We are not the paper roll company
Thank you for the article on St. Anselm’s 75th anniversary. I have many fond memories of my days there.
However, I want to point out that my surname is misspelled — there is no X at the end of Rouleau. You may see Rouleau with an X on packages of paper rolls, but that’s not me.
Also, want to say how much I enjoy Leaside Life.
Shirley Rouleau,
Bayview Ave.
There might be legal consequences
The published three letters (last month) from Tony Koch, Brian Sinclair and Ted Ward contain many factual errors. They have negative social consequence in Leaside. Mr. Sinclair’s letter might have legal consequences also. Referring to them as opinion pieces does not allow you to disclaim all responsibility.
Also, when writers claim or imply professional expertise, they should clearly state their qualifications or special interest in a subject. Why would Tony Koch write two letters in two months promoting the airline industry and denying the negative effects on Leasiders?
Re Tony Koch letter: lf the current commercial airline routes are dispersed, we will still have all the benefits of airline travel and avoid the negative effects on the health and welfare of Leasiders.
Re Ted Ward letter: Georgia Walsh’s death is not related to big box stores; it is related to heavy commuter traffic being diverted through residential streets. Aafaaq Shaikh, Kathleen Wynne’s Leaside office manager will confirm that I have corresponded with the Premier many times regarding pedestrian safety. Heavy airline traffic over residential areas certainly has had lethal consequences, e.g. commuter plane crash near Buffalo. Aircraft noise near Heathrow is associated with increased number of fatal heart attacks. A bipolar patient in Leaside suffered sleep loss from airtine noise that led to acute mania, then severe depression and suicide. Jon Burnside says reducing air traffic over Leaside is one of his top priorities.
Re Brian Sinclair letter: This is not an opinion piece. You surely know the content of this letter is grossly exaggerated. Accusations of Leaside teenagers are being made without evidence or proof. Leaside parents are being accused of poor parenting skills. As a family physician, I assessed and supported the parenting skills of my patients, so this accusation hurts me personally and professionally. The City of Toronto and LPOA report no significant litter problem in Leaside. Using words like “litter pigs,” and “filthy creatures” is a huge overreaction. The letter could devalue my house and Mr. Sinclair’s house. Also, if Mr. Sinclair does not like Leaside, he should leave.
Dan Buckley,
Roxville Ave.
Must we give up our quality of life?
To get from Costco to Bayview, presuming the 2.24 million vehicles would avoid an Eglinton constricted by the Eglinton Connects plan, motorists have but two routes, Beth Nealson Dr./McRae or Overlea/Millwood.
To get from Lawrence Park to Costco, presuming the construction of Eglinton or not, they would cut through North Leaside to Brentcliffe.
Are Leasiders to give up the quality of life in their neighbourhood for this? Will the planners try to pull the wool over city council’s eyes once again and tell them most Costco shoppers will use the South Leaside or Don Mills buses?
Section 4.6 3(b) on Employment Areas in the Official Plan says, at the very least, that the SmartCentres were not to “adversely affect” nearby businesses. It was incumbent then upon the planners to use zoning to set out what kinds of retail would and would not be permitted to locate east of Laird so that Bayview was not adversely affected.
A paltry $25,000 for a BIA should not buy you exemption from law. And that is the problem. When developers want density, the Official Plan has the force of law, but when residents cite it to defend their neighbourhoods it’s just a guideline.
When the cold winter and spring gave way to warm summer evenings Bayview clearly reclaimed its place as the Main Street of Leaside. It is already at capacity, but we must beware of any attempts to intensify.
For those who have missed it the first 12 dozen times I’ve said this, the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) gives the force of law to that word ‘intensification’. That is being implemented as if it had no definition. Which it doesn’t, really. But every major rezoning report includes the phrase, “City Council’s planning decisions are required to be consistent with the PPS.”
The merchants on Bayview are paying property tax not on the capacity of their properties to generate revenues but rather on the value of the land at resale. So how will intensification affect assessments in the future?
The residents associations to the west are of no help, as the presidents of four associations have written in support of Eglinton Connects, which will divert traffic off Eglinton and through neighbourhoods. The planners don’t believe that, most likely as a result of their cult-like belief that the mere construction of arterials will make cars vanish.
Bob Murphy,
Eglinton East
