Rob Ford's Toronto

[Gavin]

Yeah I know I basically listed the last few artists I've seen hit the top charts.

The hip hop and R&B thing seems to be a relatively new phenomenon, but we (along with Montreal) were the Brooklyn of the indie rock scene 6-10 years ago. Not quite so much right now, though.

 

[TheTigerMaster]

While we're on the topic of entertainment, I think I speak for most when I say that I was shocked by how important TIFF has become in the movie industry. The city seems to be going through some kind of entertainment rebirth. I hope this continues for the foreseeable future.

The one thing I'm disappointed about is how we've struggled to keep some of our more prevalent artists here in Toronto. Nothing would be more heartbreaking than to see our city become a recruiting ground for LA.

 

[MetroMan]

Do you know which candidate they're planing to run? Is it Laschinger or is he just the campaign manager?

It's candidate agnostic. Whoever they choose can be plugged in as long as they're positive and love the city. John Tory, Olivia Chow, Joe Pantalone or Adam Giambrone could all equally fit in this campaign. Yes I said Adam Giambrone. There are hints that he's planning to run again. In retrospect, his couch-gate is completely irrelevant in contrast to the scandals Ford has been involved in. I don't think Laschinger would pick Pants or Giambrone, but I do think the latter is considering a run.

Whatever is happening right now is just laying the ground work for concepts should John Laschinger become involved in the next election and there's every reason to believe that he will.

 

[gweed123]

IMO this election cycle should not be Olivia Chow's turn to shine. The city needs a gentle tug back to the centre of the swing, not a yank. Otherwise, those entranced by Ford's populism will continue resisting and we'll have mayor Ford for another four more years.

Agreed. At this point Toronto needs somebody like Stintz. Of course, to anyone in Ford Nation, anyone who's not a Neo Con might as well be a Socialist, and Karen Stintz fits into the Progressive Conservative mould pretty well (emphasis on the Progressive part).

 

[JWBF]

To head off anything else:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Music_of_Toronto

 

[MetroMan]

Toronto City Council should support ranked ballot election system: Editorial

Council has the power to do this now and end Rob Ford forever. There's no way in hell that he'd ever get 51% support. This would instantly solve the Mike Harris eternal problem brought on by Amalgamation that gives the key to the city to suburban Mayors.

 

[FutureBuilder]

There should be particularly nasty penalty attached to the use of the term "common folk" by politicians. I'm glad Dougy thinks it recharges his batteries, cause I'll tell yo....it drains mine. By "common folk", I'm guessing he's either referring to those imaginary people, or the guy wearing track pants in the Tim Hortons? I can't imagine the level of a mind that can listen to either Ford talk, and actually feel inspired by it.

The level of denial here is just over the top to the point of comical.

Cut the LTT by 10%. Hmmm. More cutting revenue without an explanation on how to pay for it. Oh right....I forgot that those "common folk" who support this idea don't actually realize that. Cut revenue by $34 million and balance the budget by cutting what services? Or are we still looking for that magical "gravy" that's supposed to pay for everything?

And forget the fact that the LTT is actually an intelligent tax (like the VRT)....it targets where a lot of profit is being made (remember that there is no capital gains on selling your principle residence), and helps keep speculation and flipping lower which keeps Toronto's hot real estate market from being too volatile. It actually does the city some good.

That is absolutely ridiculous. A SECOND land transfer tax is an "intelligent tax"? Really, how many places in North America have a second LTT?

And since most people buy 1 or 2 properties in their entire lives, how does a second LTT target "profits"?

It is nothing more than a tax grab by a piss broke government.

But I bet you don't think the people of Toronto pay enough tax as it is.

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

IMO this election cycle should not be Olivia Chow's turn to shine. The city needs a gentle tug back to the centre of the swing, not a yank. Otherwise, those entranced by Ford's populism will continue resisting and we'll have mayor Ford for another four more years.

I agree. Or Chow needs to pull back and be sure to represent the needs of the entire city, as it should be.

Letting Ford decide how the proceeds of a property are used is about as stupid as letting Councillors decided how Section 37 proceeds are used.

What "stupid" decisions have Councillors used towards Section 37 funds for? Btw, S-37's are put together by a group; the Planner, Councillor, legal and sometimes through or derived from community consultations.

 

[FutureBuilder]

I have heard the Rob Ford/Mafia rumour from numerous sources. To the extent that he hired some guys to whack the kids holding the vid. Who knows?

LOLOLOL Is your name Alex Jones?

Why don't you send a letter to the venerable Toronto Star with your real name and sources. Do your civic duty.

 

[TheTigerMaster]

Toronto City Council should support ranked ballot election system: Editorial

Council has the power to do this now and end Rob Ford forever. There's no way in hell that he'd ever get 51% support. This would instantly solve the Mike Harris eternal problem brought on by Amalgamation that gives the key to the city to suburban Mayors.

Wrong link MM. You meant to point us in this direction: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/edit..._ranked_ballot_election_system_editorial.html

 

[JWBF]

LOLOLOL Is your name Alex Jones?

Why don't you send a letter to the venerable Toronto Star with your real name and sources. Do your civic duty.

Shhh... and be careful, if he hears you he might show up.

 

[ShonTron]

Toronto City Council should support ranked ballot election system: Editorial

Council has the power to do this now and end Rob Ford forever. There's no way in hell that he'd ever get 51% support. This would instantly solve the Mike Harris eternal problem brought on by Amalgamation that gives the key to the city to suburban Mayors.

I believe Ford would have won in 2010 even with ranked ballots. Though I agree, its time has come and would work well at the municipal level.

 

[JWBF]

I believe Ford would have won in 2010 even with ranked ballots. Though I agree, its time has come and would work well at the municipal level.

Ford won in 2010 due to accumulating others votes from them dropping out of the race. If everyone held the line then a different story would be told.

 

[GenerationW]

Yes I said Adam Giambrone. There are hints that he's planning to run again.

Are you trying to depress me?

Please, anyone but him.

 

[Riverdale Rink Rat]

Letting Ford decide how the proceeds of a property are used is about as stupid as letting Councillors decided how Section 37 proceeds are used.

Run that one by me again? Sec 37 fees are supposed to be for local impact. Letting Ford dictate the sale and use of proceeds of Metro Hall, as opposed to council, is a whole different ball game. You might not like the Sec 37 fees, but they're apples and oranges to the sale of a class A building downtown.

That having been said, selling Metro Hall would be a great idea, as long as it doesn't get politicized... oh, wait, this is the Build Toronto with the 'Doug Ford One Man Board', right? How could THAT get politicized?