Our neurotic society has thrown up another pseudo problem. Too many twin babies. Horrors! Associated Press
“Play It Never Entered My Mind Maestro”
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Premier Wynne and Deputy Mayor Kelly emerged from their meeting today to face the usual barrage of not very illuminating questions. “Is this the beginning of a new era between the City and Queen’s Park, Premier?” Sure. Perhaps it never crossed the mind of either leader in their tete a tete that Mr. Kelly’s recently revealed game of footsy with Porter Airlines president Robert DeLuce (top) is an emerging issue in the City. It certainly never occurred to the media. Our question for the member for Don Valley West (that would be Premier Kath) is whether she and the deputy mayor discussed putting jets into the Island Airport. If the premier cares about Toronto, and no doubt she does, the part she cares most about is called Don Valley West. In Leaside (and all of South Bayview) her constituents are dead set against more jets flying over these previously quiet neighborhoods. The Premier knows this truth like she knows her PIN number. We are thinking her constituents would not mind at all if she told Mr. Kelly, who is acting a little too cute by half, to take the advice of staff and leave this matter to the 2014 election, where the people will decide. Now, the poll released Tuesday which is said to show “nearly half” of residents want jets was done by Forum Research. For itself? Well, never mind. The Toronto Star has this story and there is no indication in it if the poll bothered to ask about noise — super quiet jet noise or ordinary jet noise. There aren’t many silent jet planes, you may have noticed.
OLG tracks down winner who forgot everything
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An amazing story of a Hamilton woman who bought a winning $50 million ticket in November 2012 and then more or less just forgot about it. She didn’t check to see if she had won and in all that time never gave the outstanding jackpot much thought. Then, after a meticulous investigation, the OLG “detectives” came knocking on her door. Kathryn Jones, a 55-year-old engineer from the Hammer was formally announced today as the winner of the $50-million Lotto Max jackpot that remained unclaimed for almost a year. Jones, who purchased the ticket at a Shoppers Drug Mart in nearby Cambridge, where she works, said she lost her ticket and had no idea she had even won until OLG officials launched an investigation into the unclaimed prize. “As you can imagine this has been a very weird and wonderful journey,” Jones said during a press conference to announce her as the winner. “I feel almost as though I have been struck by lightning twice,” she added. OLG President and CEO Rod Phillips said the organization received more than 430 inquiries regarding the winning ticket since it was sold last November. He said the OLG undertook a comprehensive investigation to verify that Jones was the rightful winner of the multi-million dollar jackpot. Among the elements of the probe, CCTV video from the drug store showing Ms. Jones buying her ticket at the same moment her credit card records said she did. The actual ticket was lost, so these forensic findings were crucial to confirming Ms. Jones as the winner. There is a large unreported and unexplained aspect to this story. It would be relatively easy to do the verification work once Ms. Jones was identified. But how did OLG identify her?. It seems a long shot that she was known to personnel at the drugstore, even when they saw her on camera. More likely, it seems, is that Ms Jones paid by credit card and it was possible to obtain a name and address from the card issuer.
Canadian baby doctors say allergy fears overblown
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Chrysler ProMaster to challenge Ford Transit
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| Fiat Doblo (top) and Ford Transit Connect |
Chrysler is going head-to-head with Ford for the small service van market, a niche which Ford Motor re-discovered four years ago. Chrysler will base its new 2015 Ram ProMaster City on the similar vehicle of its parent company, Fiat. That’s the Fiat Doblo (inset with the Transit Connect, lower) “The Ram ProMaster City further expands the Ram Commercial truck lineup, which includes everything from vans to pickups to Class Four and Five trucks,” Reid Bigland, president and CEO – Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group, said in a statement. “As Ram Commercial continues to gain share and grow sales in the market, we will be aggressive in our goal of expanding our commercial vehicle offerings.” There would seem to be room to do business with the smaller van. As a simple drive along any street in Toronto reveals, the Ford Transit Connect has been a big hit with small and large users. Bell, Rogers and countless small businesses have embraced the trim little truck. The Fiat Doblo, which has generated more than 1.3 million sales in European and other markets overseas. “Our successful relationship with Fiat Professional, one of the world’s foremost commercial truck manufacturers, gives Ram a competitive advantage with access to proven products and technology that will resonate with our U.S. and Canadian customers,” added Bigland.
Police officer dies from injuries in crash of cruiser
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| John Zivcic |
PC John Zivcic, 34, has died in St. Michael’s Hospital from injuries suffered in the crash of his police car on Saturday. Constable Zivcic suffered head injuries when he was thrown from his car when it came into the same path of another vehicle. Police have not said what happened at the scene. Toronto Police Association president Mike McCormack said, “It’s a terrible day for the Toronto Police Service. “Our hearts are broken for John’s family.” Toronto Mayor Rob Ford called it a very sad day for the city’s police force. “He worked very hard and that’s why we have to support front-line police men and women. They sacrifice their life day in and day out and it’s a very sad day today,” said Ford Zivcic, who was originally from St. Catharines, Ont., was described as a “greatly respected guy,” specifically at 22 Division where he works. Police are saying little about what may have caused the crash, which is under investigation by Traffic Services.
Is the NDP too angry, too hairy or too orange?
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The next general election is at least 18 months away but the smell of urgent vote-grabbing is in the air. Homeowners in Toronto-Centre received this orange card in the mail Friday, four days after the byelection that elected Chrystia Freeland. Its colour makes it look like it’s from the NDP but of course it is not. The “registered agent” of the Liberal party, whoever that is, sent it along. Seems like Linda McQuaig came a little too close in the byelection. This card was to remind you that Thomas Mulcair is “Too Angry.” They might have added too hairy as well, but that would be politically incorrect in more ways than one. Linda McQuaig, said the card, wants to tax you up to 70 percent and “”break up” the country. Then there’s Stephen Harper trying to woo the Jewish vote by addressing and playing for those attending the annual Negev dinner. Outside, a renegade Jewish group called Harper down on everything from Palestinian lands to the environment. Always remember however, that Justin Trudeau, champion of the Middle Class, is not in favour of the Political Class. How sweet of him to pick us instead of those dreadful, pooey political people. 132nd Scouts tree sale at Leaside Presbyterian
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The 132nd Toronto Scouts remind us of their Christmas tree sale this weekend at Leaside Presbyterian Church, Eglinton Ave. E at Hanna Road. It goes Friday from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Here’s an interesting feature. The Scouts offer home delivery of their trees. Samples prices: a Balsam fir, 6 to 8 ft is $55 and a Fraser fir 6 to 8 ft. is $70. Delivery will be made to your home in Leaside and area on December 7, 2013. You can email orders to johnmasterson@rogers.comConstable John Zivcic still fighting for his life
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Update: PC John Zivcic, 34, has died of his injuries at about 12.35 p.m. at St. Michael’s Hospital with serious head injuries. PC Zivcic’s injuries were said at that time to be life-threatening. PC Zivcic, who is not married and has no children, was responding to an incident on traffic duty in an unmarked police car when the collision happened. The woman driver of the other car was taken to the hospital, treated for minor injuries and then released. The policeman’s Ford Taurus cruiser was effectively disintegrated in the accident. The evidence of the force with which it struck a nearby tree is revealed on the trunk, now stripped of its skin. A deep crevice in the driver’s side of the vehicle is testament to the impact. a utility pole was also knocked down. Bits of the car are scattered across Bloor Street at Neilsen Drive. Zivcic’s family, including his mother and brother, who are at the hospital, are “devastated,” said Toronto Police Association president Mike McCormack. He also has a sister. As to the circumstances when the two cars crossed paths yesterday, police have said nothing. They will be required to find out and make public whether the stealth cruiser was speeding, what emergency lights or sirens were being used and the status of the traffic lights at the intersection. Previous post with picture
Baby dinosaur skeleton discovered in Alberta
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The well-preserved remains of a baby dinosaur have been found in the fossil-rich earth of Alberta’s Dinosaur Provincial Park. It is said to be some 70 million years old. A thrilling discovery by any measure. It’s story is told on the CBC site. (Picture courtesy of Philip J. Currie, Robert Holmes, Michael Ryan Clive Coy, Eva B. Koppelhus)
Man accused of plot to sell ship details to China
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A man has been arrested by the RCMP on charges of trying to sell classified information to China. CBC
Mr. Parker talks about density in Bennington Hts
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| John Parker |
John Parker (Ward 26) has written a brief article for PostCity.com on the concern in Bennington Heights about builders (and property owners) doubling up on lots to increase density. Mr. Parker makes the point that the official plan designates certain areas as “neighbourhoods” whose character is to be maintained. “We value our neighbourhoods,” he states. “Official plan policies thus call for the character of neighbourhoods to be preserved. The character of Bennington Heights is that of a community consisting almost exclusively of single family dwellings. To the extent that I have a say in the matter, the provisions of the official plan will be invoked to keep it that way.” It will be a question, as it is in Moore Park and elsewhere, just what single family dwelling really means. On the record, it would seem to permit the division of lots creating a two or three for one density jump. It is this tendency which seems to be an important source of concern for the group known as Save Our Bennington. And, as homeowners know, Toronto’s policy of “in-fill” — while different from lot subdivision — states the City’s density objectives as a matter of tax and transit goals. These things are understandable but people with homes on larger than normal lots find it all quite sinister. They are suspicious that these goals will also colour applications to subdivide lots. PostCity Previous post — Bennington density