December 1, 2011

Wilson Avenue Resurfacing & Streetscaping

Expected Project Start Date

Spring, 2012

Expected Completion Date:  [Fall, 2012]

The City of Toronto will be resurfacing and improving the streetscape of Wilson Avenue in order to improve the local area. This project is part of the council approved 2012 Capital Works Program.
Read more…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 20, 2011

Toronto- Today, the federally-owned and operated Downsview Park evicted the Canadian Air & Space Museum; a charity and tenant on the federal parkland. News of the eviction came as a shock to the local community.

“I am deeply disappointed at the news of Downsview Park’s callous eviction of the Canadian Air & Space Museum which holds some of the best examples of Canadian ingenuity and aerospace history,” said Toronto City Councillor and local representative, Maria Augimeri. “It shows that the Federal Government is so fixated on the bottom line it’s even willing to throw the Avro Arrow to the curb for collection” she criticized.
The museum contained a life-sized replica of the Canadian-designed Avro Arrow. News of the eviction was swift as the idea of orphaning the replica of a fighter jet regarded as the pinnacle of Cold War Aerospace ingenuity seemed like a callous way to deal with ‘back-rent’.

“The Federal Government should be stepping up and asking how they can help preserve the rich Canadian history that exists in this museum, not asking how they can get a better deal on the land,” Augimeri said.
The community of Downsview is not unfamiliar with clashes involving the federally-owned and operated Downsview Park. Against strong local resistance, the Federal government departed from promised plans to keep the Park as green space and is now seeking development of the open park land into condominium buildings and commercial districts.

“At the request of my community I’ve been demanding that the Federal government hold to its promise to keep the park as green space, and they come back at us with development plans,” said Augimeri. It’s no surprise that with the same carelessness, they toss to the curb a museum that represents the amazing history of Downsview and Canada. It just blows my mind,” she added.

For many years, the Canadian Air & Space Museum was considered a jewel in the heart of the community of Downsview. Downsview blossomed out of the wealth that the aerospace industry brought to the area. The entire local economy was once directly or indirectly linked to Canada’s endeavours in aerospace.

Many of the aircraft that trained Canadian Airmen, such as the Moth and the Chipmunk have their origins in Downsview. Canada’s first Satellite, the Alouette I was first assembled and tested in the building the Canadian Air and Space Museum occupies today.

“The Canadian Air & Space Museum has been a wonderful community partner and friend for over a decade and I am distressed at the prospect that our community will no longer be blessed with its presence,” said Augimeri.

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For more information: Councillor_Augimeri@toronto.ca or 416-392-4021. Follow on www.twitter.com/MariaAugimeri

Spring is here!

Downsview Environment Day
On April 30, 10am-2pm meet me at Downsview Dells Park (last parking lot). You can pick up environmentally friendly products and free leaf compost. As well, you can drop off unwanted electronic equipment and bring used or unwanted items for re-use. Full details of event and items here.

Community Safety Measures
Due to safety concerns, Calvington and Dalsby will be getting all-way stop sign controls and Giltspur Drive will be getting a speed limit reduction from 50 to 40km/h.

Watch the Documentary on Downsview
The TV show ‘Structures’ on Rogers TV recently featured Downsview’s history and architecture. The production is fantastically done and it was a great experience to take part in. Check it out here.

Northwood Annual General Meeting Photos
Northwood Neighbourhood Services is an organization that provides programs and services within the community that will empower individuals, families and groups to achieve, maintain and enhance a state of physical, mental and social well being. On April 14, 2011, NNS held its AGM. I handed out certificates of recognition and spoke to pertinent issues. Check out the photos here.

Fighting for the Finch TTC Rail Line
The fully-funded Finch LRT aimed to revitalize the Finch corridor with safety, street life, and encourage small and medium businesses to flourish, not to mention relieve one of the busiest bus routes in Toronto. It was rejected and cancelled in recent transit announcements. At the last TTC meeting, I argue for keeping it. Watch the video here.

$100,000 Paid to a Consultant to do Councillor Work?
When the TTC is cutting 41 bus routes because it lacks operating funds, why is the TTC  hiring consultants to do Councillor work? I asked questions at the last TTC meeting that revealed that the TTC is spending $100,000 on an outside consultant. Watch it here.

Toronto Police Service Would Like Your Help
31 Division is seeking volunteers to assist in the process of designing and facilitating in a community conversation involving local residential groups and youths. If you would like to participate in such a process, please contact us.

Toronto Hydro Electrical Upgrade
Project Buxton designed to improve the electricity system in our ward. Overhead construction work is scheduled to commence in late April 2011 and completion is expected by August 2011. The boundaries for the project include the area within Troutbrooke Drive (North), Exbury Road (South), Buxton Road (East) and Jane Street (West). Click here for more info.

MyFirstWheels is Doing Work in Downsview
Spring means bike-riding! My First Wheels collects gently used children’s bikes for donation to kids living in low-income neighbourhoods in Toronto. If you have a bike to donate, please contact them by email or check out their website here here.

Literature is a Right – LiteratureForLife
As you know, I’ve been a childhood literacy advocate for many years. Literature for Life is committed to supporting the role of mother as her child’s first teacher. Literature for Life has distributed 20,000 books to young mothers and their children. They focus on marginalized women throughout Toronto’s priority neighbourhoods. You can find them in our neighbourhood operating at 1900 Sheppard. Please visit the website to learn more about their efforts.

Bringing in Women’s Voices
Many Ontario women are living on incomes below the poverty line. Are you one of these women? It’s particularly tough for women raising children on their own. Campaign 2000 wants to hear from you. Take their survey. Click here.

Recently Diagnosed with Diabetes?
Attend an a Diabetes Education Workshop if you haven’t already. Click here for more info.

Sheppard West Subway Construction Update
Sheppard West Subway Construction is well under way. Here is an update on its construction. Click here.

No Subway Service This Weekend Btwen Jane and Kipling
This weekend, Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17, the TTC will conduct track replacement work on the Bloor-Danforth line between Jane Station and Kipling Station. A frequent, accessible shuttle bus service will operate between Jane and Kipling Stations.  Normal subway service will resume on Monday, April 18, at 6 a.m.

Happy springtime!

Regards,
-Maria

A wonderful documentary on our community of Downsiview that explores its history and architecture.

Turfing Finch Rail Line Isolates Already Isolated Community: Augimeri
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2011

Toronto- TTC Commissioner and Councillor Maria Augimeri (York-Centre) expressed fears over a glaring omission in recent talks surrounding the future of Transit in Toronto. Read more…

TTC subway track work affects portions of Spadina line this weekend – On Saturday and Sunday

This weekend, on Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13, work associated with the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension will be conducted at Downsview Station. Read more…

MARCH 8, 2011 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – OFFICIAL STATEMENT

TORONTO- Today Council listened to tenants and voted to allow the future of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation Board of Directors to follow due process. Read more…

With the heavy rain forecast for Toronto this weekend, the City urges homeowners to take immediate steps to help reduce their risk of basement flooding.

Toronto’s sewer system is designed to handle most storms. However, as a result of increasingly frequent and severe storms, the sewer system can become overloaded, flooding streets and creating ponds in low-lying areas.

Homeowners can take action, short- and long-term, using the checklist below to flood proof their home. Read more…

TORONTO-The Toronto Community Housing Corporation’s finances were scrutinized in a Toronto Auditor General’s report released Monday.

New to the TCHC’s Board, Councillor Maria Augimeri (Ward 9 – York Centre) calls the Toronto Auditor General’s report on TCHC finances “regrettable”. Read more…