As I sit down to write this year-ender, I realize why my DVN Ward Team is ready for a little rest. The super-sized Ward 17, Don Valley North is only one year old but the list of things my team and I have managed to accomplish over this year is too long for an e-blast. So, I'll give you the highlights — and I'm sure there are a few things I've forgotten.
We have even bigger plans for 2020. I'm hoping this list will give you ideas about what more we can do in your neck of the woods. Please give it some thought over the holidays and let me know!
Now, the highlights:
Six-month Participatory Budgeting process in Parkway Forest & Henry Farm. Using $500,000 of community benefits funds, residents chose three projects: Outdoor Lights in Parkway Forest Park, Picnic Tables in Parkway Forest Park and Improvements to Parkway Forest Park Playground. We're so excited to work on making these projects a reality.
Our DVN Connects Transit Roundtable. This year-long process with residents representing a variety of transportation needs is wrapping up in January 2020.
Three ward-wide town halls on the City Budget, transit and road safety
A joint town hall with Councillors Filion and Robinson discussing Bill 108, the province's sweeping planning and development reforms.
Our pop-up Vision Zero project on Pineway Boulevard with 8 80 Cities.
Two newsletter editions delivered to every door in the ward.
Launched a WeChat account — my ID is ShelleyCarroll, be sure to add me!
And 45 weekly E-Blasts! Sign up here if you haven't already.
Two of our local PB champions holding up the poster for one of the winning ideas.
Summer Celebration at Oriole Community Centre — this was a huge success, with hundreds of residents attending despite the scorching heat!
Annual Environment Day at the Old Cummer GO Station.
Compost Days at Clydesdale and Bayview Village Parks.
And as always, we attended your own community events whenever we were invited and able. We salute the dozens of community groups, residents' associations, health and wellness agencies and faith-based groups who contribute so much value to Don Valley North.
Speaking with residents at our Summer Celebration last July.
Knocked on over 1000 doors during our ward tours.
Worked on over 1800 individual cases.
Visited dozens of homes, condo board meetings and many chats with residents over coffee.
Answered thousands of calls and emails to our office.
Set up our Community Office at North York Civic Centre to serve you closer to home.
Setting up our North York community office last spring.
Advocated in the best interests of residents while reviewing nearly three dozen development applications (most of these are not yet approved).
Worked with the North York City Planning team to require developers to respect our Official Plan and the Sheppard Avenue Secondary Plan in their proposals.
Fought against the elimination of child care occupancy grants, keeping hundreds of child care spaces in Don Valley North from increasing in cost.
Championed TO Wards Peace, a program consisting of a youth violence prevention framework to complement the work of the Toronto Police.
Took part in dozens of divisional detailed reviews to help our Budget Chief find efficiencies that can save money with minimal impact on your services.
Continued advocacy for Toronto to be granted a mature government funding formula that will fund our big city needs from sources other than property taxes.
Park enhancements at Shawnee, Cliffwood and Skymark Parks.
Completion of the much-anticipated seniors' fitness equipment at Godstone Park, as well as fitness equipment at Parkway Forest Park.
Sourced funding for new playscape equipment at Elkhorn Public School.
Supported the new Parkway Centre Business Association.
Safety Meetings in Parkway Forest, Woodbine Middle School and the Hillcrest neighbourhood.
Interactive visioning sessions for the Clydesdale Clubhouse and Bayview Village Park.
School Safety Working groups with Lester B Pearson, Zion Heights, Hillmount and Kingslake, along with our local TDSB Trustee, James Li.
Naming of Thomas Clark Way as a nod to the historic Thomas Clarke House in Bayview Village.
Naming of Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ Park and Lane in honour of our history on the lands of the Wendat First Nation.
Naming of Clara Will Park to honour the memory of the founder of Adventure Place.
Heritage Plaque for O’Sullivan Hotel, with another plaque coming soon for George S. Henry's "Oriole Lodge."
Exhaustive Youth Services Review with results to be launched early 2020.
Continued advocacy for our Housing Now site to be a collaboration with North York General Hospital. This would combine new affordable housing while bringing hundreds of new long-term care beds to the hospital.
Participating in the Sparroways Wellness Committee and securing funding for local youth-focused improvements.
Started the process for the City to consider ranked ballots and campaign finance reform to improve municipal election accountability.
Supporting Toronto’s Vision Zero initiative by making speed limit reductions on unsafe streets and voting in support of city-wide speed reductions.
Working with City staff to include a pedestrian/cycling underpass in the Finch hydro corridor, connecting Pineway School to students on Leslie St and creating a continuous cycling network through to Seneca College.
A snap of our pop-up pilot project on Pineway Boulevard.
Toronto Transit Commission (Budget Working Group)
Toronto & Region Conservation Authority
Toronto Arts Council
North York Community Council
Economic & Community Development Committee
Toronto Atmospheric Fund (Investment Committee)
Budget Committee
Deputy Speaker of Toronto City Council
Special Committee on Governance
Participated in a housing learning exchange with government officials in South Africa, sponsored by Rooftops Canada.
Shot an episode for the TVO series Political Blind Date, set to air late in January 2020.
Attended the first Board meeting for the Global Participatory Budgeting Hub in Scotland, hosted by the Hewlett Foundation.
Feeling grateful
The purpose of this list is not to brag — but I will brag about one thing: I have the most terrific, high-energy DVN Ward Team. I think they are the best and I feel very blessed. As you read this e-blast this Thursday night, I'm hosting them at my home in an effort to show how much I appreciate everything they do for you.
The pavlova I’ve made tonight as a token of my appreciation.
You never know what could crop up over the holidays, so my City Hall office will remain open every day except statutory holidays. If you have an issue that needs to be addressed, please email or call my office and we will work quickly to get back to you. As always, 311 is available by phone or online 24 hours a day. I also recommend you review the graphic below to learn about Toronto's snow clearing services. I wish all of you a happy and peaceful holiday season. I am very excited to see what this new decade will bring — see you next year!