Mary Fragedakis (Ward 29) seconded by John Burnside (Ward 26) have had their motion accepted by City Council asking for the provincial government to expand its small-window summer review of the City of Toronto Act. This legislation amalgamated the five municipalities of the former Metropolitan Toronto and created the City we know today. Some think there is both inefficiency and unnecessary politics caused by forcing diverse communities together. A review announced July 2, 2015 permits barely a month for written submissions and provides for no public meetings. Former East York Mayor Alan Redway has been campaigning for a review similar to those done of the Toronto government in the years prior to amalgamation. Motion
Where are the teams and their stars to drive our interest?
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The New York Times has written an article about how Toronto is indifferent to the Pan Am Games. It seems entirely true and comes with a series of reasons. Most people here know all this intuitively. Where are the team sports Toronto can relate to? Who are the stars? Where is the competition to drive our interest? What do we have to look forward to by way of television events? What should compel us to spend our carefully-managed disposable income? Civic pride? That’s a hell of a long shot. Is any of this the media’s fault? Sadly, it must be said the games lack focus and compelling sports interest. The Times makes the case more directly than anyone has done that this is at least partly (or maybe a lot) a political effort to get the Olympics to Toronto. Unfortunately, for busy people who have lots things to do — work, play, work, play (it’s a great City) — the political and media drumbeat of how excited we should be has become a bit of a harangue. New York Times
Politics at the heart of darkest Bathurst and Lawrence
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Inset l to r: Adams, Mendicino, Oliver
David Akin at the Toronto Sun has winkled out news that Liberal Eve Adams has collected the names of more members of the Eglinton Lawrence riding association than Marco Mendicino, the local man who has wanted the nomination for a long time and is said to be well-liked around the neighbourhood. It is of interest because Adams, welcomed into the party by Justin Trudeau when she was effectively kicked out of the Conservatives, wants to face off against Finance Minister Joe Oliver. Adams is said to have 2,800 signatures to Mendicno’s 1,800. Can she get those names on paper into the nomination meeting on the night of July 25 (the last Sunday in July) or is it all just scribbling? And if foxy Eve can get the nomination can she possibly beat that consummate silver fox Joe Oliver? David Akin, Toronto Sun
“I’ll give you a worthless cheque and you give me cash”
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It is a simple fraud as old as time. All it takes is a gullible friend and a lot of larceny. Cops say Fraham Pirbhai has worked this scam 40 times to the tune of $200,000 over a period of six months on Toronto residents. Pirbhai would give them cheques or deposit them into the victims’ account on their behalf The victims believed that the deposited cheques were valid, and provided the man the equivalent of the funds deposited into their account Police believe there may be other victims.
Tim Horton’s now open at Bayview and Eglinton Aves
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The Tim Horton’s located on the southwest corner of Bayview and Eglinton Avenues has opened its doors. Business began Thursday and the new owners are Kevin and Stella. They look forward to seeing you and are said to be on deck 24/7. Wow! The life of a Tim Horton’s franchisee.
Trash pickup complaints higher on unionized east side
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The Toronto Star has found that complaints about garbage pickup are much higher in the City-operated zone east of Yonge Street than they are in the area to the west, where a private contractor collects the trash. The Star apparently looked at 311 complaint calls to City Hall to find the information. It says that in the years since the complete privatization of collection services west of Yonge St. in August 2012, complaints concerning missed residential garbage, green bin, recycling and furniture pickups have declined by 10 per cent in the west. During the same period the number of complaints have risen by 29 per cent in the publicly serviced east. The Star goes on to provide interviews with east enders who say they are fed up with the CUPE unionized service employed in the east. Many recall Mayor Tory’s promise to privatize the east and his reversal for reasons that have never been very clear.
For all you Bimmer lovers: BMW to make cars in India
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Quite thrilling for the Indians no doubt but about the usual for Canadians who wonder if the black forest money-spinner has ever made bumper under the red maple leaf. The Indian Express
Leaside Lawn scene of zany fun in battle on Cystic Fibrosis
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The one and only Incredi-BOWL HULK-ettes
Lawn Summer Nights is among the most entertaining charity events held in Leaside mainly because of the zany costumes and names adopted by enthusiastic young people raising money to battle Cystic Fibrosis. Thursday evening the Leaside Lawn Bowling Club on Hanna Rd. once again hosted teams with names like Guaca-BOWLE, High BOWLERS, The BOWL-erinas and above, The Incredi-BOWL Hulk-ettes both front and back. Savour the lovely evening below. Lawn Summer Nights madcaps help fight Cystic Fibrosis
Police unsure how Hamilton dog-attack victim died
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Bicycle worth $19,000 stolen from Inglewood Drive home
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Toronto Police are hoping this surveillance video capture will identify the thief who stole a Vitess high-speed bicycle from a home in Moore Park. This incident occurred Friday, June 26, 2015, at about 8:56 p.m. when the unknown man removed a custom-made road-racing bicycle which was attached to a parked vehicle on Inglewood Drive in the St.Clair Avenue and Mt. Pleasant Road area The bike is valued at 19,097. The bicycle is described as a Vitess Bespoke, custom-made racing bicycle.
INITIALS S.U.E.G.
The stolen bike has the pale green initials S.U.E.G applied to a dark green frame. These letters are a unique identification This theft is also a cautionary tale for area residents of the brazen crime The owner had her vehicle backed into the driveway, hiding the bike from the street. The thief took the time to un-attach the bicycle in broad daylight. He is described as brown with short black hair. He was wearing a light-striped coloured golf shirt, khaki-coloured shorts and grey shoes with white laces. 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.
Lawn Summer Nights madcaps help fight Cystic Fibrosis
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Team Cast My Line starring l-r Jennifer, Chelsea, Ashley, Sonia and Willy.
This story was published July 10, 2014. We’re re-posting it here as a look ahead to the Lawn Summer Nights event tonight (Thursday, July 9, 2015) at the Leaside Lawn Bowling Club on Hanna Rd. The wild dress-up party is a fund-raiser for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. Good news on the weather front as conditions are forecast to clear as the day goes on.
Pumped music ranging from the 50s to right now washed over an elegant young crowd of supporters as they ate, drank and played bowls to celebrate this Lawn Summer Nights event. Lawn Summer Nights was conceived four years ago according to organizer Rachel Balchin. She is with KPMG, a prime sponsor and benefactor of the Lawn Summer. It was Rachel herself who lost a cousin, Eva Markvoort, to this disease. The heartbreak inspired Rachel and others to create a fundraising event which now extends to nine cities in Canada. Teams with madcap names like Lawn Order, The Royal Canadian Mounted Bolwice and Guacabowles, now compete, after a fashion, in Toronto, Ottawa, London, Halifax, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria. Teams are urged to dress the part and much of the costuming on show tonight was sensational. The four women of Cast My Line (above) were there with their whale mascot, Willy. Elegantly dressed young bowlers chowed down on sandwiches and various delicatessen dishes from the Zane Caplansky Food Truck Thundering Thelma. Photo: Cast My Line starring l-r Jennifer, Chelsea, Ashley, Sonia and Willy.
Canadian law firm Gowlings merges with UK’s WLG
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Large new firm Gowling WLG will have 1,400 lawyers in Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Reuters