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Morning Brew: Council heeds Crean's advice, fighting words from Mammoliti, housing a house pig, Bailao defends Jarvis vote, and fake band hits Yonge-Dundas

Posted by Chris Bateman / October 5, 2012

11 Comments

toronto bike lockAfter a mammoth debate yesterday, council decided to adopt advice in Ombudsman Fiona Crean's report that said the mayor's office interfered with the way the city appoints members of the public to its boards. Mayor Rob Ford said earlier that the report contained "hearsay evidence" but Crean calmly told council that she had gathered information from 40 witnesses under oath. According to the Globe and Mail, Ford didn't speak or ask questions during the debate and ducked out to check on a high school football game in Scarborough.

According to Giorgio Mammoliti, one half of the two man face-off at council yesterday, the councillor would have kicked Gord Perks "in the nuts and the face at the same time" if a brouhaha had started. Mammoliti boasted his battle-readiness during an appearance on The Dean Blundell Show on radio station 102.1 FM. I'm guessing there's some kind of a jump involved to pull of that move.

What a stinker. Otis the not-so-miniature pig and his owner, U of T student Alex, are having trouble finding an apartment. Turns out keeping pigs anywhere within the city is against the Municipal Code and punishable with a fine of $240. Zoinks!

Got something to say about the plastic bag ban? Then stop by the public works and infrastructure committee meeting at City Hall on November 14th and make a five-minute deputation. The belated chance for the public and bag interest groups to speak on the bam is designed to strengthen the city's position should someone sue.

Ward 18 Davenport councillor Ana Bailão came under fire from some of her constituents this week when she voted in favor of removing the Jarvis Street bike lane. Here's a letter from the councillor posted on her website that gives a little insight into her motivation.

Finally, here's boyband Soup Boys whipping Yonge-Dundas Square into a frenzy. Too bad there's no such thing as the Soup Boys. The whole production is a stunt.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Photo: "No Trespassing" by MarkBeauchamp in the blogTO Flickr pool.

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AV / October 5, 2012 at 09:22 am
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"According to the Globe and Mail, Ford didn't speak or ask questions during the debate and ducked out to check on a high school football game in Scarborough."

"Respect for Taxpayers"
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McRib / October 5, 2012 at 10:01 am
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I can't think of two finer examples of the enlightened, modern man than Mammoliti and Blundell.
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Joe / October 5, 2012 at 10:31 am
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Ana Bailão completely caved into the Ford camp on the Jarvis bike lanes. Her letter doesn't explain why she would go around for two years saying she is against removing bike lanes, and then she would vote to remove them anyway. The letter reads more like something from the office of Denzil Minnan-wong than from a downtown councillor. Her letter is also full of lies - the EA that was done recommended the removal of the center reversible lane on Jarvis, and collisions have been reduced by three times since the bike lanes were introduced. This, while commute times by cars were barely affected.
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steve replying to a comment from Joe / October 5, 2012 at 01:19 pm
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She also made claim there was no due process to put in the bike lanes. Ignoring that no process was even suggested to remove them
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Hammad Fasih / October 5, 2012 at 01:22 pm
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WOOOO SOUP BOYS!!! Glad to be on here!
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Chris / October 5, 2012 at 03:22 pm
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Ford's allies spend 5 hours berating the Ombudsman for her findings, calling her all kinds of names, attacking her integrity and competence with no shame whatsoever (while the Mayor ducks out to check on a high school football game in Scarborough - wow, what leadership) and then when all is said and done they UNANIMOUSLY approve her recommendations. Just shows these assclowns are all bluster - they love to throw out random, unfounded accusations, but when push comes to shove, they know they can't back it up.

Imagine - it took Holyday to be the voice of reason for these cretins. Disgusting. No wonder they have such a hard time filling senior roles at City Hall - who would want to spend their days around these idiots?

We keep talking about how our Mayor is a joke. Well, most of our Council is a joke as well - too many small-minded idiots on both sides of the ledger, and its hardly surprising that most of the bigger idiots are holdovers from the pre-amalgamation suburban councils in York, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, and East York. They should've been retired years ago.

Toronto City Council is probably the most compelling argument for term limits for municipal politicians that I've ever seen.
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jd / October 5, 2012 at 04:56 pm
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Just a question. Does Kristyn Wong-Tam stick her nose in other Councillors wards as much as it seems like some councillors are pushing in hers?

Maybe it's because I live in Ward 27. I have yet to talk to anyone in the ward who thinks bringing back the 5th lane is a good idea.
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steve replying to a comment from jd / October 5, 2012 at 06:01 pm
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No one was consulted in ward 27 on the return of the fifth lane. I do not believe Rob Ford has even seen Jarvis Street, as far as I know he has not been to Ward 27.
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don / October 5, 2012 at 06:20 pm
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Sounds like a good idea to limit a councilors term in office and that of the Mayor as well.
In this way we get a changeover every two or three terms in office.
Reducing the size of the council is also a good idea to save taxpayers money.
We see when a politician is left in office too long the outcome is usually counter productive.
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CanoeDave / October 5, 2012 at 06:46 pm
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Bailao makes a lot of sense. The Jarvis bike lanes were rammed through without public consultation and were not part of Toronto's cycling infrastructure plan. Better to stick to the plan as opposes to alienating the majority of Council that doesn't give a crap about bike lanes.
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Tony replying to a comment from Chris / October 5, 2012 at 11:30 pm
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Hey Chris why single out North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke and East York?? You left out Toronto where you live. The councillor from Parkdale-High Park is a saint im assuming as well, why didnt you include him in your rant. Oh yea you live downtown and those councillors can do no wrong. Thats what wrong with the city its people like you. Always blaming everyone else. Single out all of city council in this city, which has been a joke for 10 years now. I am not endorsing anyone or the mayor but your remarks about the entire council then calling out every ward except downtown is a joke. Why not un-amalgamate the city then you'll get your wish.
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