Cops accuse Premier of being duped by Black Lives group
by •
It had to happen. The head of the police union says that Premier Wynne is helping the Black Lives Matter group “drive a wedge” between police and the public when she says she believes there is systemic anti-black racism. The Premier made this remark under what seems to have been a lot of angry pressure yesterday in an impromptu but very public meeting outside the Legislature. It is not unreasonable to say the demonstrators more or less put the words in Ms. Wynne’s mouth as they attacked her verbally for not saying the words “anti-black racism”.
WHAT THE PREMIER SAID
At first, the Premier spoke of her concern about “all racism” but that was not enough for the demonstrators Now the union president Mike McCormack is saying the Premier played into the hands of the demonstrators. “The protest was all about policing and the (Special Investigations Unit) and how investigations are done,” McCormack said. “So for her to make those comments, you could reasonably draw conclusions she was talking about policing.” You can hear the Premier seem to change her stand a bit in the CBC video seen in the post Premier Wynne speaks with Black Lives Matter crowd
ASKS FOR STRENGTH NOT TO KILL “WHITE FOLKS”
In the meantime a tweet from a principal organizer of Black Lives Matter seems to cast doubt on her judgement as a public figure. On Feb. 9, 2016, Yusra Khogali tweeted “Plz Allah give me strength to not cuss/kill these men and white folks out here today. Plz plz plz.” The threatening nature and demanding anger of this group is so far unaddressed by public officials at any level. The post was discovered by a Newstalk 1010 reporter.
Tow truck drivers set to clog DVP, Gardiner and other roads
by •
Tow truck drivers will parade their vehicles along many Toronto roadways today and block traffic on Queen’s Park Crescent at about 1 p.m. Best to stay off Avenue Road heading south and other arteries like the DVP and Gardiner Expressway. The target of this so-called driver awareness action is new provincial rules which require towing firms to keep log books and work fewer hours. Drivers say it will cost the public more to do this. Making a judgement about this is like trying to read tea leaves except that it is a clear nuisance. CBC
Brad Wall leads Saskatchewan party to 3rd majority
by •
Brad Wall
Premier Brad Wall, frequently mentioned as a leader of the federal Conservative Party, has led his centre-right Saskatchewan Party to a resounding third majority government Monday night. As reported by Canadian Press, voting results showed the SP leading or elected in a comfortable majority of the Legislature’s 61 seats against the New Democrats and their leader Cam Broten. Canadian Press
Rev. Emily Gordon is Minister of Leaside United Church
by •
Rev. Emily Gordon
Reverend Emily Gordon has been announced as the new minister of Leaside United Church. In a tweet sent Monday the church’s webmaster Michele Petick recalls a few events leading to the appointment. There was a special congregational meeting on March 13 at which the “Call of Reverend Emily Gordon to the position of Minister” was unanimously decided, she reports. The website also has a series of questions and answers with Rev. Emily which are entertaining. Would you rather be super strong or super fast and would you rather have your flight delayed for eight hours or lose your luggage. Have a read.
Insane brutality as Maryland judge electrocutes defendant
by •
WARNING: The video is disturbing. It shows a painful but non-lethal electrocution of a defendant on the order of a judge in a Maryland courtroom apparently because the man would not stop his presentation when the judge told him to do so.
Ontario to permit ranked ballots but Toronto Council yawns
by •
The minister of municipal affairs will bring in legislation to permit towns and cities to employ ranked balloting in their civic elections. Sadly, Toronto has turned its back on this concept. The council voted last October in a breathtaking reversal of a committment to democratic reform to stay with the present first past the post system. In simple terms, ranked ballots permit voters to have two choices for an offiice, first and second. This then permits a run off count so that the ultimate victor has a true majority of the vote. It is quite common in local elections, and elsewhere, for candidates to be elected with as little as 30 percent of the ballots cast. CBC City Council backs away from ranked ballots for 2018
Air France women don’t care for new Tehran headgear
by •
Air France flight attendants have complained to the airline about having to wear head coverings and related modesty-inspired dress when they work the airline’s new flight to Tehran. It is one of a number of cultural issues that has arisen since the rapprochement with Iran. Another was a complaint from the Iranians that wine would be served at lunch with the Premier. He promptly cancelled lunch and said anyone in France can drink whatever they like.
Premier Wynne speaks with Black Lives Matter crowd
by •
Everyone will make his own assessment of this encounter. The Premier met with Black Lives Matter demonstrators outside the Legislature and seemed to accomplish an understanding about how meetings may be held. The demonstrators were fully engaged with personal complaints of “police brutality” against them and the failure of Ms Wynne to use the words “anti-black racism.” She said she had used them. She said she believed there is “systemic anti-black racism.” We shall see where it goes.
Ceremony to name Stickney Avenue to be held May 15
by •
A ceremony to officially name Stickney Avenue in Leaside will be held Sunday, May 15, 2016 at noon on the street. As many will already know, the City has approved the re-naming of Markham Ave. to Stickney Ave in honour of David Stickney, a much-loved mathematics teacher, coach and friend at Leaside High School. Mr. Stickney died of a heart attack a year ago this May while coaching a baseball team. Markham Ave is a short street running from Airdrie Road to Laird Drive. The committee which raised the money to provide fitting memorials to Stickney will also place a bench at the top of the steps leading down from Cameron Crescent to the Talbot Park baseball diamond. The balance of some $15,000 raised by the committee will be directed to The Leaside Scholarship Fund.
CBC, Weather Network summary of (ugh) April 4, 2016
by •
Here is the CBC and Weather Network summary and forecast for an April morning. Ugh.
Greek Independence celebated along Danforth Avenue
by •
Councillor Mary Fragedakis and Mayor Tory are seen with Georgia at the Greek Independence Day Parade held Sunday afternoon on the Danforth.. The parade was well attended and saw the presence of Premier Wynne and other office holders from the area. It was a cold day for a march. Other photos at the mayor’s Twitter account.