Despite all the doom and gloom in the media about city services these days, we continue to build a strong community in Ward 10. My team has been working at a feverish pace to make sure that the programs we cherish are strengthened and that new resources are added.

In looking back over our first year in office, we certainly have made progress. In order to protect pedestrians and children from the increasing traffic density in our neighbourhoods, we have implemented various traffic calming strategies including stop signs and speed reductions. We are now working with streets that have requested speed bumps.

For park users, we have opened two off-leash dog zones. One is located in Earl Bales Park and the other in G. Lord Ross. These beautiful spaces ensure that pet owners have a place to let their dogs run free and other park users are respected. In addition, we have opened two new water parks, planted hundreds of trees and have moved forward with repairs and construction. We are off to a great start.

Our roads and sidewalks need constant repair. That is why we have spent an enormous amount of time and energy fixing curbs, repairing sidewalks and filling pot holes. We are also moving forward with various proposals for the installation of new sidewalks and advanced street furniture, notably new benches, waste bins and bus shelters.

Seniors in Ward 10 will continue to get the supports we need. We will continue to encourage the provincial government to fund health care as required. And I will never support cuts to Wheel Trans or the Hardship Fund. In addition, I will ensure that snow removal remains at a high level as no families should be stuck in their homes during the winter. Our new community centre and hub which is scheduled to open in Summer 2012 will provide supports for thousands of seniors and I will continue to advocate for our community bus and more affordable housing opportunities.

We have also been working hard to help local businesses. Our office hosted an event with Enterprise Toronto that brought business owners together for a night of valuable information. We also hosted an event called “Selling products and Services to the City of Toronto.” This was a great success as no business should be left out of our procurement process. And we continue our work to revitalize Wilson Avenue by working to create a Business Improvement Area.

Ward 10 is deeply underserved by Toronto Public Library. However, the Centennial Library will not be facing any service reductions under the current budget plan. In fact, I am working with various parties to advocate for a major capital expansion of the library. We’ll keep you posted.

I continue to visit our local schools and work with them to improve their playgrounds and green space. It is vital that we also become community partners in safety, health and the arts.

Running Toronto is no easy task. We have 2.6 million people living in a chunk of geography that is 600 square kilometres. But I can assure you that I will always fight for the services that the residents of Ward 10 cherish and make sure that taxes and fees are contained and your money is spent responsibly.