Chrysler ProMaster to challenge Ford Transit
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| Fiat Doblo (top) and Ford Transit Connect |
Chrysler is going head-to-head with Ford for the small service van market, a niche which Ford Motor re-discovered four years ago. Chrysler will base its new 2015 Ram ProMaster City on the similar vehicle of its parent company, Fiat. That’s the Fiat Doblo (inset with the Transit Connect, lower) “The Ram ProMaster City further expands the Ram Commercial truck lineup, which includes everything from vans to pickups to Class Four and Five trucks,” Reid Bigland, president and CEO – Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group, said in a statement. “As Ram Commercial continues to gain share and grow sales in the market, we will be aggressive in our goal of expanding our commercial vehicle offerings.” There would seem to be room to do business with the smaller van. As a simple drive along any street in Toronto reveals, the Ford Transit Connect has been a big hit with small and large users. Bell, Rogers and countless small businesses have embraced the trim little truck. The Fiat Doblo, which has generated more than 1.3 million sales in European and other markets overseas. “Our successful relationship with Fiat Professional, one of the world’s foremost commercial truck manufacturers, gives Ram a competitive advantage with access to proven products and technology that will resonate with our U.S. and Canadian customers,” added Bigland.
Police officer dies from injuries in crash of cruiser
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| John Zivcic |
PC John Zivcic, 34, has died in St. Michael’s Hospital from injuries suffered in the crash of his police car on Saturday. Constable Zivcic suffered head injuries when he was thrown from his car when it came into the same path of another vehicle. Police have not said what happened at the scene. Toronto Police Association president Mike McCormack said, “It’s a terrible day for the Toronto Police Service. “Our hearts are broken for John’s family.” Toronto Mayor Rob Ford called it a very sad day for the city’s police force. “He worked very hard and that’s why we have to support front-line police men and women. They sacrifice their life day in and day out and it’s a very sad day today,” said Ford Zivcic, who was originally from St. Catharines, Ont., was described as a “greatly respected guy,” specifically at 22 Division where he works. Police are saying little about what may have caused the crash, which is under investigation by Traffic Services.
Is the NDP too angry, too hairy or too orange?
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The next general election is at least 18 months away but the smell of urgent vote-grabbing is in the air. Homeowners in Toronto-Centre received this orange card in the mail Friday, four days after the byelection that elected Chrystia Freeland. Its colour makes it look like it’s from the NDP but of course it is not. The “registered agent” of the Liberal party, whoever that is, sent it along. Seems like Linda McQuaig came a little too close in the byelection. This card was to remind you that Thomas Mulcair is “Too Angry.” They might have added too hairy as well, but that would be politically incorrect in more ways than one. Linda McQuaig, said the card, wants to tax you up to 70 percent and “”break up” the country. Then there’s Stephen Harper trying to woo the Jewish vote by addressing and playing for those attending the annual Negev dinner. Outside, a renegade Jewish group called Harper down on everything from Palestinian lands to the environment. Always remember however, that Justin Trudeau, champion of the Middle Class, is not in favour of the Political Class. How sweet of him to pick us instead of those dreadful, pooey political people. 132nd Scouts tree sale at Leaside Presbyterian
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The 132nd Toronto Scouts remind us of their Christmas tree sale this weekend at Leaside Presbyterian Church, Eglinton Ave. E at Hanna Road. It goes Friday from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Here’s an interesting feature. The Scouts offer home delivery of their trees. Samples prices: a Balsam fir, 6 to 8 ft is $55 and a Fraser fir 6 to 8 ft. is $70. Delivery will be made to your home in Leaside and area on December 7, 2013. You can email orders to johnmasterson@rogers.comConstable John Zivcic still fighting for his life
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Update: PC John Zivcic, 34, has died of his injuries at about 12.35 p.m. at St. Michael’s Hospital with serious head injuries. PC Zivcic’s injuries were said at that time to be life-threatening. PC Zivcic, who is not married and has no children, was responding to an incident on traffic duty in an unmarked police car when the collision happened. The woman driver of the other car was taken to the hospital, treated for minor injuries and then released. The policeman’s Ford Taurus cruiser was effectively disintegrated in the accident. The evidence of the force with which it struck a nearby tree is revealed on the trunk, now stripped of its skin. A deep crevice in the driver’s side of the vehicle is testament to the impact. a utility pole was also knocked down. Bits of the car are scattered across Bloor Street at Neilsen Drive. Zivcic’s family, including his mother and brother, who are at the hospital, are “devastated,” said Toronto Police Association president Mike McCormack. He also has a sister. As to the circumstances when the two cars crossed paths yesterday, police have said nothing. They will be required to find out and make public whether the stealth cruiser was speeding, what emergency lights or sirens were being used and the status of the traffic lights at the intersection. Previous post with picture
Baby dinosaur skeleton discovered in Alberta
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The well-preserved remains of a baby dinosaur have been found in the fossil-rich earth of Alberta’s Dinosaur Provincial Park. It is said to be some 70 million years old. A thrilling discovery by any measure. It’s story is told on the CBC site. (Picture courtesy of Philip J. Currie, Robert Holmes, Michael Ryan Clive Coy, Eva B. Koppelhus)
Man accused of plot to sell ship details to China
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A man has been arrested by the RCMP on charges of trying to sell classified information to China. CBC
Mr. Parker talks about density in Bennington Hts
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| John Parker |
John Parker (Ward 26) has written a brief article for PostCity.com on the concern in Bennington Heights about builders (and property owners) doubling up on lots to increase density. Mr. Parker makes the point that the official plan designates certain areas as “neighbourhoods” whose character is to be maintained. “We value our neighbourhoods,” he states. “Official plan policies thus call for the character of neighbourhoods to be preserved. The character of Bennington Heights is that of a community consisting almost exclusively of single family dwellings. To the extent that I have a say in the matter, the provisions of the official plan will be invoked to keep it that way.” It will be a question, as it is in Moore Park and elsewhere, just what single family dwelling really means. On the record, it would seem to permit the division of lots creating a two or three for one density jump. It is this tendency which seems to be an important source of concern for the group known as Save Our Bennington. And, as homeowners know, Toronto’s policy of “in-fill” — while different from lot subdivision — states the City’s density objectives as a matter of tax and transit goals. These things are understandable but people with homes on larger than normal lots find it all quite sinister. They are suspicious that these goals will also colour applications to subdivide lots. PostCity Previous post — Bennington density
Actor Paul Walter dead at 40 in single car accident
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| “Fast and Furious” star |
Actor Paul Walker, known for his roles in the “Fast and the Furious” movies, died on Saturday in a car crash in Southern California, his publicist said. “Sadly, I must confirm that Paul did pass away this afternoon in a car accident,” Ame Van Iden, Walker’s publicist, said in an email. A message linked to Walker’s Twitter account, “@RealPaulWalker,” said Walker, 40, died as a passenger in a friend’s car while attending an event for a charity organization. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that there had been a car accident involving two fatalities in Valencia, a community in the city of Santa Clarita, at about 3:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. ET). When deputies arrived, they found the vehicle engulfed in flames. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene, the statement said. The office did not provide the identities of the dead, and said the cause was under investigation. Reuters
Sheer Hell as police cruiser wrecked in crash
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This shot tweeted by Tom Podolec shows the side of the unmarked Toronto police car following an accident at Bloor St. West and Neilson Drive in Etobicoke. Constable John Zivcic. a seven year veteran, was responding to a traffic call when he was in collision with another car. The driver of that vehicle, which is just visible on the left through the wreckage in the above picture, was a woman. She is said to have escaped with minor injuries. From the appearance of things, the impact of PC Zivcic’s vehicle with a utility pole and a tree, after contact with the other car, hurled the policeman out of his cruiser and onto the pavement. He has undergone surgery at St. Michael’s Hospital and is said to have injuries which are life threatening, His car, a Ford Taurus, was painted dark gray and was equipped with large rubber bumpers at the front. Parts of the car were strewn over the intersection, including a detached rear wheel.
Remember when the CNIB bridge was roofless?
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| Top, bridge before 1972 |
As many people will know, the venerable (built 1956) pedestrian bridge at the CNIB is now undergoing necessary renovations and will be open again in the Spring of 2014. It’s not a moment too soon really because the bridge records close to 5,000 crossings a month, most of which are made by vision impaired people. For the first 16 years of its life, those who used it did so out in the open. In 1972 a roof was added. By 2011, the old bridge needed work and was closed. A recent grant of $880,000 from the federal government has made its renewal possible. Any way you look at it, the bridge is a necessary facility for those who use transit to come and go from the many medical services now housed in the new complex on the east side. The growing residential community located east of Bayview also uses the bridge. In November there was a turning of soil by Don Valley West MP John Carmichael and others to mark the beginning of work. When finished, the whole facility will be an asset of which the community can be proud. It will feature an elevator on the west side of the bridge that will employ high contrast, Brailled buttons with audio accompaniment and a ramp on the east side of the bridge that will replace the current stairs to provide fully accessible access from the bridge to the building’s entrance. There will be lighting active during the day and evening and tactile surfaces throughout the bridge structure to assist with navigation and orientation.