Archive for March, 2010
Toronto Star: Smitherman’s Words Come Home to Roost
I meant to post this piece from the Toronto Star earlier but I’ve been so busy with the campaign, Wind Concerns and work I just had not had time. It portrays a community sticking to its guns, and a desperate politician clearly regretting the impacts his abusive, dismissive tone will surely have. I said I believed George Smitherman would be chased out of Scarborough, and if the debate last night was any indication, this is in fact the case.
There are many months ahead, and for Guildwood residents the choice is clear. Our community needs someone who isn’t afraid to stand up to this bully and I am the only candidate that has demonstrated that not only am I able to, but I will stand up for our best interests even to George Smitherman.
Here is the link to the piece.
Toronto Star: Smitherman’s Words Come Home to Roost
No Comments »ThomsonReuters: Why subsidize the surfeit of wind turbines? By John Laforet
The second piece I wrote for ThomsonReuters on the economic realities of industrial wind subsidies was published today. It’s something I would strongly encourage my readers to check out if you’d like to connect the dots and see how the concept of so-called ‘green’ manufacturing is more of a shell game than a legitimate industry and the impact it’s having on the world.
It seems a reasonable question that with an over supply of wind turbines in the world, why is the government subsidizing the manufacturing of even more.
Here is the link: ‘Why subsidize the surfeit of wind turbines?’
No Comments »Toronto Observer: Stolen Signs Cause A Disturbance in Guildwood
I was happy to see the Toronto Observer cover the stolen lawn signs in Guildwood and very proud to see so many members of our community have put replacement signs on their lawn. Residents have demonstrated they are resolute in their opposition to Toronto Hydro and won’t let anyone’s illegal activity deny them of their right to speak out or use signs to display that opposition. – John Laforet
Below is the full text.
Toronto Observer: Stolen signs cause a disturbance in Guildwood
Caitlin Stojanovski
Posted 25 March 2010
Guildwood residents are upset over anti-turbine signs that have been stolen from their front lawns.
“This is the second time this has happened,” said Laura Ricci, who lives on Slyvan Avenue.
Led by the Toronto Wind Action group, residents of Guildwood have been opposing the provincial government’s plan to construct wind turbines in the Scarborough Bluffs, citing the amount of land needed for the wind farms.
The signs, featuring the slogan “Save our Shoreline”, were reportedly stolen at night on March 16 from homes on Prince Phillip Boulevard, Catalina Drive and Sylvan Avenue.
A resident reported a sign missing from the residents’ own front lawn, then drove through the neighbourhood and reported more empty front lawns.
“It’s a display of vandalism,” said John Laforet, a candidate for Toronto city councillor in Ward 43. “Over 40 signs for [Toronto Wind Action] have gone missing,”
The 12-by-24 inch signs are purchased by residents or dropped off by Toronto Wind Action activists, for supporters to display on their front lawns.
The signs have been a vital part of the campaign to raise awareness.
“Similar disappearances happened before Christmas,” said Timo Puhakka, president of theGuildwood Village Community Association.
No arrests were made in connection with the earlier thefts.
A photograph of the alleged thief, taken from a resident’s security camera footage, was given to police after the Christmas thefts.
Guildwood community members speculate these recent thefts are the work of the same person.
Other residents have been looking through their security camera feeds to see if they can catch the culprit on film, said Ricci.
The supporters of Toronto Wind Action say they are not going to let the thefts get in the way of expressing their opposition to the government plan.
“My next-door neighbour replaced their sign the next day,” Ricci said, adding that she has seen the signs returning to front lawns.
