news
Newsstand: April 19, 2010
lllustration by Clayton Hanmer/Torontoist.
Most of us were more than a little surprised by the results of last week’s mayoral poll revealing (supposed) long-shot Councillor Rob Ford (Ward 2, Etobicoke North) in second place. But some campaign clairvoyants, including Ford himself and even current leader George Smitherman say they saw it coming a mile away. But we bet they weren’t expecting Smitherman to drop a full ten points since the last poll in January, taken before Ford announced his candidacy. Even though the attitude towards this prudent politician has so far ranged from amusement, to incredulity, to downright fear, it’s clear his entry into the campaign created a significant upset. Councillors, hold onto your Metropass (while you still have them); it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
In fact, the campaign is shaking the city so hard the buildings are literally crumbling down. It took all weekend for the sidewalk along Gould and Yonge streets to reopen after a brick wall suddenly collapsed at lunchtime on Friday, fortunately avoiding passersby below. But that doesn’t mean the incident was victimless—several neighbourhood businesses were forced to close indefinitely while repairs to the building are being made. The City is leaving the businesses on their own to cover the costs and loss of revenue, while some owners are complaining they’re being left in the dark about construction progress—just like their “Open” signs. With all the bad luck, maybe something a little more sinister is afoot.
In a new pledge of $16.6 million to GO Transit, the provincial and federal governments are trying to mend bridges with angry Toronto transit users, literally and figuratively. Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Ontario Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne were all smiles as they finally delivered some good news; the money would go towards expanding bridges on the Georgetown South corridor, allowing for a fourth lane to ease traffic.
It was mostly business at the first town-hall meeting between frontline TTC workers and frustrated commuters, but at last night’s second installment in Scarborough, things got personal. Instead of addressing management issues, as was mostly the case in last week’s meeting, the crowd railed against the panel of drivers for taking excessively long breaks with passengers on board, surly attitudes, and filthy vehicle conditions. Oh, and physically assaulting the public. Even the format of the meeting was blasted. But workers and commuters were able to find common ground on one issue—calling for Adam Giambrone’s firing from his position as chair of the TTC. Uhh, too late.
Two young girls are in critical condition after each suffered a strange accident Sunday morning. While trying to cross the street alone in North York, an eleven-year-old was struck by a TTC bus, sending her to Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children with life-threatening head injuries. A three-year-old toddler is at the same hospital, also with severe head injuries, after she was somehow crushed by her family’s television set. Police have few details in both cases, and are investigating.
And if you’re in the housing market, like gentrified neighbourhoods, Victorian-style architecture, and a little murder mystery in your humble abode—have we got the place for you! The property at 102 Ossington Avenue briefly held James Earl Ray as he hid from authorities after assassinating Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, and now it can be yours at $1.2 million. Too much, you say? Well, there’s a second former shooter-shelter on the market listed for a mere $550 thousand. At these prices, the deals are practically criminal!