City's problematic garbage bins still causing a flap

"There’s not been marked improvement that I’ve seen. I still see them overflowing”: Ward 8 candidate Mike Colle

Torontosun.com
Oct. 12, 2022
Scott Laurie

Less than two weeks before the municipal election, cleanliness remains on the minds of many, including candidate Mike Colle, who is seeking re-election in Ward 8 (Eglinton-Lawrence).

“I don’t think it’s really improved. There’s not been marked improvement that I’ve seen. I still see them overflowing,” said Colle, referring to garbage receptacles across the city. “I don’t think there are as many doors off their hinges as there were back in the spring. But it’s not been an optimal situation, to say the least, with those bins.”

In May, Colle asked council to address the problem of dilapidated bins.

“It was rare to find one that was in good shape,” said Colle about his push in the spring, which he started after passing broken bins during jogs.

“So that’s when I brought it to the attention. I said, ‘What the hell’s going on here, folks? This is a real eye-sore and makes the city look bad.’”

The city inked a 2007 deal with Astral giving the advertising company the right to install and maintain 26,000 pieces of street furniture over 20 years.

Astral got certain ad rights and the city received $428 million in the deal.

City Council was awaiting a report from staff on ways to fix the problem bins.

That report will fall to the newly elected council.

Another problem on the cleanliness front: Graffiti.

“This city would be covered if we weren’t out there,” said John Kalimeris, owner of Graffiti Buffer.

He said his crews, and those with other companies, are out daily.

“Four or five a day. So you’re looking at usually 100 a month anyway. But so far in September/October I am averaging 150 to 200 a month.”

After 21 years, he said he has noticed a steady increase in the appearance of tags.

About half of his clients are regular contracts, including with the Kingsway Business Improvement Area where he was heading to Tuesday.

“Long weekends are usually painful for me because the kids get a chance to tag everything.”

Kalimeris said the city’s enforcement of graffiti removal puts property owners in a tough spot.

“They’re usually not very happy about it,” he said.

“The victims are being victimized. The city gives out notices to property owners to remove graffiti. Basically they’re going to be fined if they don’t remove the vandalism that they didn’t do.”