Where there's smoke there's fire

The saying "where there's smoke there's fire" means that if something goes wrong, then there's usually more going wrong in behind. That seems to be the case at Dufferin Grove.

In my last posting I suggested that park friends who want to help could talk to rink staff directly. It now turns out that that may not be such a good idea. Stories have surfaced of bigger problems with some of the staff’s behavior, beyond their action against me. The list includes:

- Unscheduled early closings so staff could go home two hours early.

- Aggressive behavior toward skaters who objected.

- Some staff declining to work alongside others for reasons of safety.

- Some minor criminal activity within the building, possibly including some of the St.Mary’s students who have been part of the indoor group scene all winter.

This week the giant Clay and Paper puppet head, wall-mounted inside the building near the staff’s usual location, was seriously vandalized without staff intervening to stop it. The list is long, and seems to be getting longer.

To address these problems, rec management is now planning to install security cameras. As of this writing, Councillor Bravo appears not to have been briefed by city staff on any of this new information. She has not yet spoken to me.

The director in charge of workplace harassment investigations declined my invitation to meet with me beside the rink or at my house. He prefers to retain the city’s workplace harassment format in the locations available for such hearings. But I want an open conversation, so I can’t engage in what seems like a bit of theatre.

Now that March break is over and the rink season is done, this update will be followed by a few more blog posts in the next week or two. Subjects that could use more inquiry:

1. The concept of confidentiality when applied to public spaces and public issues – including the idea that no public meetings can occur until approved by city staff (and the councillor will have to pay for the permit).

2. The former lively park programs – sandpit, ovens, dinners, snack bars, for example – that are now dropped threads, meaning that much of the social fabric of the park is gone. That problem is located down at the staff offices in city hall. Removing the tents won’t change it.

3. Should there be a public meeting to discuss these issues, including the staffing issues and my ban?

The director of management services has declined to come to my (and David’s) house for a conversation, but I welcome any park friends who want to have a cup of tea. Let me know. You don’t have to agree with my views, either and – feeble joke – I won’t hit you with my cane. Some of you have already come by. This is really another version of my park picnic invitations, since I’m still not allowed to meet you at the park building.

Note that I never call the building by the affectionate name we gave the old rink house years ago. It’s in no way a clubhouse now. But there are other nice places to talk, and soon there will be the springtime open spaces under the park trees.

newsletter art: Jane LowBeer