Response to some questions from Bloor West Village Residents Assocation

At the last all candidates meeting from the Bloor west Village Association there were some questions that didn't get asked, in an attempt to make sure that all questions have answers, all of the candidates are submitting the written results. Below are my answers, if you would like to see the other candidates responses please feel free to visit the website http://www.bwvra.ca/Question From Peter: What do you consider to be the two top priority problems facing the Swansea community (Keele - Humber River - Gardiner - Bloor) which require immediate action to resolve, and what are your solutions to these problems?Peter; I feel that the two top priorities are #1 traffic- too many cars and driving too fast. We need to work with Police to make our community safer in the area of traffic. We need to return to Community Policing. More Police on the streets working WITH neighbours to change the behaviour around speed and distracted driving will make a big difference. I have a history of working as a partner with Police Services across the country. I will bring this experience to the table when working with our Police to reduce traffic and slow cars down.#2 We need to hold the line on taxes in our community. The City of Toronto has been granted new powers, with some of those powers in the area of implementing new taxes. I believe that we need to find new and innovative ways to do business in the city without increasing our taxes.Question From Stan: The riding of bicycles on sidewalks is a danger to pedestrians. They are a menace and could (do) cause injury (or theft of purses) from unsuspectingl walkers. Why not decal (paint) "no riding on sidewalks" signs at all intersections?Stan; I agree that this is a big problem in the area. First off we need to follow through on the City Plan to create and support more bicycle lanes in the ward. This will address the root of the problem by giving the cyclists a dedicated lane to ride in. Council has been slow in following through on their promise for more bike lanes. The next step is enforcement of the traffic laws. While signs bring awareness to the issue we need to step up enforcement or the presence of enforcement. A return to Community Policing would support this level of enforcement and we need to look at other options. What about the parking enforcement officers supporting the enforcement of no bikes on sidewalks? I think it is an idea to look at and would look into it right away.Question From Brenda: During the week, could High Park be opened up to allow access from the Queensway to Bloor Street? With the paving of the Queensway taking so long, it often has not been possible to turn north on Ellis, Windermere and the South Kingsway.Brenda; I agree the work on the Queensway is taking a long time. Unfortunately opening access to the park is not the solution.The park was a gift to the city from John G. Howard and in terms the city agreed to leave the grounds and estate (Colborne Lodge) in as natural a state as possible. The addition of traffic through the park would negatively impact the delicate balance of nature found in the Park.Question From Mark: In light of city council's approval of the condominium building now planned for the site of the old Humber Odeon cinema, it strikes me that so long as a developer has, in Bill Saundercook's words, "cooperative and continuous dialogue with residents," the developer is guaranteed, in the end, to get what they want, or at least a fair portion of it. What would you do, if elected, to ensure that developers are never again able to circumvent the official plan, and to make them settle in such cases with the simple answer "No"?Mark; The official city plan needs to be promoted loud and clear to developers and residents alike and it needs to be enforced. This is true in the case of small individual homes and in large condo developments. The unique flavour of our neighbourhoods depend on growth that reflect the positive elements of the community and builds on it. We also need to have consequences for developers who do not follow the rules. This may be more an issue for smaller developments in our communities (single homes etc) but it is equally important to our neighbourhoods. If developers are not going to follow the rules of the plan or the rules of council then why should they be allowed to develop in the city? From Christie: If elected, will you move a motion to rescind the Palais Royale parking lot which is threatening to blight our precious greenspace on the Lakeshore?Hi Christie: I would work with the Councillor and Community in Ward 14 to be sure that the waterfront was protected. Our waterfront needs to be protected here on the west end of the city and it needs to start with this issue.Question From Anonymous: How are you going to ensure that you are representing us?The best way to represent you is to hear you and take that voice forward to city hall. This will be done through community consultation. I am committed to hearing you (surveys, door to door, town hall meetings or telephone conversations) prior to any major decisions being made. My job (if elected) is to seek your input and feedback, not wait for you to find me.Question From David: As of November 6, 2006, 328 mayors in the United States have accepted Seattle Mayor Nickels' challenge to join Seattle in taking local action to reduce global warming pollution. The challenge is to meet or exceed the Kyoto Protocol targets, and to urge higher levels of government to enact policies or programs to meet or exceed the Kyoto Protocol. Would candidates for mayor be willing to initiate and endorse a comparable Canadian initiative? What specific actions would be taken to realize the Kyoto Protocol targets within the City of Toronto and to encourage the federal and provincial governments -- and other municipalities -- to take concerted action on climate change? Would Ward 13 council candidates support the mayor in such initiatives, and what specific actions would they encourage for Ward 13?David; I have publicly pledged TO green and will support the implementation of the cities environmental plan. I will also support the mayor in the creation of any initiatives that meet or exceed the Kyoto Protocol. If elected, the specific actions that I will encourage ward 13 to participate in include; increase recycling and composting in apartment buildings, increase public transit and access to public transit and support sustainable communities that allow and encourage people to walk or ride bikes to their local shops. I will encourage the city of Toronto as a corporation, to take the lead on reducing packaging by only purchasing products from companies who use minimal packaging, therefore leading by example.Inclosing, remember to VOTE TOMORROW!! Monday Novemember 13! If you need to see where to vote, please check out the city of Toronto's website at this link