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Newsstand: August 26, 2010
Illustration by Matt Daley/Torontoist.
Today: Sum 41 rocks the vote in Ajax; Rob Ford inexplicably does too, but has to repay donations; and parking is difficult for those who enforce it.
If you think Sum 41 is cool, then you might think voting is too. The band from Ajax is urging its hometown to vote in the municipal elections through a YouTube video. Voter turnout has been underwhelming, with 23% in 2006, compared to the 39% turnout in Toronto. It’s not just Sum 41 in this Canadian version of the U.S.’s Rock the Vote campaign either. Other stars include a former Canadian Idol judge and an ex-Leafs backup goalie.
Mayoral frontrunner (how is this happening?) Rob Ford continues playing to his strength—messing up. On recommendation from the City’s integrity commissioner, council has ordered Ford to repay thousands of dollars in donations solicited for the Rob Ford Football Foundation using office letterhead. And that’s against City rules for “improper use of influence.” Ford has raised more than thirty-seven thousand dollars, but less than half is affected by the ruling.
Speaking of donations, Muslim community centers and the Pakistan International Airlines warehouse in the city are getting overwhelmed with food donations for flood victims in Pakistan. Thirty thousand kilograms of food have already been donated, mostly by Toronto-area Pakistani-Canadians and space is running out. Many are suspicious of Pakistan’s government and opt for sending food and other goods instead of cash. The Care Canada coalition of charities has raised nearly one million dollars from the public, which the government pledged to match last weekend.
Despite the polls, which say Ford is leading (again, how is this happening?), Miller still says he’s number one. Most Torontonians stand behind his investments in city building, he says. “If you want to analyze the polls, Rob Ford’s not leading, David Miller is,” he said in third person, referring to the Ipsos poll that claims he would win should he re-enter the race. For more reflection from the outgoing mayor, have a read.
Now, most people know they’re not supposed to park in a disabled spot, but apparently parking enforcement was not informed. A customer at a Tim Hortons near Caledonia Road and Lawrence Avenue West saw one of said vehicles pull into a wheelchair-accessible parking space and took a photo. Toronto Police say no law was broken because the space was not “officially” marked as such with a sign above the spot as well as on the ground. Still, there will be an internal investigation.
Yorkdale Mall is bringing sexy back…if it ever had it in the first place. Anyway, the “secret” is out and today Ohio-based lingerie company Victoria’s Secret will officially open its second Canadian location. The other one’s in Edmonton. Supermodels Adriana Lima, Chanel Iman, and Erin Heatherton were on hand for the media preview yesterday. So if you think you have the looks, or think the undies will give you the looks, head on down.