Message from Jeff Forsyth

President’s Message

We hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable summer even if the weather was unsettled and did not always co-operate.

This summer the CCRA has been busy on a number of issues. In June the provincial government initiated a Planning Reform Initiative of the Planning Act, Provincial Policy Statement and the Ontario Municipal Board. The CCRA has always had a keen interest and involvement in planning matters. Our planning chair Kathy Sullivan has been working over the summer to pull together our response which was submitted before the deadline of August 31st, 2004. Kathy has outlined highlights this issue elsewhere in the newsletter. Our complete response can be found on our web page. We welcome the provincial government’s initiative and hope that meaningful and significant changes will take place particularly with the role of the Ontario Municipal Board.

In July the City of Toronto issued a Notice of Completion of the Class Environmental Study of Port Union Road. The study recommended 6 modifications to Port Union Rd. They are:
· An additional northbound lane on Port Union Road from Lawrence Ave. East to Island Road
· A continuous center left-turn lane on Port Union Rd from Winter Gardens Trail to Island Rd.
· A landscaped centre median on Port Union Rd. from Lawrence Ave. East to Winter Garden Trail
· Bicycle lanes on both sides of the road from Lawrence Ave. East to Port Union Rd.
· Double eastbound and westbound left-turn lanes at Kingston Road and Port Union Rd.
· Dedicated north bound and eastbound right-turn lanes at Kingston Rd. and Port Union Rd.

City Council passed a motion in May to only proceed with the last two recommendations, which entail modifications at the Kingston Rd and Port Union Rd intersection. The remainder of the recommendations will not be implemented at this time. The CCRA submitted a letter of objection to the Ministry of the Environment to the further widening of Port Union Rd. If implemented, most of the tress and vegetation along Port Union Rd between Lawson Road and Island Rd would be removed. The overall character of the street would be altered to make it a main thoroughfare through our community. The main reason for the widening seems to be to facilitate the easy access to residents from outside our community to access the GO station during rush hour.

On July 16th 2004 a long time resident of our community Cameron Watson passed away. Cameron is the last remaining owner of an original farm in our community. The Watson farm is on Centennial Rd. between Lawson and Clemes Rd. For 75 years the Watsons maintained a stand on Saturday mornings at the North St. Lawrence Market. Cameron was a community activist who helped in the founding of the CCRA and to the preservation of the natural features and watercourses in our community. Bill Dempsey has written a tribute to Cameron, which is elsewhere in this newsletter.

Founding CCRA member Bill Dempsey and his wife Evelyn will be leaving our community this fall to take up residence in Manitoba. A reception to honour Bill and Evelyn will be held Saturday September 25th, 2004 from 2-5 p.m. at the West Rouge Community Center. Everyone in the community is invited to attend and thank Bill and Evelyn for their many years of service and dedication to the Centennial Community and to wish them well in their new home. Full details on this reception are in this newsletter. Please plan to attend.

Tony Sibley reports that the membership campaign is still underway with efforts to ensure we canvass as much of the community as possible. Thanks to all who have purchased their memberships. It is important that we have a strong membership base so that our voice will be heard on issues that affect our community. If you recently moved into our community—welcome. We are your community association here to represent you on matters that affect our community.

The Toronto District School Board has decided that the “Wanita School Site” is surplus to their needs. This property is located west of Bathgate south of Wanita and north of Goldberry. A public meeting was held in mid June to advise the community on the status of the disposal of the property. Kathy Sullivan has written a detailed report on the outcome of the meeting and the next steps in the process. Her report is elsewhere in this newsletter. It is important that residents of our community be involved and make their views known to the School Trustee and City Council. Kathy has provided details on how to go about expressing your views on this matter. If the land transfers from public to private ownership, chances are very likely that it would be developed. The type of development proposed could have a major impact on our community.

In late June the City held an open house to present plans for the Laura Ellis Natural Area which will be at the end of a new street to be constructed to the west off 76 Brumwell St. The natural area was part of an agreement related to the approval for a plan of subdivision on this property. The city hopes to carry out some of the development of the natural area this fall.

Good news on the Waterfront Trail. CCRA had written a letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin earlier this summer requesting that the federal government provide the funding as promised. In late July the federal government committed their part of the funding for the waterfront trail. This means that work can continue on the trail as planned. One of the major items will be the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Highland Creek south of the existing CNR overpass. Work on this could start later next year. In the meantime work will continue on placing fill along the lake shore from Port Union Rd towards Highland Creek. The working committee which includes CCRA representation will be meeting in late September to review the status of the project and the next steps.

In late March 2004 the Public Review Committee on the Yellow Moon (Manson) site met. Representatives of various provincial and city agencies were present at this meeting and it was agreed that before work on the site commenced the community associations would be advised and that telephone contact numbers would be posted for anyone who had a concern during construction. In late July Councillor Cowbourne’s office provided us with contact numbers. A list of the contact numbers is contained in this newsletter. We had also requested that we be kept advised on a weekly basis as to work being undertaken on the site and any environmental issues that arise. This communication has not taken place so we are unable to report on any issues or work progress.

This year our 3 summer concerts held in July were well attended. Each year attendance grows and everyone seems to enjoy the groups. Thanks to all who attended. These concerts were sponsored by CCRA in conjunction with West Rouge Sports and Rec., West Rouge Community Assoc. Port Union Seniors and the City of Toronto. On June 19th the annual Heritage Day was held. Thanks to all who participated and attended this community event.

Over the summer our secretary Tanji Curic resigned as she accepted a job out of town. Thanks Tanji for all your excellent work and best wishes in your new job. We are now looking for someone to fill the secretary’s position.

If you are interested in becoming involved and want to know what goes on in your community please give me a call. This is your opportunity to help your community be a better place to live.

Looking ahead, our annual General Meeting will be held Thursday October 21st 2004 at the Port Union Recreation Center. More details in our October newsletter. In the meantime give some thought to volunteering on the executive. Plan to attend our annual meeting.

Jeff Forsyth
President