July 15, 2009, 26 e-mails

E. G. wrote:

I did have much more sympathy before. The strike is dragging on too long. I wish they'd find a way to settle already.

Think the negotiators are being fair? The mayor seems to be making concessions. Though people direct rage at him, the negotiations are still stalled.

Personally, I don't think sick days should be banked. If you haven't used your sick days after a year or 10, consider that to be a blessing. I understand that some people get to bank them and it isn't fair. Some people have expense accounts, does that mean we all need them. (It would be nice!)

Right now I am angry because of what is happening to city kids. It is roughest on the most vulnerable citizens. Kids that wait all year for city camps and hanging out at the community centres are being used here. Rich kids don't depend on city pools and parks as much, many have access to other facilities. The kids that saved pennies for centreville season's passes are heartbroken. Many of my friends that condos have private pools and waste collection. They don't even notice the strike is on. My pals that live on wards island are having a hard time getting groceries over there.

These services are essential. In my home, we're keeping our garbage beside the house and thinking about the waste we generate and how to reduce. Whether our homes or parks become temporary dumps, or whether we move our trash to the dump, I don't know if that constitutes as picket line crossing. Our inconvenience or suffering is not being measured.

B. L. wrote:

Well said, E.

Kids get ONE shot at being 9 years old or 10 or 7 or whatever. Each summer of childhood is a magical time and it is being taken away from our most vulnerable children who need it the most. Enough already. The City's last offer looked pretty good to me: modest wage increases, no changes to seniority, etc. If banking sick days is the line in the sand, then I am with the kids who should be playing in that sand.

C. and S. wrote:

No offense to children everywhere (mine included) but I think a person being able to collect a steady income while suffering from a serious illness is more important than a child missing a few weeks of summer camp. Sure, my kids were bummed about not going to camp, but they're still having a grand old time doing "nothing". Yes, they watch T.V and go on the computer, but they also hang out with their neighbourhood pals, choreograph elaborate dance routines to Hannah Montana (ugh), have fierce rummoli tournaments with their buddies and stage mildly offensive plays in the backyard. They'll get no sympathy from me, the freeloading monsters. ;)

B. K. wrote:

The city never intended for people to not be able to take the time when suffering from serious illnesses. The new deal offered is just that - to cover it. I think if anyone is presently owed for sick days, the city should pay it all out now, have done with it and then move on to the disability coverage they presently propose. My gripe is that people are saving it for retirement, where they can cash out 6 months pay.

Sick days were for those who needed it. If you are sick and you use the days, why must you suffer for it later and not get what those who are healthy are cashing out? I say, workers who are sick are sick period. If you're sick past a few flu days then a doctor's note gets you all the time you need. No questions no penaltie. That's fair.

I think when it was first conceived of, it was to make up for the lack in pay issues. In that case, people who would become seriously ill over the next years did not see a dime of that deal. That was not fair.

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C. wrote:

I thought about this before deciding to set up a collection.

The main problem for me was the green bin stuff (already contaminated with cooked food, dairy, etc. which can't go in a backyard composter). We already had maggots, and I was running out of room to put stuff, where raccoons and rats can't get to it. My options were to dump this illegally; bring it to a dump site set up by the city (which is essentially picket-crossing and does the same thing as hiring someone else to do it); or to just let it sit and rot.

I think there is already enough garbage everywhere to keep the pressure on the City to end this strike. Anyway, as Erella pointed out, there are more good reasons for the strike to end than the piles of garbage.

I also have a problem with waste that could have been recycled dumped in landfill, so when Amanda posted about a place that sorts and separates out the recyclables, I made the decision to hire them.

Am I also strike-breaking if I send my kids to a privately-run camp because the Parks & Rec camp was cancelled?

I support the workers. I wonder what they are doing with their garbage?

M. C. wrote:

I am not uncomfortable with this list being used to discuss garbage pickups in the least. I think that we are a broad community and it should not be assumed we all hold the same views on political issues. This list is to discuss and share information and announcements about things relevant to community members - if you don't want to participate in a garbage pick-up for your own personal reasons, by all means, don't. Respectfully

P. wrote:

The 37% or so who don't live in our city don't have to worry about it, but that's good question

M. E. wrote:

I wonder is that 37% is holding their garbage in solidarity with those who live in the city :-).

S. E. wrote:

Just be aware that the people who are doing it need a provincial license and need to be insured. this is to insure no illegal dumping and they meet safety standards. there are people out there who are doing it without the proper paper work and who knows what they are doing with your waste. Many legit garbage haulers are losing business by people doing it. So please check.

C. wrote:

Yes, I agree. That's why I went with the company I did: http://www.tuffrecycling.com. Licensed by the Ministry of the Environment.

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Councillor Adam Giambrone

Dear Residents,

I am writing to inform you that the City of Toronto will be opening a temporary garbage drop-off site at Campbell Park in our community, effective tomorrow, July 16th, 2009.

Campbell Park is located one block south of Dupont, one block east of Symington. This temporary drop-off site is being opened at this time because other drop-off sites are now full. This site will be open for residents to make drop-offs between 7 a.m.and 7 p.m., seven days a week. The Campbell Park site will only stay open until it has reached a safe capacity, as determined by the Medical Officer of Health. This site will be located on a hard concrete surface within the outdoor skating rink area at the park, which will help ensure that this site is contained and can be easily cleaned once the labour disruption has ended.

I realize this news is upsetting to local residents, particularly those in the immediate vicinity of this site. Let me be clear that I do not want to see, nor does anyone want to see, temporary garbage drop-off sites open up in our local parks. I have discussed your concerns about having one of these temporary sites in our neighbourhood with senior management. However, the current labour disruption has created extraordinary circumstances and these temporary sites are necessary to contain the garbage until the labour disruption is over and to ensure that proper health precautions can be taken to protect the public. The alternative would be for more and more garbage to build up in front of our homes, on our streets, in our laneways, and our other public spaces, with no possibility of ensuring pest control measures are taken, or any other public health precautions.

As most of you know, the City has now opened temporary drop-off sites like this one at a number of locations around the city for the duration of the labour disruption. All these sites, including at Campbell, have received approval from the provincial Ministry of the Environment for use as temporary garbage storage sites. Inspectors from Toronto Public Health monitor the sites on a daily basis. The locations will also be provided with professional pest and odour controls.

Pest control includes spraying and traps. The chemical in the spray is the same one used in shampoos to treat head lice and is half the concentration found in the shampoo. The sprays are quick-drying and are broken down by exposure to sunlight. The spray is applied directly to the garbage on site and there is minimal drifting of the spray. The bait in the traps is secured in locked, anchored and tamper-proof stations.

Toronto Public Health, Solid Waste Management and the pest control company are ensuring pest control measures are applied as safely as possible to protect the health of residents and pets. More information on the measures being use for pest control is available on the City's website at www.toronto.ca/labour-relations/pesticide-odour-control.htm.

When bringing waste to any drop-off site, the public should combine Green Bin materials with other garbage and ensure it is double-bagged and securely tied. Residents can also help elderly and disabled neighbours by offering to take their garbage to a drop-off site.

I appreciate the public's continued patience during this labour disruption. It has been an extremely difficult situation for everyone. Negotiations between the City and the two unions are continuing daily and are making progress. I hope that the situation will soon be resolved fairly for all parties and that the City services our community counts on can resume.

For any questions you may have, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 416-392-7012 or at councillor_giambrone@toronto.ca. My staff and I are working everyday during the labour disruption and will be happy to assist you with your questions and concerns. You can also access a complete copy, updated daily, of the City of Toronto Contingency Plan during the labour disruption at www.toronto.ca/labour-relations.

Yours truly,

Adam Giambrone

J. M. wrote:

Letters, hugs, explanations and the like don't change the fact that I can no longer bring my son to play at Campbell Park, his favourite playground. The playground is directly beside the new garbage dump.

We get six months of park weather at best in this city, and THIS SUCKS.

J. F. wrote:

J., don't give up, please join us, friends of Campbell Park and friends of Christie pits as we protest the fact that Campbell has been chosen as a garbage dump, we aremeeting at Campbell park at 5:00PM tomorrow, we have already had good coverage from media and are aware of the protest tomorrow. The location of the garbage dump is to close to the children play ground and homes. Parents of the Toronto Eagle Soccer association are also very upset, after spending money on arrigation. The park is a very well used park with hundreds of Children a week using this park and will are not going to make it a dump. SHAME ON YOU, Adam and Mayor Miller. Just remember Fall of 2010, when the city elections comes around. What wrong with using the old bus station site on Lansdowne or the Pay Parking lots or schools, don't take parks away from the children. You still have time to close this site and put it else where.

C. G. wrote:

We've lost Christie Pits, Eglinton Flats, Earlscourt and now Campbell. I have two kids in the Toronto Eagles Soccer club and we were to have a tournament in a week and half at Campbell.

I have not yet used a temporary garbage site to throw away my trash. Please stop giving Torontonians this option. I do not, nor do my neighbours have garbage piling up in front of our houses. We are storing it or sending it to our families outside of the GTA.

Enough with the garbage sites in our parks. They should never have been an option in the first place. Why weren't private companies approached to use their parking facilities for dumps? Just because the City of Toronto owns our parks does not give anyone the right to dispose of their trash there.

It's past time guys. Get back to the table and fix this now.

C. J. wrote:

Well said C.! Parks should never have been considered as trash sites. It's horrific.

S. wrote:

Why are people being instructed to bring non green-bin garbage to these drop-off sites? Surely only green-bin material presents a health hazard when stored in their homes?

I understand that people may have limited resources when it comes to storing organic material, but if they could at least store the non-organics we could save *some* of the parks from being turned into dump sites.

C. G. wrote:

Excellent point Siobhan!

The Toronto Eagles have cancelled their tournament. Over thirty teams from surrounding cities have been told that our site is now a garbage dump.

Adam Giambrone met with tournament organizers yesterday and told them that he would do his best to keep Campbell clean for the tournament. The Eagles found out that Campbell had been chosen as a dump by NOW Magazine on line, not by a phone call from our councilor.

Why are Parkdale and West Toronto being used as a garbage dump? Are there not any parks in Forest Hill that could pick up the slack? Oh, right. We get it.

Thanks again for sticking up for your constituents Adam.

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A. N. wrote:

FYI, while the kids were playing soccer tonight at Campbell Park, we learned that Campbell Park, a little park just West of Lansdowne, S. of Dupont is slated to become contaminated next - startng 7:30 tomorrow. At least 8 houses are in the immediate vicinity, and a children's playground a few feet away. Global and CityTV were both onsite at 8:30p.m.. Residents are trying to organize - may be able to use some help if anyone is able to lend a hand.

B. S. wrote:

Is this the rink? Where will the people who live in these houses be relocated to?

G. R. wrote:

They are having a rally at 6:30 pm tomorrow Thursday July 16 We should support them.

H. S. wrote:

Happy Thursday FCPP,

I met local Campbell Park neighbourhood resident V., you may have caught her on the news last night.

She asked for as much help from FCPP as possible. Her questions echoed the ones we had at the beginning our Christie Pits dump site saga three weeks ago before we found our answers. And it's hard not to feel for her.

She was eager to learn about the health risks, pesticides, etc. As per her request, I seeded a wiki page for her group:

http://Torontopedia.ca/FriendsOfCampbellPark

Virginia is asking for FCPP and other Torontonians to come out today between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to show it's not just her street that disagrees with the park becoming a dump.

The demo was originally to start at 6:30 p.m. I suggested to them that it was too late for the 6 p.m. news so they bumped it earlier to 5 p.m. start until the dump's official closing time of 7 p.m.

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M. W. wrote:

(TheStar.com | Enough trash talk about striking workers)

HEAR! HEAR!

I miss our hard working park employees who make next to nothing but ensure skating, dancing and stilt walking in the park happen. I miss campfires and day camps and swimming in the community swimming pools. I am exhausted by the negativity I am reading.

AND I AM SICK about hearing of people describing themselves as ‘tax payers’ as opposed to ‘citizens’ ‘neighbours’ ‘friends’!

I am more than a taxpayer! And it takes more than taxpayers to make a city work.

I want my city to work!

Give CUPE a fair deal already!

P. R. wrote:

My sentiments exactly.

E. D. wrote:

And for yet another interesting perspective, Margaret Wentes articles in today’s Globe and Mail…..

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/someone-will-have-to-pay-for-a-two-tier-job-system/article1219654/

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B. S. wrote:

Sent to accesstoronto@toronto.ca (Correspondent did not sign message)

Dear "Access Toronto",

In response to the "environmental point of view" you have outlined in your reply, and the claim that there are "no liquid run-offs", I would like to draw your attention to the images I have attached.

The two images of the Christie Park ice rink were taken Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. They show traces of leachate that has run off underneath the sorbent booms after Saturday's rainfall, the concrete skirt is still wet on the top and on the sides.

The image of Moss park shows one of the many spots around the perimeter of the basketball court. Here leachate is seeping out from the mulch into the grass, the margin of the contaminated spot shows grass that appears yellowed, dry and dead.

The two image from Casimir Gzowski park/Sunnyside taken Tuesday evening show two views of traces of leachate running out from the pile of garbage bags into what appears to be a storm sewer, about 50 m. from the lakeshore. Note the debris that was washed to the edge of the sewer grille.

As you know these fluids escape from the leaking bags, are transported by rainwater and also contain insecticides and disinfectants residues of the pest-control program.

I will be happy to provide you with high-resolution images and any other information that would be helpful.

==== Images ====

This is a question for Solid Waste Management

Currently the garbage in the Christie Pits Ice rink is exposed to the elements, and leachate, mixed with pesticides and disinfectants is draining out the sides of the rink, passing beneath the sorbent booms and into the ground.

As a resident living a few steps from the site I would like to propose that containment could be improved by covering the garbage with a silage tarp or similar "ADC", to keep the rainwater off, some of the smell in and the toxins better contained.

If the City would consider this helpful to mitigate the current health and environmental hazards, it is very likely we could mobilize local residents to coordinate and execute this.

I would appreciate if you could identify someone with whom this strategy could be discussed.

Access Toronto wrote:

Dear Mr. S.

The following is a response received from the Strike Command Centre: [...]

[Since this message by "Access Toronto" contains a footer that prohibits distribution, I am only summarizing the contents. B.]

Solid Waste refers to the conversation I have had with Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Shapiro, and does not see a need for a tarp covering "from an environmental point of view". Moreover they inform me that staff from the City as well as the Ministry of the Environment's Toronto District Office have confirmed this Sunday that "there are no liquid run-offs" from the Christie Pits ice rink. They thank me for my suggestion and will continue to monitor the situation.

Content last modified on July 28, 2009, at 04:44 PM EST