The Bayview BIA’s Bring Your Broom event was an impressive show of committment from those with businesses there and from ordinary residents who also helped clean up. The good showing was a confidence builder for the BIA and a sign to those who were not there that they should have been. Perhaps as many as 30 people were at the corner of Bayview and Millwood Rd. Saturday morning. The BIA had coffee and pastries set out. Above, the organizing did not take long. Above we hear from Grant Allardyce, Trae Zammitt and a lady who wanted to see more “businessmen” (and businesswomen?) present. Then a word from Coucillor Josh Matlow. Below we see 8 Team Bayview East (so named by the Bulldog) one of three or four teams. The targets were weeds, litter and cigarette butts.

With barely two weeks to election day (October 19) the political pulse is quickening. People are actually beginning to think about how to vote. A useful opportunity for  local voters will occur Monday, October 7, 2015 when the Leaside Property Owners Association holds a candidates debate at the Lea Room at Leaside arena. It will be a contest between the two contenders, MP John Carmichael (Conservative) and the man who came quite close the last time, Rob Oliphant (Liberal). Both men have run lively campaigns with the margin the last time of some 600 votes a spur no doubt to Mr. Carmichael. Rob Oliphant was stumping on Bayview Ave. Friday where mainstreeting is a tradition for political candidates.

Rob Oliphant (left) speaks with Realtor Susan Byford and her father Richard

The Conservatives will no doubt be hoping that the perceived resurgence in their favour keeps running. Paul Wells of Maclean’s is an impartial observer. He thinks the tide is running in Stephen Harper’s direction — at least for now. In particular, Wells sees the rather staggering challenge of Syrian and other refugees as a factor in Harper’s favour, even among openly compassionate people who  would like to help but don’t want to sacrifice good order down the road. Time will tell on all of this.

City Council has reversed its position to implement ranked ballots for the 2018 municipal election. The initiative for this turn around came from rookie councillor Justin Di Ciano (Ward 5 Etobicioke-Lakeshore). His reasoning for this decision was that ranked ballots are too confusing. His position was embraced by a surprising number of members. They easily carried Mr. Di Ciano’s motion against changing to ranked ballots 25 to 18. It would seem to be substantial blow to a more reliable electoral system. The method offers voters both a first and second choice. This information is used to name a winner with at least 50% of the vote. Some races in Toronto and Ontario elections are decided with as little as 30 percent of the votes. The rest of the votes are spread among multiple candidates. Names and how they voted are below.

HOW THEY VOTED

Yes: 25 Maria Augimeri, Michelle Berardinetti, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Norman Kelly, Giorgio Mammoliti, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson
No: 18 Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Joe Cressy, Janet Davis, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Absent: 2 Rob Ford, Mike Layton

Magna Carta will be on display tonight at Fort York as a new exhibit celebrates our rich legal and political legacy. Magna Carta was signed eight hundred years ago this year when rebel barons forced King John to listen to them. It was hardly a work of the people but it began a process which historians say led to our present democratic processes. The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will be joined by a City representative at the Toronto launch event for the Magna Carta: Law, Liberty & Legacy exhibit, which will be on display from October 4 to November 7 at Fort York.Time is from 5.30 to 7 p.m. with remarks at 6 p.m.

Cecilia Pye of the Bayview Leaside BIA has written to remind everyone about the 1st Annual Fall Sweep the Streets Campaign. This is the first ever community clean-up event organized by the BIA. Members and local residents will meet tomorrow (Saturday, October 3, 2015). All are invited to particpate.  The neighbourhood will pull weeds and sweep the streets -– a joint effort to clean the neighbourhood, as well as a chance for local business owners and residents to meet. The clean-up will take place on Bayview Ave, from Davisville Avenue to Soudan Avenue. The start location will be the northwest corner of Bayview Ave and Millwood Rd  Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Bayview Leaside BIA will be providing clean-up materials as well as refreshments. Participants are encouraged to BYOB (Bring Your Own Broom). Also, at 9:30 am, the Leaside Property Owners Association will be presenting the Bayview Leaside BIA with a cheque for $25,000. These are funds obtained as a partial settlement from the SmartCentres Corporation for withdrawing previous opposition to the “Smart Centre North” under construction between Vanderhoof Ave. and Wicksteed Ave. East. Cecilia Pye can be contacted Cecelia@bayviewleasidebia.com and 647-971-1456 Previous post

Max Keeping

Max Keeping has died in Ottawa at the age of 73.  He succumbed to cancer after a long battle with the disease. Max Keeping was among the most successful of local television news anchors in becoming through his work an Ottawa broadcasting legend and community leader. CTV Ottawa Chief Anchor Graham Richardson replaced Max when he retired, “It wasn’t just about the news, charity work and public service. For him, it was the whole package and it was huge.” Long-time weather man J..J. Clarke spent 25 years with Max. ”Max was blessed with a rare gift. He was able to connect with people on-air and in person. I don’t think there was a hand he didn’t shake in our viewing region. Carol Anne Meehan was Max’s co-anchor for 22 years. “He was a selfless man who loved life – and lived it to the max. There will never be anyone like Max Keeping ever again.“

Nurse Sue Berger was reunited with Amanda Scarpinati 38 years after she held Amanda as a badly burned infant. It is just a simple meeting but a deeply moving moment.

They’ve closed the McDonald’s at Bayview and Eglinton but maybe that was just in time to open a new one in South Bayview featuring the Create Your Taste Kiosk that the company is rolling out across North America. Yes, it’s burgers by the button. But why? Some insist this is about reducing staff but McD’s denies it. The kiosk requires table service.  Some, like the CNBC business commentators in this video, say that by letting the public add elements (priced separately) they can get the price of a burger up to ten bucks. It is coming to Toronto for sure, according to McDonald’s Canada president and CEO John Betts. He says the firm will hire 15,000 people in the process. Best quote? “We’re basically blowing up the front counter,” said Betts. Wow can we get a picture of that?

Maria Mitousis

Lawyer Maria Mitousis has become a profile in courage since that day three months ago when a package bomb sent to her office blew off her right hand and burned her badly on the face, arms, chest, thighs and left hand.  This week Mitsousis  spoke publicly thanked police and EMS personnel who helped her and to say that she will not be sidetracked by her injuries. She had been targeted by the estranged husband of a woman she was representing.  Speaking to reporters at the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service’s training academy, Mitousis thanked the first responders and her law office staff who helped her in the moments after the package exploded. “They’re the ones who got me through that morning, and I wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to share with Winnipeggers that I believe that we’re truly fortunate that we have these people, with their expertise and integrity, right here among us, and our city’s well-equipped to manage all forms of crisis,” she said. Mitousis, who was right-handed, said she has had to adapt to using her left hand in daily life. As well, she is dealing with extensive burns from the blast.

Toronto Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who has been robbing people of their cell phones in elevators in Thorncliffe Park. It happened first on August 12 when a man boarded the elevator at 53 Thorncliffe Park.Drive. The thief was also on the elevator and produced a kitchen knife.He demanded the man’s cell. He got off at the fifth floor and escaped. Then on Friday, August 28, 2015, at 2:10 p.m. a 21-year-old woman has a similar experience at 27 Thorncliffe Park. She was followed in by an unknown man who threatened her with a kitchen knife and stole her phone. He is described as in his 20s, bearded, with short black hair, 5’8″-6’0″, thin build.  Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.