A wonderful thing has happened in Trefann.

Since the start of the City Workers strike, many neighbours and friends have come out and cleaned our little community. Walking up Sumach street, it is not unusual to see a few people out on the street, picking up litter, offering to drive their neighbours’ garbage to a transfer station, sweeping up sidewalks, laneways and driveways. Strolling along Shuter and Tracy Streets, you see the same thing happening. Neighbours helping each other and keeping Trefann clean and tidy.

Last evening, one resident went so far as to transport their ‘ride-upon’ lawn mower down from their cottage and mowed the entire grass area of Stinky’s Park. He did this so the rest of the community could continue enjoying our park.

His actions have motivated others to organize a small ‘clean-up’ party this weekend. We have transport to the transfer station. We have donated garbage bags. We have the will to see this strike through.

I know I’ll be there and hope to see you too.

You are invited to attend and participate in the city’s  Public Consultation Meeting on Jan 29 @ 7pm, Toronto City Hall), in relation to a new City of Toronto Sign By-law (see flyer).

During the past few years, community activists have spoken out against the visual pollution in Toronto, caused by numerous, illegal billboards.  You may have heard about the Toronto Public Space Committee: “dedicated to protecting our shared common spaces from commercial influence and privatisation”.

The City of Toronto is preparing a new sign by-law. It will replace the individual sign by-laws of the former municipalities.  The new sign by-law will update the standards for signs on private property, address current sign issues, and reflect the diverse character found in Toronto communities. The Sign By-law project will also explore ways where signage will support the City’s efforts in energy conservation and revenue generation.

For information on project updates, please visit the City’s website.

[ reprinted from Toronto Public Space Committee (TPSC)’s December 2008 Mid-Month Mini-Newsletter ]

” Astral Media has begun installing its new street furniture in the past six months, and already there are problems with transit shelters and benches.

Through a Freedom of Information request, we have obtained the contract between Astral and the City.  We’re working on putting together a proper web page for it, but until then you can access it directly (3.2 megabyte PDF).  And here’s the Street Furniture Rollout Schedule. “

Here’s another small success, from an email sent by TCRA to Access Toronto. For at least 2 months, a thick cable (part of Roger’s cable network) has been exposed at the corner of Shuter + Parliament, subjecting pedestrians and cyclists to a potential “tripping” hazard. Perhaps not a serious risk, but gives a “poorly maintained, run-down” look to our neighbourhood’s public infrastructure. Rogers was called July 11 to alert them to this problem, but nothing happened. But within 1 week of TCRA reporting this to city staff at Access Toronto on Aug 14, the cable was once again properly secured with conduit. Thanks, guys! Our experience is that the city inspectors may not identify and fix all such problems on their own, but when these problems are specifically reported by residents, the city promptly fixes them. So take pride in the appearance of Trefann Court; if you see something in our neighbourhood needing fixing, please call or email Access Toronto.

On Shuter St, between Parliament and Trefann, is a jumbo pothole, a road cave-in really, which seems to be getting worse. The roadway had been repaired here at least once before; the latest cave-in was simply marked with pylons for a few weeks before it was repaired, shortly after June 8 (pic #1). Within days, a substantially bigger hole re-opened in the roadway - see pic #2 (June 19). While blocked with pylons, this road cave-in forces car traffic to swerve dangerously into the bike lane and very close to the parked cars (watch out, cyclists). The road was repaired again, but within 24 hours started sinking again - see pic #3 (June 21). And yet another asphalt bandage was applied June 28. Still sinking - see pic #4 (Aug 6). Don’t Trefann Court residents deserve better quality road repairs?