news
Weekend Newsstand: December 24, 2011
December 24. That can only mean one thing. Tomorrow's the day. That big day that everyone keeps talking about, thinking about, writing about. But today's Newsstand is going to be different. It's going to avoid the obvious, cheesy, and way-too-easy holiday references, because other things are happening right now, too. Things like: Mayor Rob Ford's lawyers asking the court to overturn audit of election expenses, the City's Occupy Toronto bill (spoiler alert: the police are pricey!), and news about what it takes to get banned from Steeltown, plans for Gould Street, what the GO drivers are up to now, and a Christmas gift for Toronto.
Lawyers for Mayor Rob Ford will ask an Ontario court to overturn a request for a full audit of the mayor’s election campaign finances and to hold a new hearing with additional evidence. The audit had been requested by two Toronto residents who allege that when running for mayor, Ford violated election rules by using family money on election expenses and by accepting in-kind corporate contributions, which are not permitted under City of Toronto rules. Mayor Ford maintains that his campaign organization followed all election rules (and should therefore have nothing to hide), but his lawyers are fighting the audit order. Their motion will be heard in January. But, really, for goodness sake, only one person can tell us if Ford’s been bad or good. Santa. Oops. Okay, this is going to be tough to avoid.
Occupy Toronto cost taxpayers $714,000, according to the City, the bulk of which ($600,000+) went to policing. The remainder was spent on Toronto EMS, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Solid Waste Management, Toronto Fire and Shelter, and Support and Housing Administration. The Toronto protest had relatively few arrests during the 40-day protest, yet the police bill alone amounts to $15,000/day. Aha! No wonder Bill Blair couldn’t trim the budget. There is absolutely, positively no extra Christmas dinner gravy mmmmm turkey to spare.
The Hammer may be the City of Love to many a McMaster student, but for one Torontonian, it’s the City of Steely Hard Cold Rejection. A Toronto man has been banned from Hamilton for 12 months after an “intimate encounter” that went terribly, terribly wrong. Christopher Howell, apparently feeling jilted by his Hamilton hook-up, tried to track his lady friend down (but she was too busy watching MMA with her BF to come to the phone). None too happy about the brush-off, he had some threatening things to say about slicing and exploding and what-not, which he communicated via email, and next thing you know he’s not allowed back for a year. Sigh. Love hurts.
Following a one-year test closing of Gould Street, City staff are recommending a permanent closure in order to create a pedestrian thoroughfare for Ryerson students and school staff. Over the past year that it’s been closed, the space has been used for a weekly farmers market, student group sign-up days, and festivities associated with Ryerson’s week of welcome. While the street will remain in the City’s possession, it will pass all maintenance costs associated with Gould Street, including snow removal, landscaping, and litter collection, to Ryerson. Let’s call this the Miracle on Gould Street and turn it into a hit holiday move. Oh drat.
While the YRT strike continues with no end in sight, the GO transit system continues to win the hearts of GTA commuters. First it was continued service, then it was new routes, and now this. Beacon to the lost, hero to the little guy, returner of lost wallets. Is there anything these guys don’t do? It really gives you that warm Christmasy glow.
Now here’s some news that includes a legit Christmas mention. A local businessman has paid the City to staff the rink houses at Dufferin Grove, Wallace Emerson, and Campbell Rink for full hours on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. But if that’s not your thing, there’s always Chinatown.