SavetheDDO.org is run by people from across the GTA who care about the fate of the David Dunlap Observatory. If you would like to help out be sure to visit this site regularly for news and information about how to get involved.
OUR MISSION
The mission of "Save the DDO” is to ensure the preservation of the David Dunlap Observatory as a historic landmark, an operating observatory for scientific research, and a natural landscape for the people of the GTA to enjoy. It would be an incredible loss to this province and this country to see these amazing buildings, filled with history and the site of numerous scientific discoveries, demolished for the sake of urban sprawl.
NEW EVENTS!!
July 6, 2009 - IMPORTANT Richmond Hill Council Meeting, see "Events" page for details
CRB DECISION RELEASED!!! - SEE "LATEST NEWS" AND "IN THE PRESS PAGES" FOR ALL THE LATEST DETAILS
NEW LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN
From The David Dunlap Observatory Defenders:
If you believe the David Dunlap Observatory and Park should be saved as a natural park, heritage site and a working observatory for research and public education, please write a short letter to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Culture, and other Members of Provincial Parliament at the addresses below.
The time is critical as we await the decisions and recommendations from The Conservation Review Board (CRB) of Ontario.
Please send your letters as soon as possible via email, fax, mail. It is imperative the provincial government receive as many letters as possible indicating the wishes of the people regarding this urgent situation affecting our local community, our province and our country.
We must act NOW before it's too late.
This land and these buildings are our cultural heritage, Ontario's cultural heritage and Canada's cultural heritage. They must be protected as part of the history of our young country and the culture of York Region.
The Ontario provincial government must designate 100 per cent of this land as a Significant Cultural Heritage Landscape to protect it from any development.
This urban green space is our natural heritage and necessary for the health and well being of the area, surrounding Southern York Region and GTA. It consists of 189 acres that serve as a natural air purifier and carbon sink for Richmond Hill and the wider GTA area. It should be included in the Green Belt Expansion similar to Boyd Park in Woodbridge.
The tone of your letter should be forceful but respectful and no longer than one page.
Please share this request with at least 4 other people you know and ask them to write their own letters to the addresses below and have them share it with 4 others - this will ensure the circle continues to widen.
Thank you,
Karen Cilevitz – Chairperson.
ADDRESSES
Hon. Dalton McGuinty, Premier,
Legislative Building,
Queen's Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A1
Fax: 416-325-3745
dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Hon. Aileen Carroll, Minister of Culture,
900 Bay St., 5th Floor,
Mowat Block,
Toronto, ON M7A 1L2
Fax: 416-325-1726
acarroll.mpp@liberal.ola.org
For a complete list of MPP’s, click on link below – you may send your letter to any and/or all MPPs you wish:
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do?locale=en
Some specific possibilities:
Andrea Horwath MPP, Leader of NDP,
101 Richmond St. East,
Toronto, ON M5C 1N9
Fax: 416-599-4820
ahorwath-qp@ndp.on.ca
Julia Munro MPP, PC Critic of Culture and Heritage,
Legislative Building,
Queen's Park,
Toronto, ON M7A 1A1
Fax: 416 325 3392
julia.munro@pc.ola.org
Hon. John Gerretson MPP, Minister of Environment,
12th floor, 135 St. Clair Ave West,
Toronto, ON M4V 1P5
Fax: 416-314-7337
minister.moe@ontario.ca
Hon. Stephen Harper, Office of the Prime Minister,
80 Wellington St.,
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Fax: 613-941-6900
pm@pm.gc.ca
WRITE THE MINISTER ABOUT THE OHT LETTER
On January 14th 2009 at the Conservation Review Board concerning the DDO, counsel for the Richmond Hill Naturalists brought to light a letter from the Chair of the Ontario Heritage Trust calls on provincial Culture Minister Aileen Carrol to, among other things, immediately step in and protect the site at the provincial level.
We ask that you please take time to read the article liked below and the letter.
LINK: http://www.yorkregion.com/News/Richmond%20Hill/article/87094
Then please send a letter to the minister and ask her to please follow the recommendations of the Ontario Heritage Trust. Her contact information is below:
Hon M. Aileen Carroll - Barrie
acarroll.mpp@liberal.ola.org
Ministry Ministry of Culture
900 Bay Street, 5th Floor, Mowat Block
Toronto ON M7A 1L2
Tel 416-325-1660
Fax 416-325-1726
Toll Free 1-866-454-0049
TTY 416-325-5170
DONATE TO THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND!!!!!
The Richmond Hill Naturalists are fighting the good fight and they need more that courage in this effort.....they need legal advice.....and legal advise means money. Savetheddo.org has donate $100.00 to date and we are asking that everyone donate whatever they can to help out the RHN. Please follow the link below and make a donation.
LINK: http://www.rhnaturalists.ca/save-the-observatory/donate/
WHAT THE DDO COULD BE!
Savetheddo.org supports the idea of the DDO becoming a community observatory....what does this mean? Luckily we don't have to explain it because there a number of examples from around the world that could show us what an incredible asset to the community the DDO could be if our leaders have the will to make it happen. Please visit the links below and feel free to dream.
The Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles
http://www.griffithobs.org/
The Cincinnati Observatory Center
http://www.cincinnatiobservatory.org/
The Stardom Observatory, New Zealand
http://www.stardome.org.nz/
The Observatory Science Centre, England
http://www.the-observatory.org/default.html
****TOM BOLTON'S VISION*****
Directly from our successful rally at the DDO on February 9th, 2008, here is a video of Tom Bolton's vision of what the DDO should become.
LINK:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7acKj-DB2Ak
Sign the Online Petition
The Richmond Hill Naturalists continue to collect e-signatures on their online petition. We at SavetheDDO.org encourage you to show your support and sign online!
Also, you can do more than just put your name, you can post comments, stories about the DDO, and share with everyone why you think we should save this landmark.
Please visit:
http://www.rhnaturalists.ca/save-the-observatory/petition.php
Contact Us
If you would like further information, have any questions or comments please contact us via email at:
info@savetheddo.org
Thank you
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