On November 13, Torontonians will be heading to the polls to vote for their ward's councillor and for mayor. Among Toronto's ridings is St. Paul ’ s West (Ward 21). One candidate responded to Wikinews' requests for an interview. This ward's candidates include John Adams, Tony Corpuz, Joe Mihevc (incumbent), and John Sewell. Joe Mihevc (incumbent) 54-year-old Joe Mihevc is the incumbent for Ward 21, St. Paul ’ s West, Toronto, Canada. Q: Why have you chosen to involve yourself in the political process? A: Great communities, like great cities, are built from shared dreams that address shared needs. I have been a Councillor for the last 15 years, and I am proud to have helped guide the growth and improvement of our community. In the last few years, we have seen the neighbourhoods in St. Paul ’ s West increase in recognition, reputation and property value. This has not occurred by chance. I have worked hard to build successful, creative and vibrant relationships amongst local, corporate and government stakeholders in order to stimulate local renewal and make it happen! We are on the cusp of a renaissance on St. Clair that will reap tremendous rewards for small business and residents. Millions of dollars of City investment in street and transit improvements; support for local Business Improvement Areas; the Wychwood Barns Park; the upgrading of our play parks, the Cedarvale Ravine and the Kay Gardner Beltline Park; all this work is making Ward 21 a wonderful place to live and raise families. I have a vision of community and City growth - one that is sustainable, civil and inclusive. I enjoy working with people who have a passion for this community and City. This is why I am involved in the political process. Q: Why do you want to represent this particular ward on council? A: The creativity, passion and positive community spirit of residents and businesses in Ward 21, St. Paul ’ s West, continues to inspire me. It has made my work as city Councillor, a real pleasure. Together, we are transforming our neighbourhood and our City into one that works - because we are addressing our shared needs, hopes and aspirations, in a fair and equitable manner. Q: How are you currently involved in the community? A: My recent involvements include: Salsa on St. Clair, a street festival to showcase both Hillcrest Village businesses & Latin culture; Melitaville Festival to support community engagement in Davenport-Shaw neighbourhood St. Clair Art Walk to showcase local artists with Wychwood Heights businesses transformation of the TTC Wychwood Car Barns into a Park to provide valuable green space, recreation, live/work :* space for artists, and community space protected banks of Cedarvale Ravine which led to a City-wide ravine protection by-law annual Spring Clean-up Days in Cedarvale and Nordheimer Ravines, and Kay Gardner Beltline Park support for the West Toronto Initiative for Solar Energy (WISE) to purchase solar systems for the roofs of interested community members, reduce household-produced emissions and contribute to sustainable energy. a home for the heritage Tollkeepers Cottage at Bathurst and Davenport; and, restoration of the historic Connaught Gates fought the demolition of rental units at 310/320 Tweedsmuir Ave, which led to new City zoning laws restricting condo conversions of rental housing stock stopped the McDonald ’ s drive-thru on St. Clair which led to City by-law prohibiting drive-thrus near residentially-zoned areas improved playground equipment in Graham Park, Marian Engel Park, Humewood Park, Cawthra Park, and park infrastructure in the Kay Gardner Beltline and Cedarvale Park; Wall murals by local artists to improve neglected lands the merger of Upper Village (Toronto) and Upper Village (York) BIAs Forest Hill Village BIA ’s “Village Vision” began to renew the face of the retail village the Hillcrest Yard employee parking lot in order to reduce on-street parking problems on Davenport and in the Hillcrest and Wychwood Park neighbourhoods new signalized intersections at Burton/Kilbarry and at Ossington/Acores to make crossing safer for students, seniors and all pedestrians extension of the Allen Rd. noise wall, south from Fairleigh Ave. to Eglinton Ave. West renewed streetscape along MacPherson and Bridgman Avenues time-based TTC transfers and 4 additional off-street parking lots on St. Clair, to boost shop local campaign a new accessible elevator at Eglinton West TTC station the Commercial Façade Improvement Program Q: Which council decision (since the 2003 election) do you feel the city/your ward should be most proud of, and which was least desirable? A: Ward 21 was well served by city Council. No adverse decisions were made. Ward 21 was especially well served by Council ’ s decision to invest so much in our area: in so many of our parks and the Cedarvale Ravine; on street and transit improvements.
On November 13, Torontonians will be heading to the polls to vote for their ward's councillor and for mayor. Among Toronto's ridings is St. Paul ' s West (Ward 21). One candidate responded to Wikinews' requests for an interview. This ward's candidates include John Adams, Tony Corpuz, Joe Mihevc (incumbent), and John Sewell. Joe Mihevc (incumbent) 54-year-old Joe Mihevc is the incumbent for Ward 21, St. Paul ' s West, Toronto, Canada. Q: Why have you chosen to involve yourself in the political process? A: Great communities, like great cities, are built from shared dreams that address shared needs. I have been a Councillor for the last 15 years, and I am proud to have helped guide the growth and improvement of our community. In the last few years, we have seen the neighbourhoods in St. Paul ' s West increase in recognition, reputation and property value. This has not occurred by chance. I have worked hard to build successful, creative and vibrant relationships amongst local, corporate and government stakeholders in order to stimulate local renewal and make it happen! We are on the cusp of a renaissance on St. Clair that will reap tremendous rewards for small business and residents. Millions of dollars of City investment in street and transit improvements; support for local Business Improvement Areas; the Wychwood Barns Park; the upgrading of our play parks, the Cedarvale Ravine and the Kay Gardner Beltline Park; all this work is making Ward 21 a wonderful place to live and raise families. I have a vision of community and City growth - one that is sustainable, civil and inclusive. I enjoy working with people who have a passion for this community and City. This is why I am involved in the political process. Q: Why do you want to represent this particular ward on council? A: The creativity, passion and positive community spirit of residents and businesses in Ward 21, St. Paul ' s West, continues to inspire me. It has made my work as city Councillor, a real pleasure. Together, we are transforming our neighbourhood and our City into one that works - because we are addressing our shared needs, hopes and aspirations, in a fair and equitable manner. Q: How are you currently involved in the community? A: My recent involvements include: Salsa on St. Clair, a street festival to showcase both Hillcrest Village businesses & Latin culture; Melitaville Festival to support community engagement in Davenport-Shaw neighbourhood St. Clair Art Walk to showcase local artists with Wychwood Heights businesses transformation of the TTC Wychwood Car Barns into a Park to provide valuable green space, recreation, live/work :* space for artists, and community space protected banks of Cedarvale Ravine which led to a City-wide ravine protection by-law annual Spring Clean-up Days in Cedarvale and Nordheimer Ravines, and Kay Gardner Beltline Park support for the West Toronto Initiative for Solar Energy (WISE) to purchase solar systems for the roofs of interested community members, reduce household-produced emissions and contribute to sustainable energy. a home for the heritage Tollkeepers Cottage at Bathurst and Davenport; and, restoration of the historic Connaught Gates fought the demolition of rental units at 310/320 Tweedsmuir Ave, which led to new City zoning laws restricting condo conversions of rental housing stock stopped the McDonald ' s drive-thru on St. Clair which led to City by-law prohibiting drive-thrus near residentially-zoned areas improved playground equipment in Graham Park, Marian Engel Park, Humewood Park, Cawthra Park, and park infrastructure in the Kay Gardner Beltline and Cedarvale Park; Wall murals by local artists to improve neglected lands the merger of Upper Village (Toronto) and Upper Village (York) BIAs Forest Hill Village BIA 's "Village Vision" began to renew the face of the retail village the Hillcrest Yard employee parking lot in order to reduce on-street parking problems on Davenport and in the Hillcrest and Wychwood Park neighbourhoods new signalized intersections at Burton/Kilbarry and at Ossington/Acores to make crossing safer for students, seniors and all pedestrians extension of the Allen Rd. noise wall, south from Fairleigh Ave. to Eglinton Ave. West renewed streetscape along MacPherson and Bridgman Avenues time-based TTC transfers and 4 additional off-street parking lots on St. Clair, to boost shop local campaign a new accessible elevator at Eglinton West TTC station the Commercial Façade Improvement Program Q: Which council decision (since the 2003 election) do you feel the city/your ward should be most proud of, and which was least desirable? A: Ward 21 was well served by city Council. No adverse decisions were made. Ward 21 was especially well served by Council ' s decision to invest so much in our area: in so many of our parks and the Cedarvale Ravine; on street and transit improvements.
R
’
'
R
’
'
R
’
'
R
’
'
R
’
'
R
’s “Village Vision”
's "Village Vision"
R
’
'