Angry residents demand stop to Laird project
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They were angry. Owner after owner of homes on Randolph Rd rose at a crowded meeting Monday night at the Leaside arena to condemn the project known as 146/150 Laird Drive. It calls for two buildings, seven and eight storeys to be owned and run by Viva Retirement Communities. Randolph sits behind and to the west of the proposed project and would be shaded by it. Residents also complained about the “100-foot wall” that would greet them in their backyard and the hundreds of balconies looking down on them. Dozens of speakers directed attacks on the size and height. Re-zoning from the legal limit of 12.2 metres to 32 metres is required. The rhetoric was impressive. Carol Fripp of the Leaside Property Owners Association said Laird Drive had to be saved from any more “Kremlin-shaped buildings.” Others spoke of a “tsunami” of such buildings that would line Laird as developers “did violence to the bylaws.” More than 400 people have signed a petition to stop the project in its present form. The anger generated by the development prompted a number of speakers to rail against developers in general, traffic and the change being brought to Leaside by the Eglinton LRT. There was also bitter futility as well because the Ontario Municipal Board might have the final say. Councillor Burnside took the floor to concede that developers have more influence than they should . He noted the annual land transfer tax yielded $430 million. It was a situation he said in which “developers have been getting away with things.” In conclusion the Councillor said he did not oppose development within the bylaws and rules set out. And then he turned to the developers and spoke directly. He challenged their opening remarks about wanting to be part of and integrated into the community. Clearly, he said, the community didn’t want this development. He left no doubt there is a fight ahead. (Monday, February 9, 2015)
Matlow doubts value of Scarborough subway
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Josh Matlow (Ward 22) may or may not like a fight but he is correct to raise the many disturbing issues surrounding the Scarborough subway. His plan is widely construed in the media as a challenge to the mayor and so it may be. Tuesday (February 10, 2015) Matlow will be getting answers to vital questions of how much money the city will waste if it builds Rob Ford’s full out subway and whether the traffic that will board the subway can possibly justify its cost. These questions were put in a compelling light by the former chief general manger of the TTC in a Toronto Star column some weeks ago. Michael Warren was the Andy Byford of his day and he knows something. He contends the subway is lousy value for money and is being pushed forward by Mayor Tory and Premier Wynne for thin political expediencies. David Nickle, City Centre Mirror R. Michael Warren
Toronto women fall through ice on Rideau Canal
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Two women were rescued from the Rideau Canal in Ottawa when they fell through ice on a uncleared section of the canal. One of the women fell in up to her waist and her left leg became stuck. CBC Ottawa video above records the tense moments as she is finally freed, even as she is suffering the effect of wet clothes in freezing weather. Neither of the visitors from Toronto were seriously injured and did not need to be taken to hospital, paramedics said. “It is always advisable to stay on the ice surface where the ice is clear. He noted that snow acts as a thermal blanket on the ice and may affect the thickness of the ice.” The skateway remains open while the NCC investigates.
Where’s Edward Snowden now TV is listening
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The Korean electronics giant Samsung has had to issue a general warning to users of its “smart” TV sets that the machine is listening to them even when they aren’t talking to it. Samsung had that bit of news buried in the fine print of the instructions. When the media picked up on this terrific feature the company had to make a general announcement. According to Samsung, the things you say when the sneaky Samsung box is on may be heard by “a third person” Where’s Edward Snowden when you need him? Another story from the U-K says that Samsung is working on a watch that can talk to your car. Really? Will the watch talk to you too? Samsung makes many things. Fridges, stoves — are they listening? Is there an off switch? Samsung warns users
City on high alert for any sign of measles outbreak
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Toronto parents, doctors and health authorities are on the alert Monday morning as they scan the horizon for any sign of a measles. Toronto Public Health jumped in at a daycare over the weekend where there was a known measles patient present for a period of time. Parents in the west end got a call advising them to have children vaccinated if they were not already fully protected. Family doctors are hearing from concerned parents whether their vaccinations are up to date. As of Saturday, there were six confirmed cases of measles that had been reported to Toronto Public Health, including two children under age two and four adults. All are from separate families leaving a clear prospect that measles is not fully quarantined. The video below done by the New York Times discusses the roots of the vaccine skepticism that began with a now discredited 1998 report authored by Dr. Andrew Wakefield suggesting a possible link between the measles vaccine and autism.
Rob Nicholson new minister of foreign affairs
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Rob Nicholson, the MP for Niagara Falls, will become Canada’s new minister of foreign affairs. Nicholson has had a long career in the House of Commons having served as Justice Minister and Defence Minister as well as many lesser roles. He is 62. Jason Kenney moves from the Minister of Employment to assume responsibility for National Defense. Pierre Poilievre is replacing Kenney, adding the cabinet portfolio to his current role of Minister for Democratic Reform. “The changes to the Ministry announced today will help ensure that key portfolios continue to have the strong leadership required to advance Canadian priorities,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement.
Reporters gives Adams switch a cynical response
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Eve Adams, the ambitious Conservative member for Mississauga-Brampton South has crossed the floor of the House of Commons to become a Liberal. She appeared at a news conference with Justin Trudeau this morning (Monday, February 9, 2015). The event has drawn a remarkably cynical response from reporters. CTV’s Robert Fife told George Lagogianes on CP24 that the only reason he could imagine the Liberals accepting Ms. Adams is that they hope to get political dirt from her boyfriend, Dimitri Souda. He is a former adviser to Stephen Harper. For his part, Lagogianes said he had watched the news conference and did not find Ms. Adams sincere. Neither did Fife. On twitter many are asking why the Liberals might want Adams. She was in the news last year regarding allegations that she had blocked the pumps at an Esso gas station in Ottawa’s west-end for ten minutes in protest of a set of $12 car washes which she deemed unsatisfactory. In March 2014 Adams became involved in a nomination battle for the future Oakville North—Burlington riding, after her existing riding was split in five. On March 19 Adams attended a riding association meeting, though her ability to attend the meeting was in question. A board member and paid campaign worker for Adams’ rival, reportedly asked Adams to leave, and when she declined that board member threatened to contact the police. Adams fight of $6 car wash
Midtown Yonge BIA to choose executive Feb. 23
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The first annual general meeting of the newly-formed Midtown Yonge Business Improvement Area is scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2015. The executive will be chosen at that time. More information will be available in a few days. The new BIA fills a gap among the many BIAs on the long street. Midtown runs north from the Kay Gardner-Belt Line trail at Merton Street to the Soudan/Berwick Avenues boundary.
Mayor visits Leaside Select Hockey Tourney
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Mayor Tory and Councillor Jon Burnside visited the Leaside Arena this afternoon (Sunday, February 8, 2015) as the Select Hockey Tournament was booming right along on its final day. In the main picture, Mr. Tory drops the puck for one of the championship games. At top from left, Tory and Burnside with Laura, a volunteer at the Cops and Kids Pro Action League from Flemingdon Park, centre the mayor has picture taken with a young Leaside Flame and on the right enjoys some of Andy Elder’s Brisket Chili. These pictures were taken by the mayor’s office and there are many more on Twitter.
Toronto a Smart City? Not til we swab the subway
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Toronto Weather: February’s descent into hell
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Forecasters say we will get a messy mix of rain and possibly freezing ran Sunday night. It is not unexpected at this time of year but neither is a spirit-lifting thaw, however brief. Well forget that. By the measure of temperatures predicted for the second month of 2015 it would appear February is on its own private descent into hell. We will be well under freezing until the end of the month it appears, with the mercury plunging to 14 below next Sunday, February 15, 2015.