Take a bow

Today marks the second last Monday that I will be attending the Humber College public relations certificate program. I have learned about twitter, Youtube, social networking, PR2.o. I have championed clean trains, advocated for an alcohol free summer and the list goes on and on and on.

It is sad.

Since I was a little girl I have not relished the idea of change. I find it to be rather cumbersome and uncertain. This time around however I find myself looking forward to what comes next in my life. In some ways I have one of my most loved professors, Scott Langdon, to thank for this change in my heart.

Change is something that people look on as very negative, and indeed it can be. The loss of a loved one, a change in address even a new job are all changes that cause pain. What I have come to appreciate this term is change itself. It is still uncertain, and it is still cumbersome but it is also exciting.

Moving forward into my internship and then into the working world I will take the lessons about change with me.

I will also take my CP style book, dictionary and caps and spelling.

I have learned a great deal in the past ten months, met some great new friends and have started to move beyond a fear of change into, at least an acceptance of its inevitability.

Farewell Humber PR. Its been a blast!

Diesel Dumbos

"No one should be asked to trade public health for public transit" David Mckeown

Unfortunately we are. The government wants more loud, polluting and antiquated trains ripping through our city.

Why?

The simple answer is public transit. But there are always more issues at heart. There are the Pan Am Games, a direct link to Pearson of Airport, and some politics. Lets not forget the politics.

At the end of the day Diesel is not a nice thing. The emissions are harmful effecting air quality as a start. Ripping through neighborhoods where young families take the dog for a walk. Brampton is home to a large community of elderly people. It makes you wonder what will happen to these lungs. Things the CTC recognizes as a HUGE problem.

Why spend the money on an electrification study when its already there? Why not take that money and do something about it, instead of just thinking about it.

I had the opportunity to attend the public meeting at City Hall some weeks back and many issues were brought up. Emotions were palpable in the room as each camp stood firmly on their desires. No one was really willing to give, or to talk. It was an "us vs. them" evening that left me feeling slightly unsatisfied.


What struck me was that the majority of those people sitting in that room would not have the opportunity to take a trip on this $20-$30 a ride train. I sure know I won't. The people who Metrolinx wants to bull dose are not the people who serve to benefit from this service.

There is so much information and so much about this issue that needs to be discussed. The point is that these trains are not environmentally friendly, they are not universally accessible and they will do nothing to elevate the city of Toronto. Progress report is important if you want to know.


Getting people on board with eliminating the Diesel from these trains should check out and sign the petition here!!. Check out the web, there is information everywhere about this plan and discussions available from both sides. Educate yourself!!

I don't think eliminating this addition to transit infrastructure is the way to go. I think electrification is. Something that is cleaner, quieter and overall better for the environment and public would do everything these trains do, and more. CTC and the CTSC have Facebook pages and twitter accounts, CTC has a blog Railroaded by Metrolinx that is a good resource, and places to join the conversation, this is not an issue that is going to go away.

This is the only planet we have, shouldn't we take care of it?