news
Newsstand: December 15, 2011
Whoa, have you seen Blink-182 lately? In the news this Thursday: Doug Ford is proven wrong, City's recreation people admit that kids will drop out of community centre programs if new fees are introduced, the Raptors have a rock up their sleeves, the Gooderham flatiron building has new owners, some TTC fares increase, and more!
Newsflash: Doug Ford (Ward 2, Etobicoke North) says stuff even when he doesn’t know stuff. The councillor tried to play the ol’ downtown elites versus Etobicoke discount shoppers routine, saying his ward didn’t have any splash pads while some downtown ridings have eight to 10. His ward has three splash pads.
Speaking of not knowing things, the City’s general manager for parks and recreation admits that new fees on kids’ programs at priority centres will dissuade more people than previously reported. Last week Hart told the budget committee that 10 per cent of participants would drop out if fees were introduced, but on Tuesday he admitted that estimate was flawed, especially in light of recent revelations that 61 per cent of adults dropped out of programs at the same centres when fees were introduced. New estimates for the kids have yet to be calculated.
How about some confusingly phrased news about the TTC? Ugh, not before your coffee, right? We’re going to say it anyway. As of January 1, TTC tokens will be more expensive, but the cash fare will remain at the same, more expensive, rate. See, the commission voted on Wednesday to raise token prices to $2.60, but the $3 cash fare is unaffected. Which isn’t really that confusing after all.
People shaped like a slice of cake can soon be taking up residence in the Gooderham flatiron building. No, that is not true, but imagine. They could wedge their cake slice–shaped bed right in the corner there and dream of finding that perfect cup of tea to go with them. Sadly, this is not even close to happening as the people who purchased the building for $15.3 million deal in commercial realty, so they’ll likely just do what the previous owners suggested and turn the place into a cool corporate headquarters. Hopefully that corporation will be Sara Lee.
In sporting news, the Raptors hope a 1,300 pound boulder with a flat bottom will help them out this season. Sure, why not?
The outside workers’ union is claiming the City has given up on negotiations by filing for conciliation.
And yet, there is hope for the future.