Dear Friends,

I hope that you and your family are enjoying the first signs of Spring! In keeping with my commitment to keep you informed, I am pleased to provide you with this Spring Report 2009, which includes information about what is going on in the neighbourhood and at City Hall.

I am pleased to share with you some of our accomplishments during the past few months. Standing up for local residents and fighting for transparency and accountability can often be a thankless task at City Hall. The blackout, garbage tax, land transfer tax, construction on St. Clair and other issues have also been challenging as my office tries to make the best of bad situations that others created. A particular challenge has been the roll-out of the City’s new garbage bin system which has the laudable aim of increasing waste diversion, but has been poorly executed, causing problems I have had to fix on behalf of hundreds of residents. As always though, we have persevered by working closely with residents, businesses, community organizations and community leaders to build a vibrant community that is, cleaner, greener, safer and economically and socially healthier than it was before. Although we have accomplished a lot, a lot more work remains to be done. In 2009 this work will continue with a host of new infrastructure projects and parks upgrades through the neighbourhood.

As always, I am at your service and only a phone call or email away.

Cesar Palacio

Councillor Palacio checking up on local residents during the blackout..