Karen Stintz, TTC chair and member for Ward 16, is warming to her campaign against the transportation minister, Glen Murray, and his two-stop, subway-in-a-second scheme announced last week. Ms. Stintz, who is thought to be pondering a run for mayor, says the minister’s big show is a sham and that he and the Ontario government are ignoring the democratic will of Toronto city council. She has a guest column in the Sun today (Saturday, September 14, 2013). Toronto Sun
Month: September 2013
As many as 80 unaccounted for in Boulder floods
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Flash flooding from heavy rains continued to force evacuations Friday in isolated mountain communities outside Boulder, and federal disaster managers stepped in to oversee response teams. The death toll rose to four on Friday, with the discovery of a flood victim outside Boulder. As many as 80 people are unaccounted for, meaning friends and family members reported they can’t reach them. Video at the right is a very good wrap up from ITN.
The challenge of accurate radiology readings
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Here is the best review of the issue discovered at the Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga. The name of doctor is given and context of the size of the problem. CBC News
Rollover at Laird Dr. and Vanderhoof Ave.
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There was a car rollover on Laird Drive at Vanderhoof Ave. Friday afternoon. It’s not too clear what happened but it doesn’t appear from police reports to have been too serious. The question remains as to whether the Leaside traffic study will figure out how to avoid this scary stuff. Was someone trying to drive into Vanderhoof despite all the signs that say no, no,. no?
Vacancies on Bayview: Take my store — please!
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The year that started it all — 2008 – is mercifully receding into the past. But the so-so business conditions that it established everywhere seem to be with us still. On South Bayview, as on most business streets, retail space is going begging. Rents may be too nigh but the underlying issue is a lack of confidence among even seasoned retailers that they can really make a go of it. Conditions on neighbouring streets like Mt. Pleasant, are just as bad, if not worse. In the north block, the large double store at 1685 that recently held Detail home accessories remains un-leased. Word has it that some offers have been made to turn it into a restaurant but the landlord is resisting that. We get it. Southbound from there, the former Country Store location is already open (without a sign yet) as a new stationery store, Essence du Papier. It has been especially sad to see the Sentry at 1633 Bayview empty after 17 years of business, Near Millwood Rd., Byford RE has the shop at 1517 for lease. On the west side of Bayview, there is a sign in the window of 1600 but it is in anticipation of the departure of the condo and town home showroom which may happen later this year. And the former Landmark, former Highway 61 is still for lease. The best news today is that a new tenant seems set to nip off the nice space next door to The Elegant Garage Sale. That’s the former Teaopia location. Premier works her job as Ag Minister on Bayview
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Premier Wynne was visiting stores on South Bayview Friday afternoon. She was making a video in which she urges Ontarians to buy locally grown produce. This locale shows Ms. Wynne, who is the MPP for Don Valley West, outside Badali’s Fruit Market as she interacts with a producer and cameraman. The Premier has assigned farm produce to her personal administration as the Minister of Agriculture. This is a combination of duties not seen in a first minister in recent years. The thrust of Ms. Wynne’s work also seemed today to extend to asking consumers to buy in Canada. In that respect, she visited a dress store, Your Clothes Friend, and other outlets on Bayview Ave.
Toronto woman leaves savings to horses, dogs
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A west-end Toronto woman has left her life saving, some $45,600, to Toronto Police Service’s mounted horse and dog service unit. Therese D’Agontine was a resident of a seniors home on Bloor St. W. at Parkside Drive. For years she has treasured a golden retriever called Esme which she had rescued. And after she died, her lawyer said, Esme was allowed to attend her funeral at a west end church.
Fisherman escapes from N. Korea after 41 years
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A South Korean fisherman kidnapped by North Korea 41 years ago has managed to pull off a daring escape and has been reunited with his family in Seoul. No details of how Jeon Wook-pyo, now 68, managed to escape from the secretive North but most who have made it across the border – either by land or across a river into China – risk being shot by guards. It was in 1972 when Jeon was serving as one of 25 crewmen manning two South Korean boats that they were all captured by North Korean sailors in the Yellow Sea. Mailonline
Waterspouts over L. Michigan a show of nature
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Firefighters getting New Jersey fire under control
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Firefighters appear to be getting the upper hand on a raging fire that destroyed much of an iconic Jersey shore boardwalk after a last-ditch effort to slow its spread by ripping up boards that had not yet burned. Authorities had not declared the fire under control late Thursday but it appeared to have vastly lessened in intensity. Seaside Park Mayor Robert Matthies says “it certainly looks like it’s been suppressed.” No serious injuries were reported. The fire burned more than 30 boardwalk businesses in Seaside Park and Seaside Heights.
Premier Wynne to visit South Bayview Friday
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Premier Kathleen Wynne will be on Bayview Friday afternoon between 3:30 and 4:30 p,m. She will be visiting Badali’s Fruit Market and other food stores to promote locally sourced products.
Telling Visa to take its business elsewhere
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| Larry Rossy |
It’s a problem every retailer would love to have. Larry Rossy, the CEO of Dollarama, just can’t figure out how it would help his business at all to start accepting Visa and MasterCard. Nope. He’s tried to slice it different ways but he still can’t see why he should give up Dollarama’s cash and Interac only policy. He’s studied it and listened to the “credit card people” as he calls them. They can convince you of almost anything, he says. But no. Dollarama now dodges those nasty 2 and 3% Visa fees on fancy “black” credit cards, and on all the rest. He makes his money with a decent markup on cheap goods and by keeping overhead down. Rossy says he is especially concerned about Visa or MC cannibalizing that efficient Interac business. Maybe he would do a percentage or two more business by accepting credit cards only to find he was doing a percent or two less with Interac. When you figure in the card fees, that’s a net loss You have to love the man’s choices. Walking away never felt so good, we’re guessing.