Fire - 2 Secord Ave - Please help if you can

Hello Ward 33 Residents, the below is being posted on behalf of Councillor Janet Davis and her constituents.


Dear Neighbour,

As many of you know, hundreds of residents from 2 Secord Avenue have been evacuated from their homes because of an explosion and fire on Sunday, July 20th.

City of Toronto emergency response staff, with the assistance of the Canadian Red Cross and the Salvation Army, have been providing emergency assistance and temporary accommodation.

But most residents were forced to leave the apartment building without personal belongings of any kind. Many have left behind money, identification, bank cards, credit cards and other essential items. Because the building has not yet been declared safe, residents are unable to return and retrieve even these basic items.

I want to thank the hundreds of Torontonians who have contacted me and the City to find out how they can help. Some have offered food, clothing and other household items. These offers are appreciated, but what residents need now is financial support.

A special fund has been established to accept donations to assist residents displaced by the fire. Cheques should be made out to "City of Toronto, 2 Secord Ave Fire". Donations are tax deductible.

Please include your name and address, and mail the cheque to:

Toronto Office of Partnerships
Metro Hall, First Floor, 55 John St.
Toronto, ON M5V 3C6

As an alternative, gift certificates or coupons will also be accepted.

It may be weeks before the building is repaired and residents can return home. Your support will make a real difference to the many families whose lives are in turmoil and who face uncertain futures.

I urge Toronto residents, neighbours, friends and businesses to make a cash contribution today. And please, be as generous as you can.


Sincerely,


Janet Davis


Councillor Janet Davis
Ward 31, Beaches - East York
Phone: 416-392-4035
Fax: 416-397-9289
www.janetdavis.ca

City of Toronto Audit Report - 2007

Dear friends,

You might have been hearing on the news that a certain colourful councillor from Etobicoke believes that Toronto is going to be a deserted town, mainly because of our increasing debt. He maintains the latest Audited statement confirms this. Let's have a look.

I want to quote the upcoming Audit Committee report in question:

"While the debt financing has and will grow due to unmet state of good repair funding requirements and increased focus on improving public transit, the City's updated Capital Plan inclusive of enhanced federal and provincial funding combined with the City's strategic infrastructure partnership reserve fund ensures a solid financing plan is in place for the next five years.
The positive effects of implementing these financial plans are reflected in the City's AA and AA+ independent credit ratings. In fact, on March 19, 2008, one credit rating agency upgraded the City's AA rating from stable to positive outlook." (Audit Committee Agenda July 10, 2008)

I want to ensure the people of Toronto that our City is on course and that we are attracting new businesses not losing them. In fact, one million square feet of commercial property was newly leased out in the central business district in the last financial quarter. It is also important to note that the report does not include the recent Toronto Hydro Telecom transaction, which will make massive inroads in social housing repair, reducing future debt needs by almost 25%.

Thank you for your time,

Shelley Carroll,
Councillor, Ward 33 - Don Valley East