Another Fender-Bender At Oxton-Oriole

Today, I had the unfortunate pleasure of witnessing (from the Kilbarry bus stop) another one of Oxton-Oriole's famous fender-bender vehicle accidents.

A car travelling east along Oxton had obviously stopped at the invisible stop sign at Oriole (another reason who it needs to be re-installed), but the car behind didn't and so crashed into the back of the first car. Minor damage I suspect, but it just goes to show how bad Oxton-Oriole is even for cars!

As for the poor pedestrians, more people in the morning seem to have to run across this intersection then ever before. Let's hope nobody gets hurt while we wait for the stop sign to be re-installed next April 2006.

Regards, Mark

Even More On Council Approval Process!

In order to have our Oxton-Oriole stop sign re-installed Committees of Council approval is required. The Committees of Council discuss city issues before passing them on to the full Council for debate and final approval. During committee meetings, the opinions and concerns of citizens, business owners and other community groups are brought forward.

Our safety concerns will be presented to our local Community Council (one of three types of Committes of Council) called the Toronto & East York Council. Generally, Community Council responsibilities "include making recommendations to City Council on local planning and development matters, as well as neighbourhood matters including traffic plans, parking regulations and exemptions to certain City bylaws (i.e., sign, fence, ravine and tree bylaws)."

Hope this helps, Mark

What Happens To The Petition Document?

Now that I have met with Councillor Walker team for the second time, some of you may be wondering what will happen to the (original) petition document with all your signitures.

Basically, in the next few days I will be sending Councillor Walker a petition package that will include the original petition documents as well as copies of all your emails posted on the the web site.

Councillor Walker will then include the pedition documentation in his representation to city council in order to get approval for the stop sign proposal.

Regards, Mark

Why It Takes Time To Put Back Signs

City hall has to follow certain steps to re-install or place signs on city streets. Essential it follows a report-council discussion-vote format. For more information see city hall process email.

More on this as it's understood.

Regards, mark

How Do Things Get Done At City Hall?

Your guess is as good as mine! Soon I hope to be able to post an overview of the steps that are required in order for our stop sign and other safety features to be re-installed at the corner of Oxton and Oriole. Mark

Working With Our Councilman Vs Going To The Media

I have been asked form time to time since starting the Oxton-Oriole Safety Petition "why don't you just go to the media, "the city won't do anything until forced."

Hopefully, this isn't true. My preference is to work with the Councillor Walker and Transportation Services until such time as they prove unwilling or unable to do anything substantive towards enhancing pedestrian safety at Oxton-Oriole. I feel that once the the issue has been brought to their attention, it is only fair that they should be given a chance to resolve the situation.

Personally, I would like to promote the win-win success story of going to the city, having being listen too by the councilman and satisfactory change occurring as a result. We have made progress thus far by going to Councillor Walker so we should continue this approach.

However, please do not feel that just because I have been meeting and talking with the city that you cannot or should not write to Councillor Michael Walker (please cc orioleatoxton@hotmail.com) and make your Oxton-Oriole safety concerns known to him (see how you can help). Write to him today...!

Regards, Mark

Progress Made On Pedestrian Safety...!

The outcome of September 13th, meeting with Councillor Michael Walker and Transportation Services is as follows:

Transportation Services will undertake the following:

• Installation of a Stop Sign for Eastbound/Southbound traffic at Oxton-Oriole, including painted demarcation lines for pedestrians (this would result in removal of "Pedestrian Wait For The Gap Signs."
  
  
• Reduce the speed limit on from 50km/h to 40km/h on Avenue Road, south of Chaplin Crescent as well as Oxton Avenue.
  
  
• Installation of "Quiet Residential Neighbourhood" signs on Oxton Avenue asap.
  
  
• Completion of Transportation Services report on 14 new items and suggestions addressing the pedestrian safety concerns at Oxton-Oriole

Installation is on a 6-month trial period during which city will investigate sign effectiveness, traffic flow impacts and more importantly whether or not pedestrian safety has been improved.

In April Councillor Walker will want to hear from you (remember this is a trial)! Are the changes enough, not enough, or can more be done. More on this as the installation date draws nearer.

Thank you to Councillor Michael Walker, Constituency Assistant Pierre D'Aoust, and Steven Benjamin of Transportation services for listening and acting upon our concerns. I look forward to working with each of these gentleman in the continuing effort to improve pedestrian safety at the corner of Oxton-Oriole.

Of course, the biggest thanks goes to you (pat your self on the back here) as the improvements are a direct result of your participation in the Oxton-Oriole Safety Petition. Proof you (we) can make a difference.

Please Email me with your feedback on petition results.

Regards, Mark