City
Saturday Brew: Markham Hopes to Contain Sprawl, Slow Speeds on City Streets, TTC Washrooms Disgusting, THS vs. Ontario SPCA, Fantino Summoned, and those Damn Leafs
Photo: "Untitled" by Jon ., member of the blogTO Flickr pool.
What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):
A number of Markham councillors are pushing for a groundbreaking plan to contain sprawl in the growing suburban community. While developers are obviously frustrated with the initiative, the plan looks to preserve a "food belt" (of some 2000 hectares) in the area for at least 20 years. Instead of outward expansion, Markham would see increased density and "upward expansion along the Highway 7 corridor.
In news that will surprise few who drive during rush hour, the transportation ministry reports that average vehicle speeds in the downtown core can be as low as as 11 km/h. The morning commute is speedier with streets like Spadina Ave. (southbound) and Adelaide St. seeing an average speed of 22 km/h. Which ones are the worst? The previously mentioned Spadina and Adelaide head up a list that also includes Dufferin and Richmond streets.
Anyone who's had the misfortune of needing to use a public washroom on the TTC knows what a nausea-inducing experience it can be. After numerous complaints from its readers, the Star decided to look into the conditions of the washrooms at Kennedy Station. In much the same response that you'd get complaining to the fare collector, the TTC said they'd get back to them. I'm sure it'll be spick-and-span in there in no time. Yeah, right. Just be sure to bring the hazmat suits...
The Sun's Peter Worthington has written a provactive editorial that argues that the arrest of the Toronto Humane Society's Trevor Smith on allegations of animal cruelty constitutes proof that the Ontario SPCA is waging a vendetta-driven war against the THS. Citing Smith's clean track record and the troubled relationship between the two entities, the article is contentious if nothing else.
On Friday a summons was issued against former Toronto Police Chief, Julian Fantino, alleging "that he illegally influenced elected officials" during the dispute with aboriginal groups at Caledonia. Fantino will have to report to court in Cayuga on February 3. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of five years in jail.
And although I tend to do this a lot, I'm once again rescinding my support of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite a third period rally last night, I've haven't seen a team this heartless and impotent in quite some time. I'm sure the blue and white slump breakers will be exactly what the Pittsburgh Penguins need to get back on track tonight. But, to be fair, the last time I made a similar declaration, the Leafs came up with a big win against Boston. But that's the problem, isn't it? There's always a glimmer of hope to string fans along, but ultimately it's just an exercise in masochism following this franchise.
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I'm a former THS donor, I cancelled my monthly contributions after the raids and ensuing scandal. That said, the Tre Smith stuff does give me the impression that there's something personal/below-board about the OSPCA's involvement here.
I don't believe Smith <i>shouldn't</i> have been charged, but the media knew he was going to be arrested and they staged a perp walk, the kind of thing you see happen when someone wants to humiliate the person being arrested.
I didn't think twice about all of the photos from the initial wave of arrests, but seeing the media called for the arrest of Smith makes me wonder about how this is all being orchestrated. Again, I'm not questioning the charges, just the way this has all played out.
Who oversees groups like the OSCPA and THS?
Now, if only the city would stop issuing permits that allow every developer to block a street lane and the sidewalks for a couple of years while building the latest Tower of the Month, then we'd really see some improvements downtown. The latest offender: First Canadian Place will have the right lane of Adelaide blocked for at least a year while they redo the facade.
But then it is clear the traffic department goes out of its way to frustrate traffic - why else would the traffic lights on University Ave northbound be deliberately staged to get virtually all of them red? Even the laws of averages would neccesitate getting a couple of them green, once in a while!