April 3, 2009, 3 e-mails

E. M. wrote

Hi everyone,

Well the Environmental Assessment has begun, which means we are now in a 120-day window to provide feedback. Given the logistics involved in coordinating this group we have decided not to change the date of the April 21 meeting. However, we are looking to get a bit of coordination accomplished in advance to keep things moving.

Our community met with Metrolinx on Wednesday. Boy, did we learn a lot! We have attached here the notes from the meeting which we encourage you to read. If you want to add/revise the notes then read on…we’ll be posting these online.

A few quick requests:

1. Please send me an email if you plan to join us April 21.

Just send a brief note with your name and affiliation (if relevant). Let us know if you are coming with others or just RSVP’ing for yourself. We want to get a handle on numbers.

2. Please send me an email if you can help with coordination. We need your help to make this happen!

Yes, this means taking a few hours to do some work in the coming weeks. We’ll make it as painless as possible but the best way to ensure it reflects the diverse views of this group is to have a number of you take part in the conversation. Those of you who can help with this coordination will have access to “Basecamp”, an online tool we are developing to help with coordination and to post documents. We’ll open this up to everyone after the April 21 meeting.

That’s the important stuff…a bit about messaging below…

We’re starting to hone in on our key messages. This is just an initial draft – this is what we need to thrash around on the online space and at the April 21 meeting:

1. Metrolinx must consider the physical health of the people who live along the tracks

2. Metrolinx must work to promote access to this new infrastructure for the people who live along the tracks

3. Metrolinx must work to connect communities along the tracks instead of splitting them apart

The electrification is going to be a tough one for sure… Metrolinx was saying that they can’t even consider electrification because there are tons of studies that need to be completed in advance, and that these will take years. They want to get things started and anticipate electrification in time. They also indicate that there are no electrical motors capable of pulling the GO trains along the tracks. This led us to the following questions:

1. How can they appropriately plan for eventual electrification if they haven’t yet completed the study?

2. How do they justify an investment of this magnitude without planning appropriately for electrification

3. How can there be even lip service to electrification if there is no known technology to handle GO Trains or freight trains?

Do you have additions to these messages? Other questions you want answered? Great! Join us by helping to coordinate the April 21 meeting or by indicating your availability to attend…

NOTES RE METROLINX PLANS

C. B. wrote:

Hi M.:

Thank you for your patience. Here is the first round of responses to your questions and the earlier traffic study requested. Please note that I will be emailing answers to your electrification questions separately. Still confirming information on your behalf.

Please let me know if you have any problems opening these files. Hope all is well otherwises. Nice to see the Weston Library building featured in the Toronto Star as a hidden heritage gem in the city.

M. S. wrote:

Open houses: