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Newsstand: July 15, 2011
Say hello to Friday. Last time you’re gonna see a Friday like this. In the news: island airport tunnel gets the go-ahead, the City considers slashing cute animals, and 400 firefighters may soon discover their skills aren’t all that transferable to other jobs.
As some have pointed out, what was lost in Wednesday’s bike lane hubbub was the fact that the initial Jarvis Street Improvement Project was meant to make the street more pedestrian-friendly. Between snubbings like that and having to fear for their lives every time they cross the street (or stay on the sidewalk), pedestrians might be right to feel as though Toronto doesn’t care about them. But fear not, loyal walkers. Soon you and only you will be able to experience the joy of walking underwater while hammering another nail into the coffin of David Miller’s legacy with the port authority’s new pedestrian tunnel to the island airport. The tunnel will also save the city about $10 million in water and sewer infrastructure to the island, so there will be no gravy involved. Double whammy! The only people complaining are those whiny downtown residents, and when’s the last time anyone cared what they had to say?
Another bee in the bonnet of waterfront residents is Water Toronto’s proposal to build sewer- and storm-water overflow storage shafts below two downtown parks. Residents say it’s unfair to take away what little green space they can enjoy before going back to their big, ugly, view-blocking condo buildings every day.
Oh, and in case you were looking for a compendium of the weirdest quotes from the Jarvis bike lane debate, NOW Magazine‘s got you covered.
If this week has taught Rob Ford anything, it’s that you can’t get blood from a stone. You can, however, get blood from goats, horses, and sheep, so they’ve become the next to take part in the Great Toronto Clear-Out. The latest report from Satan’s minions KPMG suggests closing Riverdale Farm and the High Park and Centre Island petting zoos. Apparently, this is what passes for gravy. On the plus side, if we keep slashing services, there will hardly be anything left for Tim Hudak should he take office in October.
The epic budgetary tragicomedy continues with Toronto Fire Chief Bill Stewart saying he would need to lay off about 400 firefighters to meet the 10 per cent budget reduction requested by Rob Ford. Layoffs might be a godsend for firefighters, though, if the city goes through with KPMG’s suggestion of merging them with paramedics. Things are looking pretty grim for city services, but rather than just protesting KPMG, how about a proactive solution: get rid of those money-sucking daycare spots and have the newly christened fire-medics look after the children. The kids could help out with fires and medical emergencies, learning valuable skills and saving the city millions. Plus, what kid doesn’t dream of riding in a fire truck?