Record advance voting may be “Ford effect”

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The City of Toronto has seen record advance voting during the six-day period from Tuesday to Sunday. Some 161,147 eligible electors cast ballots during the period. Deduction may suggest this is evidence of a desire to un-elect (or elect) the Ford brothers. Clearly, people feel something is at stake. In this  election, the City saw more than double the number of voters compared to the 2010 advance voting turnout of 77, 391. “We are pleased that Toronto saw the highest advance vote since amalgamation,” said Ulli S. Watkiss, Toronto City Clerk. “We hope this trend continues into Election Day, and encourage all eligible electors to come out and vote on October 27.”

Bennington Rolph soccer fielded 128 players

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The Bennington Rolph Road Soccer League is a big name for a modest but highly successful neighborhood kids activity. One of the key organizers is Susan Scandiffio who writes to say that this season 128 boys and girls from around the area played in the league’s short post-vacation season. The games wrapped up this weekend with a play-off round. Everyone went home happy. It’s definitely all done for the fun of it, parents and kids working hard at something they can share. Susan has sent along a few pictures, including one of her daughter Grace who had to sit out her team’s last game because of a sprain incurred during a cross country run. Susan reminds parents to join in. Registration begins next April and the league can be reached at benningtonrolphroadsoccer@gmail.com

View of Don Valley foliage from Leaside Bridge

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This picture is edited from an image tweeted today by Sean Marshall @SMG_YYZ.  It shows the Don Valley looking north from the Leaside bridge to the buildings of Thorncliffe Park Drive. Sean comments on the beauty and is philosophical about the East York Town Centre saying it does well. “Along with Target, Food Basics, Halal meat shops, new clothing stores cater to the community. Adapts and thrives.” Thanks Sean. 

Jeffrey statue is about our hope for children

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The creation and unveiling yesterday of the statue of Jeffrey Baldwin is a declaration of our hope and expectation for our children. The statue is attached to a park bench and as Councillor Paula Fletcher said it is a place to spend a moment with Jeffrey. This little boy was terribly abused and denied the necessities of life.  He died at the age of five in 2002. The charming bronze memorial is located in Greewood Park at Greenwood Ave. and Dundas Street E.  It was commissioned by an Ottawa man Todd Bryce (above right). He read about the case and of Jeffrey’s love of his superman outfit. Twitter photos 

Tory nod to Greb (Ward 16), Burnside (Ward 26)

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John Tory has made two endorsements of council candidates in South Bayview Saturday evening (October 18, 2014). The front-runner for mayor has asked his supporters to vote for Christin Carmichael Greb in Ward 16 and for Jon Burnside in Ward 26. It would appear to be the first candidates that Mr. Tory has endorsed during the long general election campaign. In Ward 16, Ms. Greb is running to replace Karen Stintz. Ms Stintz had previously been contesting the election for mayor but in withdrawing from that race before nomination day said she was also retiring from politics, at least for now. In Ward 26, Jon Burnside is well known as a business owner and candidate in the 2010 election in which he ran a close second to the current councillor, John Parker.