The Toronto and Canadian police community are mourning the loss of Constable Henry Snedden who was shot dead by a deranged man in Etobicoke 43 years ago today.

Snedden and his partner, Donald Chadbold, responded on September 15, 1978 to what they thought was a domestic dispute on Mooreshead Drive, near the Etobicoke Civic Centre, in the Renforth Drive and Burnhamthorpe Road area.

“Upon arriving at the disturbance, the officers found two groups of people standing outside 16 and 18 Mooreshead,” according to police records. The officers separated.

Suddenly a man, Arthur Hayden Packwood, began struggling with Constable Snedden, according to documents.

Chadbolt rushed to his partner’s aid. Momentarily the two officers appeared to have the situation under control, police said.

“They didn’t realize Packwood had managed to get Snedden’s service revolver out of his holster,” according to police. “Shots rang out. Constable Snedden was dead before reaching Queensway General Hospital.”

“Snedden’s partner cradled him, trying to keep the veteran alive,” records show. It was too late.

The young officer was shot twice in the chest by Packwood, 27, on the front steps of the home with his own gun.

He had been on the force for just over two years.

Packwood, who had a mental illness and believed he was acting in self-defence, was eventually found not guilty of murder, due to insanity.

Another officer suffered serious injuries when he crashed his motorcycle rushing to the scene to help his ailing brothers.

His death, along with other officers who pass, are marked yearly by their colleagues.

 

One of the questions being asked by residents these days concerns a large paved lot recently completed at 170 Birmingham Street in New Toronto.

It is not a new company moving into the community, but a parking lot for Humber College students.

Students will be paying more than $200 to park there for a semester. From the lot they will be shuttled to the college. There are about 344 parking spots, according to information from Humber College.

The additional students are expected as the college transforms its Lakeshore Campus ‘into a destination for arts and culture through the development of the Humber Cultural Hub.’

The Hub will include music and performing arts venues, including a 500-seat performance hall, a 130-seat recital hall and an amphitheatre.

It “will create an exciting new destination for arts and entertainment in west Toronto,’ according to college officials. It provides “much-needed capacity to meet the growing demand for skilled talent and delivering important benefits to culturally underserviced local communities.”

The Hub is expected to attract businesses, create jobs, enrich the economy and cultivate new audiences for the arts, according to a college website.

The building will create residence space for 300 students, new retail spaces, a cafeteria and community athletic spaces, including a practice gymnasium, which will contribute to a more vibrant campus life.

There will also be a new campus entrance, courtyard and shared spaces to provide new opportunities for students, partners and community members to connect.

“The new facility will provide an educational environment that is second to none and will welcome the public to enjoy and participate in a wide variety of artistic, cultural and heritage experiences,” college officials promise.

Also planned is an Indigenous classroom that is near the outdoors and designed with natural lighting, rounded corners and culturally appropriate furnishings, along with Indigenous cultural markers and artwork throughout the Cultural Hub.

The college said their student population has more than doubled in the last 10 years and they have outgrown its existing facilities.

The first phase will include the construction of a 250,200 sq. ft. building featuring a 130-seat recital hall used primarily for academic purposes and specialty teaching spaces for arts and cultural programs.

It is expected to be complete by May 2025.

There is a lot going on in the area as summer wraps up and residents look for other activities to keep them busy; like an upcoming Humber Bay Shores cleanup, LAMP Annual General Meeting, no-appointment vaccinations at Cloverdale Mall and not forgetting to cast your ballot in the federal elections on September 20.

 

Police are warning those who are hearing impaired of a new scam to defraud them of their hard-earned money.

Peel Regional Police say their Communications officers have received four calls on the force’s hearing impaired phone line from citizens who received a call asking for $1,000.

“This isn’t a legitimate call,” Peel police said in a statement. “Don’t pay them.”

If you have information or are seeking help call Peel Police’s TDD number at 905-451-1196.

 

A Mimico man who was stabbed on Saturday is recovering from his wounds, police say.

The victim was stabbed on September 11 in the Royal York Road and MacDonald Street area around 8:30 a.m.

Police said the suspects fled in a dark vehicle, possibly an SUV or van. There are no description of the suspects at this time.

An area resident said the victim is believed to be a store owner who was defending himself in what was a possible robbery.

This is the second stabbing to occur in the area in the last month.

There was a stabbing inside a Walmart store on July 15 that left a man seriously wounded.

Police say a man in his 60s was stabbed in the back near North Queen Street and The Queensway.

He was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

There has been no arrests.

 

 

By DAVE KOSONIC

It was a jet-setting hotel that provided upscale accommodations and hospitality for high-flyers on the Airport Strip for four decades, but now all that is left of the former Constellation Hotel site is fond memories and a deserted parking lot.

Located at the north-east corner of Carlingview Drive and Dixon Road, the Constellation was often referred to simply as the Connie. It opened in 1962 and after about 40 dynamic years it forever shut its doors in 2004.

In its glory days, the popular hotel hosted a slew of prominent guests, including two former Canadian Prime Ministers: Lester B. Pearson, Pierre Elliott Trudeau and many celebrities.

Part of the Constellation’s success occurred because nearby Malton Airport was being expanded into Pearson International Airport to cash in on the introduction of jet travel. Many travellers wanted accommodations close to downtown and area as provided by the Constellation. The only competitor was the smaller Skyline Hotel, on Dixon Road, that exists today under a new name.

The Constellation has many interesting stories. For quite some time an out-of-service Lockheed Super Constellation propeller-driven airliner was displayed in front of the hotel. This aircraft had previously been owned and operated by Trans-Canada Airlines, which is now Air Canada.

The late Captain Bill Elliott fondly recalled piloting the aircraft on display for Trans-Canada. He said it was quite challenging to fly because it had no auto pilot system or computerized cockpit instruments. Tours through this aircraft including a look into the flight deck were conducted by a guide attired like a stewardess as female flight attendants were called then.

The Constellation was more than ‘just a hotel.’ It offered many extra features. There was a large lobby that provided shopping from souvenirs to stylish womens’ clothing. The Constellation School of Hospitality was based there. Students gained hands-on experience on-site while doing their ‘internships’ ranging from basic housekeeping to working at the hotel’s front desk. There was also a very large indoor pool provided for guests with a unique circular design.

The Banyan Tree Bar and eatery was located in the main lobby. A well-dressed gentleman known as Charles greeted guests as they entered this place for decades and his kind and polite presence was legendary at the Constellation.

The enclosed rooftop Magic Carpet Lounge was rumored to be a haven for couples, who shall we say were engaged in ‘affairs.’ There was a small and discreet private elevator tucked away in a corner that exclusively serviced the Magic Carpet far away from the main lobby where people could come and go quietly, basically unnoticed.

There was an on-site bank, car rental business, gift shop and also barbering and hair styling facilities for women and men, all new in a hotel at the time. There were also extensive facilities for conventions and trade shows that helped fill the rooms.

The hotel was re-named the Regal Constellation Hotel but its demise and demolition followed over the next few years. Business declined sharply partly due to the many more hotels that sprang up along the Airport Strip and the SARS epidemic that wreaked havoc.

A Hong Kong based hotel investment group purchased the Regal Constellation but the business rejuvenation and restoration plans fell through. Then some high-profile hotel investors from Arizona purchased the hotel but gave up when their business plan failed.

Starting in 2007 the hotel’s 15-floor towers and a six-story atrium were being demolished. The building was fully torn down by January 2012 and is a parking lot.

It is now owned by another company as it awaits sale.

A growing number of New Toronto residents are outraged that a Toronto Police officer will not face charges in a wrong-way crash last May 13 that left two motorcyclists with serious leg and head injuries.

A report released on September 9 by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) Director Joseph Martino admitted the officer travelled up a one-way street and collided with a motorcycle at Birmingham Street and Sixth Street just before 8 p.m.

Martino said the officer “failed in his duty of care to other motorists and was directly responsible for the collision that seriously injured two people.”

Martino was “not reasonably satisfied that the officer’s failures were of a magnitude warranting criminal sanction,” according to his report. “There was no indication of any excessive speed on the part of the officer as he travelled toward Birmingham Street nor of any other dangerous driving behaviour.”

The motorcycle riders were rushed to St Joseph’s Health Centre. The 49-year-old driver suffered multiple fractures and serious injuries to his internal organs. The female passenger, 30, was diagnosed with several fractures and a head injury.

The SIU said the officer, who has not been identified, was “operating his vehicle without an appropriate degree of attention to his surroundings” and was in part “distracted by having turned his attention toward his cruiser computer for reports of calls for service that might be coming in via dispatch.”

There was no discipline cited for travelling up a one-way street.

“There were clearly posted Do Not Enter signs in the northeast and northwest corners of the intersection with “DO NOT ENTER” (police capitals) printed under the northwest sign,” the report noted.

“The police SUV T-boned the motorcycle in the intersection near the middle of the road,” according to the report. “The motorcycle was thrown away and Complainant #1 and Complainant #2 were thrown to the sidewalk.”

“The police cruiser collided with the right side of the motorcycle and the sound of the impact could be heard,” according to the SIU report. “Complainant #1 was seen rolling over the top of the hood of the police cruiser and smashing into the windshield. He was then thrown onto the street.”

The police officer ‘ran to the side of Complainant #1 and Complainant #2, crouching down and speaking to them, letting them know everything would be fine and an ambulance was on the way.’

The driver of the police SUV was not injured in the crash.

News of a lack of charges against the officer by the SIU quickly circulated through the community with many residents taking to social media to call for charges to the officer involved.

“If I did it I’d be criminally charged,” wrote Bonnie Chapman.

“The crash happened in front of my building,” insisted Tina Murie. “The police car was going the wrong way and seriously hurt two people. The police officer should be charged.”

“Just disgusting,” wrote “Brenda Jaworsky.

“So he’s above the law. Was just casually cruising around , wrong way up the street, not even responding to a call,” noted Harg Core. “I can’t even put my thoughts into words without anger.”

The SIU is called in to investigate police when death, serious injury, sexual assault and, or the discharge of a firearm occurs against a member of the public.

The Director’s Report can be found here:  https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_report_details.php?drid=1543

 

 

More than 600 Humber Bay Shores area residents have signed a petition calling for a classically-trained violinist to return to playing beautiful music on the grounds after he was banned and charged with trespassing.

Kristian Gusho, who is described as ‘Albania’s leading violinist,’ has been banned from a Humber Bay park for a year and charged with trespassing, according to residents on social media.

Hundreds of residents who enjoyed Gusho’s music from their balconies or on the ground, have left irate posts online or have written to Councillor Mark Grimes calling for the violinist to be allowed to return and resume his concerts, which were appreciated and well attended.

A petition being circulated online to Humber Bay and city officials to have Gusho return to playing on the grounds has been signed by more than 635 residents so far.

“Last Saturday I listened to music being played on the lawn outside the farmers market – people had gathered on the grass, respectfully distancing to listen to the gentleman playing,” wrote Joanne Sigglekow. “It was really quite beautiful to see people enjoying music in the park.”

Gusho wrote that he was told he was violating the law because Humber Bay is a park and he requires a permit.

“I am using amplifier that officially is not allowed but there is no musician in Toronto that doesn’t use an amplifier due to street, car, motorcycle, boat and airplane noise,” the violinist replied.

He said if buskers are banned there would no stars as Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendez and other celebrities.

Resident Gaby Saad wrote that she was with Gusho when he received a call from a by-law officer responding to a complaint from the Office of Councillor Grimes.

“Buskers in general aren’t allowed to use “amplification,” though everyone does it,” Saad said.

“I really enjoy these buskers in our community so I’m hoping that something can be done to satisfy everyone,” said Robin Clay. “If we start enforcing noise, it could affect other venues such as the Humber Bay Shores Waterfront Festival.”

Chelsea Marchese wrote “people complained because they’re scared they might catch COVID-19 while sitting in their apartment with binoculars.”

“Maybe the violinist can provide his vaccination card,” Ryan Joseph piped in.

Peggy Miyashiro Vieira called it a ‘crazy’ decision to ban a violinist from the property.

“I have never seen a more successful street musician than him anywhere I have visited,” Vieira noted. “He entertained, motivated many to dance.”

Daniela Veljkovic wrote “Grimes got rid of music faster than the fireworks. “

“We enjoyed him from our 17th floor apartment at Newport Beach,” cited David Chapman. “Beats the cars. Can’t believe some dolts would complain.”

Gusho’s biography states that he is a virtuosic classical player and winner of the Andrea Postacchini Violin Prize, the Remember Enescu Competition and is a passionate ambassador of Albanian folk music. He has played with renowned Albanian songstress Juliana Pasha, folk idol Sidrit Bejleri and recorded a duo with his wife, Eriola.

“He produces cutting-edge original music for his own albums and for other artists around the world,’ according to his bio.

Gusho is urging disappointed music lovers to complain by email to Grimes’ office.

The petition can be accessed at change.org

 

A man with a green grocery bag is on the run for allegedly assaulting a TTC driver after being asked to leave a bus that was no longer in service in the Brown’s Line and Lake Shore Blvd. W. area.

Officers from 22 Division are seeking the public’s help in identifying the violent suspect who severely assaulted the driver.

Police said the incident occurred on September 3 at about 10 a.m. as a TTC employee was performing a check on a bus that was out of service in Long Branch.

“An unknown man was on board the bus and was asked to leave the bus as it was no longer in operation,” Const. Caroline de Kloet said in a statement. “The man assaulted the TTC employee several times before leaving the area.”

The suspect took off and is described as in his mid-30s, medium build, bald, closely shaved beard, wearing dark glasses, dark hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans, grey or white T-shirt and was carrying a green grocery bag.

The driver required medical attention.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2204, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes or Google Play.

 

A plan to add more health care in the community is in the works.

A proposal by Trillium Health Partners Queensway Hospital for a new nine storey hospital building with 416 beds on the north side of the property is being considered on September 10 by Etobicoke York Community Council.

The application proposes a new central utility plant and an eight storey above grade parking structure with 838 parking spaces at the south end of the site, which includes 140, 150, 160, 170, 190 and 220 Sherway Drive, at The Queensway, according to documents filed.

Trillium health officials are seeking to amend City-wide Zoning By-law 569-2013 so the development can proceed on the property.

An extension to the popular hospital, which serves much of South Etobicoke, has been long awaited in the community as the population ages and due to the high demand for health services from COVID-19.

The proposal from here will go before City Council on October 1, subject to the actions of the Etobicoke York Community Council.

The plan includes 47,500 square metres of new floor area for the new hospital, 2,500 square metres of new floor area for the new central utility plant and 26,500 square metres of floor area for the parking structure, according to Trillium officials.

“The ninth floor of the new hospital would be limited to 335 square metres to be used for an indoor amenity area connecting to an outdoor amenity area on the roof of the 8th storey,” according to documents filed to the city.

The plan states: “This is the first phase of redevelopment on the Trillium Health Partners Queensway Hospital site and includes protecting for a public street to be conveyed in future phases of the redevelopment of the site.”

Residents applauded the new beds being added saying they are getting older and that COVID-19 has placed increased demands on Ontario’s health care system.

The proposed development, according to the plan, is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and conforms with A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The proposal conforms with the Official Plan and Sherway Area Secondary Plan policies and is generally consistent with the City’s guidelines.