I have never ran for anything politically in my city or even in my neighbourhood. I can't begin to explain that I have no clue how it works.
I am of course in great need to find someone or somebodies to counsel me, do you know, does running for city council needs a team of helpers. What am I looking for in terms of campaign funds, what does it take a campaign manager, volunteers and so on.
Everyone one of my friends and associates have offered to help in some aspect of their time for various things, such as canvasing the neighbourhoods and being someone I can speak to for various subjects as schooling and general city involvement.
So in case you know anyone who might be of good use, please send them my way... but I don't want them to give me my platforms... those are for me to be passionate about, for me to push for, for me to see the change!!!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
My first community meeting...
I attended my first city community meeting last Thursday... which to me was a great experience in personal involvement.
When I was fairly younger and in my school days, especially during my time in high school I was very active in my school's community, a social convener for a year at my school, an advocate for things I felt were not right that I watched around me, a peer councilor from the first year I entered school. I guess I enjoyed the feeling of being involved, thought it was something you just did while you were a teen... but much to my knowledge it is something I was craving, needing to do get involved.
So I attended my first save the pool meeting in my district, my poor district has been marred with a 30% of intended pool closures by 2010. What a disturbing thought, that in this day and age of high rising numbers of childhood obesity taking away a physical activity from our kids. Worst as well, city run decisions, city sponsored TDSB and pools which we pay money towards and somehow no one is allowed to use them.
There were a few speeches made by Peter Tabuns, the Ontario MP for our ward, our current city councilor for ward 30 Paula Fletcher, and the District school board Mrs. Dandy were also in attendance. Everyone shared their opinions but not much offered as from the political side of the matter, most was left to the school, it's parental student council and other save the pools groups to try and save the pool.
I must add the initiative to save the pool from the parents, the community was great and nice to see a community pull together to foster ideas and come up with ways to save this part of the school... which I realised is something difficult to prove that the swimming pool is also a classroom.
One of the reasons I feel like I identify myself in this cause is because I believe swimming is a right of passage... my parents never taught me to swim, I learnt from a family member on vacation to Greece. My school never offered swimming lessons to us students, it was not a part of our curriculum... when I got into the pool in high school I had no proper training and my swimming style is very self taught. But I never feel more at peace when I am swimming away.., and I feel that children should have that right to experience here in Toronto.
So my first community meeting a success, I was filmed for CTV news, but the tape did not get picked up as the precedent was to put on an American Balloon Boy story instead... but my involvement reminded me how much I love to get involved and partake.
When I was fairly younger and in my school days, especially during my time in high school I was very active in my school's community, a social convener for a year at my school, an advocate for things I felt were not right that I watched around me, a peer councilor from the first year I entered school. I guess I enjoyed the feeling of being involved, thought it was something you just did while you were a teen... but much to my knowledge it is something I was craving, needing to do get involved.
So I attended my first save the pool meeting in my district, my poor district has been marred with a 30% of intended pool closures by 2010. What a disturbing thought, that in this day and age of high rising numbers of childhood obesity taking away a physical activity from our kids. Worst as well, city run decisions, city sponsored TDSB and pools which we pay money towards and somehow no one is allowed to use them.
There were a few speeches made by Peter Tabuns, the Ontario MP for our ward, our current city councilor for ward 30 Paula Fletcher, and the District school board Mrs. Dandy were also in attendance. Everyone shared their opinions but not much offered as from the political side of the matter, most was left to the school, it's parental student council and other save the pools groups to try and save the pool.
I must add the initiative to save the pool from the parents, the community was great and nice to see a community pull together to foster ideas and come up with ways to save this part of the school... which I realised is something difficult to prove that the swimming pool is also a classroom.
One of the reasons I feel like I identify myself in this cause is because I believe swimming is a right of passage... my parents never taught me to swim, I learnt from a family member on vacation to Greece. My school never offered swimming lessons to us students, it was not a part of our curriculum... when I got into the pool in high school I had no proper training and my swimming style is very self taught. But I never feel more at peace when I am swimming away.., and I feel that children should have that right to experience here in Toronto.
So my first community meeting a success, I was filmed for CTV news, but the tape did not get picked up as the precedent was to put on an American Balloon Boy story instead... but my involvement reminded me how much I love to get involved and partake.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Reading minutes...
Today, I spent the day reading minutes recorded for the meeting that deal with Community Council decisions. Not the most entertaining part of the job, but far more interesting as to where they might prohibit you from making a right turn on a red or if you own property what kind of amendments you are allowed to impose on someone putting up a poster/billboard on their property.
Reading material aside, I was trying to read up on information that might be of use to me when this week's meeting about draining a school pool in the neighbourhood comes up. I haven't heard or scene anything more ridiculous than a city and it's school board wanting to close all the pools in the city.
I have had a gamut of ideas of what the pools could be used for, why they should be kept open and how Obesity being one of the biggest epidemics in children's health taking away a physical activity is absurd.
I will post more about this on Friday, the meeting is on Thursday and I will attend with notes and things I propose to read off to the school and it's trustees. Time is now, to take back our city from ridiculousness and redirect our community and our city folk into a prosperous and useful society.
Reading material aside, I was trying to read up on information that might be of use to me when this week's meeting about draining a school pool in the neighbourhood comes up. I haven't heard or scene anything more ridiculous than a city and it's school board wanting to close all the pools in the city.
I have had a gamut of ideas of what the pools could be used for, why they should be kept open and how Obesity being one of the biggest epidemics in children's health taking away a physical activity is absurd.
I will post more about this on Friday, the meeting is on Thursday and I will attend with notes and things I propose to read off to the school and it's trustees. Time is now, to take back our city from ridiculousness and redirect our community and our city folk into a prosperous and useful society.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Happening in the Ward this month...
From time to time I will share events that are happening in and around my ward and even in my city...
- This month is Community Environment Days, every ward in the city will be holding it's own event held by it's own councilor. Ours here in Ward 30 will be held in Riverdale Park East- on October 17, 2009 (it was postponed from scheduled date of July 1st).
This is a great event to get rid of waste and items that could be reused or salvaged to avoid landfills. Various items you can bring are old computers, paints, medicines, pencils, plates and motor-powered items for your lawn.
For more details please take a look at the city's description of the event, http://www.toronto.ca/environment_days/
- Also this month is the Solar Neighborhoods Workshop. This event is for all those who have thought about making their home a Greener environment by introducing Solar power to their home and eliminating Gas and Electricity usage in their home.
Being held at: Danforth-Coxwell Library, 1675 Danforth Ave.Toronto, ON Danforth and Coxwell Ave Map to this event from 6:30-8pm. This workshop can lead to getting an extra $1000 off incentive to making your home a greener place.
For more details please follow the link http://www.solarneighbourhoods.ca/incentives.php
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Running for 30...
2010 here in the city of Toronto is when the next municipal elections will be held. I live in Ward 30, held by Paula Fletcher.
I have lived in Ward 30 for all of my life a large 28 years. Not only do I live in my neighbourhood that I am a fan of, I love my ward. There are many fun locations in my ward and some of my most favorite spots in Toronto. Seconds away from me is the Danforth a social hub with food and cafés that go for 2 subway blocks. And my most favorite spot for me personally is Cherry beach... a quiet and serene beach with swans and ducks.
Why running for 30... well in 2010 I will also turn 30, my ward is 30. So please join me and follow along as I take you through the ups and downs of being a mom who is running for her local city hall.
Tx. Angie
I have lived in Ward 30 for all of my life a large 28 years. Not only do I live in my neighbourhood that I am a fan of, I love my ward. There are many fun locations in my ward and some of my most favorite spots in Toronto. Seconds away from me is the Danforth a social hub with food and cafés that go for 2 subway blocks. And my most favorite spot for me personally is Cherry beach... a quiet and serene beach with swans and ducks.
Why running for 30... well in 2010 I will also turn 30, my ward is 30. So please join me and follow along as I take you through the ups and downs of being a mom who is running for her local city hall.
Tx. Angie
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