Bloor West Village Residents Association

More than fifty Bloor West residents attended the BWVRA’s latest public meeting on the state of Bloor West Village. Panelists from the BWV Business Improvement Association (BIA) had some long-awaited news for people frustrated with the condition of the sidewalks. “We’ve been promised new sidewalks by early-2010” said BIA Chair Paula McInerney. The un-even and breaking interlocking brick is to be removed completely, she said. She told the gathering about other improvements as well, including the removal of the scattered newspaper boxes, which will be replaced by larger single dispenser units at the subway stops and at some designated location in between.

Councillor Bill Saundercook (Ward 13) also attended. Both he and the BIA were asked if the City would be dealing with existing tripping hazards in the Village. The answer was yes, but the timing was vague. It was clear that follow up letters and calls from residents would likely be needed to make the sidewalks safe in the meantime.

Ms. McInerney also announced that the BIA had converted recently-installed gas lamps to low energy LED bulbs as an energy saving move. The BIA plan is to install more than 50 more of the standards that would include hanging planters. The news that was greeted with some skepticism. Questioners wanted to know if this was part of an overall re-design plan that would update the Village along with its sidewalks. The answer was no.

Alex Ling, the long-time Director of the BIA, said the design job had been entrusted to the City’s urban design teams who had been asked for a “standard” sidewalk treatment. Applause greeted a person who suggested a comprehensive and forward-looking plan is needed which increased public space and decreased sidewalk congestion, possibly with fewer rather than more poles. She pointed to the recent re-design done for the streetscape of Roncesvales village as a example of a comprehensive design which provided an improved overall look.

Ms. McInerney also noted that two automated public washrooms would be installed in the village area for the convenience of shoppers. They are to be located in parkettes along the shopping avenue.

The BIA reps were asked by BWVRA co-chair Greg Hamara if the BIA would be willing to have its directors meet with representatives of the local resident’s association in a semi-formal fashion to exchange views on Village issues. Mr. Ling was noncommittal, saying his door was open to residents who want to speak with him. Mr. Hamara asked him and Ms. McInerney to consider the proposal in order to generate ideas that would help foster closer relationships between residents and local merchants.

Welcome to the meeting and thank you for coming.

I would first like to thank the members of our Executive for the time they find in their busy work and personal lives to provide a voice for our residents. They are our eyes and ears in the community, help organize meetings like this, act as liaisons with our local politicians, the police and business community. They meet with developers, talk with planners and look for ways to enhance a neighbourhood we know is very special. So, as Chair and on behalf of the community, I’d like to pay tribute to them.

By way of a brief summary of the past year, I would like to highlight four of the BWVRA’s main activities.

First: There was the federal election, for which the Association organized one of the best-attended Candidate’s meetings in this riding. Candidates have made ours a must-attend meeting in recent years in part because our residents are politically engaged, but also because of the Association’s reputation for hosting meetings that are fair, well organized and well promoted.

Second: Several of our officers joined a working group that was formed to meet with the Tridel development corporation over its propose condo project on the Old Mill car lot on Bloor west of Jane. In an effort to reflect what the community would like to see at this important site, they attended several brainstorming sessions at which they, among others, raised concerns about traffic, about the character of Bloor West Village, and the impact on nearby residents. The BWVRA also assisted in helping the residents of the immediate area organize their own association to ensure their particular concerns were heard by the developer.

Third: The BWVRA was very active in the campaign that ultimately saved a large portion of the dedicated Annette bicycle lane, which was nearly removed from Jane Street to Runnymede. The Association sent notices to residents on our e-mail list alerting them to poorly-advertised meetings at which the issue was discussed by the City departments responsible. We distributed flyers and posted posters through the area to mobilize the community, which flooded City Councillors with letters in favour of a fully dedicated bike route. Ultimately, the plan to create a major east-west bike lane on Annette, which we felt was needed to provide a safe and well-used alternative to car drivers, was passed and is being completed presently.

Lastly, the Association, particularly through the efforts of Executive member Michael Davidson, has been working with the school board and local schools. His has met with parents and principals in efforts to reduce litter, reduce graffiti and improve lighting and security around the area’s elementary and high schools. Michael has is also organizing a joint event for the fall involving the Ursula Franklin High school designed to promote greener living in our area.

There are a lot of other issues we’ve worked to on, and others we’d like to turn to. Personally, I think the state of the economy and the environment should move us into some new directions. We should be able to provide residents with more practical information on reducing energy consumption. We should foster fresh approaches to creating a true local economy with new ties that bind local merchants with local residents.

But, new initiatives, even maintaining ongoing ones, depend on people. People like you and us, working together. So, I’ll ask you to think about joining our group as a member of the executive to help us move into the future.

Steve McNally
BWVRA Chair

Financial Report:

Bank balance as of April 17/09 : 804.07
(minus AGM expenditures – flyers $225, hall rental $150, plus donations at the door and membership renewals @ AGM of approximately $200.)
Extraordinary expenditure: 1,000 colour promotion brochures ($255), which resulted in approximately 30 new members.

Minutes:

Approval of bylaw changes that give the Executive greater freedom in the number and timing of meetings, including the AGM. That eliminate named subcommittees in favour of ad hoc groups.

Approval of bylaw amendment from the floor re: specifying communications with the membership, reading:

BWVRA Ojectives to include:
“… To communicate by regular email messages and updates to the website.” Moved by Steve McNally, seconded by Fred Patterson. PASSED
 
Adoption of the amendments to the by-laws: moved by Jamie Isbister, seconded by Kevin Paul. PASSED

Self-nominations for the executive: Joshua Bizjak and Jamie Isbister. 
 
Moved to accept the roster of Executive members 2009: Robin Kalda, seconded by Andrea Leven-Marcon. PASSED
 
2009 Executive:
Chair Steve McNally
Vice-Chair & Communications Greg Hamara
Treasurer Jill Marzetti
Membership Dennis Horgan
Officers:
Mark Warrack
Evelyn Sommers
Robyn Kalda
Michael Davidson
Jamie Isbister
Joshua Bizjak