Shelley the Centrist!

Well you know you have truly found the political centre when both the right and the left are mad at you. A week ago I woke to find myself being branded by The Toronto Sun, the ultra right-wing daily, as being part of a group of councillors involved in 'being soft on CUPE 416 and 79' in ongoing negotiations. I'm not on the Labour Relations Committee and have no role in negotiations. Not sure what they are on about there but the Tabloid seems to be worked up about something. Today I helped unveil the pilot project for the controversial 'EUCAN' garbage structure. The lighted advertising panels that stand as tall as a bus shelter advert and hold garbage and recycling containers are being installed in select locations expressly for the purpose of gathering public opinion for the next three months. Downtown left wing community activists, PublicSpace.ca showed up to challenge the pilot process and myself while they were at it. My appearance at the launch to encourage public input somehow offended. It appears publicspace.ca still have very strong objections to the structures but aren't content simply to provide their input on the Pilot hotline. No doubt you will hear more from them as long as the pilot phase continues. You will also hear them speaking out strongly in favour of plastering posters on hydro poles whenever we discuss the postering bylaw. In any case, the most important people for my office to hear from are folks in Ward 33. Our temporary Eucan bins will soon be installed. Each is near a busy TTC stop as we hope to gather feedback from both motorists and pedestrians. The structures will be positioned at Brian and Sheppard, Don Mills and Van Horne and Leslie and Finch. We are happy to hear about them at the Ward 33 office but it is also very important to provide your feedback to the actual study. You will be able to do this by phoning 416-392-6000 or by accessing www.toronto.ca/bintest once the bin is visible in your neighbourhood. Let me just say that no one at City Hall is out to hide the fact that these advertising structures are about marketing. If the pilot succeeds there is no question that Eucan would be looking to turn a profit. Eucan would maintain the tidy appearance of the bins and provide a portion of the advertising revenue to the City of Toronto. The city would use these dollars to offset the cost of collecting waste from the streets. Nothing new in this concept. We have been doing this for some time in an advertising contract with the old silver bins. If we switch to the new Eucan bins, we need you to tell us whether or not you can live with them, whether or not they make a difference to the amount of litter in the area and whether or not you will be inclined to use them. I'm off to chair my first Works Committee tomorrow. On behalf of the whole Ward 33 Team have a very happy Canada Day. Don't forget to enjoy some spectacular and totally legal fireworks displays either at Mel Lastman Square or Downsview Park. Both shows at sundown right here in North York!