City
Morning Brew: January 28th, 2009
Photo: "train passing" by veryscary, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.
What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):
The feds have delivered a budget designed to please everyone, but Mayor Miller doesn't appear to be entirely convinced that Toronto infrastructure projects (like Transit City) will be funded with the ease required.
A Greyhound bus driver is being hailed a hero after he subdued a violent passenger en route to Toronto, while driving at top speed. No charges were laid - it turns out the passenger was Diabetic, missed an insulin shot, and went a little berserk.
More anti-smoking law will soon come into effect in Toronto. Council voted 31-6 to make smoking within 9m of a playground punishable by a $305 fine. This will also apply to the Toronto Zoo and Riverdale Farm.
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You may be able to have your submarine sandwich with the toppings and condiments of your choosing, and some will even give you pickles on the side. But a dime bag of wacky tabacky is not something authorities will allow be served from a Mr. Sub.
Ontario is getting back into the business of toll highways. The planned expansion of the 407 northeast of Toronto, will be owned by the province. The highway was sold at a bargain price to a private foreign company years ago. Hopefully we don't see public funding go into the expansion project, and then see this new portion also sold off in desperation shortly thereafter.
In related news, the 407 continued to send bills to a widowed man, for charges his late wife allegedly accrued 7 years ago. The Sun got involved, and the 407 suggest that they've corrected the problem.
Discussion
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Bravo, Toronto!
Regarding the 407, it seems the gov't feels that if you can't beat them, join them. No doubt they will price the tolls on their section "to market", i.e. matching the current highway-robbery rates. And the revenues STILL won't be put into public transit or green initiatives any more that the billions in gas taxes collected so far.
Ashcans would condone the smoking, and unfortunately it seems there are no bylaw officers to fine offender.
Too subtle?
You aren't going to change that.
And you can't just throw out a smoke into a garbage can because you may end up starting a fire. Putting proper disposal options where you *are* allowed to smoke would both show people who do want to obey the rules where they're allowed to smoke and cut down on the amount of littering of butts.
I wish people would work with smokers more often. I think it would cut down on a lot of hassle.
In the UK thay have ashtrays on the top of all garbage bins and there is a hefty fine for littering cigarette butts. This seems to take care of the problem quite effectively.
(Yes, my smoking friends hate me)
It is easy - easier then picking up dog crap even:
Step 1) Finish Butt.
Step 2) Stub Butt Out.
Step 3) Carry Butt until you find the approprate place to put it.
Is that so hard? It isn't asking any more than we do of dog owners, but apparently that is beyond most smokers. I mean, smoke if you want to, but don't whine that evil city is making it too hard to dispose your waste.
But hey, if the city can make more money and put it towards more pressing issues(*ie. transit, housing) i'm all for it.
Speaking of transit, looks like we're not continuing on Transit City. GREAT! I'm one step closer to moving to CHICAGO!
I am a non smoker and I hate the site of cigarette butts littered everywhere as much as you do. Unlike you though, I suggested something to help everyone rather your the self-righteous high horse BS. That just makes many smokers resentful and quite happy to flick their butts on you lawn.
"Step 3) Carry Butt until you find the approprate place to put it."
Once you've carried your butt around looking one of the city's virtually non-existent garbage cans, it's not going to be a "freshly-stubbed-out" cigarette, now is it?
I put mine in my pocket and throw them at out home. It's pretty damn simple.
WHERE DID YOU COME FROM??? AND WHERE CAN WE ORDER MORE OF YOU????(haha)
Was letting one know that their idea of butting-out in the pocket offensive? I mean really, he means well, but who puts their butts in their pockets.... honestly.
Should we conduct a poll?
You aren't going to change that."
Dear Heather - see last 30 years of increasingly effective anti-smoking regulations and decreasing smoker rates. Change much?
People smoke. You aren't going to eliminate that.
Not far enough? Short of outlawing smoking, and then providing chemical fixes to those of us who are nicotine dependent, you aren't going to eliminate that.