Challengers try to turn tables on incumbent

There’s no question. One of the big issues in the upcoming municipal election for Ann King in Ward 16 is development.

King is the chair of the board of directors of the Stanley Knowles Housing Co-op, which she said will be directly affected by one of the latest condo developments approved for the ward.The 20-storey development by Orchard View Holdings at Orchard Heights Boulevard and Duplex Avenue (a block northwest of Eglinton Avenue and Yonge Street) was approved by the North York Community Council just last month.

At the time, King said the building would cut off views for seniors and people with disabilities living in the co-op.

Now just a few weeks later, with the election heating up, the new development still rankles.

“One of the most important issues for our community is a more thoughtful approach to development that reflects the needs and the character of our neighbourhood,” she said in a recent email interview with Toronto Community News.

“Yonge and Eglinton has been designated as a growth area, but that should not mean giving free reign to developers to build anything – the bigger the better.

“We would like to avoid a repetition of some of the more appalling decisions that have been made lately.

“A councillor who could promote more transparency in the operation of the planning department would be great.”

She listed two other issues she would like to see addressed:

* Pedestrian safety: “Trying to get across Orchard View safely with all the trucks, parking lots and street parking can be a real challenge for our members, some of whom have mobility issues.”

* Nightclubs: “Excessive noise until all hours of the morning from some of the establishments on Yonge Street is also a concern for us.”

As far as the city as a whole, she said “I would like the winning candidate to persuade city government to stop giving away or selling public land and spaces to private developers and give some thought to the creation of more affordable housing throughout the city.

“There are over 70,000 households on the waiting list for affordable housing in this city. Plans for increased growth should be an opportunity for them, not just condo developers.”

Another perspective was provided by Bev Don, chair of Yonge-Lawrence BIA. She said members would just like the city to start taking care of business. Literally:

* Graffiti: “We are looking into the removal of graffiti from the buildings in our area and would like the city to pursue Hydro, Bell and the post office about removing the graffiti from their boxes. The city aggressively goes after landlords so we would like the same pressure applied to these businesses and get them to clean up their property ASAP.”

* Parking: “A few years ago an opportunity arose for our area to increase the Green P lot on Glenforest. The BIA was not invited to participate in a community meeting…. We just want to be included in the discussion if this comes up again. Parking is considered to be the No. 1 problem in the area by our businesses.”

* Networking: “We think it is imperative that whoever gets elected attend at least a few of our BIA Board meetings (that are held once a month) or send a representative.”
Citywide, Don also recommended two ways the city could help local BIAs work better:

* Cost share program: “We would like the city to continue its 50/50 capital cost-share program with the BIAs. It’s a bonus for the city and for all the many areas supported by a BIA.”

*Better protocol: “Establish a better protocol between bylaw officers and tenants. First-time offenders could be let off with a warning instead of these huge fines for improper garbage disposal or illegal A-frames. English is a second language for many merchants and they often don’t understand the literature sent to them.”

The last time around Ward 16, which roughly lies between Yonge and Bathurst streets and Eglinton Avenue and Hwy. 401, was easily retained by Karen Stintz with 8,880 votes, far ahead of Albert Pantaleo who was next best of the five challengers with 1,721 votes.

None of those challengers are back and this time around there are three new challengers – Michael Coll, Roy Macdonald and Terry Mills.

“It’s an uphill struggle against an incumbent,” Macdonald said.

The three, however, need look no further than Stintz for inspiration as she pulled off the rare feat, in her first attempt back in 2003, of knocking off an incumbent – longtime councillor Anne Johnston – by more than 1,800 votes.

Stintz is generally conceded to have capitalized on discontent over the Minto condo near Yonge and Eglinton, which Johnston supported.

This time around her challengers are hoping to turn the tables on Stintz over some developments that have proceeded this past term, including the Orchard View condo and the nearby Yonge Eglinton Square, recently approved, which saw the loss of the square that is currently there.

But Stintz maintained she has fought hard to achieve the best possible outcome through negotiations with the developers.

Toronto Community News interviewed each of the Ward 16 candidates to get their views on development and transit.

For a complete survey of Ward 16 and other city ridings – including information on the riding and candidates (including their websites) – visit www.insidetorontovotes.ca

- Norm Nelson

Posted in News