TOBorn
Active Member
I know how averse to the Toronto Sun UTers are, so bear with me on this one. Doug has written a piece (of what, you may ask) as a guest columnist. My apologies for the length, but it saves clicking through to their site. It follows here:
OPINION
Doug Ford: Issue comes back to closing Thistletown
Councillor Doug Ford, Guest Column
Yesterday at 7:53 PM
Toronto Councillor Doug Ford at City Hall on Monday, May 12, 2014. (Craig Robertson/Toronto Sun)
I think it is important to clarify recent reports regarding my position on a newly created group home in Etobicoke North called the Griffin House.
Since opening in March, local residents have faced many challenges with this new addition to their once quiet residential neighbourhood. On multiple occasions, Police and Emergency Services have been called to the Griffin House to deal with violence and other disruptive behaviour.
As the Ward Councillor, it is my job to listen to my community, voice their concerns and fight to resolve them. That is why I attended a community meeting on May 15 with Toronto Police and concerned local residents, to see their issues first hand. The truth is, I was very troubled by what I heard at this meeting and what residents have been telling me since March.
Neighbours shared stories about theft and violent behaviour. We heard instances of harassment, cars being broken into and many other shocking revelations. Police presence in this area is becoming regular, and local families are rightfully worried- they don't feel safe in their own community. Of course, all of this could and should have been avoided.
It is extremely unfortunate that the provincial government chose to shut down an excellent facility like the Thistletown Regional Centre for Children and Adolescents. This Centre provided much needed services to hundreds of Etobicoke North youth who were dealing with persistent behavioural and developmental issues. The centre worked for the youth and it worked for the community.
Unfortunately, the Liberals decided that finding quick fixes to their financial mess was more important than providing these vital services to our youth. They decided to close the doors of this facility, sell it off to developers, and instead create less costly group homes in densely populated suburban family neighbourhoods. This is an issue that is now being felt in many residential communities across Toronto.
When I was first approached by the Griffin House seeking input into their new location, I voiced my concerns but still did my best to assist in making the most of this difficult situation. They assured me that the youth in this new group home would not be violent or disruptive to the community. They assured me that there would not be issues like the ones we are seeing today.
Needless to say, I am extremely passionate about assisting local youth, especially those who are at a persistent disadvantage. That is why I first became involved with the Rotary Club, over 30 years ago, and it's why I first got involved in politics. Since being elected as the Councillor for Ward 2, I have spent countless hours working with the local community to address the needs of at risk youth in the area. I am extremely proud to say that we have achieved a great deal on this front.
Moving forward, I will continue working with the Griffin House, Toronto Police and the local community to find a viable solution to these problems. I will also keep pressuring the Province to step up to the plate, do their job and provide disadvantaged youth with the opportunities and support they need to integrate and thrive in our communities.
— Doug Ford is the Toronto city councillor for Ward 2, Etobicoke North
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1
http://m.torontosun.com/2014/05/21/doug-ford-issue-comes-back-to-closing-thistletown
<my take is he had one of his flunkies compose it for him - he's just not that literate>
BTW, the comments following the column can be summed up with 'go away and take your brother with you, you're a liar, these kids are your constituents too and your vague attacks on these kids have no basis in fact.
OPINION
Doug Ford: Issue comes back to closing Thistletown
Councillor Doug Ford, Guest Column
Yesterday at 7:53 PM
Toronto Councillor Doug Ford at City Hall on Monday, May 12, 2014. (Craig Robertson/Toronto Sun)
I think it is important to clarify recent reports regarding my position on a newly created group home in Etobicoke North called the Griffin House.
Since opening in March, local residents have faced many challenges with this new addition to their once quiet residential neighbourhood. On multiple occasions, Police and Emergency Services have been called to the Griffin House to deal with violence and other disruptive behaviour.
As the Ward Councillor, it is my job to listen to my community, voice their concerns and fight to resolve them. That is why I attended a community meeting on May 15 with Toronto Police and concerned local residents, to see their issues first hand. The truth is, I was very troubled by what I heard at this meeting and what residents have been telling me since March.
Neighbours shared stories about theft and violent behaviour. We heard instances of harassment, cars being broken into and many other shocking revelations. Police presence in this area is becoming regular, and local families are rightfully worried- they don't feel safe in their own community. Of course, all of this could and should have been avoided.
It is extremely unfortunate that the provincial government chose to shut down an excellent facility like the Thistletown Regional Centre for Children and Adolescents. This Centre provided much needed services to hundreds of Etobicoke North youth who were dealing with persistent behavioural and developmental issues. The centre worked for the youth and it worked for the community.
Unfortunately, the Liberals decided that finding quick fixes to their financial mess was more important than providing these vital services to our youth. They decided to close the doors of this facility, sell it off to developers, and instead create less costly group homes in densely populated suburban family neighbourhoods. This is an issue that is now being felt in many residential communities across Toronto.
When I was first approached by the Griffin House seeking input into their new location, I voiced my concerns but still did my best to assist in making the most of this difficult situation. They assured me that the youth in this new group home would not be violent or disruptive to the community. They assured me that there would not be issues like the ones we are seeing today.
Needless to say, I am extremely passionate about assisting local youth, especially those who are at a persistent disadvantage. That is why I first became involved with the Rotary Club, over 30 years ago, and it's why I first got involved in politics. Since being elected as the Councillor for Ward 2, I have spent countless hours working with the local community to address the needs of at risk youth in the area. I am extremely proud to say that we have achieved a great deal on this front.
Moving forward, I will continue working with the Griffin House, Toronto Police and the local community to find a viable solution to these problems. I will also keep pressuring the Province to step up to the plate, do their job and provide disadvantaged youth with the opportunities and support they need to integrate and thrive in our communities.
— Doug Ford is the Toronto city councillor for Ward 2, Etobicoke North
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on google Share on email More Sharing Services
1
http://m.torontosun.com/2014/05/21/doug-ford-issue-comes-back-to-closing-thistletown
<my take is he had one of his flunkies compose it for him - he's just not that literate>
BTW, the comments following the column can be summed up with 'go away and take your brother with you, you're a liar, these kids are your constituents too and your vague attacks on these kids have no basis in fact.
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