In “The Pothole”, the award-winning 150th episode Seinfeld, Cosmo Kramer adopts a one mile stretch of the Arthur Burghardt Expressway after running over an abandoned sewing machine. Kramer decides to make his newly adopted section of a highway a more luxurious experience for drivers by reducing four lanes to two extra-wide ones. What results — to great comedic effect — is mass confusion and chaos and, a lesson in how not to manage a highway.  Read more

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Peter Steen receives Community Builder Award

Annex Residents’ Association board member Christine Innes, vice-chair Albert Koehl, Peter Steen, and chair David Harrison (from left). Steen received the Community Builder award for building and maintaining an ice rink at Jean Sibelius Park over many years. COURTESY ALBERT KOEHL

By Ahmed-Zaki Hagar  Read more

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May shift to women only next year

By Geremy Bordonaro

A temporary drop-in homeless shelter at 348 Davenport Rd. is once again home to controversy. Some local residents say that there’s been a noticeable increase in violence and drugs in the area since the shelter — publicly supported by Joe Cressy (Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina) and the Annex Residents’ Association — opened in January.  Read more

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Concrete yard to become shared greenspace

By Geremy Bordonaro

A concrete school yard at Monsignor Fraser College is set to be redeveloped into a park that will be shared by the school and community under a 21-year joint use agreement between the City of Toronto and the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB).  Read more

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Improving Huron Street to make a positive impact

Huron Street Junior Public School’s Big Tree, a heritage tree that is about 150 years old, is at the centre of a plan to revitalize the schoolyard. School representatives want to create a welcoming space around the tree, clean up the tennis courts, and remove the fences. GEREMY BORDONARO/GLEANER NEWS  Read more

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Councillor aiming for negotiated settlement

By Geremy Bordonaro

The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) has completed its pre-hearing process for 321 Davenport Rd., where Alterra Developments has applied to build an eight-storey glass building including 16 penthouse condominiums and a two-level parking garage on the site. The development would require a by-law amendment, as the application as it stands now exceeds restrictions on height and density for the area.  Read more

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A tale of two residents’ associations

The City of Toronto opened a respite shelter at 348 Davenport Rd. in late January. The shelter will be open until April, when it city staff will decide on a permanent use for the site. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS

By Geremy Bordonaro  Read more

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Ontario Municipal Board rules in favour of community

The rail Dupont rail corridor from the back of 328 Dupont St. The Ontario Municipal Board ruling on a proposed development for the site confirmed the city’s guidelines that new buildings must be built at least 20 metres from a rail line. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS  Read more

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Provincially mandated taxes are driving out local entrepreneurs

By Joe Cressy

I spend a lot of time in this newspaper talking about the need to build a liveable city. A city that is affordable for all. A city that has the parks and services required to foster inclusive neighbourhoods. A city that takes care of the most vulnerable. And, a city that protects and supports arts and culture, because at the end of the day a city without culture would be a city missing something.  Read more

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Ward boundaries redrawn

By Geremy Bordonaro

Joe Cressy has confirmed that he will be standing for re-election at the next municipal election. He’s just not sure which ward he’ll be running in, now that the Ontario Municipal Board has approved Toronto City Council’s decision to increase the number of wards from 44 to 47.  Read more

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Joe Cressy (Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina), Daniel Freeman of Freeman Realty, Ted Winick of Spirit of Math, and Joe Mihevc (Ward 21, St. Paul’s West) gave away 500 turkeys in three hours just before Christmas. Now in its second year, the event is an homage to Ed Mirvish, who also used to give away turkeys before Christmas at Honest Ed’s. “We feel a strong obligation to give back to the community,” said Elden Freeman, who co-sponsors the event with Winick. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS

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Residents still concerned about BSUC proposal

COURTESY KPMB ARCHITECTS An artist’s rendering of the proposed redevelopment of Bloor Street United Church. The heritage aspects of the church will be restored, and a 38-storey mixed-use tower added to the church grounds.

By Geremy Bordonaro  Read more

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Ensuring our communities are livable, sustainable, and equitable

By Joe Cressy

It wouldn’t surprise you that we’ve had a busy year together in Ward 20. We’ve made critical strides as we work to build our communities and a city that is more equitable and sustainable for all. We’ve worked hard on the dozens and dozens of development files that populate downtown, creating new green spaces, and building livable communities. And as we look back on another year, we have a lot to be proud of.  Read more

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