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CCRA News

Posted Nov. 2011

HIGHLAND CREEK TREATMENT PLANT PETITION UPDATES

Thank you to those who have signed the ONLINE PETITION or PAPER PETITION! Keep spreading the word and collecting signatures!

Please note that any e-mail that is used to sign the petition will be kept confidential as stated on the online petition website.

CCRA Input at Toronto City Council

On November 10, the CCRA made a deputation and presented 694 signed petitions to the Budget Committee against the funding of trucking of sludge in the Toronto Water capital budget.

On November 21, the CCRA gave a written submission to the Executive Committee (as oral deputations were not allowed). An additional 133 petition signatures (827 total) were presented in person to the committee clerk and noted in the meeting minutes.

On November 29, the CCRA submitted a written submission to City Council (as oral deputations were not allowed). Additional petition signatures will be submitted at a later time.

E-mails were sent to the Budget Committee, Executive Committee and City Council in advance of each of their meetings. We received some positive feedback in support of our efforts.

Nov 29 City Council Decision

At its meeting on November 29, City Council approved the Toronto Water capital budget, which delayed funding to implement the “beneficial use option” (trucking of sludge) until 2014. There may also be another opportunity in mid-2012 for Council to review the costs of trucking of sludge and revisit its decision not to pursue fluidized bed incineration. This gives us time to strengthen our efforts and gather more signatures of our petition to get Council to reconsider its decision to truck sludge or to conduct a full environmental assessment on the trucking of sludge before it spends funds to build the truck facility.

Next Steps

Our next steps will be to provide comment to the Ministry of Environment during the 30-day review period (expected in January or February 2012) of the 2009 Highland Creek Biosolids Master Plan Enviromental Assessment. The City will release a report that summarizes the questions posed at or after the October 3 consultation meeting held to present City Council’s direction to truck sludge instead of incineration. The 30-day review period will begin once this report has been made public. We will need to submit our petitions and write in objections to trucking of sludge addressed to Toronto City Councillors and the Minister of the Environment.

We may be in contact with those who signed the petition to ask you to ask the Ministry of Environment to authorize a full environmental assessment on the trucking of sludge before the City can proceed with its implementation of the plan. Check the website for more details closer to the date.

In order for our petition to be successful, we need everyone to do the following (Spread the word!):

1. CONTINUE TO COLLECT PETITION SIGNATURES

As the budget for the implementation of the “beneficial use option” (trucking of sludge) has been delayed, there is an opportunity for us to strengthen our efforts. We can continue to gather more signatures of our ONLINE PETITION or PAPER PETITION that asks Council to revisit its decision to truck sludge or to at least conduct a full environmental assessment on the trucking of sludge.

2. SIGN UP FOR E-MAIL UPDATES

Email Paul to provide your name and e-mail to sign up for e-mail updates. You can also share other contact information (phone, address) if you wish to volunteer to raise awareness of our efforts. Your name and e-mail will be kept confidential and will not be shared with others. This is for quick updates and will allow us to send quick instructions on how to submit objections to trucking of sludge to the Ministry of Environment.
 

3. TAKE A LAWN SIGN

To raise awareness of the petition, the CCRA, Manse Valley, and Coronation Community Associations have created lawn signs for supporters. Email Paul to request a sign (be sure to provide your address)!

4. JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP: "DON'T TRUCK OUR POOP!"

Social-media friendly? Join the Don't Truck our Poop Facebook Page!
Paul Lewkowicz will post key updates in this group.

PLEASE DO WHATEVER YOU CAN TO SPREAD THE WORD!!!!!

Posted Oct 8th 2011

Highland Creek Heritage Festival Seeks Volunteers

Lend a Hand and Your Time for This Great Community Celebration

For 26 years the community of Highland Creek Village, established in 1852, has celebrated the rich history and character of one of Toronto’s founding neighbourhoods. Entering into their 27^th year of celebration, The Highland Creek Festival and Parade committee is asking neighbours and GTA residents to volunteer their time to help support what promises to be Highland Creek’s biggest and most exciting festival and parade yet! The upcoming festival will be taking place on Saturday June 16^th, 2012 preceded by the fundraiser Rock and Roll Dinner and Dance on Saturday June 2nd.

Attracting crowds of spectators and vendors, and playing host to a beer garden, tea room, craft market, and even a Karaoke competition, the Festival and Parade is proud to represent a diverse and exciting community of dedicated residents. Closed to traffic, the village becomes a hubbub of pedestrians; multi-cultural food stalls, international dance performances, live music, a children’s activity area and loads more fun and interesting things to do on a lazy Summer Saturday.

Bearing the title “Biggest Little Parade in Toronto,” The Highland Creek Parade boasts over 30 floats and vintage vehicles as well as bagpipers, drum and steel bands, and all the other trimmings of the perfect parade. Highland Creek Festival and Parade is always looking for those interested in participating and supporting the efforts of this jam-packed march down Lawson Rd. To volunteer or showcase your club, vintage car, or musical talents, contact Vesi at 416-287-9755

If you are looking to donate your time and energies to a wonderful community cause and to be a part of a team of exciting and creative thinkers, consider volunteering to help organize the festival events for the coming year. Get to know your neighbours while you’re contributing to the community. And don’t worry, you can commit as much time as you have to offer. High School students are always welcome and you will receive community hours. The preparations for 2012 have already begun! Any assistance would help!

Please email us at highlandcreekfestival@gmail.com or call Clancy at 416-281-8147 or drop in to our 7pm meeting, the first Wednesday of each month at the Legion, 45 Lawson Rd., Scarborough.

For more information or to peruse past festivities visit www.fleurcom.on.ca/Heritage/.

Upcoming Toronto Public Library Programs and Events

Compiled by Paul Lewkowicz

Events are free unless otherwise noted. Seating is limited, and takes place on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open one hour before for most events. Free tickets will be required for all Appel Salon events. Many of the events listed are held at the Toronto Reference Library as there are rooms and resources available to host such large events.

Events are free unless otherwise noted. Seating is limited, and takes place on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open one hour before for most events. Free tickets (purchased online) will be required for all Appel Salon events. Please contact the Toronto Public Library to confirm events are still taking place.