MEMBERSHIP Please renew and encourage your friends to obtain a 1999 membership, still at the 1997 rate. Membership fees are our principal source of revenue used to handle day to day administration costs. All our Executive are volunteers. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE FEES FOR 1999: Single membership . %8.00 Family membership . %10.00 Business membership . %12.00 Please contact L. Gris at 766-2792 to renew. Membership inquiries may be sent to Swansea Area Ratepayers' Association, c/o Swansea Town Hall, Box 103, 95 Lavinia Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M6S 3H9.

BILLY BOB'S
An Alcohol & Gaming Hearing took place on January 25 at the Swansea Town Hall. Billy Bob's has requested a liquor license for the front of the establishment for 26 patrons. The Jane-Bloor Association which consists of residents on the north side of Bloor and west of Jane are opposing the proposal on several grounds and have asked for SARA's help. As a result SARA gave one of its meeting nights to allow the hearing to be held in the community. Billy Bob's is about 4 times the size of the next largest bar in the Bloor West Village (Future Bakery). At present Billy Bob's can seat over 700 patrons. The residents to the north and west complain about the outside noise as patrons leave, and simply do not want Billy Bob's to expand beyond its interior walls.

MEGACITY COMMUNITY COUNCILS
SARA supports having 8 to 12 community councils. While the exact boundary locations need to be dealt with, it makes more sense to have the work load evenly distributed between community councils by having councils which reflect more coherent commercial, cultural and physical boundaries than the existing community council boundaries. Given the large size of the council there needs to be a counter balance by having local decisions handled by community councils that are small enough to more accurately reflect local areas.

GARDINER LAKESHORE TASKFORCE
SARA continues to monitor this committee's work. Bill Roberts is our contact on this body, and S. Wilkinson the alternate.

THE SAVANNAH IS BACK
Or rather its clone. For our newer members here is a quick history. About 5 years ago, an application was made by a possible tenant for a large restaurant/bar (approximately 700 patrons) which was heavily resisted by the community. At the same time the City was in the process of passing a by-law to limit the size of restaurants/bars/bakeshops to 200 square metres. Because the interim control by-law was about to die within 30 days the City exempted certain properties to avoid appeals that would have left the area vulnerable during the hiatus before the by-law was law. One of the properties exempted was the "Savannah': the old post office site (2383 Bloor St. W) just east of Armadale which had a building permit. When the City introduced the protection to the north side of Bloor at the request of SARA in light of the liquor vote which was coming forward, the City decided to remove the exemption for the "Savannah" since it was no longer applicable. The owner of the property has appealed the decision of the City to the OMB. As a result the Ontario Municipal Board has designated March 3/99, at 10 a.m., for the start of a three day hearing at the Ontario Highway Transport Board offices at 151 Bloor St. West, 10th Floor (just of east of University Ave on the south side of Bloor St). You should make sure you attend the hearing if you wish your concerns to be heard. The City planner involved is Barry Brooks 392-0758.

Swansea Area Ratepayers' Association SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING Concerning The Resurrection of The Savannah Restaurant to be held at The Swansea Town Hall 95 Lavinia Ave on Wednesday, February 17th at 7:30 p.m. Representatives from the City will be available to advise on the status and what steps you can take if you wish to make your views known.

GAS BARS
SARA continues to monitor the City wide proposals. Originally we had opposed the proposals as not being sufficient. The City has since modified the proposals to set a minimum size of kiosk and requiring anything larger (i.e. stores) to be accessible to pedestrians without crossing in front of vehicles and requiring that the store be located on the sidewalk and not set back further than similar Tuesday:. adjacent stores in the area. In addition it should be noted Wednesday: that many of the recommendations reflected the ground Thursday: work laid by SARA and the Ripley Area Residents Group Friday on 8 South Kingsway (Petro on the Humber). SARA has set up a sub-committee consisting of Bill Roberts, V. Masnyk and R. Braun to review and make recommendations.

SOUTH KINGSWAY-HUMBER BRIDGES
We continue to monitor the progress of the bridges. As you are aware, the hump is gone. Given the speed with which the bridge was completed Toronto has decided to continue with the immediate construction of the other replacement bridges. We will try to keep you updated as circumstances change. For more information contact Metro Roads at 599-9090 or SARA's contact, G. Martinsons at 766-1734. HIGH PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE J. Bell is helping to coordinate the volunteers to complete the Children's Playground project in High Park, some- time, possibly last Sunday in May, there will be a need for further volunteers. Please contact Jamie for more details at 604-7421.

PETRO CANADA ON SOUTH KINGSWAY
(HUMBER) A formal draft order has been approved by all parties and should be issued shortly. The Ripley Area Residents Group has entered into discussions with Petro Canada concerning two signs that were missed. It is the hope that the store sign will not be back lighted. They are in discussions concerning the safety sign and other aspects of the design of the building. The issue of hours of operation still remains to be dealt with at a later date. SARA supports the Ripley Area Residents Group in resisting any extension of the hours of operation.

1947-1997 BLOOR STREET WEST
It is our understanding that the developer is in discussions with the City about finding a different location and exchanging the lands for new lands elsewhere. SARA supports this effort. We continue to monitor this issue.

2495 - 2515 BLOOR STREET WEST
This matter went to the Ontario Municipal Board, and the developer was successful.

SWANSEA MEMORIAL LIBRARY
The Library is a living memory to those from the Village of Swansea, who died in the first World War. Remember you can arrange for any movie, book or any other library material to be delivered to the Swansea branch for pickup. LIBRARY HOURS ARE: Monday:...... ..... Closed Tuesday: ... ... 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Wednesday: 1:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Thursday: ....... 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Friday: ............ Closed Saturday: ........ 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Sunday:............ Closed 99 COEHILL DR. (1 RENNIE TERRACE) No new information.

RUNNYMEDE THEATRE
SARA/SARG supported the holding of a public meeting in the community to discuss the preservation aspects. TRAFFIC CALMING ON RIVERSIDE DRIVE SARA continues to follow this matter. For the past several months rumor has it that the public consultation will start any week.

EXECUTIVE MEETINGS
Please note that Executive meetings are public and held normally on the third Tuesday of each month. There may be seating limitations, so contact the Executive before you come to a meeting. Our Executive is: Peter Chant, President; J. Bell and RVaughan, Vice-Presidents; L. Clay, Secretary; J. Oreto, Treasurer; L. Gris, Membership; Ron Luft, Past-President. Your Directors: Ritvars Bregzis, R Braun, S. Ceponis, W. Haines, D. Jennison, P. Keefe, J. McMullan, G. Martinsons, V. Masnyk, M. Rew, Wm. Roberts, L. Volpe and S. Wilkinson.