Ward 27 News from Kristyn Wong-Tam - November 15, 2013

November 15, 2013 Open Streets Summit This Saturday Mayor Ford's Conduct and Moving Toronto Forward November 23 Allan Gardens Clean-Up Wellesley Community Centre Pool Consultation 1. Open Streets Summit You are invited to An Open Streets Summit: Getting More Out Of Our Streets WHAT’s the Summit all about and what are Open Streets?: Open Streets are programs where the streets are opened to people and closed to cars. They are free, regularly occurring programs, and offer communities the opportunity to experience streets in a whole new way. The goal of these programs is to provide space for people of all ages to participate in physical and recreationalactivity, making Open Streets an easy and effective tool to promote healthy and active lifestyles. You can find more information about open streets programs on Wikipedia, StreetFilms and Vimeo. The Summit will be an innovative discussion to hear how Toronto can use existing city streets to encourage active and healthy living. Featured Speakers: Gil Penalosa, Executive Director of 8-80 Cities Dani Simons, Director of Marketing and External Affairs, New York City Bike Share & former Director of Communications, New York City Department of Transportation Special Panel Discussion With: Curt Harnett, Chef De Mission for Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games Dr. David McKeown, Chief Medical Officer, City of Toronto Jacqueline White, Director of Transportation, City of Toronto WHEN & WHERE is the Summit taking place: Location: Room ENG130, 245 Church Street, the George Vari Engineering & Computing Centre Date: November 16, 2013 Time: Registration start at 9:30am, the summit beings at 10:00am Please Register today on Eventbrite! 2. Mayor Ford's Conduct and Moving Toronto Forward Dear Constituents, In recent weeks, Mayor Ford's unbecoming conduct has made international headlines. Residents have been writing and calling me to share their own concerns about this unfortunate and drawn-out episode.   I have shared my deep displeasure about the alleged homophobic and racist comments from our Mayor and urged him to take a leave of absence to care for his health. I reiterated these comments in Council earlier this week. On November 13, I voted for a special meeting of Council to address his behaviour and for the formal report of the Integrity Commissioner. At today's special City Council meeting, I voted to have the Mayor's powers of appointment repealed, in as strong a motion as City Council is legally able to implement. While this story may not be over, I join all of my colleagues in continuing to do the work of the City and our wards. I remain yours in service, Kristyn Wong-Tam 3. First Annual Allan Gardens Clean-Up In cooperation with the Downtown yonge BIA, and with the assistance of the Harbord Village Residents' Association, a community clean-up has been arranged for Allan Gardens this month with the Garden District Residents Association. Please mark your calendars and RSVP to gdrainfo@gardendistrict.ca today to register your participation with the Garden District Residents Association. Coffee, doughnuts, lunch and prizes will be available. Date: November 23, 2013 Registration: 9:30 am Clean-Up: 10:00 am-11:30 am Lunch and Prize Ceremony: Noon   4. Wellesley Community Centre Pool Consultation The City of Toronto is about to start the design of the new indoor pool addition to the Wellesley Community Centre. The indoor pool addition is the second phase of the Wellesley Community Centre, and will complete the original intended facility program for the centre. Parks Forestry & Recreation staff invite you to meet the design team to talk about the new indoor pool addition. This is your chance to have a say in its design! Date: Wednesday, November 20th, 2013 Time: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Location: Wellesley Community Centre, (Meeting Room), 495 Sherbourne (north east corner of Wellesley and Sherbourne Streets) This focus group, for representatives of residents groups that are represented in the neighbourhood, will allow participants to identify key community needs and aspirations that must be considered in the design, and is one in a series of planned focus groups and town hall meetings. If you are planning to attend, kindly RSVP via email to dgiles@toronto.ca so we can better prepare for this meeting. For further information, please contact Douglas Giles, Sr. Project Co-ordinator, Parks Forestry & Recreation, City of Toronto at (416) 363-9660 or via email at dgiles@toronto.ca.