City Fails, What's New? Question Though Is Where Were Local Councilors

The local councilors should have been on the streets until every resident had been contacted, registered and been offered a free espresso.......although once the residents had a roof over their head the residents should have shown some initiative in contacting their landlord, insurance company, etc. This was sad but it wasn't the SARS crisis or a dangerous train derailment or.......

Queen Fire Victims Upset At City Recovery Delays

Wednesday February 27, 2008

CityNews.ca Staff

A week after a fire destroyed businesses and homes along Queen Street West, some residents are claiming that the city neglected them.

Andrea Moderacai is one of them. Toronto didn't drop the ball on this fire, she claims; "they didn't even pick it up. I don't know if they know what the ball looks like."

She maintains that she was never registered as an evacuee. "The city didn't prepare a space where we could all go after the event. We just wandered like ghosts," she said, though one shelter in Trinity Bellwoods was open to those affected, as well as a Salvation Army.

She said she had to "hunt down" city employees to ask her questions. More residents voiced their concerns at one of two meetings organized by councillors Wednesday night.

Councillor Adam Vaughan agrees, in part, with Morderacai's concerns. "After getting people into a shelter, the city's resources virtually disappeared. And the city could do more."

Some of the residents had their first chance to go back to the scene on Tuesday. For more on that emotional return, click here.