Response from Frank DiGiorgio's Office

January 30, 2008

RE: 96 Hyde Avenue, GB Scrap Metal Limited

Good Afternoon Everyone,

My name is Mike Makrigiorgos, Executive Assistant for Councillor Frank Di Giorgio. Unfortunately, Councillor Di Giorgio has been struck with a very bad case of the flu and will not be available for a few days. Due to the nature of this issue, I wanted to give an initial response to address resident’s concerns.

As you may know, this type of use has been in place at this location for more than 50 years and has a legal non-conforming status, which means, it has been Grand fathered and is legally allowed to exist. Our continued commitment to the community is to work with the residents to address their safety concerns, but clearly, this type of use is no longer compatible with the community that has since grown up around it.

Community safety is of paramount importance to Councillor Di Giorgio.

A meeting will be taking place with City staff (Municipal Licensing, Planning Dept, Fire Services, Legal, etc.) as well as our Provincial representative, Laura Albanese and the relevant Provincial agencies to determine and implement a course of action.

Also, neighbours will be asked to join a working group that will be headed by Councillor Di Giorgio. Its mandate will be to guide the issue forward and to keep the community informed of new developments.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to call me at 416-392-1660 or email me at mmakri@toronto.ca

Regards,

Mike Makrigiorgos
Executive Assistant
Office of Councillor Frank Di Giorgio

Who to Call to Complain

Here are some of the numbers and email addresses to contact to voice your complaint. The more people that complain the better chance for change. Please call to ask them to protect our safety

Mayor David Miller mayor_miller@toronto.ca
Phone: 416-397-CITY (2489)

Councillor Frank DiGiorgio councillor_digiorgio@toronto.ca
Phone: 416-395-6437

Councillor Nunziata councillor_nunziata@toronto.ca
Phone: 416-392-4091

Provincial MPP Laura Albanese lalbanese.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Phone 416-243-7984

Federal MP Alan Tonks Tonks.A@parl.gc.ca
Phone 416-656-2526

BOOM!!! Does Someone Have to be Killed Before Things Change?

Once again, residents of Westbury Crescent and the surrounding community where terrified as an explosion blew out windows and damaged homes at 9 AM Saturday morning. It's the 3rd MAJOR incident from the same scrap yard in a year and a half. Miraculously, nobody was killed.

Residents have one simple question: Does someone have to be killed before the safety of our community is taken seriously?

It should be crystal clear by now; If these types of businesses are not violating any bylaws (as residents have been told by Councillors and City officials), and fires and explosions are still frequently happening, then these types of businesses SHOULD NOT BE OPERATING NEAR A RESIDENTIAL AREA.

Can or will anybody do anything to help the residents in this community? Or does someone have to loose their life before something changes?