Blayne Lastman makes 3 a.m. decision not to run for mayor

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CP24 reports Thursday that Blayne Lastman has had an overnight deliverance from the rough and tumble of a mayoral election campaign by announcing at 3 a.m. to friends and supporters that he will not challenge Mayor Tory this October. On Wednesday Lastman was said to be ready to file papers Thursday for a run in the October general election. But early today, Rob Godfrey, the director of communications for Lastman’s campaign, said Lastman informed his team he will not be running. According to CP24 Lastman realized the commitments involved with being the mayor would take too big a toll on his family. “The last week has been an emotional roller coaster. While I am overwhelmed by the support I have received, my decision not to run is in the best interest of my family, my business and of course, the great City of Toronto,” Lastman said in a statement .

Outage reported north of Lawrence between Bayview/DVP

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Toronto Hydro outage map shows reduced area in green.

Unspeakable loss weighs on solemn vigil at Danforth/Logan

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Tears among friends of Julianna Kozis, 10/Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun
Julianna Kozis

A solemn vigil was held Wednesday night on the Danforth to express respect for the victims and somehow find strength to carry on. Many present were directly mourning friends. Girls of the Markham Syncro team wept as they tried to deal with the loss of their teammate Julianna Kozis, 10.  The area around Alexander The Great Parkette at Danforth Ave. and Logan Ave. was crowded with hundreds of people. The need to be strong in the face of utterly unspeakable loss was on the lips of many. Danforth Strong was chalked and written everywhere. Premier Ford, Mayor Tory and many other dignitaries were present. Twitter Toronto Sun

Hundred mourned, placed flowers
Names, sentiments on wall

FCA visionary Marchionne, 66, suddenly dead of embolism

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Sergio Marchionne, the visionary Italian-Canadian who left an indelible mark on the global auto industry, has died at age 66. His death Wednesday in Switzerland came days after he stepped down officially as chief executive officer of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV. He died from complications after shoulder surgery. Italian newspapers reported that he suffered an embolism during the surgery and sustained brain damage — New York Times  Jeep boss Mike Manley to lead FCA as Marchionne falls ill

Sooomebody! Blayne Lastman will run against John Tory

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“Bad Boy” son of Mel to run
Barb and John Tory
Emma Teitel — Sooomebody!

Lastman announces will NOT run. See later post. Blayne Lastman, the Bad Boy son of former Mayor and retailer Mel Lastman, says he will file papers Thursday to run against John Tory for Toronto’s top job. Lastman has spent his life running the furniture chain founded by his dad. He is the brother of Dale Lastman, Chair of the law firm of Goodmans. Star Columnist Emma Teitel threw cold water on the idea of Mr. Lastman’s candidacy in remarks this week. She said it is proof that political dynasties time was up. She warned readers to prepare for a lame joke. “Who’s better than John Tory? Sooomebody!”

Amazon to build fulfillment centre with 800 jobs in Caledon

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An Amazon fulfillment centre/ The Business Journal

Canadian Press reports that Amazon will open a new fulfillment centre in Caledon to pick, pack and ship books, electronics and toys. THe address is not specified. The Seattle-based e-commerce company says the centre will create more than 800 full-time jobs. The one-million square foot centre will be Amazon’s sixth facility in Ontario and ninth in Canada. The centre is expected to be built by the end of 2019 and, along with its future Ottawa facility, will bring more than 1,400 jobs to the province — CP

Josh Colle to quit politics, notable philanthropists honoured

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Toronto Councillor Josh Colle
Wilmot and Judy Matthews

Toronto City Councillor Josh Colle (Ward 15) will retire from municipal politics at the end of his term in October to take a job in private business. Colle is also Chair of the TTC and sits on several other boards and committees. He is the municipal member for Eglinton-Lawrence. Colle was elected in 2010 and says restoring bus routes, expanding TTC service across the city and advancing work on LIne 2 and Relief Line subway projects are some of his proudest accomplishments.

JUDY AND WILMOT MATTHEWS KEY TO THE CITY

Mayor Tory presented philanthropists Judy and Wilmot Matthews with a Key to the City Wednesday at City Hall. The Matthews are distinguished philanthropists who give to a wide variety of Toronto-based organizations that support education, medical research, cultural organizations and city-building initiatives. One of their recent gifts was for $25 million to The Bentway, a unique and innovative public space that transforms 1.75 km underneath Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway into a new gathering place.

NOMINATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY

Municipal election nominations close at 2 p.m. this Friday  This is the deadline for filing or withdrawing a nomination for the office of Mayor, City Councillor or Trustee for the City of Toronto’s October 22 municipal election. Nominations on July 27 must be filed between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Election Services Office on the first floor north of Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W. Individuals filing nominations on that date must bring all required documents and identification with them and ensure the completeness of their forms. After 2 p.m., no additional nominations or withdrawals will be accepted.

ISIL takes credit? Or maybe a kid in his parents’ basement

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Someone has “taken credit” in the name of Islamic State for the Danforth shootings. News outlets have duly reported this with a straight face and quoted university professors accordingly. Global News for example says professors in the US and Canada doubt that ISIL had any responsibility for Sunday’s terrible rampage. One called it BS. More than that, the simple existence of ISIL — however it is now defined — is subject to doubt. Anyone in Leaside could post online saying he’s from ISIL.

Man, 23, dead after car slams into utility pole in Willowdale

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Fatal collision at Doris and Holmes Aves in Willowdale/Tony Smyth@LateNightCam

A man of 23 has died after his Honda slammed into a utility pole at Doris and Holmes Aves. in Willowdale early Wednesday. Fire service and paramedics told 680 News they worked for nearly an hour to free the victim from his Honda S-2000. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Julianna Kozis, 10, named as victim of Danforth shooter

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Julianna Kozis of Markham

Toronto police have named identified Julianna Kozis, 10, of Markham, as the second victim of the mass shooting on the Danforth on Sunday night. A release at the police newsite says that the family has requested privacy during their time of grief.

DANFORTH STRONG WALK AND VIGIL WEDNESDAY

A public letter has been sent by Councillor Paula Fletcher about a planned walk and vigil Wednesday night.

Dear Friends,
We will be gathering for a walk and vigil on Wednesday night at 7 pm at the corner of Danforth and Bowden Ave to honour those affected by Sunday night’s tragic event. Thank you to the GreekTown on the Danforth BIA, the Danforth BIA, our Interfaith Community, Riverdale Share and community members for organizing this gathering.  We will begin with a candlelight procession starting at Bowden Ave walking to Ferrier Ave, and then we will proceed to Alexander the Great Parkette at Logan and Danforth where there will be a short interfaith ceremony. As well, here is information from the City’s Community Crisis Response Program which lists a number of supports available:

Forest fire calamity on vacation shore of eastern Greece

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The bodies of 26 men, women and children have been found huddled in a field after they fled their cars in an attempt to escape fires. They were trying to reach the ocean but were trapped. Hundreds have been pulled from the sea off the Silver Coast vacation area on the eastern side of Greece.




Let’s be perfectly clear! All-day breakfast is about the eggs

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Tim’s
A &W
McDonald’s

Those who think about the next meal-time (most of us) may well wonder how the geniuses at renowned fast food places like Tim’s, A&W and McDonald’s, got their jobs. To listen to them now that all-day breakfast is part of the 24-hour fare, you would think they had invented the egg. Tim Hortons announced Tuesday that eggs will be available at any hour. McDonald’s figured it out a year ago and seemed stunned there was so much demand. They had been yanking the dish off the menu at 10 a.m. sharp  for decades. And let’s be perfectly clear. All-day breakfast is about the eggs. Yes, you can get meat with it but without the eggs it’s more like a quarter-pounder.

LULULEMON NEW BOSS

Calvin McDonald has been named CEO of Lululemon, replacing Laurent Potdevin, who was ousted earlier this year amid allegations of conduct violations. The changes are effective on Aug. 20, the company said. McDonald will also become a member of Lululemon’s board of directors. McDonald comes to Lululemon from Sephora, where he served as president and CEO of the makeup retailer’s Americas division. He also served as president and CEO of Sears Canada for two years.