T H E C O M M U N I T Y

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F O R T O R O N T O ’ S

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SERVING THE ANNEX, SEATON VILLAGE, PALMERSTON, HARBORD VILLAGE, HURON-SUSSEX, LITTLE ITALY, AND U OF T

BY PETER ARMSTRONG

A group of frustrated residents fromacross the city united to brainstormways to improve the municipalplanning process and build a unitedsupport network to aid residents’ as-sociations from all of Toronto’swards.The People PlanToronto’s (PPT)

first summit, on May 26, at theUniversity ofToronto Faculty of Ar-chitecture, Landscape, and Designincluded panel speakers, questionand answer sessions, and smallbreakout groups to address specificaspects of city planning. The eventattracted over 100 residents andrepresentatives from the planningand development industries.“Crisis creates change,” said Judy

Matthews from the Save YorkvilleHeritage Association.Matthews was involved in the

battle over the construction of theSpadina Expressway during the late1960s and she said residents, espe-

cially in the Annex, are more edu-cated about planning now becausethey’ve been participating in theseissues for so many years.Summit participants wore

nametags designating the respectivecommunity group they take part inand many used recess and lunch in-termissions to exchange ideas andcontact information with membersof different organizations.“Today’s the day we all get on the

same page,” said Sheila Pin, presi-dent of the Dufferin Grove Resi-dents’ Association, during thesummit’s introduction.Part of getting people on the

same page is clear communication,which was an evident problem earlyin the day. During a discussionabout what Section 37 funds shouldbe used for, a brave attendee raisedhis hand and admitted he didn’tknow what that term meant. TedTyndorf, chief planner and execu-tive director of the city’s planningdivision, explained the referenceand spoke about Councillor AdamVaughan ‘s (Ward 20, Trinity-Spad-ina) recent stance on heritage fund-ing.“There’s a provision within the

[Planning] Act which allows the cityto exchange benefits with a propo-nent in exchange for an increase ofheight or density of a development.Those benefits can range anywherefrom capital facilities within parksto streetscape.” Tyndorf said.“Councillor Vaughan has moved amotion to amend our current policywithin the division of planning toinclude the funding for heritageconservation sites.”In the past Tyndorf said Section

People’s plan forcity planning

Neighbourhood summit launchessupport network for community groups

BY MELANIA DANIEL

A parade through the neighbour-hood, a stroll down memory lane,and a celebration of school and com-munity history marked 175 years ofpublic education in the Annex forJesse Ketchum Public School (JKPS)(61 Davenport Rd.).On May 5, a colourful gathering

of local politicians, school staff,Toronto District School Board(TDSB) representatives, students,parents, and alumni participated inthe festivities held on the schoolgrounds and the adjacent publicpark.“The major accomplishment of

Jesse Ketchum school is thatthroughout its 175 years, it has con-sistently provided excellent educa-tional opportunities for students ofall backgrounds,” said Baila Gold-farb, principal of JKPS since Sep-tember of 2006. “The school has along, proud history of raising good

citizens, and that is reflected in ourmotto which is ‘be respectful, be re-sponsible, be successful.’”Peg Neddery, a 92-year-old

teacher who taught in the 1940s, ledthe parade that kicked off the day’sevents. Other participants includedparent Karen Bolton, MPP GeorgeSmitherman (Toronto Centre-Rosedale), the Toronto Fire Servicesfire dog Sparky, and a mounted po-lice horse.“It was a beautiful day, great

turnout,” said Councillor Kyle Rae(Ward 27, Toronto Centre-Rosedale). “It was good to see grad-uates from the 1920s and 1930sthere. JKPS is a very important com-munity service. I hope it continuesto grow and improve.”The celebration also includedmu-

sical performances by the school’sband, string group, steel band, andchoir. The vendors’ fair allowed localresidents to sell various goods such aschildren’s books, toys, and T-shirts.

JKPS commemorative gifts were alsoavailable for purchase. About 2,000visitors attended the celebrationthroughout the day, according toGoldfarb.Students prepared a historical fair

of decades rooms, which exhibitedmemorabilia from past eras and dis-plays showing their research aboutthe dominant themes and issues inthe community and society as awhole. A staff room was also set upwhere former staff could assemble tofind past colleagues and students.A popular attraction was the

alumni room, which had pictures ofpast students and staff, old sportsteam memorabilia, and a list of for-mer principals dating back to theearly 1900s. One photo of a class-room with girls learning how towash clothes on an old style wash-board demonstrated just how muchthe school has evolved, according to

Annex school celebrates 175 yearsThe evolution of a school and its community

See PLAN, page 18 See 175 YEARS, page 11

Gleaner photographer Carlos Lara was provided with exclusive access to the roof of the Royal OntarioMuseum (100 Queen's Park) on June 5 to show how the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal complements the Annexneighbourhood. One of celebrated architect Uno Prii's signature Annex apartment buildings, at 20 PrinceArthur Ave., peeks behind the Daniel Libeskind-designed crystal. See page 5 for more photographs.

CARL

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I N S I D EA VOICE

TO REMEMBERProfiling the life of Bruce Cattle.

Page 10

SUMMER READINGA review of Scott Gardiner’s

King John of Canada.Page 14

MAKINGTHE MOST

Helpful tips for plantingwith containers.

Page 19

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