MEMBERSHIP
Please renew and encourage your friends to obtain a 1999 membership, still at the 1997 rate. Memberships 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 ...... 610.00 Business membership .. .. s12.00 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.

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. The new Executive is: Peter Chant, President;J. Bell and R.Vaughan, 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.

SOUTH KINGSWAY-HUMBER BRIDGES
We continue to monitor the progress of the bridges. As you are aware the present construction is in its final stages. By the time you get this newsletter the present construction should be finished. However, there are more bridges to be built in the next stage. We will try to keep you updated as circumstances change. For more information contact Metro Roads at 599-9090 or SARA's contact, G. Martin- sons at 766-1734.

HIGH PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE
J. Bell helps coordinate the volunteers For the Children's Playground project in High Park. The City continues to experiment with road closures in the Park Please keep track of changes in traffic flows if you live on Ellis, Ellis Park or Windemere. We are aware of the increase of traffic being experienced on Ellis Avenue. The question is, is the source the new left turn or the changes in High Park!

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 taskforce is presently examining the concept of tolls on the Gardiner to defray the cost of burying the Gardiner from the CNE to just east of Yonge. The burying will not increase traffic flow on the Gardiner. The present suggestion is to privatize the Gardiner by a license agreement which would allow a private company to rebuild it, collect tolls and operate it, while the City retains ultimate ownership of the road. One critical issue is will the City improve public transit in the corridor, along with parking lots, so that commuters trying to avoid tolls have an option of going by affordable transit and not just spilling onto local streets. It should be noted that tolls would start at the Humber River bridges, and not at the point where the Gardiner is buried. This means that Swansea will become the first focal point for traffic wishing to avoid tolls coming off the Gardiner. SARA's position is that full traffic, impact and environmental studies should be done before even considering approval.

SWANSEA MEMORIAL LIBRARY
The Library is a living memory to those from the Village of Swansea, who died in the first world war. At this time of year it is important to remember 22 who died and the 150 who came back from the First World War. The Swansea Town Hall will continue its traditional Remembrance Day service in conjunction with Branch 46 (Swansea) of the Royal Canadian Legion and Swansea Public School. Approximate start time will be 10:50 A.M. on the 1lth day of November. Please note that you can arrange for any movie, book or ally other library material to be delivered to the Swansea branch for pickup. LIBRARY HOURS: 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

PETRO CANADA ON SOUTH KINGSWAY
The Ontario Municipal Board hearing recommenced on the 15th of June, 1998. SARG/SARA and the 1 Ripley Residents Group supported the City. Detailed negations occurred and as a result, a settlement was reached which reflected the fact that an automobile service station and car wash were permitted on the existing gas station site Petro Canada agreed to reduce some 41 lights from 400 watts to 250 watts, to confirm that the number of pumps would be limited to 4 with 8 fueling positions, and m turn SARG and 1 Ripley agreed to accept reduced signage. Protections were built in with regard to heritage issues. Improved landscaping formed part of the site plan. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (formerly MTRCA) acquired the bank and an easement over the rear of the site without the City having to surrender part of Queen Street West to Petro Canada The City is drafting the order to carry out the settlement The issues of hours of operation have been left for a future battle In addition, it is our understanding the City is still seeking a Petro Canada station away from the present site SARA supports these efforts, for while we recognize Petro Canada has certain legal rights, it would be better in the long term if this historic location could pass into public hands.

TRAFFIC CALMING ON RIVERSIDE DRIVE
SARA continues to follow this matter. For the past several months rumour has it that the public consultation will start any week.

1947-1997 BLOOR STREET WEST
Our understanding is that the developer lost at the hearing. We continue to monitor this issue.

2495 - 2515 BLOOR STREET WEST
This matter went to the Ontario Municipal Board. It is our understanding that the matter was reserved. Swansea Area Ratepayers' Association c/o Swansea Town Hall P.O. Box 103, 95 Lavinia Ave Toronto, Ontario, M6S 3H9

99 COEHILL DR. (~ RENNIE TERRACE)
No new information.

BILLY BOB'S
This court found against the City on the issue of the roof top patio. There will still have to be a hearing with respect to that patio in the future. In addition the owners have applied for a patio in the front of Billy Bobs. SARAJSARG wrote to express our concerns that the area is not suitable, based on traffic flow, lineups for the Odeon and the need for a boulevard license amongst other matters. It is our understanding that the Ratepayer group in the former City of York also wrote to object A formal hearing is being scheduled. SARA has requested that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission hold a hearing in the community. SARA is donating its general meeting time so that a hearing can be held at the Swansea Town Hall. It is expected that a hearing will be scheduled in the early part of the new year.

RUNNYMEDE THEATRE
In view of the fact that a lawyer was representing the objectors to the Chanters Application, SARA/SARG decided that it was sufficient to appear as a participant and not a party. V.Masnyk attended on behalf of SARA/SARG and made a presentation opposing the proposal. He also pointed out that should the Board choose to approve the application conditions should be included which ensures that future owners will respect the history of the building and that any alterations are reversible.