June 26, 2009, 9 e-mails

M. G wrote:

Hi all,

We are deeply disappointed in the opening of Christie Pits Ice Rink Dump.

Although Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone has been a strong supporter of Christie Pits park in the past he wasn't able to follow through with his original promise to protect the parks as dumps. Friends of Christie Pits Park is putting together a public meeting tonight Friday June 26th at the ice rink at 7p.m. to voice your concerns and discuss ways to lessen the impact on the park.

The cars are lining up on Crawford St. and dumping into the ice rink area. Many residents on Crawford have put up signs on their lawns 'PARKS ARE NOT DUMPS' OR 'THE PIT IS NOT A DUMP' just as a reminder to people dumping is not acceptable in parks. Volunteers can make signs and put them all along Crawford St. and stake them into the ground (like lawn signs)

Let's lessen the impact of this dump site by providing alternatives as much as possible.

Seaton Village Residents Association has offered to do a group garbage collection on Monday June 28th to minimize the impact on parks please have a look at [[http://www.seatonvillage.ca}} (This is a great community response!)

Please hold on to your garbage (as long as you can) and keep on recycling.

Start your own vegetable compost in your backyard (if you have one) or drop off to the Christie Pits Community Garden.

Encourage people to take home their garbage while in the park.

Pizza Night is cancelled, we have no parks and recreation staff to operate the pizza oven. Please come to our Public Meeting tonight at 7p.m. instead.

Thank you for all your support. Let's minimize the impact of this dump as much as possible.

G. R. wrote:

Hi everyone,

Toronto's medical officer of health, Dr. David McKeown made these comments at the press conference yesterday:

"The dumps will have 24-hour security, pest and odour controls, the city said. Toronto's medical officer of health, Dr. David McKeown, said there is no evidence of a health hazard.

"A well-managed temporary garbage storage site, even if it is a large one, does not create a health hazard. It may be unattractive, cause odour, which can certainly be unpleasant, but this in itself does not pose a threat to human health."

A resident of Crawford Street, Boris Steipe, had this response:

“As you know, I am neither an expert in public health nor waste management so these are my personal opinions, albeit as a Biochemist and MD they are somewhat informed opinions.

My main concern about the ice-rink is that it does not drain well. As we have seen this morning at the drop-off, many residents bring organic waste in bags that are leaking fetid, putrid fluids. These will pool on the concrete surface and any rainfall will compound the problem. Obviously such nutrient-rich puddles are ideal breeding grounds for flies, but there will also be problems with molds, which can be both toxic and pathogenic. It seems the city is aware of the problems with squirrels, rats and mice since they have mentioned rodent control, and they are surely considering the scores of raccoons that live in the neighborhood...

However controlling the impact of such irresponsible dumping will require significant use of chemicals: insecticides, fungicides, rodent poison ... these toxins will seep into and contaminate the porous concrete when applied, and they will be released over time when kids return to play basketball or street hockey.

It really makes me wonder what rationale is behind garbage-dumping in our public parks. Such a measure could be conceived as a last-ditch resort in the face of real and imminent hazards but certainly not as the convenience solution as it is now.”

Please come to the public meeting at 7pm tonight at the Ice Rink to discuss these and other health concerns.

From: Anne Freeman
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 12:45 PM
To: City Manager Joe Pennachetti; Mayor David Miller; Mark Ferguson; Ann Dembinski
Cc: Councillor Paula Fletcher; Pat Daley; Cathy Bartolic;
Adam Giambrone; Pam Mcconnell Subject: urgent: farmers' markets need to continue

To The City of Toronto and CUPE Locals 416 and 79:

The current strike has had a serious, unintended consequence for our local market farmers. With markets at civic centres closed, and permits cancelled across the city, farmers who have invested heavily in crops that must be harvested at this time are faced with potentially devastating losses. These farmers cannot wait until the strike is resolved to sell the food they produce.

We need the support of both The City and CUPE to reinstate our city's farmers' markets immediately. These events are not city-run, and like the Jazz Festival, should be allowed to proceed.

We are asking The City and CUPE to permit use of municipal properties for farmers' markets providing they do not cross picket lines or do the work of CUPE members. As vendors are normally expected to remove any garbage associated with their operation, this would take place in the usual manner. The Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association and The Greenbelt Farmers' Market Network will reinforce the importance of this through ongoing communications with all markets.

For the sake of local farmers and our valuable local food supply, please act to allow farmers' markets to recommence without delay. All vendors are on standby, waiting for news about the markets. We are asking for resolution of this issue by Sunday June 28th.

Sincerely,

Anne Freeman
Co-ordinator
Toronto Farmers' Market Network
Greenbelt Farmers' Market Network
416-536-9103

From: Pat Daley <pdaley@cupe.ca>

To: Anne Freeman

Dear Ms Freeman and Ms Bartolic,

On behalf of Local 416 and Local 79, thank you for your letter. Decisions on permits or use of municipal property are not ours to make. Our locals have no problem with farmers’ markets continuing operations under the terms that you have outlined – that they do not cross picket lines and do not perform the work of CUPE members. This afternoon we are issuing the attached news release calling on the City to allow farmers’ markets to operate under those terms for the duration of the strike.

Sincerely,

Pat Daley

CUPE Communications

From: Anne Freeman

Now it's in the city's court.

A. wrote:

Hello all - a friend forwarded this to me, from the Toronto Eagles group. They're gathering at 7pm near the clubhouse in case anyone wants to join.

From: Toronto Eagles

We are cancelling all playing functions related to the Toronto Eagles Soccer Club on Friday June 26. We are having a gathering/meeting at Christie Pits tomorrow evening at 7:00pm. We will gather at the top of the hill at the clubhouse with hopes of spreading awareness of dumping at city parks. If the city keeps Christie Pits as 1 of the 19 dumping sites, the Toronto Eagles Clubhouse will be closed for the duration of the dumping.

As a Club we feel that it is unacceptable to make the city parks a dumping zone, not just Christie Pits but all of our community parks. We are asking for the support of all of our members (coaches, players, parents, family members, and supporters) to be shown tomorrow evening.

Let’s show the city we are serious about our youth programs and our city parks.

For the Games,

G. R. wrote:

Hi A, Thanks for sending this out. The Friends of Christie Pits have organized tonight's meeting together with the Toronto Eagles. Their clubhouse is right beside the ice rink. Best,

K. H. wrote:

I believe the citizens have to show the way and take positive action to refuse the trash from the parks. We need to organize a citizens campaign and make the parks safe and clean for our kids to play in this summer and for our greens to grow. We can build composters for wet waste and use our creativity to make our parks trash-free. Let's start Now! Schools out and the kids need our park space and green space. It is after all a Public Space not a trash bin.

Sorry for the "trash talk" but lets mobilize!

P. M. wrote:

I hope you're holding up well, I would not want to have your job right now.

Considering Kyle is on the executive council (I believe) I must admit that I am dismayed that neither Kyle nor his office were informed in advance that Moss Park would be used as an emergency garbage dump as you indicated during our walkabout last Friday to review the deficiencies I reported (which I have attached for the others on the CC list). Ryan, you were not in Kyle's office during the last outside municipal workers strike when Moss Park was also turned into an emergency garbage dump; at that time we constituents of Kyle's requested that he propose alternate sites in the event there was another strike in the future, this was done through Michael Robertson. As this is the only recreational green space in downtown Toronto I am amazed that this has happened again. I am therefore curious to know what alternate sites Kyle proposed and why those were rejected? Can you also tell me if there is an online inventory of city owned properties?

Having said that, what is done is done and like the others have stated I would like to minimize the negative effects of this current situation, therefore after day one I have the following to report.

Most people who work downtown have several options as a means of transportation, bike, transit, cars. If you choose to drive downtown you can park in one of the many private lots, municipal lots or paid street parking. I therefore do not understand why the able bodied workers who are stationed in Moss Park for this temporary garbage dump must further show their disrespect for our park and community by parking in the park itself (as can be seen in the following pictures taken yesterday afternoon). Why do they think they have this privilege? Can you please ask them to stop this?

Further, in an email from the councillor yesterday he stated that these temporary garbage sites would have 24 hour security. Walking my dog through the park after the Jays game last night at 22h36 I watched with dismay as a guy pushed a sofa on a dolly passed the security guard and illegally dumped it in the centre of park then casually walked past the guard. I took pictures of this on my mobile and the sofa was still there for all to see this morning. I then approached the guard and asked him if it was not his job to stop the guy and he said he had tried which I clearly saw he did not. In all honesty the guard was by himself and I do not blame him. You can confirm this happened because after I approached the guard he got on his radio and then he started to write a report. My question is, as this happened after only day one, what further steps can you take to tighten the illegal dumping in Moss Park?

I love my neighbourhood and it's park I would encourage everyone to walk with a camera and make note of situations like the above.

R. L. wrote:

Earlier today, I met with D. M. and we briefly toured the park. I committed to her that I would request that the dump location be curtailed and that more of the park be made available for public use. Also, I will immediately follow-up with the Director of Solid Waste to advise of the security issues.

As far as I know, no other locations in Ward 27 have been approved by the Ministry of the Environment to serve as temporary waste sites. The fact of the matter is that everyone hates the plan, however, the ramifications of not preparing for an extended strike and providing adequate locations for people to dump their trash would have wide-ranging negative implications - far beyond the restricted use of, and the wear and tear on, the parks that have been selected as temporary drop-off sites.

The other large green spaces in this ward include Allan Gardens and Queen's Park, however, these sites don't come close to meeting the MOE criteria. Also, logistically, these sites have issues with traffic or streetcar operations and have no or limited administrative space.

Again, I will address your concerns with management staff and see what can be done to better secure the site I plead for your patience.