OMB Folly continues – for now
Posted: April 30, 2009, 5:46 PM by Allison Hanes
OMB Folly
OMB Folly will live on for the foreseeable future, after the local councillor secured the support of his colleagues to defer a final debate on the controversial street name.
John Filion (Willowdale), the councillor who first proposed the derogatory moniker out of frustration with an Ontario Municipal Board ruling, said a decision should not be made until a building permit is issued for the site.
He expressed doubt that the project that has generated so much bad blood in his North York ward will ever get built.
Mr. Filion said if this proposed development collapses and is flipped, he would be willing to abide by the wishes of any buyers who materialize down the line. (He noted he still has yet to hear from a single purchaser of the current project).
“Despite the fact my residents and I really like OMB Folly…I respect that people who purchase the units should not have to put a name they disagree with on their drivers’ licenses,†Mr. Filion said.
But several councillors, including Toronto Mayor David Miller, wanted to see the street name overturned once and for all, calling it an embarrassment.
Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong (Don Valley East) said the point has been made and the issue has gone too far.
“I think we have to change the name and we need to correct the mistake made at North York Community Council,†said Mr. Minnan-Wong.
“What’s next?†wondered councillor Rob Ford (Etobicoke North). “OMB Folly the Second? OMB Folly the Third?... This is very immature.â€
Earlier this week the Mayor called the street name “ridiculous.â€
Councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby (Etobicoke Centre) called in “whimsical.â€
“I think as a city we don’t want to be known for this,†she said.
But Councillor Howard Moscoe (Eglinton Lawrence) said there is broad community support for OMB Folly and that North York Community Council’s bold decision to christen the street has earned him pats of the back across Ontario.
The naming of the private lane associated with a development near the southwest of Yonge Street and Finch Avenue may have started out as a bit of a joke, but councillor David Shiner (Willowdale) said the sentiment it give voice to is “no laughing matter.â€