July 23, 2009, 5 e-mail

H. S. wrote:

Good Morning Friends of All Toronto Parks,

In Windsor, CUPE and The City there apparently have a tentative agreement and the voting begins tomorrow. Hopefully there is some spillover effect and the TOStrike ends soon.

Yesterday evening, members of the Friends of Campbell Park formed a human chain, literally locking themselves using a link metal chain and locks to the blue fence entrance of the Campbell Park dump site entrance. It lasted about 40 minutes, was broadcast live on several of the 6:00 p.m. TV news reports.

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090722/trash_protest_090722/20090722/?hub=TorontoNewHome

Traffic was backed up to Dupont.

No one was arrested as the Police on scene said something like they have a right to express their voice this way...to a point. 40 minutes was the limit.

What's Next and why? - Friday July 24:

Having Spoken earlier with D. at Moss Park and J. from Campbell Park, we're going to turn out on Friday July 24, 2009 at the entrance to the Moss Park dump site, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Some people will try to be there as early as 4 p.m.

The message: the grass soccer field is not a paved enclosed area, like an ice rink, so even by the City's previously stated criteria in choosing temporary dump sites, Expanding Moss park is just plain wrong.

Campbell Park is almost full and likely to close soon, joining Christie Pits as closed but still there.

The Moss Park Dump most probably will be expanded onto the soccer field by this weekend.

Hopefully, in addition to myself, members from the Christie Pits neighbourhood can turn out Friday evening.

D. M. wrote:

Here is the update on Moss Park:

Wednesday, there were 3 of us, handing out information from 4pm to 7pm. One car turned around. The rest, for the most part, were receptive to using Villiers Street next time BUT still dumped their garbage at Moss Park.

The present site is filling up. I predict they will expand over the weekend.

Today: Hostels and Shelters dumping large loads at Moss Park -- Marilyn Crawford has been working with the Salvation Army, asking them to use Villiers Street. Progress has been made. We will be making the same request with other hostels/shelters in the area.

I will ask L., Site Supervisor, when he plans to expand the fence, and let you know his response.

I plan to be on site from 4pm to 7pm today, rain or shine!

I will be there Friday to welcome everyone who will raise a voice for Moss Park.

Take care, everyone.

D. M. wrote:

Just came back from Moss Park.

Bad News…..

L., the site supervisor at Moss Park, confirmed today that they will be expanding the present dump site by 4 fence lengths on Monday, July 27.

Today, CUPE has closed off the driveway to the parking lot (where people drive in to dump garbage.)

The parking lot is almost full, so it would be difficult for people to drive in and drop off garbage. What were they thinking?

So instead….

They are directing people to drive around the corner to Queen Street.

As a result, the staff are waiting for them, and are removing the garbage from their cars.

There are 2 CUPE staff, standing there watching the team take away garbage, and thanking people for dropping it off.

What valet garbage disposal service.

I parked my car on Queen Street, in front of the truck they are using to load garbage.

I handed out flyers for about 30 minutes.

If anyone can do the same this afternoon, it would be wonderful.

I spoke to the CUPE picket captain, explaining that they were in fact helping people to dump garbage, rather than hindering.

I’ll be back on site by 4:00 today.

Thanks for listening,

Take good care,

H. S. wrote:

just confirmed, Moss Park dump will grow on Monday...

Cross posted on my twitter:

http://T.oronto.ca/w82 - Moss Park Dump to Expand by FOUR Fence Lengths on Monday July 27 2009; Valet garbage disposal service.

Boris Steipe wrote:

I just came back from a lengthy interview with CBC at Christie Pits Park re. the leachate and run-off situation. It is slated to air at 6:00 today.

P.S. No follow up from the Ministry of the Environment so far, they're still preparing a response to my mails.

Boris Steipe wrote:

Just saw it: http://tinyurl.com/msvrfa

One of the key moments didn't make it into the clip however: we got some audio of significant amounts of leachate trickling, splashing, dripping into the sewer system...