Two weeks after its August 8, 2014 poll showing John Tory in the lead for the office of mayor, Forum Research has another poll showing the gap between Tory and Mayor Ford is closing. In early August Tory had 35%, Ford 27% and Chow 25%. Today’s poll reveals Tory with 34%, Ford 31% and Chow with 23%. These results are taken here as evidence there is really nothing the public likes about Mr. Ford except his politics. If the mayor can make the public forget that he is an alcoholic and former drug user, a foul-mouthed man with not-very-nice instincts about women — then he has a chance. Why? Because the other candidates continue to gift Mr. Ford with issues that strike home with taxpayers. The Bulldog noted this week that City Council had decided to pay Councillor Maria Augimeri’s $5,000 legal bill for the libel she carelessly committed against a political opponent. The issue is Ford’s to win votes on. He will.
Breaking: “Hello Kitty” is a little girl, not a cat
by •
Sandals testing limits of logic on math scores
by •
Education Minister Liz Sandals is in danger of talking through her hat when she tries to explain how Ontario children have learned mathematics but somehow or other can’t apply it. That does not make sense, does it? CP24
Sunwing flight sent back to Pearson — again!
by •
Two women have been arrested after a Sunwing charter flight to Cuba was turned back to Toronto after what the airline calls a serious disruption aboard the flight. Peel police said two female parties caused a disturbance on-board that aircraft and also uttered some comments that were concerning to the pilot. There is a shedding of inhibition with the prospect of a vacation, and perhaps a drink or two.
Wards 22 and 26 members deal on BIA process
by •
There was a working compromise reached at City Council Wednesday (August 27, 2014) in the debate about a name for a proposed business improvement area (BIA) for South Bayview. John Parker (Ward 26) moved a motion to delete the name Bayview Leaside which had earlier been attached to the request to the Clerk for a formal vote of merchants and landlords on the street. The motion asked that the city proceed with the vote (or poll) to determine support but that the BIA remain nameless until it is created. The motion was seconded by Josh Matlow (Ward 22) whose ward shares the Bayview Ave business district on the west. Mr. Matlow has been a strong voice in favour of a name which is inclusive of those living on both sides of the street. As residents will know, Leaside sits to the east, Davisville Village to the west. A poll in the South Bayview Bulldog is running approximately 77 percent in favor of the name South Bayview.
Dolphin “asks” human for help to escape netting
by •
There is new video which shows a touching and informative initiative taken by a dolphin in the wild near Hawaii in getting a human to help the mammal free itself from netting that had become knotted on one of its fins. As the narration in this ITN report tell us, the dolphin sought out the diver and pushed up against him with the entangled fin. As you will see, the diver went to work to remove the netting.
Rescue video: Boaters plucked from brink of Falls
by •
Two boaters were about two miles from the brink of Niagara Falls when they were snatched from disaster by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. Coast Guard officials say their Buffalo station received a call around 9:15 p.m. Monday (August 26, 2014) reporting a 19-foot motor boat with two men aboard was anchored in the Niagara River about 2,000 feet inside the 2.5-mile exclusion zone from the falls. A crew from the Coast Guard air station in Detroit was dispatched to the scene, along with a Coast Guard vessel from Buffalo and boat crews from state and local police. The river’s shallow depth prevented the vessels from reaching the anchored boat. A Coast Guard helicopter rescued the two boaters shortly before midnight.
We’re freaking out Burger King will wreck Tim’s
by •
Canadians are said to be freaking out that Burger King will somehow wreck Tim Hortons. The company has issued a news release this morning trying to reassure consumers. Yesterday the news caused an uproar in Washington where Democrats are incensed that Obama loyalist Warren Buffet threw in three billion dollars so Burger King could make the deal. Washington Post
Manning Canning to open on Vanderhoof Ave.
by •
 |
| Christine Manning |
A nice addition to the Leaside business spectrum will soon be moving into the commercial complex at 105-109 Vanderhoof Ave. Manning Canning is a maker of a wide variety of sweet and savoury jams, jellies, marmalades and pickles. Owner Christine Manning started her business from home and did the cooking in rental kitchens around town. Now she will own her kitchen and provide commercially certified rental kitchens to others. Manning Canning products are sold at present in 24 stores including Andy Elder’s Grilltime meat shop on Laird Drive at Kenrae Ave. That’s across the street from the Telus building at Laird and Esandar Drive. Ms.Manning tells The South Bayview Bulldog that one of the main challenges small food producers face is the lack of rentable commercial kitchen space in the GTA. Her new location on Vanderhoof will permit Manning Canning to provide small food producers kitchen space plus give Manning space for increased production. Next month Manning Canning will launch a kickstarter campaign to raise funds to complete the renovations to the space. The firm intends to be open for rental in mid-October. Christine says Leaside is the ideal location for her to make her wonderful products. Try the Zucchini relish — Ed.
Let’s stay up all night at Scotia Nuit Blanche
by •
She calls man a criminal — you pay $5,000 bill
by •
 |
| Maria Augimeri |
Maria Augimeri (Ward 9) called someone a criminal in an Italian newspaper this year. He didn’t like it, she could not prove it and when the dust had settled the Councilor owed $5,000 for her indiscretion. The question before City Council was who should pay this amount. Mayor Ford was opposed and was one of two dissenting voices Tuesday (August 26, 2014) during an argument on this point. A motion was moved by Councillor Josh Matlow that Council direct the City Manager to amend the Complaint Protocol so that where the complainant is successful and the Councillor is found in breach of the Code of Conduct that the policy require the Councillor to pay the complainant’s legal fees directly. But no, City Council eventually decided that the city — that would be you the taxpayer — will pay the $5,000. There may be many ways to spin this decision but the council vote was 33-2 — an overwhelming majority — to pay for the councillor’s careless talk. Why? The stories don’t make it very clear. For Mayor Ford it was tailor-made for his campaign message that only he cares about public money. “She accused him of being a criminal. He is not a criminal and now the taxpayers have to pay for her comments? I’m sorry. That’s not right.” It is a very good example of why the mayor continues to be a contender for re-election in October. And a reminder that his problems have always been about his personal behaviour, not his politics.
6.000 swelter in dark after contractor cuts line
by •
According to police, a contractor has cut a power line with a backhoe under the sidewalk outside the Chicken ‘licious restaurant at 2789 Danforth ave. putting approximately 6,000 area residents in the dark on the hottest day of the summer. The bad luck backhoe did its work on in East York. Toronto Hydro says thousands of customers are in dark from an area bounded by Danforth to Queen, and Victoria Park to Main Street. A tweet from TTCing says that the escalators are stopped at Main Street Station. Emergency crews are on scene but the prognosis is for serious sweating until at least dawn. Affected residents are asked to not open the fridge or freezer to allow for items to stay cool, while unplugging non-essential appliances in order to avoid a power surge. Toronto Star Toronto Sun #darkTO
