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View Full Version : Utility pole on the laneway ready to fall...who to call?


Salamander Pete
Aug 22nd, 2009, 01:36 AM
I live in Toronto, on a laneway and today, coming back from work, I noticed a light pole right outside my window was slightly leaning a bit towards the neighbors garage. This evening, after coming back from dinner, I noticed it definitely at a much steeper angle. It is now at a 60 degree angle, and it is a matter of time before it lands on the neighbor's garage. I suppose it won't be much of a crash, as it seems to be going down almost slowly, but still...
It is a bit too late...(or early in the morning right now to go pounding on the neighbors door,) but I have called the city of Toronto's posted number, Toronto hydro..they said to call Rogers or Bell, as it is likely a cable pole. This in spite the fact it has three municipal signs on it, and a street light.
Well, no one seems to be care and they seem to be passing the buck. I know the city is busy reparing the damage caused by the Thursday storm (tornado?), but is there anyone else I should be calling to report this, or do I have to wait for the light post to actually fall before someone will take a look at it?

Anyone with experience or knowledge on this matter?

Linutor
Aug 22nd, 2009, 02:28 AM
I'm not sure who else to call, but I know that if I was your neighbour and the pole was falling towards my garage, I wouldn't mind being woken up so that I could try to do something about it...

CSR
Aug 22nd, 2009, 02:36 AM
911, this is an emergency.

pkguy
Aug 22nd, 2009, 10:53 AM
It's hardly an emergency, nothing has happened.

Call city hall and they'll put you thru to whichever department looks after such things...

Salamander Pete
Aug 22nd, 2009, 12:49 PM
It's hardly an emergency, nothing has happened.

Call city hall and they'll put you thru to whichever department looks after such things...

That is what I did, and they referred me to Toronto Hydro, who passed me on to Rogers, who passed me on to Bell, who passed me on to the city.
You are right, it is not an emergency yet. It is on the verge of destroying someone's property, close traffic for everyone else who uses the laneway to access their garages, and cuts utilities for everyone so I guess it becomes an emergency at that time.

RenegadeX
Aug 22nd, 2009, 01:00 PM
When everyone passes the buck, try the Toronto Star's "The Fixer".
Use the form here:
http://www3.thestar.com/cgi-bin/star_static.cgi?section=news&page=/Forms/speak_out/040526_thefixer1.html

Salamander Pete
Aug 23rd, 2009, 06:25 PM
Thanks Renegade. Luckily it has been resolved.
I did call Toronto Hydro and the City again, and made them take the information down, and asked for their names. I told them it was so I could reach them when I called back. The woman at Hydro kept insisting it was a cable pole and Rogers or Bell should come out and take a look. She said the pole was not in the grid she had, so if the pole was not in her map, it wasn't theirs. In spite of there being a street light on it. I said fine, then I will ask Rogers or Bell to call her directly and get that resolved. Well, this morning, a Toronto Hydro crew was out cutting the pole. They have taken down the lights, and one of the guys we spoke to said, replacing the light is not a priority to fix, so I guess the laneway will be dark.
But remember, don't take city or hydro CSR's at face value. Keep questioning!