Local actor appointed to Harbourfront board

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VILLAGE RESIDENT and well-known actor Sonja Smits was appointed president of the Harbourfront Centre’s board of directors on June 24.

Smits will govern the 26- member community-based volunteer board of directors.

“Sonja has been a dedicated and committed board member for several years,” said William Boyle, chief executive officer of the centre. “She is very knowledgeable about the current cultural scene, and we are looking forward to Sonja’s leadership of our board team.”

Smits said she is excited about the opportunity and the work that lies ahead.

“I am both thrilled and challenged to be working with such talented and dedicated board colleagues,” she said. “As cultural organizations forge ahead during these challenging economic times, my colleagues and I are excited about helping to guide this amazing organization into the next decade.”

Smits has starred in several Canadian television productions, including Traders, Street Legal and The Eleventh Hour. Her film credits include David Cronenberg’s Videodrome and the television film of Margaret Lawrence’s The Diviners.

Student sues TFS

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A FORMER STUDENT at Toronto French School who was expelled for allegedly beating up a visiting student has filed a lawsuit against the school, its headmaster and its principal.

Omar Elgammal, the 15-year- old student of the school, along with his mother, Nermine Elgammal, filed a statement claiming that, because of the school’s defamation, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence have caused $250,000 in damages for the family.

The statement of claim alleges that Elgammal, who is Muslim, was the victim of racist, verbal attacks by a former student of the school on Oct. 23, 2008.

“[The former student] … had taunted Omar by seizing upon the fact of his Muslim ethnicity to make racial slurs by calling his father ‘Bin Laden,’ decrying them to be terrorists, mockingly stating, ‘What are you guys going to do, call out Allah, Allah, Allah, Allah, Allah….’ and making the gesture of a terrorist pushing a hand-held detonator,” the statement reads.

According to the document, Elgammal retaliated violently and was charged with assault. That charge was withdrawn, it says, but the school proceeded to expel Elgammal.

At an assembly following the incident, the document says, headmaster John Godfrey, compared the incident to Nazi Germany.

“Defendant Godfrey then proceeded to use the Nazi Holocaust as a historical comparison for the role that citizens, referring apparently to the citizenry of the student body, should properly carry out when faced with the actions of a thug, bully or bad person, as the Defendants identified the offending TFS students.”

The statement of claim says that by the day of the assembly everyone in the school knew about the incident.

“The Defendants tarnished Omar’s reputation and that of his family,” it reads.

Suzanne Tobin, the director of marketing and communications at the school, declined to comment because the issue is before the courts. Tobin confirmed that a notice of intent to defend has been filed, but that a date has not been set yet for a hearing.

Sunnybrook doctor to receive the Order of Canada

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ONE OF THE founders of the well-known trauma program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre will be named to the Order of Canada, according to a July 6 announcement.

Dr. Marvin Tile will receive the honour for his contributions as a clinical orthopaedic surgeon, teacher and groundbreaking researcher, particularly in the area of trauma care.

“Many innovations in trauma care and orthopaedics were brought to Canada and Sunnybrook through Dr. Marvin Tile,” said Dr. Barry McLellan, the president and CEO of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

The North Toronto hospital developed the first and largest trauma centre in the country in 1976, thanks largely to Tile’s research and achievements, McLellan said.

Tile was born in Toronto and attended the University of Toronto for medical school. He was appointed to the surgical staff of Sunnybrook Hospital in 1966 and became chief of the division of orthopaedic surgery in 1971. From 1985 to 1996, Tile served as surgeon-in-chief and chaired the Sunnybrook Foundation.

“Sunnybrook is fortunate to be home to leaders such as Dr. Tile. His career has helped define the hospital’s vision to invent the future of health care,” said David Leslie, chair of Sunnybrook’s board of directors.

$26 million parking ticket lawsuit headed to court

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A RECENT SUPREME Court of Canada decision will allow a local woman’s $26 million class-action lawsuit against the city to proceed.

Plaintiff Anna Marie Arenson said she was parked outside of Duff’s Restaurant on Bayview Avenue and was issued a $30 parking ticket after she failed to display a parking permit on Nov. 22, 2007.

According to her lawyer’s statement of claim, Arenson was unable to obtain a receipt from the parking machine because it appeared to be frozen as a result of cold temperatures.

Returning to her vehicle after a family dinner at Duff ’s approximately an hour later, she found she had been issued a ticket.

The $26 million figure stems from an approximation as to how many similar tickets could have been issued due to frozen meters and other failures since the city installed them in 1998.

“I expect to win,” said Ken Arenson, the plaintiff ’s lawyer and ex-husband when asked what chance the lawsuit stands at being successful. “I would not sue otherwise.”

The filed claim states that should it be impractical to efficiently distribute award damages to all those affected, the money would be used to create a trust for studies and advocacy on better parking practices and better parking instrumentation.

Officer for Earl Haig

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A NORTH YORK school is the next in line to be part of a program that puts police officers in Toronto schools.

At a press conference on June 29, Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair announced that Earl Haig Secondary School will have a uniformed officer stationed in the hallways beginning this fall. An additional 19 schools in Toronto will see an officer in September, bringing the total number of schools involved in the program to 50.

“I am very proud of my school resource officers,” Blair said in a statement. “These officers have approached these assignments with insatiable energy and dedication. As a result, we have created new relationships with young people all over Toronto. They, in turn, have come to respect police officers on an entirely different level.”

Mari Rutka, the school board trustee for Willowdale, said she is not opposed to the program and agrees that the goal is to shift the perception of police officers and their role.

“I think the idea here is to change the nature of policing so that it is a proactive force rather than a reactive force,” she said. “It’s about trying to build a different kind of relationship.”

Despite having initial hesitations, trustee James Pasternak said that the feedback he’s received about the experience has been positive.

“I was one of the skeptics when this idea was first presented to the Toronto District School Board,” said Pasternak, who had an officer within Downsview S.S. over the last school year. “I wasn’t keen on uniformed officers being in the school.”

In addition to helping change the public perception of police, Pasternak also described the practical use of the program. A robbery attempt near Downsview last year was thwarted after student witnesses relayed information to the school resource officer. As a result, an arrest was made and the victim’s property recovered.

Beverley Ohashi, the principal at Earl Haig S.S., and superintendent Sue Pfeffer of the Toronto District School Board declined to comment on the matter, stating that they had not had a chance to discuss the program and will do so before speaking to the issue.

School pool at Newtonbrook will stay open

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THE POOL AT Newtonbrook S.S. is one of 20 pools previously set for closure that school trustees voted to keep open at a board meeting on June 29.

The Ontario government announced that it will invest up to $15.8 million over the next two years, through the Toronto Lands Corporation, for capital repairs for up to 32 TDSB pools, beginning this summer. The investment supports the recommendation of the Aquatics Working Group led by former mayor David Crombie.

Those involved with the cause are positive about the news.

“I was very happy with that decision,” said Livia Hunter, a member of Let’s Make Waves, a community-based group that has worked to save school pools within the city. For Hunter, the struggle to keep school pools open has been both a personal and professional endeavour. A cardiovascular disease specialist, she grew up swimming in Toronto’s school pools, as did her three daughters.

“In today’s day and age of increasing childhood obesity, to close a recreational facility that is such a healthy, active lifestyle resource … [it’s] remarkable that anyone could consider it,” she said.

Hunter added that, while this marks a victory for her organization, there is still work to be done with regard to saving an additional 13 school pools slated to close this year.

“We’ll continue to get the message out to the community as best we can regarding potential benefits of permitting these 13 pools,” she said.

“I can’t imagine an international city like Toronto not providing that [access], especially when it’s an existing resource. We have these pools and they’re in great shape.”

Park to welcome new players

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A GENEROUS donation from a North York family will be used to create a new water-themed playground and sensory gardens in the community.

The parks and environment committee voted to accept a $1 million donation from local resident Goldie Feldman, to construct the new features at Earl Bales Park. Both the gardens and the water park will be designed to make it accessible to visitors with physical and mental challenges, and they could add such features as scented and edible plants, textured and sculpted surfaces and braille and audio descriptors to the 120-acre park.

Feldman’s donation was initially intended to be an anonymous gift, but will now serve to commemorate her late parents Morris and Sarah Feldman, both former area residents. The idea for the water playground and sensory gardens came after Feldman approached York Centre Coun. Mike Feldman (no relation) with her interest in donating.

“The big thing was you were not excluding kids with physical or mental challenges,” Coun. Feldman said. “You are now including them. They could go out and enjoy what other kids could enjoy.”

David Green, Goldie Feldman’s son, said the idea appealed to his mother from the start.

“She particularly liked it because it served such a wide variety of people, particularly handicapped people and kids, who were probably underserved in that area,” he said.

Others agree that the facility would be a welcome addition to the park.

“It would be a great resource for us,” said Marg Whelan, executive director for the Geneva Centre for Autism. “For the children we serve, in particular, but also any family that has a child with a disability, having a public place that is accessible, that helps them feel like they belong is an essential part of their success as a family and as part of our community.”

Whelan said the completed facility could integrate well with some of the work done by the centre, specifically their after- school, weekend and summer programs.

“I think it’s just a fabulous idea,” she added. “The Feldman family are very forward thinking.”

Green said the motivation behind his mother’s donation was simple: “I think she sees the park as a wonderful asset of the community,” he said.

“Some place that people — regardless of their station in life, their ability, their financial situation — not just in the immediate community, but in any community, can participate in and go and relax and enjoy themselves.”

Green added that while his mother likes to support causes close to her, her motivation is not one of personal gain.

“Having a public place that is accessible, that helps them feel like they belong is an essential part of their success as a family.”

“She always does stuff that she has some personal tie to,” he said. “She’s not trying to enrich her own lifestyle, but rather she experiences the needs of others on a personal level.”

And while the project, slated for completion next summer, represents a great addition to the community, Coun. Feldman said its influence extends beyond North York.

“It’s a city destination,” he said. “I don’t consider it a ward project.”

Home on the range

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A PROPOSAL TO develop a golf driving range on provincial land has some Thornhill residents fuming.

Scott Rudiak, the owner of Within Range Golf Centres, applied to lease the land at 8111 Leslie St. from the province two years ago. His dream was to build a driving range, which would also include a miniature golf course, a chipping area, matted tees and a small clubhouse. The land, located just south of Highway 407, backs onto a residential area on Summerdale Drive.

Local resident Atilla Yeter has started a petition against the development, which he says will decrease the value of his property, disturb him and his neighbours and displace a variety of wildlife that resides in the green space.

“The people are commenting on the disappearance of wildlife,” Yeter said. “We’ll lose the ability to walk around with our children and dogs.” Deer, a variety of birds, coyotes, red foxes and rabbits are some of the animals Yeter said live behind his house.

Yeter said neighbours are also concerned about the driving range encroaching on his backyard.

Rudiak, the applicant, said he is committed to working with residents. He’s proposed to build a berm, about three metres high, that will separate the range from its neighbours.

“If we can avoid annoying the residents, then that’s what we’re going to do,” he said. “We wanted a visual buffer for someone standing in their backyard.”

But Yeter said that the berm will only ruin his view.

“It’s not different from a green version of the Berlin Wall,” Yeter said. “No one will be able to see beyond that one when it’s 25 metres from our property line.”

Markham council will not be involved in any final decisions on the matter since the property is owned by the Ontario Realty Corporation. Coun. Erin Shapero organized a community meeting on the matter and argued that, although it is provincially owned land, local residents should have some say.

“I, for one, am going to stand up for residents, that’s my job, to do whatever I can to ensure that they’re informed,” she said.

Off-leash dog park site approved for Richmond Hill

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AFTER A LENGTHY consultation process, Richmond Hill council has approved a site and a policy for the first off-leash dog park in York Region.

“I’m just very, very happy that the town approved it, and I always think that we just get a limited time on earth and if we’re able to do something on earth for other generations to enjoy it’s great,” said Ana Nair, the founder of the Richmond Hill K9 Klub.

The park will be located in Ward 4 on town-owned, open space lands south of Tower Hill Road and west of Yonge Street.

The Richmond Hill K9 Klub will be in charge of maintaining the site, and because the project is a one-year pilot, they are eager for volunteers.
“We need lots of volunteers to make it successful,” Nair said.

Community works to support family in need

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FUNDRAISERS HAVE PLANNED an event later this month in an effort to raise money to support a Thornhill family and their sick daughter.

On July 29, Rayna’s Friends will hold a fundraiser at the Miller Tavern, at 3884 Yonge St., for Warren and Nathalie Ostroff whose daughter Rayna Nicole lives with infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Lucy Rapkin, a neighbour of the family, and Fiona Scott, Nathalie’s best friend, created the organization to raise money and awareness for the Ostroffs, who have both been forced to quit their jobs to care for their daughter.

Rapkin, who hopes to raise about $30,000, said the event is about supporting the family that has united a community.

“Without any effort on their part and unknown to them until recently, they have brought this neighbourhood closer together,” said Rapkin, who has lived across the street from the family for roughly the last three years and described the Ostroffs as friendly and helpful people.

“Our friendship just evolved from the time they moved in.”

The upcoming event, which will feature a silent auction, is the latest of fundraising initiatives that have included a neighbourhood yard sale in May and a car wash and barbecue at a Richmond Hill car dealership last month.

“We needed to do something to help them because there’s nothing we can say that’s going to change anything or make anything any better,” Scott said.

The next step for the Ostroff family is to try to pull enough money together to go to the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, for an antibody currently available only in the United States.

“Certainly that money could support that as well,” Scott said of the upcoming event’s raised funds.

For more information on the Ostroff family and fundraising efforts for the family, visit www.raynasfriends.ca.

The great downtown makeover

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DOWNTOWN RICHMOND HILL “is the historic, symbolic, cultural, and civic heart of Richmond Hill,” according to a new study.

Richmond Hill council approved the “Downtown Design and Land Use Strategy Final Report,” one of two “area studies” being undertaken as part of the development of Richmond Hill’s new official plan on June 23. Staff have also been directed to gather public opionion on whether support exists for the proposed relocation of Town Hall to a city- owned site at Yonge Street and Major Mackenzie Drive following a council meeting in May. The results of this consultation will be reported in November.

This news is the latest in a number of efforts to revitalize downtown Richmond Hill, which includes the construction of the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.

The studies were completed in three phases over a nine-month period, in collaboration with the community and centred on a downtown summit and two downtown forums.

The area covered by the study runs along Yonge Street, between Harding Boulevard and Levendale Road, and divides the area into three districts: the uptown district, the village district and the civic centre district.

“I think it’s wonderful that the town is thinking of coming back to the town,” said Penny Parmenter, of the Society for the Community of Old Richmond Hill regarding the idea of the relocation of Town Hall and other revitalization efforts. Since founding the group roughly 20 years ago, Parmenter has worked on core revitalization issues.

“The core of any city is the heritage, the beginning of that city, wherever it began,” she said. “If you went down to Chicago as a tourist, you wouldn’t go to suburbia. You would go to the core, to see where it all started.”

Coun. Lynn Foster agreed that the goal of revitalization efforts are about reconnecting people and the downtown.

“At the end of the day, it brings back the heart of our community,” Foster said. “That’s our heartbeat. That’s where all the life forces flow out of, and that’s where people know the action is.”

There is more to revitalization efforts than buildings and beautification, according to one local leader.

“I think that all this work towards a better Richmond Hill is wonderful, but we mustn’t forget the people that are already here,” said Angel Freedman, president of the Westbrook Residents’ Association. For 14 years, the association has worked to fostercommunity belonging, for the 2,000 homes, through family, social, educational and sporting events. In addition to bringing people back to the downtown core, Freedman says that emphasis for social services must also be present.

“ The core of any city is the heritage, the beginning of that city, wherever it began.”

“When you take care of your community, you take care of your people,” she said.

For Foster, the movement is about a restoration to the way things used to be.

“What I want to see is for it to become the most desirable part of our whole community,” she said. “And believe it or not, that’s what it was 40, 50 years ago. And I think we can claim it back, and that’s what I’d ideally like to see happen.”

Five fields of dreams

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IT’S A MATTER of green for green regarding a proposed new sports field at Newtonbrook Secondary School.

On May 27, Toronto District School Board trustees voted in favour of a proposal to construct four new “championship fields” and one domed field at a cost of more than $12 million. Approximately $4.11 million of the total cost would be supplied by the board, with the remaining funds coming from federal and provincial funding.

“What the board is exploring right now is whether or not these five sites have the potential to generate permit revenue that would cover the board’s costs of upgrading these sites,” said Mari Rutka, trustee for Willowdale.

But if increased permitted revenues — generated by outside groups using the facilities — don’t cover the board’s share of the project’s cost, the application would be withdrawn.

“I think there’s certainly enough reason to see if we can do this, and certainly it would be a wonderful thing for each one of these areas if we did it,” Rutka said, adding that the proposed field locations would provide “a good disbursement of this level of playing field.”

“The potential is an excellent opportunity for Newtonbrook Secondary School students, our athletic program and also our community,” said Newtonbrook’s principal Lynne Koffman. “We are in full support and very excited to hear about this project.”

With up to 30 to 40 school teams, in addition to permit use activity, at any given time, the current Newtonbrook facilities are very well-used, according to
Koffman. “I think there’s enough interest in the community to sustain [the project],” she said.

Rutka and Koffman are not the only ones who see the proposal as a potential success.

“The problem with the city of Toronto is always that the fields are being used too much, because there’s not enough, and they’re being used constantly,” said Michael Kadis, the director for the Toronto Services Soccer League. “So if there’s talk about funding new fields through permits, then I’m all for that, basically.”

Kadis also manages and plays on Hooligans of Toronto FC, a soccer team in the league’s First Division. The team plays many games at fields in the Bayview area, including Glendon College. For Kadis, the subject of permit for use facilities is a cost issue.

“A lot of the new fields that have been put up by the City of Toronto, the rates are disgusting,” he said. “You can’t afford it as a soccer team, basically. It’s just too expensive.”

“If the field is in good condition, I would always pay for a permit, if it’s a reasonable rate,” added Kadis.

Rutka is optimistic that the success of other similar permit use fields in the city might allow for the success of the new fields.

“Certainly in other cases in the city in the past, where they have done this type of upgrading, there has been ample interest from various clubs and groups to permit the field,” Rutka said. “So I think that’s probably fairly doable as long as we can get that provincial and federal funding. I’m hopeful that it might actually work out.”