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Josh in the Community
My Staff and I are here to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about your neighbourhood and/or your home. We’re working every day to make our community safer while improving Midtown’s parks, main streets, and the many valued services we rely on including recreation, childcare, and waste collection. I hope to see you out in our community soon!
Josh at City Hall
On your behalf, I am advocating for a more thoughtful, creative, and responsible approach to policy issues at City Hall. I take very seriously the responsibility to make informed decisions that are based on evidence, community consultation, and the merits of arguments – rather than partisanship. I will continue representing our community at Council meetings on transit, tenant concerns, childcare, green space, and other issues that matter most to Midtown residents. Or, you can reach us by phone at 416 392-7906.
Current News Updates
National Post: Paid-duty officers accused of using police connections to park illegally
May 16, 2014
Sammy Hudes
National Post
Paid-duty service by police officers has become a controversial topic in Toronto for a variety of reasons. Now you can add free parking to the list.
Recently, police Chief Bill Blair received several complaints of flagrant parking violations by paid-duty officers where the officers displayed police paraphernalia — such as notebooks, safety vests and business cards — on their dashboard to ensure that fellow officers or other officials do not give them parking citations.
Some of the officers had parked beside no parking signs, causing consternation by members of the public. Others have parked in municipal parking spaces without paying.
Last week, the National Post discovered an officer on Bloor Street East parked in a street parking spot with a photocopied Toronto Police Service logo and the words “Paid Duty Officer” written beside it. This is believed to be a common practice among paid-duty officers, who are providing security for city construction projects, private events, festivals and sports venues during their off-duty hours.
Town Crier: Hopes for veggies and friendship to grow in community garden
May 12th, 2014
Shawn Star
Town Crier
Residents in apartment buildings near Oriole Park will soon be able to get outside and do some gardening.
City council voted unanimously in April to release $47,000 in Section 37 funds stemming from a development on Merton Street in order to plant a community garden in Oriole Park. According to local councillor Josh Matlow, who got the ball rolling last fall via his website, the garden will serve as “an opportunity to educate children and others.”
“It’s a place for seniors, and it’s a place for tenants who may not have a front or back yard,” he said.
Toronto Star: Trash, combustibles removed from Beech Ave. home
May 12th, 2014
Paul Clarke
Toronto Star
City of Toronto officials have been called once again to a house on Beech Ave., which last fall was the site of a case of extreme cat hoarding.
The home, described as overrun with cats, garbage and household items, has been a problem for the neighbourhood since last September, when more than 50 cats were removed by the SPCA.
This time, Toronto Fire has obtained a court order from the Ontario Superior Court to investigate the house and remove “excess combustibles.”
“(We’re) bringing out garbage cans or bags of miscellaneous household items which are either in a state of disrepair, unclean, due to the cats, or worn or broken,” said Capt. David Eckerman.
The front of the picturesque house was nearly obscured Monday by white tents and crews in haz-mat suits. Waste was being tossed into a large disposal unit set up outside the house that had already been emptied and replaced at least once.
Toronto Star: Paid-duty policing’s ‘outrageous’ costs slammed by critics
May 11th, 2014
Betsy Powell
Toronto Star
While off-duty Toronto police officers who moonlight for the city and private organizations are getting a pay hike this year, critics scoff paid-duty policing is unnecessary and a waste of money.
“It’s also giving money to people who are already employed and well-paid,” said Councillor Pam McConnell, a former vice-chair of the Toronto Police Services Board.
“Nobody can tell me why we need police officers standing at the Blue Jays game when they’re looking up at the crowd doing seventh inning stretch and why you couldn’t have ordinary security guards doing that.”
Councillor Josh Matlow concurred, calling it “outrageous.”
“I don’t know any city in North America that allows itself to be hijacked by this,” he said. “When we see an officer standing next to a construction or public works site, it’s frustrating because we all know it’s not needed.”
Community Update for May 12, 2014
Thank you to the hundreds of people who celebrated [...]
680 News: City unveils Sharon, Lois & Bram Playground
May 10th, 2014
Toronto Staff
680 News
A playground named for beloved children’s performers Sharon, Lois & Bram officially opened Saturday.
The playground in June Rowlands Park is now known as the Sharon, Lois & Bram Playground, announced by the city’s only elephant-shaped sign.
The first elephant park sign! Brilliant! @JoshMatlow What a gift for the community… and for mothers everywhere! pic.twitter.com/YnSugtEob2
— Shelley Laskin (@shelleylaskin) May 10, 2014
“I decided it would be a fitting tribute to a music trio that many of us loved so much growing up to name the park in their honour,” said Coun. Josh Matlow, who introduced the renaming motion.
