OMB Ruling/Decision on 10 Marilyn Avenue

Dear Neighbours

As you may know, there has been an application to the City of Toronto from 10 Marilyn Avenue to sever the lot into two parcels, and to build a house on each. The application was denied at the Committee of Adjustments, but was appealed at the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).

Many of you appeared before the OMB Hearing for 10 Marilyn Avenue to represent the neighbourhood on November 14th, 2011. Recently, the OMB has concluded its deliberations and has published a ruling. I am forwarding you this information to keep you informed on this item.

The ruling has come in favour of the applications at 10 Marilyn. Below is the decision of the OMB as stated in their findings:

For all of the reasons given, the Board find that the appeal under s. 53(19) is allowed and provisional consent shall be given, subject to conditions that may be required by urban forestry and public works. The appeals under s. 45(12) are allowed and the Board authorizes variances from the by-law requirements in respect of lot frontage of 12.9 m for the severed lot and the retained lot.

This ruling is final and cannot be further appealed. For further information, we have uploaded a full transcript of the ruling to our website:
http://www.mikedelgrande.ca/documents/omb20120110.pdf

Yours truly,
Mike Del Grande

Strengthening Family Connections Program - February 6th

Youth Link North West Scarborough Youth Centre will be running a Strengthening Family Connections Program, a FREE and ACTIVITY BASED program to youth 12-16 yrs and their parents to attend. The program will start February 6th 2012 5:30pm - 8:30pm and will run out of L'Amoreaux Recreation Centre; there will also be an orientation on January 30th 2012 5:30pm - 7pm held at the L'Amoreaux Recreation Centre to provide more information regarding the program where you'll also get a chance to meet the facilitators. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Download (*.pdf format)

January 25 - Girls’ Leadership Academy at Highland Heights JPS Parent Information Night

The Girls’ Leadership Academy at Highland Heights JPS is holding a Parent Information Night on January 25th 2012. For more information on the program and the meeting, please download the flyer below:

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City news release: Winter sightings of coyotes are normal in the city

Coyote sightings are not uncommon in Ward 39. In past years, neighbours have reported seeing the wild animals in the Heathwood, Beverly Glen, and Glendower subdivisions. For more information on the animal and how to keep your neighbourhood safe, please see the City's news release below:

News Release

January 12, 2012

Winter sightings of coyotes are normal in the city

Residents in the city of Toronto who live on or near ravines and forests (typical coyote habitat) should expect to have more coyote sightings during winter months.

Coyotes have become a natural part of the urban landscape in Toronto. They can thrive in urban areas because of the abundance of food and shelter available to them.

Residents can expect to see coyotes more often in winter for the following reasons:
It is easier to spot coyotes in parks and ravines in the winter because they are not hidden by foliage.
Coyotes are wary by nature and are more comfortable roaming in residential neighbourhoods when fewer people are outside.
The months of January and February are mating season for coyotes, which means coyotes are more active during this time, making them more visible.

Coyotes may approach pets that are not supervised, especially cats and small dogs. It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your pet while they are outside. It is very unlikely that a coyote will be attracted to a child; however, close supervision of children is also important.

Residents are advised to follow these practical steps that will help to minimize negative encounters with coyotes:
Never feed a coyote or any wild animal. Feeding wild animals is detrimental to the community and to the animals themselves.
Do not feed domestic pets outside.
Ensure all household garbage is inaccessible to animals.
Place garbage at the curb the morning of the scheduled pick-up.
Consider using green bins instead of composters for food waste.
Always supervise pets - keep dogs on a leash and cats indoors or supervised while outside.
Remove dense brush and weeds around property to minimize hiding spots for coyotes.
If you encounter a coyote, wave your arms aggressively, make loud noises, and throw objects in its direction (but not at it) to scare it away. These actions teach coyotes to be afraid of humans and this will minimize conflicts. If these actions do not scare a coyote, back away slowly from the animal. Do not turn your back or attempt to run away.

In this last scenario, if the coyote is not scared away, please call Toronto Animal Services, through 311. There is no need to call if you simply spot a coyote exhibiting its normal behaviour.

If every member of the community commits to following these steps, we will experience fewer negative encounters with coyotes in Toronto.

For more information, call 311 or visit http://www.toronto.ca/animal_services/coyote.htm

Entry Position Available: Special Assistant (Chinese/Political) to Councillor Del Grande, Ward 39

Entry Position Available
Special Assistant (Chinese/Political) to Councillor Del Grande Ward 39
For personal reasons the last number of people in this position moved to Hong Kong. I need to replace their skill set and work ethic. We are not looking for an employee but someone who wishes to join our office family.

Primary role
An office liaison person who can speak and write Mandarin and Cantonese as well as good command of both written and spoken English. You will deal with media.

What I need

• An outgoing person with good personality, self starter and ability to deal with difficult situations, good negotiating skills.
• University or Post Secondary Education.
• You should know politics and what’s going on in the City especially Scarb. Agincourt.
• Need computer skills- a must, letter writing skills.

What you must provide

1. YOU MUST LIVE IN WARD 39 OR BE 5 MINUTES AWAY BY CAR FROM THE WARD BOUNDARY
2. Someone who is familiar with my work and what I stand for.
3. Need to have own computer/high speed internet.
4. Ability to be flexible on time and hours.
5. Availability of a car

How you get to the top of the line for an interview?

• The languages skill set as stated.
• Varied computer skills including Office 2007, web design etc.
• A history of varied skill sets
• A back ground in volunteer or political work

What it pays
Depending on the talent that you bring, $26,663-$30,000 with full set of comprehensive benefits including 3 weeks vacation after one year.

How to apply?
Send resume, covering letter and salary expectations to councillor_delgrande@toronto.ca

NO PHONE CALLS TO THE OFFICE
I will not answer e-mails who do not meet the residency or language requirements.

Minor power outages in the Heathwood Subdivision

Our office has been made aware of several power short outages (or "flashoevers") in the Heathwood subdivision of the ward (between Birchmount and Kennedy, Steeles and McNicoll). Our office has contacted Toronto Hydro who are working actively to solve the issues. Below is an excerpt of Toronto Hydro's communication to our office, updating us on the issues at hand and the solutions they are providing:

The main issue is with a feeder. In the past it has been underground cable failures.

Late on December 21st (shortly after the outage at 11:30 PM reported by the Heathwood Community customer), a forced outage occurred that was found due to a severely burnt conductor lead, which has since been repaired. This may explain the multiple momentary outages that have occurred recently.

Our System Reliability staff will continue to monitor for further outages, and is pro-actively inspecting pad mounted switches to determine if flash-overs from those devices may also have contributed to these outages.

Our response staff believe they have found the problem equipment and will be ice blasting it on the 29th. To replace the equipment will take 4 to 8 hours to complete. Due to the cold weather the plan is to do this work next week. In the interim, staff are putting together a list of customers that will be effected with this planned outage repair work. When a firm date has been determined, notices will be couriered to these customers.

Flu shot clinics at Scarborough Civic Centre

Winter is coming, and so is flu season. This year, let's beat the flu together. You can protect yourself and your family with free flu shots available at the Scarborough Civic Centre (located at 150 Burough Drive, near Scarborough Town Centre Mall) on the following dates:

Friday, November 25th: 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 26th: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 3rd: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 10th: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 17th: 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

For a full list of city-operated flu shot clinics, please see this schedule, or visit the City of Toronto's page on the flu.