At November 2017 Small Arms Society meeting, Jim Tovey outlines January 2018 “Morphology” exhibit – YouTube video
Display at Small Arms Building, January 2018. Jaan Pill photo
Display at Small Arms Building, January 2018. Jaan Pill photo
Among many other achievements, Jim Tovey was (in 2009) named Mississauga Citizen of the Year. The photo is outside the City of Mississauga Council Chambers.
Detail from photo display outside Mississauga Council Chambers
View of photo display outside Mississauga Council Chambers
Updates
A Jan. 19, 2018 Mississauga.com article is entitled: “Jim Tovey’s audacious dreams kept coming true: An irrepressible spirit, an irreplaceable man, says John Stewart.”
James Michael Tovey Obituary: Jan. 20, 2018 Toronto Star
Other YouTube videos of interest:
Jim Tovey, Mississauga Visionary. LAKEVIEW LEGACY PROJECT February 27 2008
An April 2012 Mississauga Life article is entitled: Councillor Jim Tovey: Ideas in Motion.
A one-minute video at watermarkproject.ca featuring Jim Tovey, canoeist, is entitled: Mijinemungshing Lake, ON – Jim Tovey
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Councillor Jim Tovey has, on occasion, shared the best advice he was ever given.
It’s a quotation from his father:
“The only thing we are guaranteed in life is this moment, and every moment is precious. Be the best person you can be in this moment and make every moment positive, helpful and productive.”
Three-minute YouTube video
Jim Tovey and friends at June 17, 2017 Small Arms Groundbreaking Ceremony. Jaan Pill photo. Click on the image to enlarge it.
I’ve recently posted a YouTube video entitled:
At November 2017 Small Arms meeting, Jim Tovey outlines January 2018 “Morphology” exhibit
The video highlights a discussion, at the annual general meeting of the Small Arms Society, on Nov. 22, 2017 at the Army & Airforce Veterans Club at 765 3rd St. in Mississauga, in which Ward 1 Councillor Jim Tovey outlines plans for the Jan. 14, 2018 “Morphology” exhibit at the Lakeview Water Treatment Plant.
The event featured local photographers chronicling changes at the Lakeview Waterfront Connection project.
A Jan. 17, 2018 Mississauga.com article is entitled: “‘Everybody will miss you’: Politicians, colleagues, friends celebrate the life of Coun. Jim Tovey: Public tribute held at city hall.”
An Oct. 17, 2017 Mississauga.com article is entitled: “Good Questions – Jim Tovey.”
About Jim Tovey (overview from his website) >
Morphology exhibit at Lakeview site
In connection with the above-noted “‘Morphology” event, a Feb. 16, 2018 Mississauga.com article is entitled: “Morphology’ exhibit features birth of coastal wetlands at Lakeview site: 11 local artist featured in showcase.”
The image is from a series of photos at the Jan. 16, 2018 Mississauga.com article featured at the post you are now reading. Caption: Photograph taken by PJ Bell documenting the progress of the Lakeview Waterfront Connection project. – Rachael Williams
The article outlines the final project that Councillor Jim Tovey was involved with planning, before he suddenly passed away.
I first got to know Jim Tovey some years ago through my website, after he learned of blogs I had posted based on comments, from Long Branch residents, concerning plans to change the sand beach at Marie Curtis Park – the stretch of beach between Etobicoke Creek and Applewood Creek – into a pebble beach.
An early plan, for such a pebble beach, had been outlined in a Lakeview Waterfront Connection document. A Long Branch resident had contacted me by email, to let me know about the plan. I had subsequently discussed the plan, at my website, taking care to frame the discussion with a focus on accuracy and balance in my reporting.
After he’d read my posts, Jim Tovey called me on the phone. By way of a paraphrase, he said: “Great website! Let’s meet for coffee. Let’s discuss this topic further.”
View looking east toward Toronto during demolition of interior of south end of Small Arms Building. A crew of volunteers from Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga completed the task in mid-April 2015. Jaan Pill photo (April 10, 2015)
Some time later, a public meeting was held in Long Branch, regarding the plans for the western stretch of the Marie Curtis Park beach. In time, the decision was made that only a small, westerly portion of the beach would be turned into a pebble beach.
Click here for previous posts about the “sand beach” topic >
I have interviewed Jim Tovey on many occasions.
I have, as well, recorded many meetings and events at which he was a key player, including ones connected with the Lakeview Waterfront Connection, Hanlan Water Project, the Small Arms Building, Inspiration Lakeview, Inspiration Port Credit, and a couple of Jane’s Walks. As well, I’ve signed up as a member of the Small Arms Society.
Highlights are available at previous posts. You can do a search, using this site’s internal search engine, to find lists of posts regarding any of the projects listed in the previous paragraph.
Jim Tovey’s remarkable and powerful legacy lives on, in the outstanding work that so many fine people, in so many communities – and at three levels of government – are now actively engaged in, along the Lake Ontario waterfront. My own friendship with Jim Tovey is among the most inspiring highlights of the 21 years that I have lived in Long Branch.
Click here for previous posts about Jim Tovey >
Excellent story…sorry you lost a friend…. I continue to write in the hope that eventually something will come of my work…then, alas,…it will probably happen after I am gone. Such is the story of our lives and the things we try to accomplish in them. Because I am dyslexic, my favourite key on the keyboard is the backspace key…I have used it more than a million times to correct my errors….we all go however our genetics lead us….but eventually, we all turn up as names of no consequence on someone’s family tree at some point in the future. So, write your stories today, there are no tomorrows…they always become todays.
His father shared with Jim Tovey some really good advice, that his son clearly took to heart:
“The only thing we are guaranteed in life is this moment, and every moment is precious. Be the best person you can be in this moment and make every moment positive, helpful and productive.”
Every moment, every day, is precious. I, too, am working on my writing, my reporting, my summing up, thankful for each day.
An excerpt (which I have broken into shorter paragraphs for ease of online reading) from the Jan. 20, 2018 Toronto Star obituary for Jim Tovey reads:
Jim’s extended family includes countless dear friends, colleagues and associates.
An exceptional fountain of creativity, Jim began his adult career as a musician, writer, poet and artist.
His band, Hott Roxx, was selected to perform Toronto’s first simulcast concert from the El Mocambo.
In a second career, Jim’s desire to build earned him success as a master carpenter, architectural technologist, contractor and project manager for 25 years.
Jim and wife Lee were the first citizen sponsors for a Habitat for Humanity heritage restoration project.
Yet it would be his unwavering service to community where Jim would discover his most important and far-reaching calling.
As the President of the Lakeview Ratepayers Association, Jim rallied the community and brought an alternate vision to government.
For future generations, a model sustainable community will replace toxic industry and power generation on the Lakeview lands.
For his leadership, Jim was honoured as Mississauga’s Citizen of the Year in 2009.
In December 2010, Jim took the oath of office to serve the residents of Mississauga as Ward One Councillor, balancing the needs of residents, community, environment and growth.
As a result of Jim’s ability to inspire people, decades of revitalization will distinguish Mississauga’s urban culture.
In recognition of his achievements, Jim was also honoured with two National Urban Design Awards and the Queen’s Jubilee Silver Medal in 2012.
Councillor Jim Tovey lived life as an incomparable human spirit who cared deeply and gave selflessly to others.
His accomplishments – from changing lives, to changing landscapes – will stand as Jim’s enduring legacy.
Following a private family service, a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider online donations to The Compass Food Bank, thecompass.ca
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