How you can help

If you’re in support there are two things we need you to do.

Step 2. Get it touch with your councilor. Here’s how:

If you know who your councillor is you can find their contact info here
If you don’t know who your councillor is use this search tool

If you know what you want to say to your city councilor, great – SAY IT.

If you’re not sure where to start or are just plain old nervous about speaking off the cuff, use this sample script or modify it to suit your perspective:

**** Sample Script *****
Hello, my name is and I’m calling you from (city or town or your ward name).

I’m calling today because I’m concerned over the actions and position that Sandra Bussin, City Councillor for Beaches East York Ward 32, has taken against the Teehan family, of 204 Beech Avenue, to stop them from exercising their rights as property owners to make changes to their property that would allow them to live in a modern, wheelchair accessible home.

Councillor Bussin did not give any notification to the owners of 204 Beech to put forward a motion to seek heritage designation for this property. Councillor Bussin’s motion was also misleading in a number of areas. She stated that their home is of “historical significance” as found in an ERA report she commissioned. ERA has made it clear this is not a report, rather just a “simple letter of opinion” that they typically don’t charge for. Councillor Bussin filed this motion and only let the Teehan family know she did so after the fact thus denying the Teehan family to present their case in front of the same committee. Councillor Bussin has even gone on via the media to suggest that the Teehan’s should’ve contacted her before purchasing the property. Councillor Bussin has also made misleading statements that an online petition was created to save 204 Beech Avenue as a heritage site. There is no evidence to suggest that any such online petition exists.

The Teehans and all concerned citizens throughout Toronto need the support of every member of Toronto’s City Council to examine Councillor Bussin’s questionable behaviour and misleading statements as well as to right this wrong. If her motion is not rescinded based on the information that has become available this decision will impact the rights of all Torontonians who own properties for years to come.

Can I count on Councillor _ to support me, the Teehan Family, and other concerned property owners?

*********

Keep in mind – you likely won’t get your councillor on the phone – it’ll be one of his or her staffers. Don’t be disappointed – that’s totally normal. Share your thoughts anyhow. If you’re comfortable – leave your name and phone number so they can follow-up with more questions if clarification is needed.

More on the story can be found here:
204 Beech Ave – A house or a home? – Open File
Beach battle pits accessible home versus old home – Toronto Star
Family plight sparks furor in the Beach – National Post
Love and houses – family tragedy shapes a living space – The Globe & Mail
My Take on 204 Beech – Part 1 – Jim Graham
My Take on 204 Beech – Part 2 – Jim Graham

You can follow me on twitter for updates