Welcome to the neighbourhood. I have been a resident of Ward 23 since 1978. I watched the community transform from a single family residential area with 2-storey shops along Yonge, to a vibrant, mixed-use community with larger single family homes and towering offices and residential condominiums along Yonge Street.

The ethnic make-up of the community has been shaken up by an influx of Korean, Chinese, Iranian and Jamaican immigrants. In recent years there has also been an increase in the number of Russian and Eastern Europeans. Today, Ward 23, North York Centre, is a mix of dozens of cultures and classes. It is now a far cry from its old Anglo roots.

Perhaps the most-pressing issue in this fast-growing community is the lack of school capacity. The school board is unable to accommodate more children at Earl Haig Secondary school. The nearest high school which is designated to accept children from the ward is Georges S. Vanier in Oriole (Don Mills and Sheppard).

I just received information that the community will be losing another grocery store. The owners of Willowdale Plaza, at Sheppard and Yonge, have applied to construct a high density residential complex with offices and stores. I have yet to see any plans to replace the Dominion grocery store which is located in the plaza today. Just last year No Frills at Yonge and Finch was demolished to make way for two residential towers. Asides from Dominion at Northtown and Loblaws at Empress Walk, residents of North York Centre will have no other choice but to travel to Bayview and Sheppard, Yonge and Cummer, or Yonge and Steeles to shop. The impact will be hardest on those living around the Yonge-401 cluster.

The lack of rental housing is another issue. The owners of the Sheppard Centre Apartments on Forest Laneway have applied to convert their buildings to condominiums. Oakburn Place is also being demolished to make way for high-rise condominiums. This leaves Galleria, one of the towers at Broadway, and the Minto tower at

Sheppard-Yonge as the remaining large-scale rental properties in the area. Fortunately our ward is represented by councillor John Fillion, a man who has served us well. He takes the time out to listen to and work with all residents.