Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu on 2008 January 24
in Actions, Green paperclip

This is the number one solution to Ontario’s problems

“The OMB should be abolished.”

1.Walmart like any other big chain does contribute to charities. Smart!Centers also does ( in fact in 2005 that the owner of SC in 2005 gave sick kids hospital 3.5 millon DOLLARS)

2. The residents, myself included started a “planters beuatification project in 2006 along Queen street, and also christmas branches/evergreens for the seasons. We asked the stores to continue the process i.e. plant all you want to in years to come. If you take the time to walk, look, and pay attention to your so-called caring shops you must have noticed the lack of care and watering of those planters on queen street in front of the shops that we, the residents took time to improve their outer appearance for the last 2 years . So much for the shops you care about eh?
Plus it seems even keeping those planters clear of garbage was ignorned,and they open up their stores everyday with staff!

3. Also as for the wonderful stores along queen street ask them if they want a BIA?
Out of the many many stores only a few showed up for a BIA introduction meeting a few weeks ago ,I counted 6. Most I talked to for the past year do not want nor care or will even consider a BIA. Dont BIA’s (like on the Danforth do and make the area look great thus bring in shoppers? Again the stores seem to not want to contribute to this , but will take your money fast, so please keep spending and supporting as a consumer as you get so much back in a comunity way.

4 When was the last time you sat down with a Smartcenters ? Actually talked to them to see all the facts? If you had you would have like my self…seen that the store space inside the Smartcenters project cannot be a big box Wal-Mart, if at all, there isnt enogh room sq ft wise.

Next time please KNOW your facts!
David.

I too have chosen to let the comments pass but if I may, I like to correct C. Able on his/her knowledge of the Leslieville boundaries which is from Connaught in the East to Empire Avenue in the West and includes Logan Avenue.

Like it or not C. Able, we are “Leslieville”, and it may also be be of interest to you to know that the decorative “Leslieville” Street Signs from Carlaw to Empire were the result of monies raised by the merchants and some residents, and unveiled by Councillor Fletcher in December 2005.

I’ll forward your suggestion to Kelly Carmichael of ETCC.

Adriana

I just let that last comment pass. But I’d appreciate it if you focused your comments on the issues not on the personalities involved. Peter C. is entitled to his opinion, even though I tend to agree with yours.

Affordability for seniors is a very serious issue. Perhaps we can work on alternative solutions. For example, we could ask local shopkeepers to offer seniors discounts?

If the cash strapped city is turning down all the money as you say MAYBE the have a reason that in all your wisdom YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND – is everone stupid but you???? NONE of the money Walmart makes outside of the US stays here – it’s not even banked here.

You have been taken in by short sightedness and personal greed i.e. money remaining in your pocket. Well I care what happend to the small shops in Leslieville – I LIVE HERE. You ask any of the merchants along the Queen street stip how much of their revenue comes from walk in traffic…If the walk in traffic is shopping at SC – they’ve lost money!

Stop being so naive – of course when you meet with the developers they tell you what you want to hear – after all they have changed their plans before and they refuse to sign off on what they keep telling “the concerned” community…

What may be good of your pocket is not necessarliy good for the community as a whole. Ypu misinformation is spreading like a virus -don’t just look for what you want to hear but look at ALL the facts!

That’s the quote to repeat.

How many kids under university graduation age are being killed every year by cars in the City? What does THAT cost? What possibilities does it kill off forever?

Does the ECONOMIC BENEFIT of a Smart!Centre propel Toronto in the direction of more sustainable & healthier city?

Yes, there are clear economic benefits, but for those who care to take more than just an economic perspective, as Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu nicely laid out, Smart Centers negatively impact the environment, existing community business structures, and are in no way a progressive move towards a carbon reduced future.

Think smart – not Smart!Centre…

Deputation Re: Agenda Item TE12.7 January 15/2008 Committee Room 1, City Hall
Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments – South of Eastern Planning-Study-bounded by Eastern Avenue, Don Valley, Lakeshore Boulevard East and the east side of Woodfield Road – Final Report.

TEXT:
Toronto, is hanging on by the skin of its teeth to provide even the most basic services to it’s residents. And now Toronto is TURNING DOWN a vast source of revenue from Smart!Centres in Leslieville? Is the City suddenly overflowing with money???? I don’t think so !

I am STUNNED that the City does not recognize the ECONOMIC BENEFITS a Smart!Centres Project brings to Leslieville and to Toronto as a whole. I can only shake my head……in disbelieve.!

Here are some of the ECONOMIC BENEFITS:

$ 220 Million Dollars investment in the community

2100 Full and Part Time Jobs

1800 construction jobs over 2 years

$ 5 Million Dollars in development and permit charges/fees

$ 3.8 Million Dollars in annual property Taxes

IMPACT ON RETAILERS

Smart!Centres will not KILL the existing retailers on Queen Street.

First of all, there are at least 60 if not more, 60 restaurants,bars, coffee shops, fast food outlets, deli’s etc. on Queen Street East from Connaught to the Don River alone. 60…. !

Secondly, the ” retailers ” ; are very unique by in what they have to offer; Art Galleries – Antique Stores, One of a kind stores- Retro Furniture Stores – , followed by Animal Clinics, Dental and Medical Offices, a couple of Drug stores and Paint Stores, and a few Gas Stations etc…

The FEAR that these ” retailers ” will be negatively impacted by the Smart!Centres Project on Eastern Avenue is a MYTH. Even some business have already indicated that yes…. MORE consumers will come to Queen Street because of Smart!Centres on Eastern Avenue.

I urge Council to be SMART!….. and welcome the ECONOMIC BENEFITS Smart!Centres is bringing to Leslieville, welcome the revenue that is generated from this project, and above all….. welcome and help us in the revitalization of Eastern Avenue and Leslieville as a whole.

Thank you