A new poll finds that Mayor Rob Ford's approval rating has jumped to 70 per cent, up from 60 per cent since February. In addition to the mayor's performance, 65 per cent of those surveyed support how city council is handling tax dollars. However things could change soon for the mayor when he begins to contract out garbage workers and trim expenses as 72 per cent of Torontonians feel municipal services provide good value for tax dollars. The survey of 913 Torontonians was conducted by the Ipsos Public Affairs for the Toronto Real Estate Board.

A tentative agreement reached earlier this week will make Toronto police officers the highest paid in the country with salary increases totaling 11.5 per cent over the next four years. This is the first time the Toronto Police Association has accepted a four year contract, up from the usual three year deal. Not surprisingly most police officers like the deal, especially in these economic times. Councillor Pam McConnell, former police services board vice-chair, called the settlement "a bit rich," but also noted a quick settlement did save money.

TTC commuters will soon be zipping along, thanks to Zipcar's new presence at four Toronto subway stops.The U.S.-based car sharing network will have two cars placed at Leslie, Wilson, Eglinton West and Keele stations, making it the first reserved parking of any kind for TTC parking lots.

Doug Ford says the federal election results send a "clear message" that could translate into a Tory win for the province. With the Liberals losing 14 seats in Toronto, Ford believes the city's political landscape has changed, which means good news for Ontario Conservative leader Tim Hudak. And apparently this wasn't lost on Hudak or the mayor. Ford reports, "It's going to be very interesting. When Rob was doing cartwheels down the street, I saw Tim Hudak doing cartwheels right beside him." Now that's a mental image I won't soon forget.

It's time to see good bye to EYE. This week's issue is the very last to be called EYE Weekly before it officially becomes the Grid. To mark the end of the era, the mag looks back on their two decades covering Toronto news and events.

IN BRIEF:

• Battle over bike lanes
• Early morning fire destroys home in the Bathurst and Eglinton area
• Jays beat Rays