mattblair.ca » Witness to a City

Witness to a City: Elizabeth Amer

Matt — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:53:18 +0000

Okay, so I haven’t been keeping up with my pledge to read a chapter of Witness to a City each day and post about it. I’m afraid it’s been a busy couple of weeks. What do you say we pick up where we left off?

In his first chapter, David Miller profiles former Toronto city councillor Elizabeth Amer. He tells the story of a youth spent growing up in the Toronto Island community, the changes that took place when that community was marked for removal following the city’s amalgamation in 1954, and the role she played in fighting widespread eviction.

It’s a pretty amazing story, and it laid the groundwork for Ayer’s entry into politics; she went on to serve as councillor for what was then Ward 5. Her two terms in office are long behind her now, but she’s still a vital part of the Toronto Island community.

By the way, she’s also the co-author of a grassroots organizing guide called Taking Action, which looks like it might be quite a read.

Witness to a City: Introduction

Matt — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 21:31:54 +0000

I was admittedly in a bit of a negative mood when I cracked open the introduction to Witness to a City, for reasons that included but certainly weren’t limited to our new mayor and his first day in office. Would the words of Miller cheer me up, or at least give me some perspective?

In a very real and unexpected sense, they actually did. The introduction to Miller’s book tells a very personal story in a rather compelling way. Miller talks about his upbringing, paying no shortage of attention to the single mother than sacrificed time and again to provide him with every opportunity. He talks about the youthful experiences that honed his sense of justice and drove him towards a career in law. And while he eventually details his progression through municipal politics, he does so in a very personal and accessible way.

There’s not a lot else I can say about the introduction of Miller’s book at this late and fuzzy hour, other than to recommend that you read it and enjoy it. There are references to civic issues and ongoing troubles that persist to this day, and his descriptions of the transit woes of the time are oddly prophetic. But I think we’ve all had enough of that for one day, don’t you?

Easing into the new term with a bit of Miller’s book each day

Matt — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:15:00 +0000

You know, I’m looking at this copy of Witness to a City that I bought the other day, and it looks like it’s a pretty decent page-turner. And at a hundred and eighty pages broken up into twenty sections, even the most casual reader could at least enjoy this book in bite-sized chunks.

Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Why don’t we ease ourselves into the Ford era with a look back, through the eyes of David Miller, at some of the people who have made this city great? At a chapter a day for twenty days, for example, it could be like a transitional book club.

What if I were to read, and then post about, a new chapter each day? Starting today, for example, on the first day of the new mayor’s term? Is that something you all might be into following and discussing? We could call it a look back, sure, but it would also be a good time to talk about new and better ways of moving forward. What do you think?