Gerard Kennedy's community meeting to include info on his efforts for the saving of the post office

The Junction BIA executive director  Anna-Louise Richardson  has been working hard with Gerard Kennedy and his office to create a window of opportunity on the the closure of the local Junction Post office.

Mr Kennedy's  office is speaking with persons at Canada Post to work out a at least a delay in the closing until after Christmas and then a reassessment of their decision and ultimately a reversal. Talks continue.

Mr Kennedy will be reporting on the issue his environment and economy meeting tomorrow.

Saturday

Oct       17        2009

at RUNNYMEDE PUBLIC SCHOOL between 2pm and 4pm

375 Runnymede RD

full flyer view

Rally Draws CBC, The Villager, and Residents, but Go keeps its distance

[caption id="attachment_3195" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Photo Credit, Lado Soudek atelierone(at)yahoo.ca"][/caption]

About 30 people (as well as police and a VIA Train and Go Train Truck who were parked in the distance) showed up to the rally in protest of the constant pile-driving that's been taking place from morning to afternoon, and causing many headaches in the Keele/Dundas area.  MPP Cheri DiNovo (speaking to the crowd) had spoken to Go Transit and, at their request, arranged a meeting with her and five representative members of the community to discuss the issue.  Ms DiNovo didn't say who those members were, but Go Transit didn't show up, anyway.  Though, when she then contacted the media and resident Jon Brooks and others made numerous phone calls and distributed flyers, and the CBC began reporting on the issue hourly, broadcasting the repetitive, deafening pounding, Go Transit requested another meeting with Ms. DiNovo.  But, she said, she decided it was too late for that, and she called this rally on Hook Avenue, in the foreground of the machinery in question.  Granted, Go Transit had arranged for the pile-drivers to stop by then, but that didn't stop these concerned residents and MP Gerard Kennedy (to DiNovo's left) from showing up.  The next step?  Mr. Kennedy stated that the Canadian Transit Authority has rules about the amount of noise that can be made, and thanks to the fact that local residents put complaints on the record at least 60 days prior, he's going to pursue that avenue, after seeing how another meeting went today.  Also, there are conflicting reports about whether new-technology, quiter equipment was available for use by Go Transit.

So, the pile-driving was stopped for a few hours around the rally, and residents at this rally were left with a promise from the attending politicians that they would not let the issue rest.  They now have the weekend to ponder whether Monday will bring back what Jon Brooks described as "Chinese Water Torture".

CBC Article

Globe and Mail article link

Toronto Star Link as provide by David in the comment section of this post , Thanks David