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My coverage of 4 person mayoral debate Sept 13 in ward18 (Smitherman didn't show):
http://davenportdemocracy.blogspot.com/
They spoke of bedbugs, electric trains, affordable housing, panhandlers, inclusion/exclusion of other mayor candidates, school closings, whellchair accessibility, bike lanes.... and their love for each other (scratch that last one)
Thanks for that. Anyone know what that scurilous bunch of "arts" developers the active18 are on about?
How about that bold, visionary announcement by Rocco Rossi: take one killed expressway, shove it underground and ta-da!
I was fully convinced Rob Ford would come up with the dumbest ideas of the campaign until that happened.
I attended the Good Jobs for All forum (it wasn't a debate but in interview format) and I'm now even more convinced that Smitherman is the most dangerous candidate.
Someone asked him how much of Toronto he wanted to "sell to business" or something like that. I couldn't quite hear the question.
Smitherman's statement about how "advisery committees" were "bullshit" seemed to get him a lot of applause.
He also tried to push his privatization if necessary but not necessarily privatization crap.
Cueball asked "Anyone know what that scurilous bunch of "arts" developers the active 18 are on about?"
Rather wish I knew. They held what they advertised as an "all candidates debate" with only 9 of the 12 people running. Ken Wood, also a candidate, was there but told he was welcome to 'ask questions at the end of the debate'. He left. They initially tried to get only certain councillors there, but added a limited few after complaints were made. There were about 50 or so people attending.
Didn't stay as it looked like platforms being given to candidates to spout predetermined lines.
Actibve18 website is: http://active18.org/about
Question for me is who is Active 18 - really? And "what are they on about?"
Hey Cueball... should have waited to post. Just found this about active18 debate:
http://www.torontoobserver.ca/2010/09/14/curbing-rowdy-revellers-in-ward...
Topics reported as complaints about rowdy bars, bad planning for development...Ahh, I thought it was something other than it is.
I suppose it could definitely be argued he should spend more time worrying about his own job, but I agree with everything he says here.
Maple Leaf
Sports and Entertainment CEO Richard Peddie waded into Toronto’s mayoral race, calling on candidates to up their game and bring on more compelling ideas for the city.
The campaigns so far lack vision, Mr. Peddie told a Canadian Club luncheon Wednesday, adding to reporters afterward that while a multitude of tactical promises has surfaced, “cost cutting and cost control is not a long-term strategy.
Tories back Smitherman
for someone who live in downtown (or whatever) who does not get why so many suckers are angry at the city hall, i know why even though i know it wont do me any good.
The scarborough rt is seriously dated. I was on it today going to my 12 dollar an hour job and the train just broke down, and we were trapped in there for like 45 mins and i had to walk out and take a bus to the kennedy station eventually..
I know we have transit city, but it seems like city hall just doesnt care that much for the longest time, and Rob ford is the one that is making the right noises , and he is a good choice for venting out our collective frustration with the relatively well paid TTC union members..due to what happened today, i was thinking back to the time when the york university union strike really cost me a job at the university, and i am still angry over that.
I must admit, i really want to vote for Rob Ford tonight, just out of my total bitterness and frustration and the fact that i dont give a shit anymore and i am going to get screwed anyways so i dont care what Rob Ford will do or not do.
Sometimes being angry is all i feel like i can be.
and if this doesnt convince you
check this out
The TTC has begun the first phase of the implementation of station managers at eight downtown subway stations.
why? we dont deserve it in scarborough just yet? do we get station managers after we decided to keep ford out?
edited* yeah and "solidarity" with the union, maybe one day after the union members finish giving their jobs to their friends, relatives, people like me will get to join their club..or i can wait for a leftist revolution and i will be set free from exploitation.
You get millions thrown out the window because some suburban drivers can't figure out that the streetcars that are blocking their way are stuck behind cars driven by suburbanites.
And you will still be taking the bus.
speaking with so many newcomers and ethnic minorities living in scarborough (who might not be fluent in english) can be challenging, but city hall didnt pay enough attention, politicans of all stripes play to their own base and they dont take the time to try to reach out to those people who are different than them..whatever.
And Rob Ford is Mr. Equity now, I spose.
Robby left a robo call to me way back in May, i did feel somewhat special.
I am actually educated and i am not stupid enough to think any of these fools will make my life any better. I will get one extra large cup of single single tim horton coffee and make a toss when PM Harpo is gone though.
I did talk to Joe Pentalone actually, he came to campaign at scarborough civic centre for some asian chinese event, he seemed to also think that the most important issues like job losses and provety are the responsibilities of the federal and provinical government, so who cares about the city hall? at least i can vote for robby and piss everyone off to get some psychological release.
edited* do not undermine the self destructive nature of those who feel hopeless and cynical.
How about making it worse?
This is ridiculous really. We can't keep making plans, digging holes, and filling them in every time some new idealogue comes along with his brand of populism. Rob Ford's transit plan services half the area of Scarborough that Transit city does, throws millions down the toilet in already started construction, and more millions down the tube when he scraps streetcars that we are already on the hook for purchasing.
Sometimes "vision" means finishing the job already started.
Edited to add. Of course job losses, and most social safety system are primarily the responsibility of the Federal and Provincial government. There is nothing that the city can do about that other than complain about it because the City is not allowed to tax anything other than property. Otherwise, they have to beg the province and the feds. End of story.
On this point, Joe Panatlone clearly said he would freeze property taxed on pensioners, so that the city tax bills don't end up forcing them to vacate their homes. And this tid-bit tells you everything you need to know about Joe Pantalone. As opposed to sky high crazy promises, obviously he has thought seriously about some issues, and about ways to solve them, as opposed to blowing smoke up everyones ass.
I'm volunteering for Pantalone's campaign this afternoon.
Progressive Pantalone loses his way in a sea of Ford sound-alike, Marcus Gee, Globe and Mail
I'd go and help Joe, but I'm otherwise engaged.
Ford got himself in trouble again today ...
He accused the city and some Beaches restaurateur of making some corrupt deal.
The Restaurateur is threatening to sue Ford.
ETA: It was noted today by Foulidis that everything Ford accused him and the city of dong that Ford called "corrupt" (backroom in camera no bid deal, donations to a city Counselor,) Ford had just recently done exactly the same thing with a different company that donated to him.
edmundoconnor - I probably visit Chris's pet food store regularly!
LP, going back to a discussion about the Good Jobs for All coalition, I can see an impressive array of members, particularly from the immigrant, refugee. non-white communities and labour, but I am not sure if its organizing and mobilizing work offers the advanced model some may see. I am particularly concerned with the Good Jobs for All coalition, having a mandate to actively intervene in the municipal election. appearing to do little when good green jobs for all are under severe attack in this election.. The hundreds and thousands of grassroots members of the coalition would have gone though a municipal workers strike with stinking garbage, closed swimming pools and delays in the OW cheques. How did the coalition intervene then and how is it intervening now with the right wing clamouring to privitize public services and reduce services?s. . At one level I would like to see the coalition following the lead of labour council and endorsing Joe Pantalone for mayor and others for council and Boards of Ed. It would be a great set of opportunities to organize and mobile, bringing communitoes togetjer in their neigbourhood and across the city What am i missing?
I should think that having the discussion at all is a good start. For one thing, its hard for an organization such as that to take an unequivocal stand on supporting one sector of the white establishment from that other sector of the white establishment. The organization did well to kick of the event by showcasing Rocco Achampong to kick of the debate, which was basically handled as an interview talk show format, as opposed to a snipe fest. There is a divide here, and questions from the audience, notably Black Torontonians handed Pantalone some of his toughest question, which I am afraid to say he mostly tried to defuse.
Notably Rocco (Achampong not Rossi!) was the only person who is a candidate who took the unique stance of talking about the wages of unionized police officers as being a problem, a cute twist on an old theme about unions with a strong hidden point about the police budget.
As one fellow put it, Pantalone really has to do something to distinguish himself from Miller, and unless Pantalone can come up with some way to directly offer something that sounds like more than just words as far as these communities go, and endorsement seems unlikely. However, keynote speaker Avvy Go, clearly tipped her hat to Joe in the intro, but here, as well Pantalone missed an opportunity to pick up on some themes such as policiing that she raised.
Here is how Avvy charachterized the event: Good Jobs for All.
That is not so bad, but I don't think that Joe is going to win huge points from these communities unless he has something more forthright to say. The problems is obvious, and he could take a clear stand on it.
But, if you are concerned about where GJFA is coming from, I think I can say with confidence that this is probably the first and last time that any of the mayoralty candidates will be asked by anyone, let alone someone like John Tory: "What are you going to do to protect City Services from outsourcing", as each was asked in their turn.
ETA: Also you keep talking about welfare cheques being late during the city workers strike. I didn't take a survey mind you, but no one I know who is on the dole got their cheque late, and one was adamant about how happy he was that he cheque was being sent out without the usual monthly bureaucratic bullshit: forms, appointments, etc.
Here's a real talk on the MAYOR Issues from people who are not just trying to be popular and get power:
Globe and Mail Sept 18: The Campaign's Biggest Loser So Far? Toronto Itself.
(audio or print exerpts) ... hmmmm cant seem to put in weblink....
Stop the city! I want to get off.
The rumour mill says a new opinion poll has Rob Ford still on track to be Toronto's next mayor, with the support of 51 per cent of respondents.
The Globe/CTV/CP24/Nanos Research poll was conducted in the past few days and will be reported on CTV and CP24 on Sunday night and in the Globe on Monday morning, according to sources.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/city-votes/toronto-...
Great. So Pantalone has momentum with a 5% increase in the polls and Smitherman does not. Smitherman has already lost this election to Ford. That is the word on the street. Therefore, Pantalone is the only solid way for people to get the message across to city council that Toronto is not for sale.
Thats not the message I get on my street. People are not really voting for Ford they are voting against the left.
Pantalone is going no where. Smitherman is stalled but ahead of Pantalone and the others are done. Time to rally round Smitherman and stop this Ford fool. Ford as mayor I can't stomache it!