The South Bayview Bulldog

The judge in the Mike Duffy corruption and bribery trial has dismissed all 31 charges against the senator. The justice, Charles Vaillancourt, offered rather colourful criticism of the Prime Minister’s Office even though the PMO had nothing to do with charges being laid. Clearly, Stephen Harper did not want this matter in court. Vaillancourt seems to feel that the PMO’s effort to limit political damage with respect to expenses was wrong and outrageous. Still, the charges arose from the Crown Attorney’s office based on evidence collected by the RCMP. The charge of bribery in particular was seen immediately by most lawyers to be without foundation. Nonetheless the Crown pressed ahead with the accusation that money which was intended to pay back the government was somehow a personal benefit for an illicit purpose (a bribe) to Duffy. In the end, Justice Vaillancourt concluded that there was nothing to any of the charges. This, by the way, does not mean that Duffy might not have paid back the money, but rather that he was not guilty of a crime by not doing so. In the end, the furore has proven to be about essentially nothing. The political fodder was sensational but unrelated to anything criminal. CBC  Quelle Surprise says Margaret Wente

Prince, the superstar American singer-songwriter known for his musicianship, wide appeal and many award-winning hits, has died at age 57. Prince “died at his home this morning at Paisley Park,” according to his publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure.Deputies responded to a medical call about 9:43 a.m. local time, according to Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson. CBC, Global

458 St. Clair Ave East

The open house set for this Saturday (April 23, 2016) from 2 to 4 p.m. will tell how the Heaps Estrin team will do with the semi-detached home on St. Clair Ave East between Welland Ave and Hudson Drive. It is listed for $975,000. Of course it is Moore Park where values are flying. It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms too. There’s another open house on Sunday as well.

The U.S. Treasury Department has chosen Harriet Tubman to be the first woman on an American banknote. Tubman was born a slave but escaped and during the years before the Civil War spirited slaves out of the south by way of the historic Underground Railroad. This was a series of safe places where slaves could stop and hide during their flight to the north. Later, Tubman became a spy for the Union during the war of 1860-65. President Andrew Jackson, who she will replace on the front of the twenty, moves to the other side of the new bill. BBC

Volkswagen has agreed to pay U.S. diesel owners a lump sum of $5,000 and, if Reuters is correct, buy back as many as 600,000 vehicles. There is no word about Canada. After many months of deliberation and confusion it looks like an agreement between Volkswagen and the federal prosecutors is near, as a Reuters Report cites German newspaper Die Welt, saying VW has agreed with U.S. authorities to pay each affected owner $5,000. Just this alone represents billions of U.S. greenbacks and does not address claims in Europe or the rest of the world.

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The 51st Annual General Meeting of the South Eglinton Residents and Ratepayers Association was well-attended Wednesday night in the gymnasium of Manor Road United Church. President Andy Gort said that after many  years at this location, it was the last time SERRA would  meet there. Renovations to the church and the sale of half the property to make a public park means SERRA will have its AGM in the newly finished Sanctuary of Manor Road Church next year. The meeting heard from Josh Matlow (Ward 22) who reviewed many issues such as transit plans, the proposed Davisville Hub and a number of developments of concern.

BROWNLOW AVE, BAYVIEW AVE

Matlow noted the proposal for 18 Brownlow Ave. at Soudan Ave which he called “egregious and obnoxious.” It contains two towers of 20 and 25 storeys. He said the City is fighting this development all the way.  On the other hand, he said talks continued with the Brown Group for the proposed nine storey development on Bayview Ave. between Soudan and Hillsdale Aves. No firm progress has been made although discussion has gone back and forth about a reduction of storeys with a type of  quid pro quo that would make the building more dense, a design feature which the City opposes.

NOISE LEVELS

A ripple of surprise ran through the meeting when Mr. Matlow said that a proposal to raise the legal decibel level in residential neighborhoods was about to return to Council. This is apparently related to music clubs. The Councillor said he favoured “vibrant streets” but that he would be fighting at the Licensing and Standards Committee against an increase.. In fact, the proposal seems like political gelignite.

CONCERT WITH SHARON AND BRAM

There will be a concert on May 14, 2016 at Davisville Park featuring the surviving members of the group Sharon, Lois and Bram.   Lois Ada (Goldberg) Lilienstein died in Toronto last year. The concert will be a tribute.

Depending on where one looks today, there might be references to 420, 4:20 or 4/20.  It may mean nothing or possibly denote  a 1971 cult of teens somewhere who smoked dope at 4.20 every single day regardless of the date. Or it may mean smoke it if you’ve got it today. It’s April 20. Or it may mean Hitler’s birthday.

MINISTER ANNOUNCES LEGISLATION

The world may also wonder if the Health Minister, Dr. Jane Philpott, was coding to a special constituency when she chose 4/20 to announce at the U-N that Canada’s new marijuana legislation will be brought in in 2017. Keep April 4 clear. Prime Minister Trudeau played a good game in the House of disavowing any move to legalize the stuff (apart from medical) in the meantime.

The saga of the over-sized, illegal boat-shaped treehouse in Bloor West Village took another turn Wednesday when Mayor Tory asked City Staff to review its decision that the structure must come down. He told reporters that staff members don’t want to “look like soreheads and party poopers” although none of them was present to confirm that. He went on to talk about how the staff had suggested changes which would bring the unauthorized treehouse into compliance. The builder, John Alpeza, has vowed he will not take it down. He sought approval before it was built and was turned down. The treehouse is in a dead tree. Readers of the CBC story below mostly think Mr. Tory is being soft. One called the Mayor’s remarks “the Uber Effect.” Another called him Johnny Flip-flop.  Boat-treehouse can be salvaged if dad makes some changes, mayor says

The annual general meeting of the South Eglinton Ratepayers and Residents Association will take place this evening (April 20, 2016) at Manor Road United Church. Details

Brian Pallister has led the Progressive Conservative’s to victory in Manitoba. It is the first time the Tories have held power in 16 years. A sales tax increase in 2013 up to 8 percent from 7 percent was a critical issue. The New Democrats have been in power since 1999.

NEW YORK

Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump won the Democratic and Republican primaries in New York. Beyond the party contests however Mrs. Clinton is said to hold a lead in polls among voters at large.

Coca Cola is giving all its varieties a consistent look it calls “One-Brand” packaging. The scheme was announced in the U.S. but is expected to make its way to Canada in time. Cans and bottles of Coca-Cola Original, Coca-Cola Zero, Diet Coca-Cola (or Light, in Europe and elsewhere) and Coca-Cola Life will all feature a bright red disk on a background of either red (rendering the disc invisible), black, gray, and green, respectively, as well as the product name of each. The Red Disc is the “signature” element of the company’s new campaign, that it’s using as a unifying color across the brand.