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Season's Greetings
Nominate an Outstanding East York Resident
Skating Season
Crescent Town Club Fire
Toronto Ward Boundaries Review
Share your garden: Yes in My Backyard
City News
Child Care Survey
Public Appointments Opportunities
City of Toronto Holiday Activities
The City's Plan for Snow Clearing
Recreation Registration
Summer Recreation Jobs - City Hiring!
Council Highlights
Events List

The Davis DispatchTop                     December 2014
                         
East York New Year's Levee
Ring in the new year with 
Councillor Janet Davis 
and your other 
East York representatives on

 

Sunday, January 4, 2015
1 - 3 p.m.
East York Civic Centre
850 Coxwell Ave.

Refreshments provided!

 

Season's Greetings 


 

Dear Friends,


 

The new term is off to a quick start, and I am hopeful it will be collaborative and productive. I have been appointed to the Government Management Committee, the committee which deals with the administrative functions of government. I will continue to work on the issues and priorities that I have in the past, such as child care, library and recreation services, water infrastructure, and tenant issues. And of course, I will continue to push for local improvements in Ward 31.


 

Several important initiatives and consultations are underway. In particular, I would like to highlight the Parents Survey and the 2015 Budget process. The City wants to hear from you about the challenges and ideas you have about finding and paying for child care in Toronto.  I urge you to go on line and fill in the short questionnaire. Once again the budget process will be underway early in the New Year, and there are opportunities for your involvement.  I have included links further into the newsletter that will provide more information about these and other initiatives.


 

And most important -- I'd like to extend the warmest wishes for a safe and happy holiday season. Whether you are staying in town or travelling, I hope you are able to enjoy extra time with family and friends. I also hope you can experience the many wonderful events taking place in our city - including the annual East York New Year's Levee on Sunday, January 4, 2014.  


 

Again, I wish you a holiday filled with peace, love and joy! 

 

Sincerely,

Janet Davis  


Community News

Nominate an Outstanding East York Resident

The Agnes Macphail Recognition Committee invites you to nominate a resident of East York for the 2015 Agnes Macphail Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize the outstanding volunteer contributions of a local East York resident who reflects the work and values espoused by Agnes Macphail in one or more of the following areas:


  • Women's rights
  • Fairness to seniors
  • Criminal justice system and penal reform
  • International peace and disarmament
  • Access to adequate housing, health care and education
  •  

    Please email your nomination package to councillor_davis@toronto.ca. The deadline for receipt is midnight, Thursday, January 29th, 2015. All the information you need is on the  Agnes Macphail Nomination Brochure 2015. 

     
    Agnes Macphail, Canada's first female Member of Provincial Parliament and first female Member of Parliament.

    Agnes Campbell Macphail (1890-1954) was once described as "the most important woman in public life that Canada has produced in the 20th century." In 1921 she blazed a path for women with her election to the federal House of Commons. Following her election in 1943, she became the first woman to sit in the Ontario Legislature, representing the riding of York East (which at that time included the community of East York and a large surrounding rural area). On March 24, 1993, the Mayor proclaimed the first annual Agnes Macphail Day in the Borough of East York, in honour of the 50th anniversary of her election to the Legislature. In January 1994, East York Council established the Agnes Macphail Award.


     

    The Agnes Macphail Award Ceremony always take place on Agnes Macphail's birthday. Everyone is welcome to attend on Tuesday, March 24 at 7 p.m. in the True Davidson Council Chambers, East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave.

    For more information, please contact:

    Lorna Krawchuk, Chair, Agnes Macphail Recognition Committee, 416-425-4431.

     

    Skating Season 

    Build and maintain a local rink: Every year, local residents come together to build and maintain natural skating rinks across the city. Parks staff help to create the rink, provide supplies and train volunteers in rink maintenance. This year, residents in the Dentonia Park, Topham Park, and George Webster Park areas are trying to get rinks started. If you are interested in helping, please get in touch with my office at 416-392-4035 or councillor_davis@toronto.ca.


     

    Skating at City Rinks: East York Memorial Arena, 888 Cosburn Ave. just east of Woodbine, has free public skating on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Click for information about outdoor skating in Greenwood Park, Dieppe Park or Nathan Phillips Square.

     

    Crescent Town Club Fire Update

    As a result of a July 9th electrical fire, the Crescent Town Club has been closed temporarily. The Club facility experienced damage to the main electrical power supply lines, electrical distribution panel, and other components. In addition, the electrical fire generated smoke and odour particulates that contaminated the entire interior of the building and all its contents.  Electrical and other contractors have been secured to undertake the extensive work that is required to restore the building. They are awaiting approvals from the Ontario Electrical Safety Authority and specialized parts.  

     

    I know this facility is important to residents and the community. I have been working, along with the Board of Directors, to get the space open as soon as possible.  The Board recently issued a community update and reassured residents of its intension to re-open the Club. The Club and its property owner, Pinedale Properties, hope to have the facilities open and operating by the end of April.  For more information go to www.crescenttownclub.com.

     

    Toronto Ward Boundaries Review
    The Toronto Ward Boundaries Review is led by an independent team of consultants who will make recommendations to City Council about the size and shape of Toronto's wards. One of the 12 public meetings is taking place locally on January 7, 2015, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at the S. Walter Stewart Library (170 Memorial Park Avenue). 

    Additional information, including meeting times, locations and the full calendar of the review's public consultation meetings, is available at http://www.drawthelines.ca.

     

    Share your Garden Space - Yes in My Backyard!

    Do you have ground level outdoor space available to share? The Taylor-Massey Food & Garden Committee is looking for spaces for gardeners in the community. Get ready to grow in 2015! Start planning your garden now. Yes in My Backyard! is like match-making for gardeners and garden spaces. This project matches people who would like to care for a garden with home owners who have un-used space they would like to share. Start dreaming of spring, and contact Yes in My Backyard at 416-699-7920 ext. 405. Print or share the flyer with your neighbours.

     

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    City News

    Share your views on Child Care

    Toronto Children's Services would like to hear from you. Your feedback will help to determine City priorities as we plan future child care and family-related programs. The online survey will take about ten minutes to complete and will be available until January 6, 2015.   

    Public Appointments Opportunities

    The City of Toronto needs local residents to serve on high-profile, challenging, and exciting boards of directors for City agencies and corporations. Being on a City board is a unique opportunity to contribute to your community, collaborate with others, and gain valuable skills and experience by helping to support public services. We are now accepting applications from Toronto residents for a range of board positions. Apply now at toronto.ca/ServeYourCity to be considered when the selection process starts in January 2015. Currently there are no deadlines to apply but we will update the website and our mailing list with new information as soon as deadlines are set. For more information visit  toronto.ca/ServeYourCity, email appoint@toronto.ca or call 416-397-0088.


    City of Toronto Holiday Activities

    The City of Toronto has lots of great activities to keep you busy over the holidays. Visit a City of Toronto museum or historic site for special seasonal activities.

    The City's Plan for Snow Clearing

    It's that time of the year again - winter! A Canadian winter can sometimes mean a lot of snow, and the City of Toronto is ready. Here are a few things that you can expect as we gear up for another winter in Toronto. Prior to the onset of a storm, Transportation Services will be applying a layer of salt brine to hills and bridges throughout the city.  The application of salt brine is intended to prevent the snow from bonding to the pavement and to make it easier to plow the snow to the side of the road. As soon as the snow begins, Transportation Services sends out its fleet of salt trucks to the expressways and main roads. Read more...

     

    March Break Camp Registration and more
    The City of Toronto offers fun and affordable recreation programs for all ages, skill levels and interests. Registration opened Saturday, December 6 for winter skating and swimming lessons as well as March Break camps, including arts, sports, cooking and more. Click here for the Terry Fox Community Centre / Gledhill PS Flyer.  Click here for Stan Wadlow Clubhouse programs. Many programs still have space. Read more...

     

    Summer Recreation Jobs - City Hiring!
    The City of Toronto's Parks, Forestry and Recreation division - the largest employer of youth in Canada - is now looking for qualified candidates for 2015 summer recreation positions. The types of recreation positions available include aquatic instructors, lifeguards, music, art and dance instructors, fitness centre staff, special needs program staff, sports instructors, camp counsellors, facility staff and more. Those who are interested in applying are asked to create a profile and apply online at  toronto.ca/recjobs. Read more...

     

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    Council Highlights

    December 2014

     

    Deputy mayors for Toronto     
    Council approved amending the City Council procedures to provide for the establishment of up to four deputy mayors, one to assist the mayor in each of the city's four regions, to be appointed and removed by the mayor. There is a requirement that the mayor designate one of the deputy mayors as a first deputy mayor to act in the mayor's absence and to perform the roles and functions that the Council procedures and the Municipal Code assign to the position of deputy mayor.  

     

    2015 budget schedule               

    Council approved a process and schedule for developing, reviewing and adopting the City's 2015 budget. Under the schedule, Council will be able to adopt the 2015 operating and capital budgets by early March. The Budget Committee is scheduled to begin the review of a staff-recommended budget in late January and wrap up its work on the budget in mid February, leading to consideration of the committee's recommended budget by the Executive Committee and Council in March. Council directed senior staff to prepare a plan for comprehensive community consultation for the 2016, 2017 and 2018 budgets.

     

    SmartTrack transit plan                

    Council requested a February 2015 interim report on a work plan for an accelerated review of the SmartTrack and Regional Express Rail plans for transit in Toronto. The review is to include detailed planning as well as an environmental assessment, a business case analysis and an implementation schedule. Council also adopted related motions, such as one that addresses urban development scenarios along the proposed SmartTrack alignment. 

     

    Appointments

    At the first meeting of the new City Council elected for the 2014-18 term, Council appointed the speaker and members of standing committees, agencies and external bodies. Details are available at http://bit.ly/1zbpag2.

     

     

    Click to read the Council minutes.

     

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    Events List

    Wednesday, December 24

    11:30 a.m.

    City Hall Rotunda, 100 Queen St. W.

     

    City of Toronto to host New Year's Eve

    Wednesday, December 31

    Nathan Phillips Square

    100 Queen St. W.

    Free outdoor skating until 10 p.m.

    Entertainment starts at 8 p.m.


    East York New Year's Levee

    Sunday, January 4, 2015

    1 - 3 p.m.

    East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave.

     

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