|
|
|
'He sees the big picture' - Great Article!!
Wilma at the Market
4 posts
Apr 22, 2010
7:04 PM
|
Taken from: http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2010/04/19/13634371.html
The Western Fair's Farmer's Market is bustling with shoppers picking over fruits and vegetables, tasting samples of pizza and baked goods, cheeses and meats.
A guitar player churns out classics in the block-long, red-brick building at the corner of Dundas and Rectory streets.
At the far end, people at adjoining tables in a coffee shop shoot the breeze, laughing and catching up on the week that was.
It's Saturday morning, and if you're ever looking for Greg Thompson, that's where you'll find him -- sipping coffee, laughing, chatting, listening and learning about what's going on in Old East Village.
If you live in Old East, it's hard not to run into Thompson.
"We all have busy lives, so we don't see each other during the week and the market's not only a place to buy great food, but you can sit down and catch up with one another," said Thompson.
"And different people will drop by and chat. If people have a concern or a beef or an issue, they'll stop by and talk."
Through the week, you might find Thompson volunteering for a concert at Aeolian Hall, at meetings of the Old East Village Community Association, the London advisory committee on heritage, city council, a council committee, working with the school board to ensure Lorne Ave. school survives, or helping at the Old East garden club, tree nursery, or guerrilla gardening.
Huh? Oh yeah. Guerrilla gardening. But we'll get to that.
The 54-year-old realtor, father of three grown children and husband of Sue (Goss), who also works part-time at CPRI five days a week, bought a house on Lorne Ave. in 1998 as an investment. A year later, the Thompsons moved in.
"We saw the potential of the neighbourhood," said Thompson. "I truly appreciate the grittiness of Old East, the rough edges. There's a large artist and musician population, which hopefully will always be a large component here. We've got a lot of teachers here now and families moving in all the time."
While Thompson saw potential, he also was aware of the stigma attached to Old East, where streets were plagued by prostitutes and johns and drug houses, dozens of empty buildings and storefronts and many occupied by social service agencies.
Thompson watched residents try to fight back, contacting the media, police and city hall, angrily demanding action to clean up the area.
He watched and decided a different approach was needed.
"The stigmatism that was happening and continues today has allowed people to buy in to the neighbourhood at very reasonable prices," said Thompson.
"But a number of people realized you get the type of neighbourhood you deserve. There was a perception Old East wasn't in the minds of people at city hall and the area wasn't getting its share of help. So, several people realized if we wanted a better neighbourhood we'd have to go out and earn it. We did not want to be in a position where we were asking city hall to solve all our problems."
Sarah Merritt -- the dynamo executive director of the Old East Village Business Improvement Area -- was working with city council on initiatives to revitalize the commercial area.
"Sarah was key," said Thompson. "I think it's fair to say she coached us because she was already involved."
Instead of drawing the public's attention to the problems and feeding the stigma, Thompson and a group of other residents took action to solve them and, instead, highlighted the qualities and potential.
They founded the association, worked with the city to get a heritage designation for more than 1,000 homes -- the largest in Ontario until recently -- and have since launched initiatives to improve the area.
"This is my neighbourhood and I'm really passionate about it," said Thompson, clearly uncomfortable taking any credit when so many others have played roles. "We saw the potential, not just the problems."
One of the early initiatives of Thompson, his friends and neighbours was "guerrilla gardening."
"We'd go out on a Friday night wearing bandanas and start planting gardens and hanging plants wherever we saw a spot that needed it. Then we come back home here (to his rock garden backyard) and have a couple of beers. It was a lot of fun. We still do it. We're just letting people know that there are people in the neighbourhood interested in beautifying our streets."
Thompson was the first to put a sign on his house with the names of its original owner, occupation and the year the home was built. Similar signs are displayed on dozens of homes in the village.
Thee association identified the key players at city hall in the planning department, community services and recreation who could help.
"We cultivated relationships with people at city hall that persist to this day," said Thompson.
"Today, we trust that those people at city hall are going to listen to us because they know we're going to do the work and follow through on what we say we're going to do. We don't always get what we want, but we know we'll get a fair hearing."
Thompson started attending council meetings and became a fixture in the public gallery.
"I started going because, as we started our work in Old East, I wanted to give council a visual reminder about us," said Thompson, who made an unsuccessful run for Ward 3 councillor in the 2006 election, losing to Steve Orser. Thompson is challenging Orser in this year's civic election.
The association has developed stealth-like strategies to deal with bad property owners, especially landlords whose tenants run amok. They established a "properties at risk" committee to identify properties where trouble brews.
"We target one or two properties at a time and then do everything we can to make it uncomfortable for the owner," said Thompson.
"It's vigilance. But one small group can't do it. We need the whole community to keep their eyes on them and keep a lookout for those long-term patterns of anti-social behaviour."
He credits the police, especially the force's community-oriented response unit, and bylaw enforcement officials for taking action to uphold property standards and battle prostitution and drug houses -- battles that persist to this day. "We live in an inner-city neighbourhood," said Thompson. "The sex trade, the drug trade, they are going to ebb and flow. But as revitalization takes hold, we'll have more eyes on the street. It's more about reclaiming public space."
When the future of Aeolian Hall was threatened, Thompson worked to help concert pianist Clark Bryan buy it and establish a performing arts centre and music conservatory.
"He's the one who got me into the hall," said Bryan. "He worked without a commission."
Most recently, Thompson again worked without commission to get the Potter's Guild to set up a permanent home on Dundas St., not far from the hall.
"These are people who've bought into the neighbourhood-generated vision of Old East Village as an artistic and cultural node of the city," said Thompson. "And we have a responsibility to support these organizations."
Bryan is quick to credit Thompson for helping to form that vision.
"He gets it," said Bryan. "He sees the big picture. In our community, those who are working towards the big-picture issues have a lot of respect for Greg because he is a doer, not a talker. He knows what we need to do to get back to community."
The BIA's Merritt describes Thompson as a "stalwart supporter" of Old East Village and one of a group of individuals playing key roles in the "revitalization and revaluation of this community."
"He's everywhere," said Merritt, noting Thompson helped bring three new residential developments with hundreds of units to the village, providing input on designs to complement the area.
"He's got an ability to identify where the potential is in the community," said Merrit.
"He's patient. He can see the long term and he's dependable. And he doesn't walk away when things get difficult. It's easy to be involved when things are going smoothly."
Merritt also acknowledged Thompson's "wickedly dry" sense of humour that often delivers levity when tackling heavy issues.
Standing in front of his Lorne Ave. home, a reporter mentions the poor state of the roadway and Thompson's sense of humour is revealed. "I hope they never fix it," he deadpanned. "The people who live here know where the potholes are. We don't hit them. We just sit back and laugh watching people cutting through, especially those speeding, hit them."
|
Jordan Shoes
50 posts
Jun 06, 2010
10:35 PM
|
This year sees the third that the Gucci Shoes have supported the fund, which provides grants to feature-length documentaries that highlight and explore social Jordan Shoes. Previous fund recipients Rob Lemkin and S. Thet went onto win the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival with their documentary Enemies of the People.Coach Handbag has teamed up with the Air Jordan Shoes Film Institute to provide grants for the Cheap MBT Shoes TriBeCa Documentary Fund. The award, given to seven documentary projects, totals $100,000. "Gucci continues to recognize the importance documentary filmmaking has on society," said Jane Rosenthal, co-chairman of the board of the Coach Bags Film Institute. "Together we are proud to support these filmmakers and believe their films will create a global conversation about these subject matters."
|
makechen
100 posts
Jun 16, 2010
11:43 PM
|
It's not a huge surprise that Womens high heels Disney is humoring an ABC sale, but it hasn't been christian louboutin sandals reported that it was in "serious and christian louboutin purple shoes advanced" negotiations. . .xieyushaomingyyy
|
makechen
103 posts
Jun 16, 2010
11:43 PM
|
Michigan's economy ed Hardy sale and the lack of jobs was the top concern ed hardy t-shirt among the 600 people surveyed in ed hardy cap the poll. . .xieyushaomingyyy
|
makechen
106 posts
Jun 16, 2010
11:43 PM
|
Disney Junior’s animated Buy Casual Shoes and live action programming will blend Disney’s unparalleled casual shoes wholesale storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including casual shoes early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. . .xieyushaomingyyy
|
makechen
109 posts
Jun 16, 2010
11:43 PM
|
But once nba jerseys in the voting booth, more Colombians supported mlb jerseys the candidate they perceived as the safe bet -- the man who nfl football jerseys would continue Uribe's popular policies. . .xieyushaomingyyy
|
makechen
112 posts
Jun 16, 2010
11:43 PM
|
Set to release this summer, the handbags sneakers still sport the leather handbags same black to white gradient on the side panels as the Guccl Bag coveted ‘95 Neons. However, instead of the bright neon. .xieyushaomingyyy
|
makechen
115 posts
Jun 16, 2010
11:43 PM
|
Our helpful guide will manolo blahnik shoes direct you through the maze Christian Louboutin shoes of motor vehicle insurance with Christian Louboutin online definitions of insurance types. . .xieyushaomingyyy
|
makechen
118 posts
Jun 16, 2010
11:44 PM
|
Safari and Chrome mbt Shoes have the same underlying rendering engine so speed mbt Shoes On Sale which are not much different. mbt online store I am in the same boat I have converted to mbt Shoes USA chrome recently. . .xieyushaomingyyy
|
Best Handbags
50 posts
Jun 17, 2010
12:50 AM
|
The Australian Chanel Handbags dollar was steady at $0.8476 ahead of Reserve Bank of womens hangbags Australia's rate decision on Tuesday, with expectations handbags the central bank to keep it on hold at 4.50 percent. "jkjkgfvtyt"
|
Best Handbags
51 posts
Jun 17, 2010
12:50 AM
|
The shoes that were women sportswear created to benefit the Kay Yow WBCA Cancer sportswear clothing Fund hit a few weeks back but now the adult versions are sportswear shorts making their way out and boy are they something special. "jkjkgfvtyt"
|
Best Handbags
52 posts
Jun 17, 2010
12:51 AM
|
From this perspective, mutual mens jeans understanding among these traditions jeans on sale online is not merely the business of religious mens designer jeans believers — it matters for the welfare of humanity as a whole "jkjkgfvtyt"
|
Best Handbags
53 posts
Jun 17, 2010
12:51 AM
|
From this perspective, mutual mens jeans understanding among these traditions jeans on sale online is not merely the business of religious mens designer jeans believers — it matters for the welfare of humanity as a whole "jkjkgfvtyt"
|
Best Handbags
54 posts
Jun 17, 2010
12:51 AM
|
People are also watching authentic nhl jerseys to see if the EU can reassure markets authentic nfl jerseys that it is unified over the fiscal problem nhl hockey jerseys and if international cooperation cheap nfl jerseys can be implemented when fears about the financial system deepen. "jkjkgfvtyt"
|
Best Handbags
55 posts
Jun 17, 2010
12:51 AM
|
Remember those flossy christian louboutin boots, done as a collaboration between Nike and christian louboutin sandals Entourage? Recently, Doug Ellin took a pair out of his own christian shoes closet to donate to the Chrysalis Foundation. "jkjkgfvtyt"
|
cpbags
7 posts
Jun 17, 2010
8:57 PM
|
These Designer louis vuitton epi leather walletsuch as can be quite versatile to change yourlouis vuitton Nomade Leather while even stand for guccissima wallet and your hermes ostrich birkin bag. Therefore you need to be careful when choosing a hermes ostrich bag as it should add to yourhermes ostrich kelly style while being in craze. Firstly make sure you don't compromise with quality of the hermes ostrich wallet and chanel 2.55 handbag, it is worth spending sometimes while you can even benefit from a contemporary or classic style in thechanel 2.55 bag replica.
|
Discount
64 posts
Jun 18, 2010
6:24 PM
|
there are some handbags,Replica Dior Handbags,Discount Dior Handbags,Replica Chanel Handbags,Discount Chanel Handbags,Fendi Handbags On Sale,Replica Fendi Handbags,Discount Fendi Handbags,Replica Louis Vuitton Handbags,Cheap Louis Vuitton Handbags,Discount Louis Vuitton Handbags.
|
makechen
194 posts
Jul 09, 2010
11:49 PM
|
Our company supply a new style feetwear shoes--vibram five fingers shoes. It is hot sale online all the world. The buy five fingers vibram shoes are designed to follow the contours feet and toes ,and are made from nonmarking Vibram TC1 performance rubber.The shoes are very much strange for running,when you are putting it on,you will find that it is very comfortable.welcome to go our on-line shop vibram fivefingers to buy Vibram FiveFingers shoes.On here,you can choose a varity of vibram 5 fingers for you and familes,you can choose,including Vibram Fivefingers Sprint, women'svibram five fingers sprint shoes, women's vibram five fingers kso shoes . All of Vibram shoes are free shipping.the more you order,the less price for you.
|
makechen
195 posts
Jul 09, 2010
11:49 PM
|
Our company supply a new style feetwear shoes--vibram five fingers shoes. It is hot sale online all the world. The buy five fingers vibram shoes are designed to follow the contours feet and toes ,and are made from nonmarking Vibram TC1 performance rubber.The shoes are very much strange for running,when you are putting it on,you will find that it is very comfortable.welcome to go our on-line shop vibram fivefingers to buy Vibram FiveFingers shoes.On here,you can choose a varity of vibram 5 fingers for you and familes,you can choose,including Vibram Fivefingers Sprint, women'svibram five fingers sprint shoes, women's vibram five fingers kso shoes . All of Vibram shoes are free shipping.the more you order,the less price for you.
|
makechen
196 posts
Jul 09, 2010
11:49 PM
|
Our company supply a new style feetwear shoes--vibram five fingers shoes. It is hot sale online all the world. The buy five fingers vibram shoes are designed to follow the contours feet and toes ,and are made from nonmarking Vibram TC1 performance rubber.The shoes are very much strange for running,when you are putting it on,you will find that it is very comfortable.welcome to go our on-line shop vibram fivefingers to buy Vibram FiveFingers shoes.On here,you can choose a varity of vibram 5 fingers for you and familes,you can choose,including Vibram Fivefingers Sprint, women'svibram five fingers sprint shoes, women's vibram five fingers kso shoes . All of Vibram shoes are free shipping.the more you order,the less price for you.
|
© 2009 Fire Roasted Coffee Co.
|
|
