Posts Tagged ‘Guildwood’
Toronto Observer: Windmill Project Has Some Locals Spinning Mad
Below is an article originally published in the Toronto Observer that may be of interest to Guildwood and other waterfront residents. McLean, who is cronically wrong, is right that the government will utimately make this decision which makes it even more important that residents opposed to this project elect me to be thier voice so I can take our fight to City Hall and end Toronto Hydro’s misadventure off our shore.
Windmill project has some locals spinning mad
Sarina Adamo
Posted 08 April 2010
In five years, a wind farm may be spread across the waters off Scarborough — or not, if the opposition wins the debate to save the shoreline.
Despite the wishes of protesting Scarborough residents, an anemometer is currently under construction in Lake Ontario. A sign that Toronto Hydro is serious about continuing with the project, the anemometer collects data over two years to help determine if there’s enough wind.
More wind means the first offshore turbines in Canada are that much likelier to be built near the Scarborough Bluffs.
However, plans for the windmills are being delayed by Save Our Shorelines activists.
“It doesn’t make sense to build any industrial machinery where we get our drinking water,” says John Laforet, president of Wind Concerns Ontario and Ward 43 council candidate. “You have to draw the line and say that our health and our drinking water are too important.”
So many people opposed to the turbines, that he doesn’t see them being built by the time of the 2015 Pan Am Games, Laforet said.
The government must assess sediment movement before and after construction and how this may trigger environmental problems, Jovan Stefanovic , University of Toronto professor of geomorphology.
In the meantime, the project seems to be going ahead.
“You have an environmental assessment process so that everybody’s opinion can be aired, but really it’s the governments that decide whether they can proceed,” said Joyce McLean, Toronto Hydro director of environmental affairs.
It is impossible the turbines create enough noise pollution to cause health problems, McLean says, referring to the minimal noise heard from the onshore turbine at Exhibition Place.
“What we do know about onshore wind turbines is that when they’re turning you’re hearing the wind more than the actual sound of the machine,” McLean said.
Onshore wind turbines have an acceptable distance of 550 metres around them, she said. “You’re not going to hear them when they are two to four kilometers away.”
The location chosen for wind testing along the Scarborough Bluffs is in the middle of a 26-km province-approved stretch of land.
But finding locations to generate renewable energy is only one step in the energy consumption issue.
“Controlling how much we are using is a critical first step,” McLean said. “We’re looking at solar installations across the city and helping homeowners who wish to do that for their own means.”
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 »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.
