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Newsstand: February 8, 2010
Illustration by Roxanne Ignatius/Torontoist.
Welcome to another week, Toronto.
This could determine if you actually get out of bed today. Disgruntled TTC employees are prepared to work to rule in retaliation against the recent criticism they’ve received from their bosses and passengers. A message on the Facebook group “Toronto Transit Operators against public harassment” hints that the Amalgamated Transit Union is calling TTC employees to work to rule starting Monday, meaning they will do no more than their minimum duties. This comes after yet another conductor vs. passenger confrontation (this time featuring outspoken Toronto writer Joe Clark and two duelling camera phones) and a strongly worded statement issued to all twelve thousand employees by TTC Chief General Manager Gary Webster. Didn’t you ever learn, TTC workers, that two wrongs don’t get people off your back and stop pointing out your faults?
Meanwhile, a blind man couldn’t leave his home if he tried. The City installed cement blocks in front of his driveway, cutting off crucial access to David Kadosh’s Willowdale home, needed by his caregivers. Councillor John Filion (Ward 23, Willowdale) says Kadosh was warned multiple times that his driveway was too large and would be blocked off. But the notifications were somehow sent to Kadosh’s former home in Thornhill, even though he hasn’t lived there in over ten years and all other documents have been sent to his Willowdale address. City workers said the problem would go away if the driveway was narrowed, which they graciously offered to do—on Kadosh’s dime of course.
As most of the city had their eyes glued to a sporting event of some kind, George Smitherman quietly launched his mayoral campaign Sunday afternoon. The front-runner to be Toronto’s next mayor is taking the slow and steady course, posed to lose more votes than he could gain with any risky moves. Smitherman seems to be tip-toeing down the road to City Hall, quietly behind the proverbial marching bands of Adam Giambrone and Rocco Rossi.
Jack Layton announced on Friday he is battling prostate cancer, but said that wouldn’t stop him from fulfilling his role as NDP leader and member of parliament. However, on Saturday, his health issues forced him to cancel his first public appearance since the announcement. He was scheduled to appear in Brampton to celebrate a local publication, but instead addressed the crowd by phone.
The condition of Casa Loma isn’t looking so pretty, and it won’t for some time. Plans to refurbish one of Toronto’s top tourist attractions have missed virtually every deadline. The gothic castle should be Toronto’s crowning jewel after a twenty-year contract with the Kiwanis Club is completed, with new floors, galleries, a theatre, and a five-star restaurant. But low attendance, wedding rentals, and a new board have slowed down progress, about a year behind for some projects. A twenty-million-dollar exterior restoration is underway, but won’t be completed until 2013.
And somebody must have said a prayer, because the New Orleans Saints won the forty-fourth annual Super Bowl in Miami Sunday night. In their first ever Super Bowl appearance, the Saints beat out the favoured Indianapolis Colts thirty-one to seventeen. They started the game behind by ten, but with a smooth interception and touchdown from Tracy Porter and loads of emotional support from fans, winning seemed a Brees for the southern squadron.