Do Twitter posts reflect general voting intent?

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With election results barely an hour away, one of the great unknowns is whether pollsters can rely on Twitter to predict the outcome. Ipsos-Reid and others are working away at what Twitter posters are saying about how they will vote. But, do the people who comment on this new social media represent anything like the real world of Ontario voters? The marketing research company has been tracking and interpreting thousands of conversations related to the provincial election that have taken place on Twitter since the writ dropped on May 2. Voter intentions seem to favour the Liberals, who hold a share of 35% of the vote, according to the analysis. Tim Hudak’s Progressive Conservatives are not far behind at 33%, with the NDP trailing at 28%. But the common sense awareness that this cannot be a representative sample of voters is on the mind of people like Mirza Baig, a digital and social media strategist at Mash Media. Be careful with this information, he says  “If you look at some of the methodology and the analysis behind it, it can be questionable and iffy,” Mr. Baig told the National Post. “If I as a Twitter user am taking the time to either say I’m going to vote Liberal, or I’m going to vote PC, NDP, whichever party, that is not taking into account in any way the people that are just not taking the time to go on Twitter.”  Shortly after 9 p.m. we will know if there is any connection between Twitter posts and the real world. 

Committee rejects 92 Roxborough St. severance

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Despite a last-minute intervention by Councillor Wong-Tam, the Committee of Adjustment rejected the application by Constantine Enterprises to sever the lot of 92 Roxborough W. and move the so-called Casey House coach house there. The building is slated to be demolished as part of a renovation project. Ms Wong-Tam, who has championed the move from the start sent a letter to the Committee of Adjustment supporting the severance and move. She did not attend the meeting. The Committee received more than 70 letters from residents opposing the project. People speaking against it included Ian Carmichael, the co-president of the ABC Residents Association. Constantine Enterprises has 20 days to appeal the decision. Yonge and Roxborough News

Doomed home teetering on edge of steep cliff

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Click to see video 

A luxury home is teetering the edge of a steep cliff on which it was built five or six years ago. Much of the $700,000 home has already fallen down the 75-foot cliff on the shoreline of Lake Whitney in Texas. The mansion slowly crumbled over the cliff in the last few days.  People across the lake from this home first heard a loud crash as the cliff gave way under the home at about 6.30 on Tuesday evening. They equated the sound of this cliff falling into the water to the sound of an “earthquake” or “blasting.” Connie Ash and Jacki McNamara said they could see a huge cloud of “stuff” billowing over the cliff. First they called 911 and then they got out the binoculars and were able to see the home’s slow demise in progress. The house was slowly crawling down the cliff. It was like the cliff was taking pieces off the mansion a little bit at a time. After darkness fell, the neighbors couldn’t see what was happening to the house, but could still hear noises from across the lake. The house was condemned after a crack was discovered in the cliff. Video here

New swing set for Merton-Cleveland play lot

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The tiny green corner of Merton Street known at the Pottery Playground will get a new swing set. City Council today approved a motion from Josh Matlow (Ward 22) and seconded by Jaye Robinson (Ward 25) to buy and install the swing. The park has some play facilities and a splash pad but no swing. The Pottery Playground is a former residential site that was re-purposed as a playground. It sits at 601 Merton a short distance west of Cleveland Street.

Matlow motion bids to try to buy bowling club

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The fate of Glebe Manor Lawn Bowling Club property was in front of City Council today on an emergency motion from Josh Matlow (Ward 22) seconded by Jaye Robinson (ward  25). The  valuable green space located at 196 Manor Rd. is up for sale by its members and there has been movement toward selling it to a developer. The developer in question intends to build townhomes. The motion directs the City’s Parkland Acquisitions staff to begin negotiations with the owners for the purpose of purchase by the City and report back to Council’s Executive Committee in August. Mr. Matlow says in a letter to constituents tonight that he will update them on the progress of this work and host a meeting on Wednesday, June 18 at 7 p.m. on this subject. 

Rush hour 4-way stop at Moore and Bayview

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Wednesday evening saw the lights flashing red at Moore and Bayview Aves. What else is there to say. Drivers fully topped up with testosterone from their charge up the extension were ready to honk and take chances. Down Moore the cars were piled up west of Welland Ave. Throw in a few joggers who like to take risks as a matter of course. No ambulance calls so far. 

Corruption charge over Qatar 2022 World Cup

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Is the World Cup for sale to whomever greases the right palm? That’s what many fans suspect and as the Cup gets ready to roll in Brazil, major sponsors are calling on FIFA to probe allegations that the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar was on the level.  Oil company BP and the maker of Budweiser beer have joined the ranks of World Cup sponsors calling for soccer’s rulers to tackle corruption allegations over this decision Videos Page.