Month: September 2014

Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon (Ward 32) says there should be a limit on Council terms. Her suggestion is that a councillor be limited to two four-year terms. It is one of a number of reforms possible for City Council. A much more urgent one is ranked voting in which electors choose both a first and second-choice candidate. That permits an “instant run-off” which guarantees a victor who has a majority of the popular vote. At present, Council has many councillors who were elected with 28 to 38 percent of the vote. That was the case in South Bayview Wards 26 and 27 in 2010. Toronto Star

Josh Matlow (Ward 22) has published details of a mediated settlement for the development of the Art Shoppe site between Hillsdale Ave.E. and Soudan Ave. The developer took his proposal for a two-pronged condominium with towers topping out at 38 and 29 storeys directly to the Ontario Municipal Board. As reported by Mr. Matlow in a recent ward update, the City was able to work that idea back to what he describes as “one 28-storey tower on the north side stepping down to a 12-storey midrise on the south side.” In addition, says the Councillor, the building will step down to six storeys on the east side (which is what homeowners will be looking at). Matlow says the 12 storey limit n the south helps to “protect Yonge Street south of Hillsdale from being developed with heights greater than midrise.” There was also a concession by the developer who apparently handed over two houses on Soudan which will be developed into a new park of about 1,100 square metres and connected to an existing park on Hillsdale. 

Autumn is nearly here and so is the essential public service for Leasiders — giving a pint of blood at the Northlea School’s 24th blood donor clinic. It happens Tuesday, October 7, 2014 between 2 and 8 p.m. Northlea Public School, 305 Rumsey Rd. Call 1-888-2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to book an appointment. Maria Charlebois reminds us that the community is counting on you to fulfil this important public service.  Why we give blood — and you should too!

Dr. Zane Cohen has announced that the mayor has a fatty tissue tumour which is malignant. It is more formally known as a liposarcoma tumour. Dr. Cohen, a colorectal expert, has said that the tumour is unusual and is more receptive to chemotherapy treatment than other cancers. It comprises about one percent of all tumours. He said there will be two series of chemotherapy treatment. Dr. Cohen said there is also a small cancerous nodule of the same liposarcoma on the mayor’s buttock. Notably, there is said to be no cancer in any of the mayor’s organs. The outcome of chemotherapy treatment will determine whether radiation or surgical treatment is required, Dr. Cohen said. The tumour was apparently not present in the mayor’s body when he was in hospital for other surgery in 2011. At present however the tumour is described as being “12 centimeters wide.” Dr. Cohen said there was nothing found in the mayor’s lung and therefore no biopsy, contrary to many news reports.  This information came from a news conference ending at 5.22 p.m.  Ford determined to fight

It’s really creepy. Just like the night they sat around in Dalton McGuinty’s office and decided to brazenly cancel a nearly-completed power plant to win a seat in the general election, moments away. Now Mr. McGuinty is back as an education lobbyist and he’s already snared three million dollars for his project.  AM640 

Toronto school trustees spent $108,000 to travel to conferences over a three-year period. They hit places like California, Boston and Whistler according to information obtained by Torstar News Service. It says the biggest spenders were trustees Gerri Gershon, spending $13,804.54, Elizabeth Moyer with at least $13,727.53 and Shelley Laskin with more than $13,533.93. This information was recorded during the period from 2010 to 2013. Metro