MB Toronto
Morning Brew: City projects $115m surplus, accepting Ford's debate challenge, a new life for old tires, Blue Jays investigating Yunel Escobar, and mac and cheese in 1862
Suddenly, money! The city is now projecting a $115 million surplus for 2012 thanks to a lack of wage increases for union staff, more than 1,800 job vacancies, and savings from trimming the library budget, among other savings. The extra cash will automatically go towards next year's budget.
On his Sunday Newstalk 1010 radio show Rob Ford challenged local media to debate him on the issues and controversies surrounding his mayoralty. Edward Keenan, an editor and political commentator at The Grid, has answered the call in an open letter.
Roughly 1,265 shredded car tires are now attractively scattered around part of the Evergreen Brick Works as part of a new play and relaxation area. The contest-winning design by Humber College grads Gloria Perez and Jessica Gafic provides a zero-maintenance mulch and attractive landscape feature for the environmental community centre.
Did you know Toronto has a three-hour parking limit on city streets? No? Neither do most people, apparently. The restriction is rarely shown on signs, according to the National Post.
In sports, the Blue Jays say they are investigating why shortstop Yunel Escobar played a recent game in Boston with a homophobic insult written on his face. The words were written in white ink on top of the Cuban player's eye-black, a substance used to reduce the sun's glare. It's not clear what might have prompted the bizarre message.
In vintage grub, the University of Houston has an online display of menus from the mid 1800s. One, from the Royal Hotel in Hamilton, lists food for travelers heading by train to Toronto. The meat-heavy menu includes "calf's hearts" [sic] in a Madeira sauce, "pigs pittiestoes" with minced liver, and, perhaps most surprisingly, mac and cheese "a la Italian." The place sounds a little rough - a note reminds guests that management isn't responsible for "stolen money, jewels, or ornaments."
Finally, here's this week's mystery intersection. Do you know where this is? Write your answers in the comment section.
ELSEWHERE:
- Double homicide in Toronto's west end [CBC]
- 'Gas and dash' death spurs bid to better protect gas station workers [Globe and Mail]
- Diabetes in Toronto: immigrants in 'less walkable' areas at high risk [The Star]
- Occupy Toronto protesters mark first anniversary of movement [The Star]
- Fire victim had no way of leaving apartment, friends say [CBC]
Photo: "King and University" by Ben Roffelsen in the blogTO Flickr pool and City of Toronto Archives.
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We have one hell of business man as a mayor.
What I do see is a dirtier city, the sewers smell, traffic congestion has not improved, congestion has gotten significantly worse in areas of other transport, pedestrian, cycling and public transit.
Yet to see a mayor who can pull the amalgamated city together.
Anyone can save money if they cut back enough.
Miller pushed for the province for a fairer slice of the pie and when that wasn't enough he pushed for the City of Toronto Act so that the city could have more taxation powers and provide better transit, infrastructure, services, etc. But you complained.
We could have discussed how to spend the extra money we paid in taxes. We could have chosen what meant the most to us. If the Vehicle Registration Tax wasn't the right idea, we could have thought of another idea. Instead, we decided to be fooled by a fool himself.
Taxes pay for things. Only taxes do that. You didn't want to pay yet you still wanted things so you voted in a moronic baboon! There was never any gravy, you fools. That was never the problem!
What nonsensical, entitled nitpicks you are - you want and want and want, but then get upset when you have to pay and pay and pay. The 99% act like they're the 1%! All the while the real 1% laugh at your sheer ignorance and stupidity as corporate taxes get cut and financial rules get rewritten for their benefit.
Go buy another iPhone you can't afford.
What I do know is that I prefer a mayor that wants to *be* the mayor, over one that spends half his time campaigning, and the other half volunteering on the city's dime.
I want a mayor that realizes he will have his critics and supporters.
I do not want a mayor that says my voice does not count.
I want a mayor that communicate with the people of the city through all media outlets, and make himself available to them.
I want a mayor that sees the city he is mayor of is a place were people live, work and play. A mayor that understands a city is not a business, that will not save money by cutting the cities core purpose to better the bottom line.
A mayor that understand he/she needs to work with council to balance a budget with a vision to future growth, a long term plan. A mayor that puts aside petty bickering for the greater good.
I don't want a mayor that uses his office to build some kind of political dynasty to boost his ego.
I want a mayor with a social conscience, has compassion and empathy.
I know mayors are people and will make mistake and do things I do not like.
I want a mayor that at least tries to be all people want him/her to be to all the people of the city.
That's all I got.