There may be a lesson here about being nice to people who work for you. CTV has a detailed story on the previously hinted at origins of the information that led to the inquiry into Senator Pamela Wallin’s expenses. In an August 2012 letter Alison Stodin, former aide to the senator, accused her of mismanagement and personal harassment during a dispute over travel claims. CTV
Ford affair: Parker out front, Stintz not so much
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| John Parker (Ward 26) |
While the City waits to catch the first minutes of Mayor Ford’s radio program tomorrow at 1 p.m., it is noticeable to residents of South Bayview that John Parker (Ward 26) has been among the most visible of council members from this area commenting on the (now) two-day aftermath of Chief Blair’s ground-moving news conference. Mr. Parker has made what seems to be an appearance a day on CP24 and the station’s video cycling pattern has made the councillor a common sight. Shelley Carroll (Ward 33) from the other side of the valley (Don Valley East) made an appearance Friday raising cranky comments that she was getting ready to run for mayor. But her remarks were temperate and thoughtful. So have been Mr Parker’s but his assessment of the Mayor’s status seems to have hardened hour by hour. Today, as he spoke on CP24, the Don Valley West member concluded that the mayor has “neutralized himself” and suggested he will be of no further consequence at City Hall. Not unreasonable but pointed. Some might wonder where local representatives like Karen Stintz, Jaye Robinson, Josh Matlow and Kristyn Wong-Tam are this weekend. Their absence says something about them as it does about CP24. Any or all of these notable local politicians would be welcome on the all-news station, but they would get there faster if they made themselves available. No doubt they like their weekends. Ms Stintz is the most prominent for reasons known. Her appearance in the past with Mr. Parker at events in his ward have suggested to some that they are in effect comrades-in-arms as she prepares to campaign for mayor. This weekend Mr. Parker looks as much like the TTC chair’s point man as anyone on council.
Harper rocks night away at the Cowboy Club
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Stephen Harper has a band. Who knew? It’s called Herringbone and after the CP convention Friday the guys let loose at Cowboys, a club in Calgary. It’s motto appears on the front of the stage as “The Most Fun You Can Have With Your Boots On.”
Mayor will make “announcement” on radio show
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Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly says that Mayor Ford “will make an announcement” on his radio show Sunday on NewsTalk 1010 tomorrow. It is not at all clear that this will amount to anything more than the denials heard so far. It appeared, however, that what the mayor intends to say would attempt to disperse the heavy concern being expressed by all parts of the community. Mr Kelly met the mayor today to discuss the concerns of executive committee members. They are the people who are among the mayor’s strongest allies on council. After the meeting Mr. Kelly told CP24 that the mayor will state his position tomorrow on his weekly radio show, NewsTalk 1010’s “The City.” The program is heard between 1 and 3 p.m.
No fun talking to cops if they know the answers
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The trouble with talking to the police is that they usually don’t want to see you unless it doesn’t matter what you say. Did you get that? We’ll explain in a moment. The police have a polite and continuing (some might say quietly insistent) request out there to speak with Mayor Ford. As Detective Sergeant Gary Giroux said yesterday, “I’m going to keep asking.” The mayor and Detective Sergeant Giroux to one side, the classic meeting of citizen and police frequently features a cop who already knows the answers. Movies and television have this part of their sometimes improbable stories bang on. What was in the bag? The answer hardly matters when the cop has two warrants in his pocket. One says the bag contained bad stuff and the other says “obstruction of justice”. Sometimes its no fun talking to the police.
“And afterwards, we’re going out for cupcakes”
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Do they know that in the United Kingdom they’re known as Fairy Cakes? Saturday Night Live promo posted a short time ago has a staggering 1,284,000 plus views by mid-day. Hello Tori and Cate.
Does all-day kindergarten really help kids?
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A very interesting article in Maclean’s by Reuters writer Kai Pfaffenbach contends that all-day kindergarten may actually hinder the advancement of some children, and at best, does not do much to assist them over those who still go to half day pre-school. Here is an excerpt in which the author states the nub of the case. Worthwhile reading for any parent or prospective parent. Kai Pfaffenbach, Reuters
Full-day kindergarten does nothing to permanently improve academic performance. It may stunt the emotional and social development of many kids. And it does no favours to those with special needs. While children from poor or disadvantaged families may derive short-term benefits from extra attention in kindergarten, it defies common sense and financial reality to provide this to all families on a universal basis. The tax system or local authorities are much better suited to targeting children at risk, and at far less cost.
Cornered Mayor Ford “prepared to fight on”
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Deputy mayor hopes Ford makes ‘right decision’
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Board of Trade calls on mayor to step aside
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Many are hoping Mayor Ford might spend the weekend absorbing the growing calls for him to step aside. But remarks by his lawyer, Dennis Morris, attacking Police Chief William Blair and saying that it is the chief who should resign, suggest that the mayor is prepared to push on in office no matter what. Mr. Ford’s brother, Doug also, criticized the police chief in a radio interview. He said Chief Blair was playing politics by naming the mayor during his news conference Thursday. Late Friday, the Toronto Board of Trade called for Mr. Ford to step down. A poll by Forum Research following Blair’s news conference yesterday is said to register an increase in support for the mayor. At the same time, however, 60 percent of respondents are said to have agreed that the mayor should resign. In another development, an email written by a City Hall security employee tells of a drunken appearance by Mr. Ford at City Hall on the night of March 17, 2012. The mayor is said to have accused unknown acquaintances of stealing his car and wandered the halls with a bottle of brandy. He was eventually taken home in a taxi by an aide. The mayor is set to meet with his deputy mayor, Norm Kelly, this weekend to hear the concerns of members of the executive committee. The members have declined to describe their message to Mr. Ford but the sense of their concern will not be hard to guess.
Glebe residents attend Jack-O-Lantern Parade
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Residents of the Glebe enjoyed a post Halloween Jack-O-Lantern Parade tonight in the Glebe Manor East Parkette on Belsize Drive. It was, as advertised a Spooky Parade.
Wallin committed “fraud” Mounties allege
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The CBC says that the RCMP is accusing Senator Pamela Wallin of committing fraud and breach of trust by filing inappropriate travel and living expenses claims. The documents, filed by the RCMP National Division in Ottawa on Oct. 28, allege that Wallin “defrauded the Senate” between Jan. 2, 2009, and Sept. 30, 2012, in an amount exceeding $5,000 “by deceit, falsehood, or other fraudulent means.” CBC