news
Newsstand: December 6, 2011
Ever get that feeling, like planking on a million? Let us give it to you, with a million bits of particles of things that together form what we call news. And, go! News: no more free rides from libraries, pools, or farms; more plans to contract out City services; the cost of closing Stanley Park pool; anarchist is sentenced; and black holes will save us all.
In Doug Ford’s (Ward 2, Etobicoke North) grand, made-up, tradition of contracting out everything that’s not nailed down, Mayor Rob Ford presents another thing that’s not nailed down: plowing, grass cutting, and street sweeping. The move to privatize street maintenance across various districts would cut about 70 City employees. Also keeping with tradition, no one else on council, including the deputy mayor, had heard of the proposal until asked for comment on it.
In other attempts to save money, the budget committee is proposing new fees for Riverdale Farm and outdoor swimming pools. Or as Adam Vaughan (Ward 20, Trinity Spadina) calls the fees, a “war on children.” Dark stuff, Vaughan. Very dark.
Longing for the days when you could go to a place, pay a bit of money, and walk away with a short-term lease on a DVD? Does Blockbuster’s bankruptcy leave a hole in your heart? Does Black Dog’s impending closure fill you with dread? And don’t you hate libraries? Then Michelle Berardinetti’s (Ward 35, Scarborough Southwest) proposal to charge for DVD borrowing from the library is just the proposal for you. Sure, sure, the City would have to ask the Province to amend the Public Libraries Act to allow fees for borrowing items that libraries were invented to offer for free. But, as Berardinetti argues, “There is a lot more words that are contained in books then there is watching a movie.” So there.
In other money-saving proposals that would require the ignoring updating of rules involving the other levels of government, Mayor Rob Ford’s plan to close some outdoor pools may be hitting a snag. The Stanley Park pool was named along with six other swimming and wading pools slated for closure in order to save the City a bit of money. And sure, the City can close Stanley Park pool if they so choose. So long as they pay the $337,600 they’re legally contracted to reimburse the provincial and federal governments with in the event the recently renovated pool is closed within six years of the renovation.
In sentencing one of the guys who pleaded guilty to damaging cop cars during the G20, Justice Mary Hogan said one of the meanest things you can say to someone who says he’ll be an anarchist till he dies. “Good luck,” said the judge. “I don’t expect to see you back.” Burn.
If all this news is bumming you out and you haven’t even started Christmas shopping yet even though it’s only 18 days until Christmas Eve, never fear. University of Toronto researchers have found not one but two super huge black holes that will maybe just suck us up and end all this. Thanks, science!