COUNCILLOR WANTS SIGN TO DESIGNATE GROW-OP HOMES

Coun. Michael Del Grande (Ward 39, Scarborough-Agincourt) has 28
former marijuana grow houses in his Scarborough ward and he wants
everyone to know.

Del Grande started a campaign in his ward to point out to prospective
renters and buyers which houses were used to grow pot and are likely
to be riddled with mould and structural defects that result from such
operations.

On Friday, he got the city's municipal licensing and standards
department to put work order signs on the lawns of two former grow
houses that have been raided and shut down by Toronto police.

The signs duplicate actual city work orders for environmental and
structural repairs.

Del Grande has begun his campaign by targeting two houses: on Eagle
Point Road, in the Warden Avenue and McNicoll Avenue area, and
Chapeltown Crescent, near Pharmacy Avenue and McNicoll. Both were
empty last night and the signs gone from the lawns.

At Chapeltown Crescent, the sign was leaning at the side of the house
with the words not visible. "It will affect the resale value of our
homes," said a less-than pleased neighbour, who asked not to be identified.

The sign, more than a metre square, has a City of Toronto logo and the
words: Alleged marijuana grow house operation.