JohnFilion.com - Moving Forward

Home

Moving Forward

Main Menu

Home

Search a Topic

Moving Forward

Although John's list of accomplishments runs several pages long, he is not content to rest on his past success.

Here's what's next:

Health:

On the Health front, John is concerned about the lack of preparation for a flu pandemic and is insisting that measures be put in place quickly to protect the public.

Locally, John will be introducing programs to promote healthy lifestyles . In particular, he will be establishing greater connections between city recreation and health programs.

John also intends to introduce a city-sponsored community Health Day and to make it as popular and successful as the long-established Environment Day.

Parks and Recreation:

John will make sure that a new Edithvale Community Centre is built in the very near future, with full community involvement in the selection of programs and the design of the building. John will be working with the community to build an extra tennis court for the Gwendolyn Tennis Club , helping the Goulding Hockey Association with plans to construct a comfortable area for spectators, and supporting the Willowdale Lawn Bowling Club with its request for synthetic turf. North York Hearts soccer club needs ongoing support to ensure that it gets enough field time and locations to support its excellent programs for children. John will also make sure that city policies continue to support these organizations, and others such as the North York Tennis Club which are in regular contact with him.

He will continue to pioneer programs such as the Parent and Child shinny hockey at Mitchell Field Arena, taking the suggestions of community residents and turning them into reality.

John is always working to increase green space in the area. In the next few years, he will continue expanding some existing parks and creating some new ones.

A critical issue for 2007 is the preservation of North York's Rose Garden , located at the northwest corner of Yonge and Park Home. Although many residents think this is a city park, it is actually owned by a developer. Many years ago (before John became a Councillor) the city approved a large office development for the site. The developer (Menkes) who now owns the property currently has an application before the city to allow condominiums on the site. John is determined to make sure that the Rose Garden stays as it is.

John and Will DeBacker, President Edithvale Community Association in front of Edith Community Center

Traffic:

The traffic situation in many parts of ward 23 is intolerable. All reasonable measures must be taken to deal with this.

John will ensure that the service road is completed, from Finch to Sheppard, on both sides of Yonge Street, within his next term. Hopefully, this will reduce traffic pressure on some local streets.

To deal with the huge traffic increase and the resulting congestion, John obtained Council approval for a comprehensive traffic study to examine conditions in the Yonge/Sheppard area. To take place in 2007, the study by an outside traffic expert will include area residents in examining the problems and searching for solutions.

To combat cars speeding on local streets, John has worked with the Police Services Board to assign more officers to ticket speeders . More effort in this area is still needed.

John believes new buildings must be designed to minimize traffic . A direct connection to the subway, for example, encourages higher transit use.

More Seniors' Housing and Support:

Seniors (and soon-to-be seniors) in Willowdale need more retirement and nursing home choices , both publicly and privately run. This is also a great way for redevelopment to take place in a way which assists the community and does not add to traffic problems.

Elderly residents staying in their homes need more support from government and from volunteer agencies.

Sewers:

A large amount of sewer construction and reconstruction is needed in Willowdale, especially in areas that have experienced repeated basement flooding. John will insist that this work start as soon as possible, and that the city set aside sufficient funds to ensure its completion.

Development:

We are already past the point where the area can continue to handle more traffic from new development. Development proposals must be modified to reduce reliance on automobiles. New development near subway stations must have direct connections to the subway. We need to find new and better strategies for car pooling. We need to encourage development, such as seniors housing, which produces much less auto use.

John will continue his efforts to overturn the decision to build townhouses at Churchill/Basswood , oppose all efforts by developers to undermine the neighbourhood protections in the Official Plan, and represent the interests of the community against builders who seek bylaw variances that are out of character with the neighbourhood. Redevelopment of the Rose Garden with condominiums will be strenuously opposed , with the help of a large community committee John has set up for that purpose.

These are priorities for John in the coming term.

John will continue to support residents who wish to beautify their neighbourhoods.

A Vision for Our Community:

John sees a need to bring all parts of the community together to create a collective vision. Condominium residents now make up more than half the population, as do residents who were born outside Canada. Over the next term, it will be John's priority to establish close contacts with all the new groups in the community, just as he has with those that have been here for years. He'll be looking for ways for all parts of the community to have greater contact with one another, and to support each other for their mutual benefit and for the good of our neighbourhoods.

[ Back ]