Skateboard park funds need to stay in the community

To the editor,

It came as a considerable surprise and disappointment that (Ward 32) Beaches-East York Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon decided unilaterally to move a motion at last week's Toronto Transit Commission meeting to withdraw $300,000 earmarked for the second phase of the Ashbridges Bay Skateboard Park, and that the funds be diverted to undisclosed uses to be determined by her.

The diversion of this fund, originally approved in December 2009 by the TTC commission and council as a result of my negotiations to achieve a community benefit from the placement of the new TTC Storage and Maintenance facility at the corner of Leslie Street and Lake Shore Boulevard has been taken without community consultation or prior notice.

Since council approved this budget item, council approval should be required to extract the funds from this approved project.

In addition, the councillor needs to inform our community of her actions and consult with stakeholders and the community before directing the funds elsewhere - if at all.

- Sandra Bussin, former councillor for Beaches-East York (Ward 32)