The South Etobicoke News

Serving Humber * Mimico * Lakeshore Village * Long Branch * Alderwood

Chief Ramer marks priorities for force in annual Police Week from May 9 to 15

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THE ANNUAL Police Week runs from May 9 to 15 and is a time to honour police and their hard work.

Chief Ramer has priorities for Police Week.

 

Toronto Police Chief James Ramer says the force is focusing on expanding its neighbourhood officer program and enhancing their response to mental health calls.

Ramer said officers are working with a Police and Community Engagement Review Committee (or PACER 2.0), to help identify and ‘address the needs of our community and how best to serve them.”

The Chief made the remarks as his, and other forces nationwide, mark Police Week, an annual celebration that runs from May 9 to 15 and highlights the important work that police do to serve and protect the public.

“Police Week is an ideal time for me to express my gratitude to the front-line police officers, 9-1-1 communicators, civilian staff, and all members of the Toronto Police Service who keep our citizens safe and healthy,” Ramer noted.
“With the continuation of the pandemic, we will once again be observing Police Week virtually, while recognizing that the ongoing challenges associated with COVID-19 mean that police, health care professionals and other first responders are playing a critical role in protecting our communities,” the Chief said.

“Police Week is an ideal time for me to express my gratitude to the front-line police officers, 9-1-1 communicators, civilian staff, and all members of the Toronto Police Service who keep our citizens safe and healthy,” he acknowledged.
“To our members, and members from police services across Canada, thank you again for the courage and compassion you show while keeping our neighbourhoods safe; and for the tireless work you do to establish critical relationships with our valued community partners.”

“We are focusing on the issues that mean the most to our communities, such as expanding our Neighbourhood Officer Program, enhancing our response to mental health calls, and working to help identify and address the needs of our communities and how best to serve them.”

LAMP Community Health Centre is seeking members of board of directors.

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MEMBERS are being sought to join LAMP’s Board of Directors.

The LAMP CHC is looking for dynamic and committed individuals, who are interested in helping to shape the future of our work by joining our Board of Directors.

In a governance capacity, the Board of Directors is accountable for setting the overall direction and vision of the organization while also ensuring operational effectiveness through the Executive Director.

The current Board of Directors would be complemented by persons with skills in legal, accounting, fundraising, marketing and labour relations who, ideally would be residents of the South Etobicoke catchment area.

While we encourage all interested persons to apply, LAMP is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion and in an effort to better reflect our diverse community, we are appealing particularly to residents with diverse backgrounds, life experiences and those who identify as people of colour, Indigenous and LGBTQ.

Board members can be expected to commit an average of 8-10 hours a month (evenings and occasional weekends), including attendance at board and committee meetings, and providing guidance and support through committee work and other duties, with the expectation of commitment to a two-year term.

If you are interested in applying for a position on LAMP’s Board of Directors please send your cover letter and resume to brendak@lampchc.org.

Please include insights on what you find most compelling about the work that LAMP does in the community and why.

The deadline for applications is Friday June 11, 2021 at 11:59 pm EST. Please note that interviews for this position will be conducted in an online format.

The successful candidate will be expected to attend LAMP’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) September 16, 2021. If you are not selected as a candidate for LAMP’s board, we hope that we can find other opportunities for us to work together in support of a healthy community for all.

To learn more about LAMP you can visit our website at www.lampchc.org.

 

Fate of 160-year-old Long Branch maple tree to be decided by board this month

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The fate of this 160-year-old tree will be decided by an appeal board this month.

The fate of a 160-year-old Black Barn Maple tree in Long Branch is being decided by an appeal board whose members are expected to make a ruling this month.

“The hearing to save this tree … is winding up with a decision expected in mid to late May,” according to a release from the Save the Black Barn Maple Committee.

The decision will be made by a Toronto Local Appeal Board (TLAB).

The committee said the City’s General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation has the power to refuse to issue a permit for the injury or destruction of trees.

“This does not only restrict protection to only official Heritage Trees but whether or not a tree is a heritage or should be protected as a potential heritage tree, according to the committee.

“Trees are healthy. Significant vistas will not be adequately protected and preserved,” the group wrote, adding they have provided the city with documentation from a professional arborist and Forest Ontario Heritage tree program advisor.

Councillor Mark Grimes in a letter last month said ‘rumours’ that City Council can act to save the tree are both ‘false and misleading, there is no vote on this matter.’

“There is no settlement,” Grimes wrote. “The city is taking no position on the file since the city has no legal case to call. Urban forestry is no longer opposed.”

Grimes said the filing of a document to TLAB that the tree has been designated Heritage is not accurate and that has been confirmed by Forestry Ontario.

A community drive to save the iconic tree has caught on with residents, with many taking to social media to express their views.

“This tree is far too important to be cut down,” warns Diana. “It is part of our heritage and it puts smiles on people’s faces and a playground and sanctuary to our dwindling wildlife.”

“This is indeed a magnificent and rare tree,” writes Rasa. “It would be a crime to remove it.”

“I am backing my neighbours and residents in protesting the allowance of a heritage tree to be destroyed,” warns Chris Caldwell.

An application has been made by a builder to remove the tree to build a home on the lot.

The Black Barn Maple at the rear of 95 James Street has witnessed the many trials and tribulations that only a local old growth tree could. When it was a natural sapling in the 1860’s, James and Martha Eastwood purchased 500 acres of the Samuel Smith Tract, running south of Lake Shore King’s Highway from Etobicoke Creek to about Thirty First Street.

Good Samaritan Dino takes his delicious pizza to help feed those living in a shelter

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DINO MAKING one of his finest pies to help the needy or those living in hunger.

DINO (left) with volunteers on their way to feed the needy in a Toronto Shelter. Photo by Tom Godfrey.

 

Good Samaritan Dino Aria has been feeding the less fortunate in the community with his delicious wood burned pizza for many years.

Aria, the owner of Dino’s Wood Burning Pizza, and some of his team on May 8, continued with their good deeds by feeding members of a shelter with 100 slices of his homemade pies.

“We are taking these to help feed people in a shelter in the downtown area,” he says from his 820 The Queensway location. “All the slices are individually wrapped for public health reasons.”

He also has another restaurant at 871 Kipling Ave.

Liberal MP James Maloney stopped by the restaurant that day to pick up a pizza and show his support for Aria and his drive to help those in need in the community.

The slices were taken in a convoy of vehicles to the shelter, where it is distributed to those who are hungry and in need.

The colourful pizza maker has previously donated free pies to frontline emergency workers involved in the fight against COVID-19.

He is proud of the charity work he and his employees have conducted before and during the pandemic, such as donating hundreds of slices to frontline workers, those experiencing homelessness, poverty or in dire need.

His wood-burning pizza has been a staple in the city for more than 20 years.

“We have to live with our community and support our community and we expect that our community will help us,” Aria says. “Everything is mutual.”

You can contact Dino’s Wood Burning Pizza for a bite at 416-259-0050.

 

FOOD ALERT – OBQ burgers still packing them in Alderwood’s longest serving hamburger venue

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Kristen (left) and Juliana love their jobs at OBQ, Alderwood’s longest-serving burger place. Photo by Tom Godfrey.

The Organic Big Burger before it became OBQ about 10 years ago.

One of Alderwood’s longest serving burger joints is still packing them in after more than 50 years of grilling thousands of orders for hamburgers, cheeseburgers and fries.

OBQ, or Obsessed by Quality, has been serving the community since 2011, in a strip plaza at 602 Brown’s Line, just south of Evans Ave.

“It is one of the longest serving hamburger places in the community,” says George Tsiambouris, the owner of OBQ. “This has always been a burger place as far back as I know.”

The property was previously owned by a family who owned and operated Big Burger for 40 years, according to Tsiambouris.
“People still come in and tell us they had a hamburger here on such a date,” he says. “There is a long history here.”

Tsiambouris says OBQ burgers are freshly ground and spiced with a secret recipe before it goes on the grill.

“We sear the burger on the flat grill so all the delicious juices stay in,” he explains. “We then transfer them to the charbroiler to get that exquisite charred flavour.”

The burgers, and we have been coming here for years, are always great.

“We cook and top your burger to your liking with your favourite original toppings,” he insists.

They use only 100% Canadian Angus beef and gluten and egg free products.

The prime location came up when he was searching for a spot to open and the rest is history.

“We love the area because it is very family oriented and we get a lot of families as customers,” he says.

The love of burgers run down to the staff, with customer servers Julian and Kristen both agreeing they love the job and people.

“We love working here,” Kristen says. “The people are open to new ideas.”

You can place an order at OBQ by calling 416-253-0835.

It is affordable and the food, as there is much more than burgers, is pretty good.

 

 

 

It’s almost summer as Humber Bay Shores Farmers Market returns

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THE FARMERS Market starts on May 29 and runs until October 9.

 

A certain sign of summer returns to South Etobicoke.

The launch of the annual Humber Bay Shores Farmers Market begins on May 29 and will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday until October 9.

Shoppers are encouraged to stop by Humber Bay Park West with the family and stock up on some new items and old favorites.

There will be more than 30 vendors featuring delights and there is something for every palate.

The Market goes rain or shine. You will find something that you like.

Those attending the Farmers Market must have no symptoms, have not travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days, and have not come into close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19. All visitors are required to wear masks and practice social distancing.

 

 

More than 1,100 people sign police online petition for CCT cameras in Garnett Janes area

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AN ONLINE petition has been launched to install CCT cameras in the Garnett Janes area. Police photo.

POLICE say residents are living in fear and cameras will help with their safety.

 

More than 1,100 people have signed an online petition calling for closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to be installed in the Garnett Janes neighbourhood to help deter and solve crime.

The petition for cameras was initiated by Toronto Police last month in a social media posting.

Police said in the post that they “actively engage with the community on an ongoing basis, however the violence continues.”

It was only last week that officers were called to investigate a drive by shooting in the Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Brown’s Line area, in which a victim was driving a vehicle when four shots were fired by gunmen in another car, which sped off.

The victim was hospitalized for gunshot wounds as officers escalated a search for two men.

There has been at least six shootings in the Garnett Janes area in the last month.

“Unfortunately the neighbourhood has also been affected by gang activity for some time,” police wrote in a proposal for cameras. “These gang members hang out in the buildings, on the streets, and in Lakeshore Village Park as well as Eighth Street Skate Park.”

“Street drug dealing is not an uncommon occurrence,” officers said. “’This gang activity leads to violence in the neighbourhood. “

Police said the Garnett Janes neighbourhood has seen a ‘disproportionately amount of violent crimes occurring within its’ borders as compared to other neighbourhoods in south Etobicoke.’

They cite two recent shootings that occurred in the middle of the day only steps from neighbourhood parks.

The cameras are proposed for the corners of Garnett Janes Rd., and Ninth St., Coin St. and Tenth Street, Etta Wylie Rd. and Garnett Janes Rd., and the corner of Ninth St., and Lake Shore Blvd. W.

The Garnett Janes neighbourhood is a shining example of why Toronto is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, according to police. The residents are hard-working and family oriented but are being exploited by gangs.

The area is bounded by Birmingham St. on the north, Lake Shore Blvd. W. on the south, Thirteenth and Twelfth Streets on the west and Eighth Street on the east.

Police said images captured by CCTV will be automatically over-written within 72 hours, unless required for use as evidence in a case.

Many residents of the community seem to be in favour of the cameras.

“In addition the new cameras I feel it is time to reopen the police division on Lake Shore Blvd. W., which was at one time deemed unnecessary,” wrote Lynn.

Del said “I want to see and hear that all our neighbourhoods are safe.”

“I live in the neighbourhood and want to keep our community safe,” said Valerie.

“Protecting the community is of the utmost importance,” wrote Darlene. “We need to get rid of the gangs that are terrorizing the people.”

The petition can be found at change.org

 

Man fighting for his life after being stabbed at Royal York station

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SEARCH is underway for suspect who stabbed man at Royal York subway. Courtesy CITY-TV.

CALL police if you see this man

Security camera images are playing a large role in a hunt for a suspect who is accused of the brutal stabbing another man on a platform at the Royal York station.

The incident occurred on May 4 around 3:50 p.m. after police from 22 Division were called to investigate a stabbing at the subway station.

Police said in a release that two men had boarded the subway train at Islington Station.

“The men had a verbal altercation and one of the men stabbed the other on the subway train,” detectives alleged. “The suspect got off the train at Royal York subway station and fled the area.”

Officers alleged the victim was suffering “from several stab wounds,’ when found at the Royal York station.

“The victim as transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries,” according to police.

The suspect is described as wearing a grey hooded sweater, blue face mask and grey pants.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2200, 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.

Man arrested for month long Asian spitting terror campaign on the TTC subway

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Toronto Police undercover officers have slapped the cuffs on a suspect who was on the run for a month for allegedly spitting on Asian female riders on the TTC subway system.

POLICE SAY suspect was involved in hate crime targeting Asians.

The suspect was arrested on May 5 and is before the courts on criminal charges.

Police in an April 16 news release said the suspect was sought for a number of hate-motivated assaults on the subway system.

It is alleged that these incidents happened between April 9 and April 11 at three different subway stations, according to police.

They were called on April 9 around 8:47 a.m. to Christie Subway station where a man “assaulted a person by spitting on them on the eastbound platform.” He quickly fled.

Officers were called again on April 11 at 11:12 a.m. to the Lansdowne Station where a man “assaulted a woman by spitting on her.”

“The man yelled racial slurs at the woman and threatened a bystander who attempted to intervene,” officers from 11 Division said.

The suspect fled on an eastbound train.

About an hour later, police responded to Wellesley Station, where another woman was spat on by a man.

The suspect fled the scene. Police believe the same man is alleged to be responsible for the assaults.

Officers from 11 Division after consultation with the Service’s Specialized Hate Crime Unit determined  the offences were suspected Hate Crimes.
Joseph O’Sullivan Martinez, 25, of Toronto, was charged with two counts of cause disturbance, four counts of assault, 10 counts of fail to comply probation and five counts of breach of recognizance.

He is before the courts.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1100, 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.

Tom Godfrey is out In The Community at Large

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THE STORE that Tina and Italo and their family owned on Royal York Road for 62 years.

FAMILY PATRIARCH Italo Vigiliante came to Canada as a young man and married Tina in a great love story.

 

This a thank you to long-time Mimico merchants Tina and Italo Vigiliante, the owners of Tina’s Department Store, on 364 Royal York Road.

Family patriarch Vigiliante passed away earlier this year and the store Is slated to close. Such sad news.

Many customers for decades have shopped in Tina’s store. Loyal customers, as my mother, who would later become friends of the couple and received a peek at some of the many newcomer families the haberdashers helped to succeed on their arrival in Canada.

One of those immigrant families was ours. It must be more than five decades now, when we resettled in Canada from Trinidad and Tobago.

The couple never forgot the feeling of being alone and new themselves in a foreign country. And it is with such values that they lived their lives, traits which they passed on to their children.

My mother would recall that back then she was a young bank worker, who had arrived here with husband, Neville. They had left five children in Trinidad, as they worked at one or two jobs to earn enough funds to sponsor us here.

“They are great people,” my mother said of the Tina and Italo. “They were nice, genuine people who helped many families when they first arrived here.”

It was Tina’s Department Store to whom many newcomers, stunned by autumn’s falling temperatures, leaves and snow, would visit during their first days in Canada to obtain winter clothing, like boots, gloves and toques.

My mother, today in her 80s, will never forget being given clothing for five children on credit, which she dutifully repaid to Tina $100 each payday on her bank worker’s salary until the debt was paid off.

Simple and easy, it was the way business was conducted generations ago in South Etobicoke.

I only recently found out that our first winter gear in Canada was fronted to my mother by Tina, who took a chance on another arriving and thankful family.

“I went looking for her over the years,” my mom says. “I could never catch up with them.”

Even though the two live in different parts of Mississauga, they were never able to re-connect, only in memory and good thoughts.

This all came back recently on learning on the death of Italo Vigiliante, who could only receive a COVID-19 send off with less than a dozen mourners present.

My mother was shocked to learn of his passing at the age of 87.

“He was a really nice man,” according to my mother. “He and Tina kept that place running for many years.”

Their lives was a true love story. Vigilianti met his sweetheart, Giustina Viola, in April 1955, a month after arriving In Canada by ship from his hometown of Terracina, Italy.

The couple married and settled in Mimico to raise a family. Italo worked for Tip Top Tailor and Chubb Canada, before they opened their business in December 1958.

The store, which was named after Tina, has been a mainstay on the Royal York strip, from Judson to Evans Ave., for more than 62 years.

It is a sad loss for the community.

Tom Godfrey is the Publisher of The South Etobicoke News. He was a reporter at the Toronto Sun for many years before deciding to use his skills to work in community journalism.