news
Newsstand: January 16, 2012
Now that it's actually January weather, let's all get back to complaining about the bitter, bitter cold. Surely we'll have some winter weather consistency from here on out, right? Well, if we can't count on that, here's something you can hang your hat on, the news! Today: fired union exec re-hired, a trial for five police officers very unlikely to find themselves back in their former roles, less of the Ford brothers to love, 20 per cent tips may be the new normal, and some animal-focused news.
Imagine for a moment that you’ve been fired for the following reasons: breaching contract tendering rules, losing valuable government grants, regularly breaking cheque-signing policy, and charging unauthorized personal expenses (including trips to Disney World and steak dinners) without proper accounting. Now picture the end result: pounding the pavement, searching for a job? Desperately pondering who you can possibly use as a reference? Jumping back in to the $200,000/year union job from which you were fired? If you are an exec with the Toronto-based Labourers’ International Union of North America Local 183, option three seems to be the right answer. John Mandarino, who was fired last summer from his role as the administrator for the training centre of the union, has just been re-hired, adding fuel to the fire of union-bashing Torontonians everywhere.
It’s so hard to resist the gravy jokes. Ditto for jokes that involve the term Hogtown, or anything to do with trimming the fat. So. Very. Hard. We will, however, simply mention that the Ford brother weight-loss challenge begins on this fine day. This morning, Mayor Rob Ford and his brother, city councillor Doug Ford (Ward 2, Etobicoke North), will hit the scales for a weigh-in, kicking off the official launch of the Cut The Waist Challenge. The brothers are encouraging Toronto residents to join in, and have challenged Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi to do the same. Because comparing our mayor to their mayor seems to be in Ford’s best interest.
In this morning’s “this would make an awesome Toronto-focused, Cancon-filled, made-for-TV-movie” news, today marks the start of a trial focused on the largest case of alleged police corruption in Canadian history. Five former Toronto police drug squad officers will face accusations of conspiracy to obstruct justice, theft, assault, perjury, and extortion. It has all the elements of a quality film, or at very least, quality TV, including falsified and track-covering official police records. Good news, Law & Order, we’ve just found you your newest spin-off!
Ever wonder just how much you should tip at the end of a meal? A few local restaurants are making it easy for you by prompting a 20 per cent tip at the point of transaction. Why? Because according to one restaurant owner, servers “don’t get paid too much.” Which he would know, since, um, he’s the one paying them.
Now for the tail-end of the news…the animal-themed section! Those who live in the King West and Strachan Avenue area are likely familiar with certain sounds and smells from the neighbourhood slaughterhouse, and most do there best to try to tune out their senses and try to ignore what’s going on at the Quality Meat Packers (and doesn’t the name simply say it all?) However, the 20 animal rights activists that showed up at the facility on Sunday to fight for better conditions for the chilly piggies aren’t turning a blind eye (or closed nose, plugged ear). But who’s picketing outside the dens of the big, bad, dog-eating coyotes? Too busy working to protect High Park zoo? We all have our priorities.