The South Bayview Bulldog

Teacher Nicholas Mills

Jeremiah Perry

Big Trout Lake

No one knows nor is anyone saying what teacher Nicholas Mills was thinking when he permitted Jeremiah Perry, and other boys who had failed their swimming tests, to go along on an excursion to Algonquin Park last year. The ability to swim was a requirement for the chance to join the field trip. As is well known, Jeremiah drowned when he slipped under the water at Big Trout Lake some 300 kilometres northeast of Toronto. Mr. Mills, 54, was the team leader that day. He also had overall responsibility for planning and execution of the trip. It was part of the school board’s program of trying to help kids who are academically, socially or emotionally challenged. Now the C.W. Jeffereys Collegiate teacher is charged with criminal negligence for permitting Perry to go on the trip. Others might have done the same. Rather than deny Perry the broadening experience and inclusion that the trip represented, they would have found the risk/reward odds favoured letting the boy go. That would have been against the rules and wrong. But it is easy to understand.  CBC

A Toronto benefit concert that was supposed to feature a performance by Demi Lovato has been cancelled, following reports that the singer was hospitalized for a drug overdose earlier this week. The RBCxMusic concert was set to go Sunday at RBC Echo Beach (Ontario Place). Jason Mraz was also on the bill and proceeds from the show were intended to go to Kids Help Phone. RBC says tickets purchased for the event will be automatically refunded — Sarah Murphy Exclaim!

Water, water everywhere/Nor any drop to drink — Coleridge Photo: cristina@cristina_p3

Traffic was diverted off Signet Rd. near Finch Ave. Thursday after hundreds of bottles of water fell off a truck. Cristina@cristina_p3 grabbed this shot and tweeted it.

Emptying planter makes it easier to carry

Ready to go

Looks there’s a camera

The “removal” of two planters from a location near Victoria Park Ave. and Eglinton Ave. by two older women has become an understandabe source of comment and fascination for many people. It is posted to Leaside Community among other places. It is closing in on 90,000 views in just a few days. Posts at LC Thursday say the women are “caught” although there is no information on just what has happened. For many, it is a sad realization that seniors are not always the wise and trustworthy souls we expect them to be.

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 .

Lights back on Leslie and Lawrence. Fingers crossed it stays that way! Thx for the quick fix .@TorontoHydro #DarkTo

— Taslim Somani, MBA (@t_somani) July 26, 2018

Power was out briefly on Broadway west of Bayview; lights were back on after several episodes of lights flittering; thx @TorontoHydro for the quick fix. #DarkTo

— Judith Davis (@JudithDavis4) July 26, 2018

Toronto Hydro outage map shows reduced area in green.

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

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A post shared by It All Starts Here (@broadviewdanforthbia)

Premier Doug Ford in attendance at the Danforth vigil tonight. @globalnewsto pic.twitter.com/Bh0Iz2DwLB

— Kamil Karamali (@KamilKaramali) July 25, 2018

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

“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!”

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

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.

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.