The beginning of the log

This site is being set up to chronicle the attempts to keep our neighbourhood safe. For years now the residents of Westbury Cres have made complaints about the noise and pollution coming from the scrap yard operating in our backyards at 96 Hyde Avenue. On August 24, 2006 there was a fire in the early morning hours that threatened the homes and lives of many of the residents of Westbury Cres. Over 140 firefighters were required to extinguish the flames, fortunately weather were favourable an no personal property was damaged although one rsident required medical attention.

On August 29th, 2006 I sent a copy of the following email to the Mayor of Toronto David Miller and City councillor Frank De Giorgio:

"My name is Sean Kloosterman and I live at 81 Westbury Cres. in
Toronto. As I am sure you are aware, there was a large fire in the
scrap yard on Hyde st. in the ravine directly behind my house. I have
personally witnessed many small, unattended fires in this yard over
the five year period in which I have owned my home, for this reason I
am not at all surprised that last weeks fire took place. Furthermore,
I have since been informed by my neighbours that this is not the first
time the fire department has been called to that particular scrap
yard, in fact this was the fourth fire in the past 17 years. It is
reasonable to assume that this will not be the last fire that we can
expect from this scrap yard if it continues to operate.

This part of the city has, in recent years, seen an increase in
residential homes and operating a scrap yard in the middle of a
residential neighbourhood is simply unsafe. I am asking for your
assistance in ensuring the safety of the people living in this area;
the danger that this scrap yard imposes to our property is
unacceptable and the potential environmental impact of the yard in a
residential neighbourhood needs to be assessed. Aside from the risk
of another fire, issues like air quality and chemical residue from the
large plume of smoke need to be investigated and taken into
consideration. Our back yards, where our children play, where we cook
on our barbecues, and enjoy our free time are not the safe places we
once thought they were because of this scrap yard.

I have attached some images that I took of the fire from my front and
back yard on Thursday, August 24th, 2006. Please review them and
understand that this is where we live. We need to be able to feel
safe in our own homes and I do not see how that is possible while this
scrap yard continues to operate.

Thank you,

Sean Kloosterman"

Included with the above email were the following photos:




Councillor De Giorgio did reply after a follow up email weeks later. I never recieved a reply or even an acknowledgement of receipt of this email from David Miller or anyone from his office. Perhaps he was too busy to be concerned about the safety of one Toronto neighbourhood. Too busy to take notice of the more than 140 firefighters that were required to battle the blaze that lasted for two days. I wonder how quick the repsonse would have been if this had been his back yard.

On Wednesday, October 18th, 2006 a community safety meeting was scheduled to discuss the fire on Hyde ave. The person responsible for the meeting was Councillor Frank De Giorgio. Sadly, none of the residents of Westbury Cres. received notice that this meeting would be taking place, it was only by accident that one of the neighbours, Vince Nicholson found out about the meeting. He circulated flyers through his neighbourhood and, with less than two days notice a large number of residents still showed up for the meeting. Even though the residents of Westbury cres. had no idea that this meeting was going to take place the scrap yard owner was certainly aware. How this was possible remains a mystery to this day.

The meeting had representitives from Toronto Fire services and By-Law enforcement. We were told about the scrap yard that "it is an inherently dangerous operation". Apparently in the City of Toronto it is acceptable for Schools (less than 1 km away), Community Centres (less than 100 m away) and back yards where our children should be able to play (less than 10 feet away in some cases).

Since this meeting I have made complaints to the City of Toronto By-Law enforcement office and Toronto fire services regarding By-Lay and Fire code violations with no results.

- Sean Kloosterman