted from the detailed diaries kept by German conductor and composer Wilhelm Furtwangler during his interrogation after he was charged with having served the Nazi regime.

The director promises the play will be both powerful and thought-provoking – just the kind of theatre we have come to expect from Stage Centre Productions.

Stage Centre Productions presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream at York Woods Library Theatre, 1785 Finch Ave. W., until Saturday, Jan. 19. For tickets, visit www.stagecentreproductions. com or call the box office at 416299-5557. n Veteran theatre reviewer Mark Andrew Lawrence offers his insights on stage and musical productions for The North York Mirror. Contact him at nym@insidetoronto.com

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Transportation

7 | NORTH YORK MIRROR | Friday, January 18, 2013

Toronto residents’ input sought on transit priorities RAHUL GUPTA rgupta@insidetoronto.com By the end of January, Toronto will launch a public consultation process for future transit funding, said the city’s chief planner.

Jennifer Keesmaat said the process will be heavy on social media but will also include public meetings to give residents the opportunity to provide input on an investment strategy for transit Metrolinx is drafting to deliver to the premier’s office in June.

“We believe using a variety of different techniques and tools will allow people to best participate,” said Keesmaat last week.

Metrolinx is considering 17 “revenue funding” tools – in the form of new fees and taxes dedicated toward financing most of the $50 billion provincial Big Move Transportation plan – and is seeking input for which of the tools should be used to pay

for transit expansion.

The transit planning agency recently recommended $34 billion in priority projects to be completed within 15 years, including a new subway line for Toronto to ease congestion and overcrowding.

Toronto, said Keesmaat, is the only municipality in the region to organize its own consultation process for transit funding, from which city staff will make a recommendation to council for a vote sometime in the spring.

The approved recommendations will then be forwarded to Metrolinx.

Like the casino consultation meetings currently underway, Keesmaat said the transit meetings will take place in all parts of the city.

She anticipated the meetings will take place between February and March.

A special website allowing for online feedback will be created for the campaign and Keesmaat said city councillors will also have the opportunity

to hold meetings in their own wards on transit funding.

She acknowledged the impending announcement of the consulting process may come as too short notice for some residents but said it was enough time to for her department to report back to council.

Keesmaat said a second round of meetings will be held later in 2013.

The meetings coincide with Metrolinx’s own consultation process which began Tuesday in Oakville.

Two Toronto roundtable discussions are planned for Feb. 5 and 9.

Metrolinx also announced it is extending the online consultation period to Jan. 21 for its proposal to shift the eastern alignment of the Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown light rail transit plan.

An open house for the project is also scheduled at the Ontario Science Centre on Jan. 31.

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2013

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BAYVIEW/CUMMER. Location Location Location, 54’ frontage premium lot, newer high efficiency furnace and AC, newer renovated bathroom and flooring. Hardwood floor throughout, French doors, fireplace, spacious kitchen with breakfast area, backsplash, and newer floor. Spacious master bedroom with sitting area, walk-in closet and 4pcs-ensuite. Professionally finished basement with guest room, French doors, fireplace and 4pcs bath.

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DON MILLS/ MCNICOLL. Premium lot on culdesac, 5 bedrooms, 2 ensuites, 9’ ceiling, 2 skylights, main floor family room with Marble FP,library, 5 washrooms, 9-car interlocking driveway parking, huge deck, I/G sprinkler , Hi eff gas furnace , newer roof etc. Priced to Sell!

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BAYVIEW / POST RD., The Bridal Path 2 Storey Brick House, 4 Bedrms + 1, 4 Washrms, 105 x 120 Ft South Lot, Hardwood Fl Through-Out, Finished Basement W/Wet Bar, Beautiful Landscaped, 2 Car Garage, Interlocking Driveway & Swimming Pool.

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BAYVIEW / STEELS, New Rebuilt Backsplit4, 4 Bedrms +1, 4 Washrms, 52 x 256 South Ft Lot, 2 Car Garage, New Kitchen & Cabinets, New Bathrms, New Hardwood Floor, Finished Bsmt W/Bedrms + 4Pc Wshrm. New Interlocking Driveway.

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NORTH YORK MIRROR | Friday, January 18, 2013 |

10

Calendar it’s happening n Friday, Jan. 18

Bridge and Euchre WHEN: Noon to 3:30 p.m. WHERE: Parkwoods United Church, 85 Parkwoods Village Dr. CONTACT: Ann Patterson, ann.patterson@sympatico.ca COST: Free For those 50 years and older. Weekly.

n Saturday, Jan. 19

Toronto Cat Rescue Adoptathon WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. WHERE: Pet Valu, 486 Lawrence Ave. W. CONTACT: Alison, 416-538-8592, chanagittel@rogers.com COST: Adoption fee applies Adoption fee is $175 for kittens under six months, $100 for cats over six months, $250 if adopting two kittens.

n Sunday, Jan. 20

Visit from Toronto Police Services WHEN: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Willowdale Christian Reformed Church, 70 Hilda Ave. CONTACT: 416-221-7829 COST: Free Officers from Toronto Police Services have been invited to the evening worship service. Please join us for this time of community interaction.

n Monday, Jan. 21

Goulding Park Hockey Association and North York Rangers AGM WHEN: 7 to 8 p.m. WHERE: Goulding Community Centre, 45 Goulding Ave. CONTACT: David Mitchell, dgmit@bell. net COST: Free

looking ahead n Saturday, Feb. 9

A Jazzy Valentine WHEN: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. WHERE: Donway Covenant United Church, 230 The Donway West CONTACT: Jaren McLeod, 416-4447807, donwaycovenant.com, donwaycovenant@msn.com COST: $20 adults/seniors, $12 for children under 12; call for tickets Featuring the Hamilton All Star Vocal Jazz ensemble.

Check out our complete online community calendar at www.northyorkmirror.com. Read weeks of listings from your York neighbourhoods as well as events from across Toronto.

n Tuesday, Jan. 22

Golden Oak Award Nominee Jody Nyasha Warner WHEN: 7 to 8 p.m. WHERE: Downsview Library, 2793 Keele St. CONTACT: 416395-5720, doprograms@torontopubliclibrary.ca COST: Free Meet Golden Oak-nominated author Jody Nyasha Warner as she discusses her book, ‘Viola Desmond Won’t be Budged’ a story of a woman who took a stand against racial segregation in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

n Thursday, Jan. 24

Employment Essentials Job Search Workshop WHEN: 1 to 2 p.m. WHERE: Downsview Library, 2793 Keele St. CONTACT: Diana, 416-395-5720, doprograms@torontopubliclibrary.ca COST: Free Open to everyone (youth, adults and older adults) presented by YES (www. yes.on.ca). Call to register.

n Friday, Jan. 25

Shabbat Shirah WHEN: 7:15 p.m. WHERE: Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto, 210 Wilson Ave. CONTACT: Temple Office, 416-4874161, www.templesinai.net, office@ templesinai.net COST: Free Celebrate Shabbat Shirah with the Temple Sinai Ensemble Choir and Band

n Saturday, Jan. 26

Coffee House WHEN: 7 to 10 p.m. WHERE: Willowdale Christian Reformed Church, 70 Hilda Ave. CONTACT: 416-221-7829 COST: Donations An evening of music and dessert, plus a silent auction to raise money for Toronto City Mission.

Icewave GTA/Toronto Beach Volleyball Event for SickKids WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. WHERE: Beach Blast, 15 Leswyn Rd. (off Orfus Rd.) CONTACT: Rosanne O’Neill, 416-237-

northyorkmirror.com 0123, www.HeatwaveEvents.com, info@ HeatwaveEvents.com COST: $450 per team The 17th Anniversary Indoor Beach Volleyball Event for SickKids with three Saturdays to choose from: Jan. 26, Feb. 2 and Feb. 9. Visit the website for a team entry form and online fundraising.

Congregation of Toronto, 210 Wilson Ave. CONTACT: Temple Sinai, 416-4874161, www.templesinai.net, office@ templesinai.net COST: Free

ongoing

Shabbat Morning Family Service WHEN: 10:30 a.m. WHERE: Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto, 210 Wilson Avenue CONTACT: Temple Office, 416-487-4161, www.templesinai.net, office@templesinai.net COST: Free

Friendly Games of Bridge WHEN: 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays WHERE: Trinity Presbyterian Church York Mills, 2737 Bayview Ave. CONTACT: 416-447-5136 COST: $2 per session Women in the community welcome to join in. Coffee and cookies afterwards.

Jazz Piano Concert WHEN: 2 to 4 p.m. WHERE: St. George on Yonge Anglican, 5350 Yonge St. CONTACT: Chris Hayward, 416-2251922, the.haywards@sympatico.ca, torontojazzbuzz.com COST: $10/general, $8/students and seniors at the door Featuring Canadian pianist Mboya Nicholson.

Weekly Bridge WHEN: Noon to 3 p.m. Mondays WHERE: Willowdale United Church, 349 Kenneth Ave. CONTACT: Betty Jacobs, 416-223-0568, bettyjeanne.jacobs@gmail.com COST: $2, includes refreshments New players welcome.

n Sunday, Jan. 27

Scrabble WHEN: 6:45 to 9:45 p.m. Wednesdays WHERE: Broadlands Community Centre, 19 Castlegrove Blvd. CONTACT: Rosemarie Rabindranath, 416-449-7126 COST: Free

Accent on Youth Concert WHEN: 11 a.m. WHERE: Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto, 210 Wilson Ave/ CONTACT: Temple Office, 416-4874161, www.templesinai.net, office@ templesinai.net COST: Free Our annual Accent on Youth concert features the Kachol Lavan Choir and the Temple Sinai Youth Choir.

An Evening with Dr. Mordechai Kedar WHEN: 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Temple Sinai

get listed

The North York Mirror wants your community listings. Sign up online at insidetoronto.com to submit your events (click the Sign Up link in the top right corner of the page).

Winter shouldn’t be a jail sentence You can suffer from cabin fever if you want to, but there’s more to life than waiting for a break in the weather. If the weather outside is frightful, for us life’s so delightful. The more frightful the weather, the more delightful Delmanor life is. That’s because we have more to talk about than the weather and a lot more to do. There’s a host of daily activities, live entertainment, guest lecturers, organized excursions, and hearty meals served in an elegant dining room full of friends. Join us for lunch. We’ve got your get out of jail free card and the key to talking about everything but the weather. So, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Just make sure you’re here when it does!

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| NORTH YORK MIRROR | Friday, January 18, 2013

NORTH YORK MIRROR | Friday, January 18, 2013 |

City Hall

Fire services budget has historically City council approves budgets, been too hot to handle for City Hall keeps firefighters I and trucks for now DAVID NICKLE dnickle@insidetoronto.com Toronto neighbourhoods won’t lose any fire trucks or stations right away, hungry schoolchildren will eat, and the city will subsidize more childcare, thanks to a total of $12 million in add-ons approved by Toronto Council for its 2013 operating and capital budgets.

Council approved the changes to the budget presented by Mayor Rob Ford at the end of a day-and-a-half debate this week, while hundreds of firefighters wearing matching red T-shirts looked on.

The firefighters were there to try and have a decision to reverse a budget plan to take five fire trucks out of service, shut a fire station on Runnymede, and cut 104 firefighter positions.

The cuts were reversed by degree.

Last week, Mayor Ford moved a motion to restore 20 firefighters; on Tuesday, Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher put forward a motion to restore another 63 positions and keep all the trucks on the road.

Council finally settled on a compromise, to add $3.1 million to the fire budget, which would pay for the trucks and firefighters until July, when council was able to consider a number of reports from Toronto Fire and determine whether cuts were warranted.

That compromise was the only one of the motions that Mayor Ford supported.

Also added to the budget was $1.1663 million to student nutrition

programs; $3.8 million to increase child care subsidies by 264 spaces; $6.8 million to replenish the Social Housing Stabilization Reserve fund; $500,000 for improvements to the Scarborough Civic Centre (including $50,000 for the Scarborough Walk of Fame); and the hiring of five additional building inspectors.

Mayor Ford called the budget vote a victory, saying it was “truly an historical day at city hall.”

“This budget does some things that we have never done before,” he said, of the $9.4 billion budget.

Ford told reporters that while he gave up ground on the budget, moving some compromises, voting for others and losing on a large number – it could have been worse.

“It could have been $50 million more,” he said. “We fended them off – they’re like piranhas. You’re going to get bit a few times, but you’re in there and it could have been a lot worse.”

Ford’s enthusiasm wasn’t shared by many of his allies, though.

Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday said that council had allowed itself to be “strong-armed” by the firefighters’ association, who hired lobbyists and engaged in a major campaign to reverse the cuts.

Ed Kennedy, President of the Toronto Professional Firefighters Association, called the move “a positive step.”

“You know with regard to the change of opinion they now understood it was factual, not fear mongering,” he said. “We’re not out there to fearmonger we’re out there to get the facts to the public.”

f anyone wants to understand how power is exercised at Toronto’s City Hall, the best place to look is how the firefighters’ association overturned the wishes of the fire chief, city manager, budget committee and mayor on the issue of the fire services budget.

On the cutting block was the removal of about 100 positions from a workforce 3,200 strong, the closure of one station, and the retirement of five trucks.

In terms of the hard data, the firefighters’ position was weak, particularly in comparison to other Ontario municipalities.

According to provincial data per capita, Toronto has about an average response time, average rate of fatalities from residential fires and average number of fires.

The rate of fires is so low that our fire service, like many others, spends the vast majority of its time attending to medical calls, rescues and ‘public hazards,’ almost always with a fully staffed pumper truck.

In comparison to other municipalities, Toronto has the highest cost of operating a front-line fire vehicle. With 92 per cent of the budget consisting of salaries and benefits, and since our firefighters are among the most expensive in the nation, Toronto’s high costs are not surprising.

About a decade ago, at amalgamation, the average household paid about $150 a year for the city’s fire services. This year, your household – and mine – will spend about $240 for fire services, a growth of about 60 per cent for about the same number of staff, to fight about 60 per cent fewer fires.

Instead of what might have been difficult but straightforward decisions to reallocate the city’s resources elsewhere, the firefighters’ association won a series of battles at budget committee, then executive committee and finally so

Beyond the headlines

david soknacki

decisively at council, that councillors kept re-opening the vote on the fire budget to verify their support.

How did they do it?

From the union perspective, they ran an excellent campaign. To begin, firefighters have no problem emphasizing their position as the city’s most beloved service.

Last year they set up their own electronic town hall meeting, a website advising they were not part of Mayor Rob Ford’s “gravy,” and said about 600 members volunteered to deliver their message door-to-door.

This year they increased pressure by holding rallies, speaking at public meetings, writing letters, advocating through social and mainstream media, and mass attendance at council, dressed in red shirts. They ran a consistent and very professional paid advertisement campaign under the theme “Seconds Count.”

Their action behind the scenes was even more effective.

Many councillors have election sign crews comprised of firefighters, many of which are residents of that particular ward. These members made their opinions clear to individual councillors, and encouraged community meetings on their issue. The association knew which councillors were susceptible and was excellent in marshalling votes.

The end, with a vote of 38-7 in favour of eliminating cuts to the fire services budget, wasn’t close.

Even the mayor voted with the

majority.

Since no administration has ever been able to tame the fire services budget, the troubling question is whether it is possible.

Constraining the fire services budget requires very different circumstances. First must come recognition that the basic struggle is for the hearts and minds of Toronto’s residents.

The data to convince Torontonians is available. But there is little ability to present compelling information. Unlike like sophisticated companies that invest so that their case is forcefully presented to shareholders, Toronto’s finance staff, management and some councillors were hopelessly outclassed in the battle for public opinion.

They did not have support, and most were afraid to articulate their position to their power base in residents’ associations. It is not surprising that they lost the battle for public opinion.

The second part of the struggle was a series of votes at committee and council.

Again the firefighters’ association had the administration and management outclassed. To achieve success in a controversial vote requires careful management of votes through both discipline and the dispensation of favours.

This administration is not known for these skills.

In the press conference after the final budget, the mayor correctly pointed out that the vast majority of his budget was approved.

It is fortunate that Mayor Ford has other areas of savings to which he can point with pride.

The fire services budget has not been one in the past, nor is it likely to be one in the future. n David Soknacki is a former City of Toronto councillor and budget chief. Contact him at www. soknacki.com

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Transportation

15

RAHUL GUPTA rgupta@insidetoronto.com Whether it’s in the 416 or the 905, transit expansion is building a groundswell of support as congestion grows to “crisis” levels in the GTHA, says a spokesperson for the Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance.

John Tory, from CivicAction, an advocacy group calling for better regional transit connections, said on Monday that transportation has become the top local issue for residents concerned with gridlock and daily commute times that are among the highest in North America.

“You really get a feel when you travel to the farther reaches of the 416 and even more so into the 905 and see the seven-day-a-week paralysis that so deeply affects families and businesses,” said Tory, the group’s chair, during a press conference held

by CivicAction at City Hall.

“Transportation is at an all-time

high as a concern for local residents.”

Tory, who is also a popular radio host, presented an update along with CivicAction CEO Mitzie Hunter of the group’s three-month-old Your32 publicity campaign for better transit. He said an “evolution” was taking place in the minds of residents regarding the toll congestion takes on their personal lives.

“Individuals are coming to realize congestion caused by a grossly inadequate transportation system is negatively affecting their jobs and their families,” said Tory.

“They have come to the conclusion major action is necessary to improve the quality of their own lives.”

That action, according to the CivicAction, is investing billions of dollars for a meaningful transformation of the existing transportation network to come directly from both governments and residents.

“I think the public have given the signal they want the leaders to get on with building transit and find fair and balanced ways to pay for it,” he said.

Hunter said over the course of its Your32 campaign the group asked residents to weigh in on what they would do with 32 extra

YOUR Weekly Crossword

Staff photo/Rahul Gupta

Mitzie Hunter, left, and John Tory from the Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance display a word cloud info-graph during a media conference Monday at City Hall that shows the most common responses from residents in the GTHA on how they would use the time saved from commuting.

minutes of time per day. That’s the amount of time the transit planning agency Metrolinx says will be lost if the $50-billion Big Move regional transportation plan is not completed within the next 25 years and commute times rise even further from 77 to 109 minutes as a result.

“We asked people to tell us how traffic congestion is affecting them,” said Hunter. “They have showed us

the true cost of the region’s antiquated and inadequate system.”

Hunter said thousands of residents took part in the exercise, including 15,000 visitors to campaign website www.your32.com, as well as through social media.

CivicAction took the feedback from residents and created a word cloud info-graph of the most popular responses.

According to the word cloud, which was unveiled at the press conference, the most popular responses include spending more time with family, catching up on sleep and enjoying a better work experience.

The human cost of congestion is something that has been missing during the debate for better transit, said Tory.

“It’s really the humanity of the responses,” said Tory following the press conference. “People are talking about time being taken way from their family.”

In addition to updating the progress of its Your32 media campaign, Hunter also announced the addition of three more members to CivicAction’s council of regional “champions”, private and public sector individuals who advocate for better transit throughout the GTHA. The list of 44 appointees also includes former chief city planner Paul Bedford, who was in attendance at the event.

“You go through the whole education process and get them to understand the choices and consequences and they’re more willing to pay. Because they can connect the big picture choices with their daily life,” said Bedford.

PUZZLE CORNER Sudoku (difficult)

How to do it: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3 by 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

answers from Jan. 4

Issue ‘is at an all-time high as a concern for local residents’: Tory

n See answers to this week’s puzzles in next Friday’s edition

| NORTH YORK MIRROR | Friday, January 18, 2013

Residents want leaders to get on with building better transit

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