Boulevard Club creates hazzard/havoc on the MartinGoodman Trail;

I am currently passing on this information from Dr Oliver Bajor, a frequent user of the MG trail, who has been fighting to have the new pillars added to the Boulevard Club parking lot exit crossing in order to slow trail traffic to the point that BC members can illegaly indulge in ignoring the need to stop while crossing the trail.

I quote Dr Bajor (Oliver)'s comments sent to Gord Perks (the councillor who's 'turf' is involved), and copied to me.

"I am writing to you as we are informed that you have been involved in the authorisation of the new steel pillars installed in front of the Boulevard Club (BC). These new pillars are very dangerous to the public, and really only serve to help the BC members continue to run their stop sign/red light and endanger the public.

We are most horrified by the BC's response, which again, and at best, only confirms that they do not "give a toss" about the welfare of the public.

The pillars must be removed! I have already informed quite a few people about this (see copies of emails attached). Amongst other things, such as enlisting the aid of voters etc, if there is any injury or damage at this location, then I will testify in Court that this installation was known to be dangerous and thus the injury/damage was due to wilful negligence. That this wilful negligence is due to the installation/perseveration of these pillars, and that the BC members were not taken responsible for their wrong doing, and apparently that such wrong doing was the result of implicit or explicit authorisation by your self and other members of (City) Hall.

Detailed discussion of the the dangers and ramifications of this action, and correct solutions are provided in the attached emails.

There are many other safe solutions and which are for the public good. These include

1) Install an automatic barrier at the exit of the BC that forces their members to come to a halt.

2) Move or alter the BC fencing so that their members have clear view of the MGT in both directions.

3) The best solution is to move the BC entrance to the other side of the tennis courts. This moves the intersection away from the hill, and it benefits the BC members in that the entrance would be on the cusp of the bend of the Lake Shore Blvd (LSB), so that they have clear view of the speeding traffic (which they do not at the moment, and resulting in BC members taking dangerous actions). Of course the barrier, red light/stop sign, and fencing/visibility adjustment would still be required.

4) The BC is not permitted to hire police as a private army for private functions to inconvenience thousands of MGT and LBS users.

5) These types of decisions must not be made "behind close doors". It does look rather bad for the public officials, since it gives the impression that a few rich people have private access to (City) Hall.

The MGT is for the benefit of many thousands of people, not for a few rich person's private enjoyment. It is the "401" for baby carriages, children, pedestrians, runners, bladers, cyclists, and many hundreds of commuters who are reducing motor vehicle pollution and congestion by using the MGT. Surely, the message that you are making the MGT dangerous and inconvenient is the wrong one. The MGT has many intersections that have a standard and safe installation of steel pillars, and this one or any other special benefit for the BC, especially at the cost of public safety, is just not (acceptable)."

I would suggest investigating this problem site personally, and making a similar response to City officials, and all who will listen.

I will keep ibikeTO apprised of developments.

Bruce Gavin Ward