Moments of Meaning from Movies

SHRINK:  2009 Movie LINK

Unable to cope with a recent personal tragedy, LA's top celebrity shrink turns into a pothead with no concern for his appearance and a creeping sense of his inability to help his patients. Stars: Kevin Spacey, and Robin Williams (in a small impressively serious role)

Storyline

In Hollywood, people in need revolve around Dr. Henry Carter, a shrink: Jack, an aging star wants permission to cheat on his wife; Shamus is a director who's a cokehead; Patrick is a high-powered germophobic producer; Jeremy is a young writer looking for a break; Jemma, a high-school student, is skipping school; and Kate is an actress facing her mid-30s. Henry's wife recently died; he's grieving, blaming himself, smoking lots of pot. Henry's friends try an intervention; someone steals a patient's file from Henry; Patrick's assistant, the pregnant Daisy, sees promise in Jeremy's work; and, Jesus, Henry's drug dealer, sells him some potent weed. Can anything good come of this?

... Just watched this movie and liked the Kevin Spacey lines:

"Happiness" is a word for a feeling. Feelings are rarely understood in the moment. They are quickly forgotten, and almost always mis-remembered."

and, attributed:  "The first step towards happiness is always the hardest"

(For those that like reading scripts go HERE )

Caution: Movie deals with suicide and the whys. Heavy duty movie with a pretty realistic ending.

Highly recommended.

Why We Need to Banish Adam Giambrone

Definition of BANISH
transitive verb

1: to require by authority to leave a country

2: to drive out or remove from a home or place of usual resort or continuance

3: to clear away : dispel

— ban·ish·er noun
— ban·ish·ment \-nish-mənt\ noun
Examples of BANISH  He was banished for life. The dictator banished anyone who opposed him.
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Here we are about a year after Mr. Selfish Raw Ambition, ADAM GIAMBRONE, self-destructed (caught in his self-serving public lies by a city who couldn't care less about his sex life) in his bid to run for Mayor of Toronto. He soon thereafter publicly stated he would not run again for ward 18 Davenport City Councillor (much to the delight of most of his constituents) ..... and still we keep hearing of his brazen actions to bilk the city of every possible dime, jetsetting around the world pumped up by his own inflated ego, like some middle east dictator-for-life.

Hip Hop and Squeals From "BOOM" to....

"BUST" - Career nosedives: Lessons from Adam Giambrone Feb 12 2010 Globe and Mail

A link to Adam Giambrone's Apology and also a Toronto Sun story

Caught by His Own Deceits

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The latest?

  Giambrone ran up $135,504 tab before quitting TTC weblink Toronto Sun
"Outgoing chairman Adam Giambrone racked up $135,504 in travel, staff, phone, texting, and self-promotion costs on the TTC dime before he stepped down from his duties at the Red Rocket last November, say documents obtained by the Toronto Sun.,,,In actual fact, Giambrone went over his chairman’s little-known budget of $125,000 by $3,344.92 — a concern pointed out by chief general manager Gary Webster in a Feb. 23 memo to the current slate of commissioners...All of that travel occurred during Giambrone’s final four months in office. He also left his duties as councillor with a $58,111 severance cheque:
 
 And the Toronto Star story on this in which new TTC Chair Karen Stintz (probably in vain) hopes to recover some portion of his overspending.
 
What a comfort to those few still blindly Giambrone acolytes that he was not suffering financially while he tweeted from exotic locations about how the new city council should fix the TTC - which he drove into the ground in many ways himself with his blind love of technology and deaf ears to customer service concerns.
 
Angry? Yes I am. I campaigned for this bozo in his first election because I thought that his coming from an NDP background meant he might have some sympathy and compassion for the many people on low income in his relatively poor ward. I was wrong - so very, very wrong. In the next election, having experienced his total lack of concern for low voting areas of his ward and his office's non-response to mundane concerns like garbage collection - I asked him why I should vote for him.
 
"Because Miller will make me Chair of the TTC", was his verbatim response to me.
 
Incredulous, I asked how that would help me or his constituents in the ward. He babbled on about how great David Miller was and didn't answer the question. (A clue: The man might hear but does not listen, he was often called someone with a 'tin ear' by others).
 
Following that election in which he won easily over a poor campaigner in Simon Wookey ("Let the Wookey Win" slogan was the only highlight of that disasterous campaign), Adam became - if possible - even more inflated with himself. I went to seek help in bylaws related to feral cats and animal control. His answer:
 
"That's not my area. I'm the TTC". Actual fact. Verbatim.

Then, as most of Toronto who was paying attention, there was the Lansdowne narrowing fiasco in which Adam just did what he pleased with no consultation. Fact. I live there. Despite hordes of local constituents who, probably or the first time in their lives, took to the street to protest - It didn't faze him in the least. Later several of these constituents took the bold and ultimately fruitless step of taking the city to the courts in an attempt to get someone to listen to concerns. With limited constituent financial resources versus a multi-billion dollar city set of lawyers, it was hopeless. Yet, residents did get a last kick of the can at an "after the fact" consultation meeting of sorts.

And let's not forget the other Giambrone created disaster in ward18 - Taking away Dundas Street parking, which damaged people and businesses in the area. It was only recently restored by new ward18 City Councillor Ana Bailao, who got on board a little late on the issue - announcing she would do this September, 2010 in the last days ofthe election campaign. (Better late than never and the right thing to do)
Weblink to story

Later on, similar to the "As Rome burned, Nero fiddled" analogy, when the ire of the general public about poor TTC customer service and reliability came up, Adam spent his time crooning over technology and travelling around the world to learn about transit (Again: why is the TTC still seen as a place to can put your political friends who have zero transit experience?... but I digress).
               
To the point: INTEGRITY is a quality of character and a word Adam Gambrone clearly does not understand. When anyone with an ounce of respect for others knows he or she is not going to continue in the job, they stop bilking the system and making significant plans with impacts and consequences that others will have to deal with. You don't poison the well after you've had your fill.

Yet that is what Adam (and David Miller) did  in the final days of their reign of power. Contracts with expensive cancellation fees that committed the city to a course of action that was still being debated in an election campaign were signed. The city was left on the hook for the Giambrone-Miller wishlists.
TTC Lease "...leaving the transit agency on the hook for up to $2-million to break the deal"
Stintz trying to renegotiate deal (Another's comment: Personally, I feel it was unethical and akin to "scuttling the ship" when the departing TTC Chair (Adam Gee-I-am-a-boner) inked this deal.


Now Adam is on sabbatical in various exotic locales across the planet (not entirely true as he is doing his archeologist job no doubt drawing pay for that to go along with his City of Toronto Cash Windfall), and some political pundits say he will yet make a comeback, perhaps at another level of government.
Where in the World is Adam Giambrone Dec 2010 Toronto Star article.

Oh, how I wish we could pass an old style banishment decree for this dangerously deluded man.

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Something I blogged in March 2010: Given that our current councillor has had his judgement called into question numerous times now on a whole range of issues (lies to the media and public, expensing taxi rides when as TTC Chair he should be promoting public transit, getting caught expensing a personal taxi ride as council business, utilizing city resources to put on his own "On The Rocket" show (is it a campaign on the city dime?*), failure to focus on addressing enormous customer dissatisfaction about TTC service... what am I missing? ... why should his abandoned constituents support any bid for his re-election?
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And Free French lesson for Giamborne paid by taxpayer Over $6,000 news story
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And November 8, 2010 this came out Quit Early Still get paid
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Another example of Adam Giambrone's total lack of respect and his couldn't care less nature: His website is still active, even today, saying he is still the ward18 City Councillor. I and others have sent him emails asking him to take it down or change it, with no response. Perhaps this is a matter for the city integrity commissioner or ombudsman or city lawyers?
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No doubt I am missing some other examples of Adam Giambrone's total disregard for constituents (like his using TTC resources as his own self-promotional TV show or his overuse of taxis to confirm the TTC slogan "Take The Car"), but his biggest legacy is how he set the stage for the return of the conservative right to city hall with the Fordites and "Respect for the Taxpayer" that pretty much echoes what Giambrone did not have.

As I posted back in early 2010 about Adam:



* Update March 1st: : Giambrone Rebuffs Calls to Reimburse TTC for Blown Budget

Former TTC chair Adam Giambrone is slamming as “politically driven” the transit agency’s move to make him pay back the $3,300 by which he overspent his $125,000 budget last year.

“I’m not in Toronto and do not expect to have further comment … on the politically driven decision by elected officials on the Board of the Commission,” Mr. Giambrone said by e-mail.

Mr. Giambrone didn’t answer a question about whether he intends to reimburse the transit agency in his message, which came from his old City of Toronto e-mail account. His signature still says he is chair of the TTC and councillor for Ward 18, despite his not standing for re-election last fall after lying about an affair."

... Seems to me he is continuing to play the system. Why hasn't city hall shut down his accounts and done something about his still claiming to be Ward 18 City Councillor? Is this guy delusional (still) ?

So maddening thisis!
"Mr. Giambrone had three different pots from which to draw money: The $125,000 TTC budget he overspent; his $50,445 councillor budget; and a separate budget for TTC corporate travel."

Pigs at the trough come from the NDP too I guess.

* Update: TTC to formally ask Giambrone to pay for going over budget "The Toronto Transit Commission is writing to its former chair, Adam Giambrone, asking him to repay the $3,344.92 he overspent on his annual $125,000 office budget....It shows that the former city councillor for Davenport spent $71,917 on staffing, $9,152 on his voice and data plans on his BlackBerry, $2,891.75 on ground transportation and $2,097 on renting an office at City Hall. He also spent $20,807.64 on his glossy “Chair’s Report” and $16,175 on an accompanying video. Mr. Giambrone spent more. than $5,000 on other items, such as newspaper subscriptions and hosting a delegation from Milwaukee...Mr. Giambrone, who did not seek re-election, spent an additional $7,159 on business travel, including a trip to San Antonio for the American Public Transportation Association three weeks before the election. "

Food Prices Going Up

Food Security is a Toronto Issue

...Did you know that February 7th was
 National Hunger Awareness Day ?

Globe and Mail article "Food inflation: It’s all about what’s on your plate" "Official numbers may show that food prices are up a scant 1.7 per cent from a year ago, but that hasn’t been the experience of many people looking at their grocery bills in horror."

Too true. I am fortunate to be able to shop at a No Frills only 2 blocks away, where there were frequent 'Dollar Days' for low cost, semi-nutritious food. Many people on low income or families with many children shop here. The Daily Bread Food Bank donation boxes I set up a few years ago are continually refilled by a generous community who donate more than the usual cheapest Kraft dinners - things like baby formula and pet food and even once imported dried Salmon from B.C. (I suspect some law firm also regularly delivers boxed donations of select foods).

However, ever since the inklings of food prices going up in the mainstream media, I've noticed significant increases in food costs even there (as much as 10-15% in my experience

How then will other communities in Toronto, many of whom do not have the accessibility of a No Frills, be able to cope with the now expected 5-10% increases over the next several months? (At least it is not as bad as food in the far north: $29 Cheez Whiz?)

How will those on fixed, low income cope? Minimum wage is not being increased beyond the $10.25/hour by the Province and social assistance reform is still a pipe dream, relegated to discussions by big name experts for yet another report, all whill the province ignores the reality of increasing poverty amongst its citizens.

The poor “often cannot access supermarkets, sometimes don’t have access to secure cooking facilities, adequate freezing and refrigeration space,” says John Stapleton, who holds the innovation fellowship at the Toronto-based Metcalf Foundation...high-calorie items, which include fast food, are advancing the most.

Poor Hit Hardest by Rising Food Prices "Although social assistance in Canada has more or less kept pace with inflation in recent years, it has not kept up with the speed at which food prices have increased, making it more and more expensive for poor Canadians to eat healthy....The percentage of income needed to purchase a healthy basket of food for a single person on social assistance rose by 10 percentage points between 2005 and 2009 alone, highlighting the mounting pressure faced by social assistance recipients to afford a nutritious diet...It's also often cheaper to purchase unhealthy foods. Two litres of pop, for example, is usually cheaper than one litre of milk.... If almost 20 per cent of Ontarians living in poverty state that they cannot afford to eat fresh fruit and vegetables every day, this signals a failure to properly nourish our most vulnerable residents. Much needs to be done to overcome this problem."

The other thing I've noticed is that food packages are getting smaller while prices stay the same or increase. This is confirmed by this story. So, we will be paying more for less.

Stories I've seen on tv news say that one of the reasons food prices are going up is the weather. In China, they are experiencing droughts that affect wheat production. In Florida, there have been cold weather catastrophes. In the USA,  there is concern that corn crops are being used for fuel rather than food!

Food Banks constantly have trouble meeting the demand with supply. Even with good intentions, like today's "Lunch Money Day" it isn't enough to solve the current hunger problems.

What can we do as a city to address the food issue?

Did you know that the City of Toronto has an official FOOD CHARTER ? or that there exists a Toronto Food Policy Council ? (Link) Wayne Roberts, Project Co-ordinator:\ is also a regular writer on food issues in NOW magazine (bio link)   ... or that Ryerson University has a Centre for Studies in Food Security ?

There are advocates for smarter food security like Nick Saul at The Stop Community Food Centre, who often espouse a partial solution is more community gardens to grow food in urban settings. In my view, it will never be enough to ensure true food security in big cities, who still have to rely on rural farmland production. They say "Farmers Feed Cities" which is very true, and I am concerned that there is a lot of development that steals farmland with urban agendas trumping rural ones.

Many people falsely believe that there is a secure fall back system that works: the Food Bank, which started as a temporary stop gap measure some 30 years ago and is now a poverty industry institution. Not a lot is changing with food banks in my view. Here is an article I wrote in 2003 that still applies: Food Banks Failing Us ... very little has changed except that it has become increasingly the job of charities and not governments to feed the people.

This is all so very, very wrong.
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* Update: Inflation rate edges down to 2.3% in January says StatsCan in a  CBC story "The agency says rises in energy prices (particularly the cost of gasoline), as well as car insurance, home replacement costs and restaurant meals, contributed to keeping inflation above the Bank of Canada's ideal two per cent level." Note: This seems to totally ignore food prices.

Valentine Day at Toronto Western Hospital

Ontario Healthcare is Still an Issue

Not quite a local politics thing, but local enough to me.

About a month ago I had a slip and fall accident in my apartment because of a wet floor. It was extremely painful as I did a cartoonish split in my narrow basement apartment hallway. Of course it had to be on the weekend too. Not wanting to burden the system by calling an ambulance or even going into to the hospital for the dreaded hours long wait to be seen, I instead hoped for the best and waited 2 days to see if it healed.

With massive brusing, pain and still limping on Monday, I called my family doctor who happens to be in a Family Clinic at another downtown hospital (Mount Sinai) and made an appointment. I still thought I was making sure I was not abusing Ontario's overburdened healthcare system. I should mention 'family doctor' is a stretch, as it is a teaching hospital with a rapidly revolving door of what I call 'baby doctors' - those learning. So pretty much every time I need medical services, I start from scratch with a new trainee.

So - I see the rookie doctor (mine was on leave somewhere else), who takes 10 minutes to talk to and examine me.... then he sends me to Emergency anyways, saying they could do nothing there.

After about 4 hours, most spent waiting to be shuffled from one room and person to another, I am told that it is a torn hamstring that will just take months to heal and it's not even worth getting an xray on. Sent home with a prescription for some pain meds (which I could have used 3 days ago), I am also told to buy a cane, since OHIP doesn't cover crutches or other useful things for my injury. When I later ran out of pain meds, I called and was told I would have to come in for an appointment again to get them as they don't phone them in anymore. No thanks. I just stocked up on super large aspirins that I took frequently.

I should mention I am already on disability for mental health issues (depression) and thus am on a very low income, below the poverty line. Fortunately, I later found a cheap $30 cane at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Not the end of the story....
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Today (Valentine's day), thanks to a persistent every spring thaw water leak that happens in my cheapish basement apartment, I had yet another slip and fall in the same hallway. Similar doing the splits and amazing pain.

This time, I go straight to Toronto Western Hospital emergency where I am greeted by a bored looking security guard who asks why I'm there. The grimace on my face and the pronounced limp wasn't enough I guess. He tells me to sit down in the "Triage Area" (a set of broken down chairs) and wait. Only 3 people are ahead of me. The wait is extended by a few more patients brought in by EMS paramedics on stretchers who are always seen first, no matter their condition. (Likely to free up expensive ambulances).... next time, I tell myself to hell with it, I'll call an ambulance!

After about 45 minutes waiting - during which time no one gives me a second look or checks even to see that I am breathing - I see a bored administrative person who is ensconced behind a security glass enclosure. She takes my healthcard (the standard Ontario green provincial one, and for some silly reason a separate TWH blue card... why does every hospital have to have its own cards?), checks my blood pressure and temperature asks why I am there.... then tells me to wait in a second waiting area.

This time I realize I can hardly stand, so limp rather awkwardly over to the other area.  After about another 30 minute wait, I am called to the 'Registration Desk', where they simply want to confirm my address yet again and give me a paper wrist band. The pain index I am feeling is at least 7 out of 10 and I can move about 3 feet a minute. Then I am sent back to sit and wait again.

During the next 30 minute or so wait, I notice that on this Monday morning suddenly there are 20 people waiting in the Triage Area! I notice a couple come in and hear the man say to the security man/greeter, my partner's on welfare and needs to see her social worker upstairs, can we go through here? The guard tells them no, they have to walk around (even though the hallway clearly connects to the main lobby). Then I am called in to see a real nurse.... limping very poorly, until she finally decides maybe a wheelcahir is in order.

Then I wait another 15-20 minutes to see a nurse who asks a few questions, tells me to put on a hospital gown and wait again. Within a relatively quick 5-10 minutes wait to see a real doctor, I hear a fed up nurse explain to other ER staff that she is the only one on duty and can't 'do everything by herself'.

The doctor comes in, very briskly examines me and explains I will have to come back tomorrow for an ultrasound as they are too busy today. She-  finally! - gives me some pain meds and a prescription. So, about two hours later and I still have to come back tomorrow.

I am told I need 2 crutches and a leg brace that looks like something police swat teams would wear - BUT - it is not covered by OHIP and would cost about $70. Finally they say they could send me a bill to sort out later (I hope to get my landlord to pay it, and the $26 cab fare there and back). Years ago, I remember when you 'rented' crutches and got your money back when you returned them.

.....

While waiting, I overheard what sounded like students? or some healthcare group discussing how the admissions procedures needed to change. Exactly my point is raised by one of them who says that while waiting someone could literally stop breathing and not be noticed until the 'first in first out' queue reached them.

I recall several years ago (20?) when a much younger me had a torn ligament. I went to emergency where I was seen by a nurse the moment I walked in the door and my vital signs were checked. I waited perhaps 20 minutes to see a doctor and get treated promptly. Surgery was booked that day for within 2 weeks and I was in and out.
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So, when I hear all the press about the Ontario government doing so much to reduce wait times and improved the healthcare system... forgive me if I believe it is all a crock of you know what.

Our vaunted Ontario Healthcare System is in critical condition!

* Update: Next day I spent another 3 1/2 hours getting an ultrasound and X-Ray that tells me I have damaged soft tissue. Good news: No surgery, Bad News: Will take a few months to heal. Thankfully I have a decent landlord who paid for my crutches and cab fare to/from hospital. The water leak? Cannot be fixed until spring and snow is gone. I'll just have to hope for not too many sudden thaws.

Side note: There was only one doctor specialist on duty at the hospital, when I left there were 40 people waiting to see him. Lots of angry people who thought appointments meant appointments and found out it was a rough idea, meaning 3-4 hour waits.

* Update: Feb 16 McGuinty Says More to be Done to Help Crowded Hospitals "Premier Dalton McGuinty says there's "more to be done" to help hospitals in a Liberal stronghold that are so crowded officials have declared a crisis."

February 7 City Council Meeting Log

What Happened: A Blow by Blow
(Since I am immobilized by a leg injusy, I am followingfrom my home computer)

9:32 am Meeting called to order by Speaker Frances Nunziata.

Mayor Ford is going to spend the whole meeting wearing an O'Connor Blues shirt (This is the football team that beat his own Don Bosco Eagles. Photo op. Sign of Rob Ford growing into his new role: he declines to wear the pom-pom hat when it is offered to him. (Tweet by goldsbie)

9:41am Krystyn Wong-Tam making a statement about the big fire at Yonge/Gould. A thank you to fireefighters.
* Update: Police Confirm Fire was Arson

9:44am Adam Vaughan makes statement about Sgt Russell being killed and makes motion for City Council to unanimously pass motion to name park after him. Speaker says you cannot do this until community council deals with it.  (grandstanding...? Vaughan is a veteran and should know this)

9:47am Giorgio Mammoliti waxing on about community centres needed as he delivers report on Community Development and Recreation Committee. Highlights childcare needs.

9:48 Councillor Michael Thompson presents Economic development meeting report.

9:51 Councillor Paul Ainslie presents Government Management Committee

9:51am Pam McConnell makes point of order asking about medical needs for homes fro the aged. Told to wait.

9:52am Cesar Palacio presents  Licensing and Standards Committee report. Educates colleagues on what the committe does. Making a longggg speech... Gets his five minutes in. Dog and cat licensing fee could be abolished this year, according to licensing committee chair Palacio.

9:57am Peter Milczyn presents Growth Management Committee and mentions ANA BAILAO was elected Vice-Chair. Praises the work he and the committe does.

10:00 Denzil Minnan-Wong presents Public Works and Infrastructure report. David Shiner is vice-chair.

10:00am Mark Grimes presents Etobicoke York Community Council and takes a shot at Palacio (I won't be as long)

10:01am Maria Augimeri presents North York Community Council report (also takes shot at not being as long winded as Palacio)

10:02am Paul Ainslie presents Scarborough Community Council report. Very quick.

10:03am Gord Perks presents Toronto and East York Community Council report.

10:03am Vote to accept reports unanimous (42) Missing from meeting: Karen Stintz, Lindsay Luby, John Parker.

10:04am Declarations of Conflict of Interest. (several) Councillor Colle makes a 'ridiculous motion' according to Speak Nunziata as he says he has a conflict of interest on the salary raise issue for councillors. Josh Matlow also says he has a conflict. Speaker Nunziata rules them out of order.
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10:08am Receiving petititions. Lindsay Luby and Stintz still not there.

10:10am  RM 3.6 Review of the Order Paper. No urgent items identified by the Mayor. Speaker Nunziata once again explains the rules to councillors. Palacio has a hold on urgent item about Pan Am games and the Child Care Task force. Shiner holds Toronto Public Library items.... Councillors can hold items of importance to them so they are there to discuss.... Interestingly Palacio and Mammoliti don't seem to be paying attention to who is holding what as they are too busy chatting elsewhere.... lots of administrative details being worked out.

10:24am A vote! on CC3.2  2 True Davidson Drive - Official Plan Amendment, Rezoning, Site Plan Control Applications carries unanimously.

10:26am Pam McConnell brings motion to adopt motion (2/3 needed) about medical devices needed... ?
* Did I just see Ana Bailao slap seatmate Michael Thompson's wrist from showing her how to push her vote button? a little hard to be sure from home.... ?

10:31am Vote on adopting the order paper and adjustments made: Adopted unanimously 40 in the chamber in favour. Normal re-educating of councillors on how to add motions without notice done by Speaker Nunziata. Now theyy START with agenda.

10:33am EX2.1 (Executive Committe) Interim Authority to Issue Debentures during 2011 and Authority to Enter into Lending Agreements with CMHC  (Ward All)   URGENT... Stephen Harper making big loan available ($22 million) to cities for subsidized housing loan. Always practical Ron Moeser asks about what the interest rate is (about 3.8%, considered very low).  Mammoliti asks if there are any conditions attached to the loan. Only for capital purposes must come via city to TCHC. Vast majority of money is specific to Regent Park development. Mammoliti asks when did city recognize they needed $22 million for this. Answer - came from TCHC board meeting. Mammolitis asks if city is guaranteeing the loan - answer no, just a technical thing coming through the city. Mammoliti asks why it is coming through the city then? Answer Canada Mortagage requires it go thru the city... kind of dancing around the question. Maria Augimeri asks how Regent Park was chosen for the loan. Answer: don't know. Augimeri asks what other projects benefit? Answer don't know... so Augimeri holds down the motion. Pam McConnell asks leading questions to point out it is just to ensure a better rate and slyly suggests in her question this is urgent and money will disappear unless they approve it now. Ron Moeser asks some technical questions about priorities, City bureaucrat has no answer. Moeser continues to ask questions on effect on budget, confusing answers.
10:45am Vote on the amendment to the item Carries unanimously (only 39 in the chamber now)
10:46am Vote on main item as amended... unainous 39 again.  WOW! 12 minutes on a $22million item.

10:48am Cesar Palacio asking questions about EX2.5 Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Capital Facilities and Investments (Ward All) URGENT... about need for soil remediation... involves recommended additional City funding of up to $47 million (something Ford says he was 'blindsided' on).

10:53am Technical problems.... buttons Councillors use to get on speaking/questioning list is not working

10:54am  David Shiner asking questions about costs and estimates. Why so off? Answer: we were rushed and had to make a guess...

- Tweet ddale Councillors were recently told that the city needed to provide 21 million extra to accommodate inflationary increases...Holyday, back on his anti-BMX-track horse, asks staff how many BMXers there are in city. Answer: max 1,000.

11:03am  Michael Thompson asking questtions... making a speech really about this being a fine investment.

11:04am Kristyn Wong-Tam asking question about issuing tender for soil remediation. City bureaucrat says 'we told you about the risk' Points out alarming documents about how the city is on the hook for all kinds of liabilities.City answer - not happy with what they got from Pan Am corporation and other levels of govt.

- Tweet: Daniel Dale A group of cute little kids just arrived in the gallery. They are listening more intently to Michael Thompson than most councillors. (St. Matthews School)

11:09am Mark Grimes is not buying that back then they did not know about cost increases. Have to deliver site by April 2012.  Still will support it.

11:11am Item was held by Cesar Palacio, so now he gets his time to speak on it. Pan Am Games will bring great benefits.. sounds like a Pan Am commercial. Mentions his frustration that the previous adnministration knew all along about the need for soil remediation.... here we go, blame the leftiy Millerites! Ties in Bloor Street reconstruction, Transit City, etc. We have been forced in a corner at the eleventh hour. Why does this happen? I voted for this in 2009 because of the information I had back then. (duck and cover political maneuver)... I hope this is the last "Fiscal Fiasco" we have to encounter. I support it.

11:16am Mark Grimes speaks and supports it. We have to clean up the soil at some point and we have a partner who will pay for it. Worth it because we'll have a great aquatic centre. (He is very concise and coherent and makes his point without droning on)

11:18am Michael Thompson speaks. Makes an amendment. Takes offence at people blaming staff who could only deal with the information they had at the time. Another commercial for how great Pan Am games will be for Toronto.... This guy really sounds like a future Mayoral candidate who speaks very well.

11:24am Paul Ainslie now speaking. "This is an amazing deal for Toronto and for Scarborough" - Tweet David Nickle: In the meantime, Paul Ainslie says Pan Am Games not a "great deal" for Toronto, but "amazing." Cost overruns be darned.

11:27am Paula Fletcher speaks in support of the motion, makes an amendment about reporting on TTC access. Great opportunity to clean up contaminated land. Emphasizes importance of making sure people can get there without cars.

11:31am John Parker confirms his support. Waxes on about his youth swimming at Hart House. Main benefit is ongoing asset after the games. Great for the University of Toronto. - Tweet from goldsbie: Councillor Parker refers to the Hart House pool as an "oversized medieval bathtub."

Side Note: Josh Matlow just posted Twitpic of his voting buttons:

11:35am Doug Holyday speaks. Takes shots at people who won't be riding bikes to Pan Am facility. Tweet from Daniel Dale: Holyday motion: find "more central site" for BMX site...and if that doesn't carry, delay decision til after public meeting.  (Holyday really hates cyclists it seems) Talks also about garbage sites and how they need ongoing care - Concerned the monies normally taken from reserve funds will be depleted quickly on this site. ... oops, talked too long. Motion for an extension to speak. Unanimous.... hmm, only 31 in the chamber out of 45, only 69% of councillors there. -Tweet Daniel Dale: Says we shouldn't rip up 7.5 acres of parkland for bike track for very few people - "youth." He is unhappy.

11:44am Mary Fragedakis asks procedural question to makes ssure she knows what she'll be voting on.

11:44am Josh Matlow asks why he wants an extra public meeting - Holyday doesn't want to have to go to constituents with a done deal decision. Matlow asks about what BMX event is all about and asks if he has an alternate place in Toronto to put it. Holyday doesn't know.

11:46am Raymond Cho asks question. Pins Holyday down saying he hears him supporting project but what if your constituents do notr want it. A: Still support it.

11:47am Adam Vaughan speaks in support of the Pan Am games. Takes a shot saying the BMX facility if it were built in Etobicoke, having the facility there would generate the attendance. Gently castigates other Councillors who didn't read the wrning signs in previous reports. "It's our project and it's our time to do it right"

.... Notice from a few limited camera shots that those not speaking look really bored....

11:53am Giorgio Mammoliti speaks and makes amendment to indicate the BMX facility could be in an 'alternate' site (like his ward 7) and not 'central' as the motion said. Mammoliti goes on about how the suburbs get so little attention. - Tweet from Daniel Dale: Mammoliti: his part of the city never gets considered for projects like the BMX track. Why, he asks "because there's a lot of poor people?" - Tweet: Rahul Gupta

Does anyone on #TOCouncil grandstand as well as Mammoliti? Man should write a book
BREAKING NEWS TWEET from CBC : The City of Toronto says it has officially started work on a plan to open up garbage collection to competitive bidding. Reporters on press row just got release re: private garbage. City estimates 300 positions will b affected

11:58am Mark Grimes points out that Councillors have no say on where Pan Am Games facilities go.

-Tweet: City Slikr Actually, most of Dep. Mayor Holyday's yammerings can be summed up as Get off my lawn! #TOcouncil

12:00 noon Speakers done, Time to vote on motions. Holyday's motion asking city to look for "more central site" for BMX course loses 29-12. Second Holyday motion at least seeking public meeting on BMX site also fails, 27-14.

--- lost my link to Rogers telecast at this point ---

12:10pm Now Item  EX 2.9 Filming at Frat Houses. Adam Vaughan upset that his ward not included in consultations on this complicated issue.... ( Seems like s silly nany-state overkill if it really does affect only 6 or 7 properties in the entire city ) Link to background on the item -Tweet: Rob Granatstein NFC - No Fun Council. #Toronto Councillor wants to stop frat houses from being used as film sets since frat houses use proceeds for keggers A. R. Arvelo McQuaig  Another Tweet: Ugh, Shiner says of Vaughan, “I'd be only too happy if he got another job.”
--- Meanwhile another tweet: "We’re going to be outsourcing everything that is not nailed down" -- Doug Ford, as quoted in the Toronto Sun this morning.

12:29pm Mary Fragedakis introduces bill ... only 29 voting reps there right now, rest 'out to lunch' ?

12:30pm  --- Council Recess until 2:00 pm ---
... Noticed Ana Bailao drinking her Tim's coffee and chatting with ever present lefty pinko recruiters Gord Perks and Shelley Carroll.
-----
Tweets on Council stuff during the lunch break:
Goldsbie Ford says we won't have another garbage strike like the one that crippled the city "last year."
Matlow At Mayor Ford's presser re: privatizing garbage collection. Whether supported or not, announcements before voting are never a good thing

Majot Mayoral Announcement: Ford Moves to Privatize Garbage Collection "The City of Toronto intends to expand curbside garbage pickup of “all daytime residential curbside collection west of Yonge St. to the Etobicoke border.” Even if city council approved contracting out more garbage collection, no change would happen until mid-2012.

Rob Ford made city-wide garbage pickup privatization a core promise in his election campaign. RICHARD LAUTENS/TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO

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2:04pm About 5 or 6 councillors in the chamber milling around
2:07pm Speaker Nunziata calls people to take their seats.
2:09pm Quorum (Ana Bailao still not back from lunch along with many others)

2:10pm CC3.3 item moved by Joe Mihevc.
2:11pm ah - here comes Ana Bailao. Joe's motion carries 31 unanimous. 14 councillors missing.
... more quick release items... Karen Stintz and Gloria Lindsay Luby still missing all day.

2:22pm Back to questions aboutfilming at frat houses. Michael Thompson asking.
-Tweet: David Nickle  Should frat houses not be allowed to have film shoots on their premises, to stop them from using the proceeds for wild parties? Hmm.
Michael Thompson pointing out its a silly moratorium and how is it different from other businesses. WHy do we need a 2 month moratorium to sort things out...Tweet: Daniel Dale In talking about film shoot moratorium at frat houses, Thompson notes he used to be a frat brother. "CONFLICT, CONFLICT," colleagues shout.

2:26pm Kristyn Wong-Tam asks if the moratorium would affect film industry coming here. Answer: yes it has 'an' impact. Wong Tam tries to redefine answer as hurting film industry.No.  Speaks about "early morning shouting and human defecation".

2:29pm Gord Perks speaks about how city council can refuse a bar for bad behaviour to change it
Perks is an expert in proving his point via smart questioning - much like a lawyer who only asks questions when he knows what answer he will get to build support.

-Tweet: Daniel Dale Adam Vaughan believes frats are using the proceeds from film shoots at their houses to fund boozing and boorish behaviour.

2:34pm Pam McConnell asking questions. Is moratorium a significant economic impact within the area.Staff says moratorium or threat negatively impacts external perception of Toronto being not business friendly.

2:37pm Peter Milczyn questions.Staff answer: Frats are not businesses, just a co-op housing of sorts. Clear that staff confused as to whether city licensing and standards can do anything about them.

2:40pm  Joe Mihevc suggests amendment to leave moratorium for 2 months so local councillor can sort things out. Only 6 of 24 frat/sororities are a problem. A deferral motion.

2:41pm Mike del Grande will not support deferral. It affects the arts community and gives city a bad name. Ourcity needs economic prosperity.

2:43pm Shelley Carroll speaks, takes shot at del Grande saying she hopes he will support the film business (as he hasn't in the past). Kind of irritable towards Speaker Nunziata who tells her to stay on the item.
Carroll fears Toronto Film Board will be axed by Ford.

2:46pm Michael Thompson speaks to support the deferral.(hmmm... not a right block with del Grande) Again, Thompson is a very accomplished, diplomatic speaker.... member of the sensible party?

2:48pm Joe Mihevc's amendment being voted on to ensure tv show "Being Erica" can continue filming as an exception. Carries 26-11 and is deferred. The no's all on the Fordite right wing block. =Tweet: Daniel Dale Council votes to extend moratorium on film shoots at a handful of frat houses for 2 months; gives community time to work things out.

2:50pm David Shiner asking questions about budget alocations for libraries.Complaining about use ofconsultants, etc.

2:56pm Vote on Toronto Library Capital Budget. Caries 34-1 (Moeser a no)

2:57pm Shiner EX2.12 Toronto Public Library 2010 Capital Budget - Technical Adjustments as of October 31, 2010  Carries 34-1

2:58pm Maria Augimeri complains about what Palacio will do with an amendment, needs to have staff answer questions.

3:00pm Ana Bailao speaks! CD1.6 Childcare Development Task Force. Expresses confusion on getting staff answers in time to vote.Michael Thompson also expresses confusion. more confusion.

3:02pm Cesar Palacio tries to explain what uis happening.Doesn't really say anything. ends with "But 'that's the way to go'" .... what ?

3:03pm Adam Vaughan speaks and putrs forward motion. Explains a hell of a lot mre about what is going on. - Tweet: Diane Dyson George Brown argued against universal public education because "schools for poor would be poor schools" 1850s .... Vaughan speaks about risk and tragedy for city's children if its not done right. "Buil;d daycare not off the balance sheet but what the children need" Argues for regulation and examining history. "Who ran on a campaign to make daycare cheaper and less safe? No one".. Passionate speech about 'Think ofthe Children'.

3:09pm Speaker Nunziata chastizes Vaughan for not following procedure with his motion by giving notice.

3:10pm Mammoliti makes motion to move this to a Mayor's task force under him. Says he is insulted by others references to motives. Childcare doesn't belong to those on left or right. It's all of us. Winding up into big speech. Complains about Paula Fletcher heckling he is yelling. (he is). Tweet: Daniel Dale Mammoliti yells at Fletcher for accusing him of yelling, says he's not yelling. Tweet: Goldsbie Mammoliti moves his new "Childcare Task Force" be referred to the mayor to become the Mayor's Childcare Task Force, chaired by Mammoliti.... promises he might include people like Adam Vaughan.... Mammoliti goes overtme and asks for more time to speak. Carries 34-1 (Mark Grimes said no)...Mammoliti says timing iis good given upcoming provincial and federal elections.

3:18pm Shelley Carroll asks what is your interpretation of the reporting pathway when something is referred to the Mayor? (wants to know if council gets cut out of the action or it could be delayed). Mammoliti says bringing back to Council and/or Executive. Prefers it that way. Carroll wants it more open.

-Tweet: Good catch: "@goldsbie: Mammoliti prev. said (task force) would be chaired by a member of (his cmte.) other than himself." Now him.

3:21pm Adam Vaughan tries to pin Mammoliti dowen to ensure it is open, transparent and includes public input.... Mammoliti basically answers "Hey. Trust us" - many councillors do not. Mammoliti talks about 'flow out' of info, Vaughan says you want to punt it off to Mayor, what about flow IN ?

3:25pm Ron Moeser speaks. Questions timetable for huge undertaking. Mamoliti says before the prov/fed elections need recommendations. Within 4 months. 'That's ambitious' says Moeser. Mammoliti seems very full of himself, ttrying to speak for the Mayor. Moeser asks smart questions about getting other members on the task force from other levels of govt.

3:28pm Joe Mihevc asks if he can ask Mayor questions on this issue since it would be his task force. No, he's not chair of committee. ooooo....Mihevc says "we need a man of greater level to answer questions" (at least I think that was his zinger. Mihevc then tries to tie Mammoliti to specific recommendations. Mammoliti ducks it.
---- During all this, I could see Mike Layton chatting with his assistants and not paying attention ---

3:32pm Josh Matlow speaks. His style is to start with the positives, trying to charm Mammoliti. "What signals can we give to partners we already listed in recommendations, how can we ensure them they will be included in task force"? Mamoliti's response is all about controlling costs for task forces.'Perhaps' your suggestions will be considered... and we'll let you know..... Will you at leastcommit that this will come back to us? Mammoliti answers basically 'there's a new sheriff in town. get with the program' Don't worry be happy.

3:37pm Janet Davis says she is still trying to understand Mammoliti's intentions.... Do you still support it? Answer: I've never changed my vote on anything..... duck, dodge....Why don't we do what you and the committe have already agreed to? Mamoliti: The administration at city hall has changed. (says he is trying to be diplomatic, read between lines: Ford put his foot down). Davis: Then why not defer it for a month and work things out.Answer: don't want to defer it. Davis: Why did you agree to everything before and now everything's changed. Mammoliti: confirms it was a Ford directive.

3:42pm Gord Perks Are you willing to amend your motion to explicitly do what the committee already did. No answer. Will it go to Committee meeting? No, to Executive.... Speaker Nunziata reminds Perks he is not in court and let Mammoliti answer..... Perks: Are you prepared to amend your motion to make a specific timetable? Yes.

3:44pm Perks makes Point of Order quoting city council rules that he cannot do this to attempt to defeat the motion by moving it to the Mayor. Asks for ruling it is out of order..... 2 seconds later, Nunziata says it is in order. No conference with clerk.... What amazing bias!

3:46pm Chair has been challenged. Vote: 19 yes, 16 no. ANA BAILAO voted YES which seems to pretty much end the debate that she is on the Ford right wing of Council, Sad. I would have voted NO. And only 35 people voted, 10 ducked out of vote. Time to chanmge Ana's colours to ANA BAILAO right wing conservative.

3:52pm Raymond Cho asking some questions of Mammoliti who tries to remind him that he always supported moving things to the Mayor's task force.

3:53pm Joe Mihevc puts forward amendment to Mammoliti motion Delayed.

3:54pm Move to Ron Moeser for 2 mins of questions. Says he will support motion.

3:57pm Joe Mihevc makes amendments to ensure specifics of committee work already done is included. Fears straight deferral to Mayor will mean cost cuts. Let's just do what the committee already agreed to.

3:59pm Adam Vaughan speaks. Suggests Mayor just wants to hide it and help Stephen Harper from having issue discussed during election. I don't feel comfortable sidelining council into the Mayor's office. Reminds comment "What happens in the Mayor's Office stays in the Mayor's office" (the dispute between Ford's former assistants). Nunziata cuts him off and tries to say his comments not on the issue.

4:02pm Shelley Carroll speaks and says Vaughan's concerns have a history and have merit. It's about the rules and how things went down before. Its about the anxiety and reporting back.

-Tweet: Goldsbie Matlow's having a private conversation with Mammoliti; I wonder if he's expressing feelings of betrayal, disappointment, or disillusionment.

4:03pm Raymond Cho speaks. Now says he will NOT support referral. (Guess Mammoliti lost his support by being bitchy)

4:04pm Gord Perks speaks.Childcare is in crisis.and people want openess, transparency and accountability. "The Mayor's staff is there to help the Mayor, not my constituents"

4:06pm Janet Davis says she will support Mihevc's detailed amendment. It is important that itcome before Community and Recreation Committeee, not just the Mayor or Executive.

4:09pm Paula Fletcher will support Mihevc's motion and to referral. Having Mayor stamp on it gives weight, but wont support it if the reporting is not fair and open.

4:10pm Mike del Grande speaks. Complains not using same actions as with previous Mayor. We haven't given the Mayor a chance. Says this is a NO CONFIDENCE matter. Raises the stakes on the vote. Asks Council if you don't want this Mayor, who do you want?

4:13pm Mike Grimes tries to amend motion to have the matterreferred to the Executive, not the Mayor. After spme confusion it is allowed.

4:14pm Mammoliti says it is not in order to move it to the Executive. Speaker says yes it is.

4:15pm Joe Mihevc confirms his motion amendment still stands. Yes.

4:15pm Ron Moeser wants to see the amendments first (They are on screen) Ready for votes:

First passes 31-5

Part 4 carries 34-3

Part 5 carries 34-5

--- Wow They flash those votes so wuick you cannot follow them ---

Part 6 carries 34-5 (nos are del Grande, Holyday and other righties)

Part 7 carries 37-2

4:22pm Motion?  : Lost 19-20. Ana Bailao voted NO with her right wing friends.


Goes to Mark Grimes motion to refer to Executive Committee Carries 34-5

Main motion referral passes 34-5 ANA BAILAO voted YES but with Mihevc's detailed amendments.
-------

4:27pm Reall silliness. Mike del Grande moves that the CD 1.7 Ice Infrastruture Task Force item be referred to the Mayor. Gives Shelley Carroll a chance to pin him down on what that means. It 'should' be reported back. Questions from Janet Davis, and a motion in the making.

4:30pm Mammoliti waxing on about what a great sports guys Mayor Rob Ford is.

4:33pm Josh Matlow upset that everything is being referred to the Mayor's office. "If we're going to do that with everything, let's all just go home." Visibly disillusioned/

4:35pm John Parker supports the Mayor.... big surprise.

4:37pm Ron Moeser asks if it would be legal to refer this to Councillor Grimes office?... that was a joke, right? yuck.... Says he's like Grimes involved.

4:39pm Joe Mihevc motion to amend motion to include details of what was already done - yet again. Reminds people long term practice is that items that fall within a particular committee is where it should stay. Says we need ice rinks, but we also need soccer fields. Second fastest growing sport is cricket. Need more pitches. Says item should stay with Community Development and Recreation.

4:41pm Shelley Carroll speaks. Says we might as well refer everything like this to the Executive Committeee. We all see the writing on the wall here.

4:42pm Call for the vote: defeated. People still want to talk.

4:43pm Michael Thompson speaks. Adds in that the GHTL be involved as well. Defends the Mayor. He should get same respect the other mayor's got. This mayor is going to be different. He will bring things back.

4:45pm Shelley Carroll speaks - areyou not concerned the user worried about fees sitting at same table as developers. .... Nunziata interrupts and almost succeeds in shutting Carroll up.

---- This partisan BS is really nasty! Hear Councillor Carroll's mike was one and was heard saying "She does that every single time" Nunziata says be careful what you say when your mike is on....
It used to be that Michael Thompson was routinely cutoff like that by lefty Millerite Speaker Sandra Bussin.

They REALLY, really need some neutrality in a speaker! Yikes.
-----

4:51pm Time to vote?

Mihevc's detailed amendments vote: carries 34-2

Last part - report to community development: Lost 16-21 (Ana voted Yes)

Shelley Carroll's, refer to Executive: carries 34-2

delGrande to include GTHL Carried 31-6

Main Motion, refer to Mayor's office as amended: Caries 32-4
------

Note: Ana Bailao sits just left of Michael Thompson and strangely always seems to vote exactly as he does. More proof where her  loyalties lie: right, conservative.

-----
5:00pm Rather boring item: GM1.10 Purchase Order Amendment for the Over-Expenditure of Contract No.'s 47013460, 47014182 and 47015236 and the Sole Source Contract for the Purchase and Maintenance of Resident Lift Systems (Ward All) ... Mike del Grande asking questions of staff.feeling zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz watching this.
----

Meanwhile, some other people's tweets I missed:
Adam C-F Mammoliti, who sat in the Rae government and subsequently joined the Liberals, tells #TOCouncil he's never changed his vote in 20 years
Shelley Carroll Madam Speaker quick to criticize but completely off base as to what is being spoken of
rbmorra @KenWood_ward18 Cast of usual #TOCouncil commentators/hangers-on ain't so hot either.
Kyle A Del Grande needs to cheer up. I don't think being in council agrees with him. He should retire to his cave and be a grump there.
Kyle A Kudos to those who cover city hall. If I had to watch this sh*t for a living I would b an alcoholic or worse
City Slikr Cllr. Del Grande can't even muster up the pretense of listening to staff responses, can he
City Slikr Cllr. Del Grande's default position whenever he's challenged is, we are not awash in money here
-----

5:36pm Gord Perks asking questions of a very bored Mike del Grande. Funny.... Perks in bright Red shirt and vest, del Grande in pale blue. Perks questioning why del Grande takes staff advice on some things not others. Mike: "Well maybe it should remain a mystery for you"... question about $ being spent on training and maintenance.

5:39pm Paula Fletcher asking health and safety questions. Concerns about lack of standardization for lift equipment causing problems with emergency personnel or home workers.

5:43pm Doug Ford complains that other councillors did not talk to staff and home workers. If you're so worried why don't you go out and talk to them. I did. Basically says: Hey dummies, don't sole source or they could go out of business. Also sole source means suppliers jack prices up because its the city. What's wrong with you - those staff are professionals and can figure it out. Standardization is not an issue.

.... DOUG FORD MADE HIS MAIDEN SPEECH ! Everyone applauds.

5:46pm Janet Davis speaks. Lots of praise for Homes for the Aged professionals.  Then goes on to use her longterm experience in that area to caution about putting at risk health and safety by not standardizing. We already have 3 types of lifts people need to know how they work. Let's listen to the professionals that we need sole source purchasing..... very competent speech

5:50pm Shelley Carroll speaks in support of sole source. Tries to make a motion but Nunziata rules it out of order "I expected that says Carroll"

5:56pm City going in camera (actually means closed session) to talk about confidential items.
...

Ooops. First, Councillor Ana Bailao has a motion to introduce for liquor licence application for Weston Road  Weird: a motion to add a motion without notice. Carries unanimously 38 to 0.

6:00pm Closed Session Motion: Carries unanimous 38-0
---------------------------------------------------
Goldsbie  Rob "when I'm mayor there will be no more in camera meetings!" Ford just voted to take the meeting in camera.
-----

7:15pm CKLN 88.1 Ryerson community radio on air talking about Shelley Carroll with robcer, Carroll to be an on air phone in guest. ? maybe ?

07:20pm City Council getting ready to go back into public session.
7:26pm Back in session. Nunziata reports only debates occurred on confidential items, no motions made.

7:27pm Paul Ainslie makes a motion to keep items they discussed in closed session confidential
7:28pm Vote: carries unanimous 34 in favour.
*Note: Ana Bailao is not in the chamber.

7:30pm Mayor Rob Ford speaks. Wants to ask same questions in public of the Ombudsman that he talked about in private. Nunziata tells him he cannot do that in open session. ... shouldn't Rob know the meaning of confidential by now?

7:32pm Pam McConnell speaks up saying that the next item should be handled. CC 3.4 can be held down and Nunziata will continue to let McConnell handle GM 1.12 vacuum therapy item.needed for Homes for the Aged to be able to have. Required by administrative law, $ comes from OHIP = no cost.
Recorded vote carries 23-10. Ana Bailao still not there.

7:37pm GM 1.10 sole source purchase contract for lifts.... lots more speakers.
Holyday: Lets get the result of the tenders first to see if cost vastly different. Worried about best price.

7:40pm Gord Perks speaks. Lectures council on importance of how to do tenders, like keeping political considerations out of it. Points out the supplier is 1/2 way through a 10 year contract already there... Again, Perks really knows his stuff.... If you waqnt to be fiscally prudent do not vote for del Grande's motion but accept staff recommendations.

7:46pm Pam McConnell speaks. Points out lots of time has passed, there have been mergers.... complains when Nunziata stops listeningto her and chats with Mayor's staff., unsuccessfully. (Really like kindergarten with kids complaining 'somebody made a face at me'... sigh )

7:50pm David Shiner makes amotion for  Holyday. Amendment to have RFP results submitted to govt mgt committee.

Votes:
Shiner's motion carries 19 to 14. Ana Bailao still not in the chamber.
del Grande's motion fails 16 to 17 about awarding sole source with specific dates.
Main motion carries 22-11.

??? Applause for the Mayor ??? who comes in seconds later on a 1 vote loss.

7:55pm People getting punchy. Rob Moeser releases some quick items. Nunziata being like a school teacher : Just sit down and vote! PG 1.2 carries unanimously.
PG 1.3 vote unanimous 35 in favour. Shelley Carroll just walked in.
PG 1.4 item vote  35 unanimous carried.
3.58 Amendment to Parking on Dundas West released by Moeser who says he was advised no effect on TTC travel. TE3.58
*** ANA's BIG VOTE:  and she's not even there! ????
Carried unanimously anyways.

8:00pm Council recesses until Tuesday morning.......

-Last Tweet: Goldsbie Vincent Crisanti's maiden speech at Council consists of introducing the confirming bylaw for today's proceedings. Sounds about right

end of log.

Sympathy for the TTC Chair

Being TTC Chair Takes Its Toll



Photo and story from The Toronto Star "Ease off on ‘essential’ and we won’t strike: TTC union"

Given the terrible press that the Toronto Transit Commission has encountered ever since Adam Giambrone, the previous TTC Chair, took control and the angry public reactions to threats of TTC fare increases and service cuts and the terrible customer service attitudes of some frontline union workers - being the person seen to be in charge of the TTC is not an attractive job, nor a healthy one in my view.

I have followed Karen Stintz for some time and although her speaking style can seem quite abrupt and off-putting, she does seem dedicated to her job and professional in how she handles it. By following photos of her since she first started on City Council in 2003, you can see the aging toll it is taking on her. She seems almost expecting negativity from the public as a given, which is sad.

Info from Wikipedia :

Karen Stintz is a city councillor inToronto, Canada. She represents Ward 16, one of two municipal wards enclosed within the federal-provincial riding of Eglinton—Lawrence. She grew up in North York. After receiving a BA from University of Western Ontario, she obtained a Master of Science degree in Journalism from Boston University and worked briefly as a journalist. Returning to school, she received a Master of Public Administration degree from Queen's University, and obtained a job in the Ontario Ministry of Health. She lives in the North Toronto neighbourhood with her husband Daryll Parisien and their two children, son Jackson, and daughter Hailey.

In the lead up to the 2003 municipal election, longtime incumbent Anne Johnston became unpopular because of her support for a controversial development project to build very tall condominium towers at the intersection of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue. The development, now known as the Minto Midtown project, was appropriate for the location according to Toronto's official plan but was vigorously opposed by a local NIMBY group. No challenger was immediately obvious, and the local ratepayer organization advertised for a candidate to oppose Johnston. Stintz had no political experience other than occasionally volunteering for the Progressive Conservative Party, and she had only lived in the area for three years. With the backing of the ratepayer groups, Stintz defeated Johnston in a close race

Stintz is seen as one of the right-wing members of council, and backed John Tory for mayor. On council she has been a leader of the conservative Responsible Government Group with Case Ootes. She is a member of the both the provincial and federal Conservative parties

In March 2009, Stintz came under scrutiny when it was revealed that she spent $4,500 of her councillor's office budget on voice lessons. She defended her expenditure of taxpayer's money by saying that it improves her speaking during council meetings. Some of her constituents had pointed out that she came across as speaking too fast and sounding "shrill"

Another Toronto Star story tells us that Karen Stintz is kind of a 'regular person' who cares about the TTC.
" Porter: New TTC Chair Karen Stintz cleans up"

Karen Stintz so far this year has been tasked with handling the most difficult and contentious issues facing ordinary citizens, even more so than Mayor Rob Ford.. She has to fix a number of poor decisions made by her predecessors (Miller and Giambrone), like multi-million dollar deals signed just weeks before the election:  TTC will try to unravel HQ Deal and the whole Transit City debacle.

Some may say if you want such a the high profile job nd the power and status that goes with it, the troubles come with the job. However, why does Mayor Rob Ford seemingly get off the hook for the biggest, costliest piece of the Toronto city budget with the greatest citizen complaint ratios?

Then again - some political leaders sometimes need sacrificial lambs.

Meanwhile: Disgraced former ward18 City Councillor and TTC Chair Adam Giambrone takes pot shots from a safe distance in lefty Now Magazine. When oh when will this man just be gone! He has done nearly as much damage to the City of Toronto as Mike Harris.

* Update: Karen Stintz @TTCChair is active on Twitter. A few moments ago  6pm Friday she tweeted this:  TTCchair Karen Stintz  #TTC Complaint? Compliment? Suggestion? Call 416-393-3030 or this link  If you don't like the answer you get,tell us."

Indicates to me she is at least trying to change the old TTC culture that says engineers count, moving buses from point A to Point B in Time X counts, but riders do not.

* Update: Prood from a Toronto Star article Feb 6, 2011 that the NOT-customer-friendly culture is ingrained and prevalent everywhere: DiManno: TTC drivers kick courtesy to the curb. "Too many drivers, in my experience, handle their honking big vehicles as if they were muscle cars. They intimidate motorists and pedestrians with sheer size and a presumptive right to the road. And, while some drivers are certainly pleasant and polite — I watched one on the busy Queen St. route Saturday leave his seat to help an old lady exit — a great many are, frankly, rude, thoughtless, cantankerous and easily provoked to annoyance." Too true in my experience as well. Karen Stintz has a big job and a cleanup to do. Hope she cleans up uncaring drivers like the one written about in the article.

Dedication of Ana Bailao seems Promising

Sometimes Little Things Tell You a Lot

Snow Day for councillors?   By JONATHAN JENKINS, City Hall Bureau, Toronto Sun

City council's affordable housing committee has had to scrap the morning session of its scheduled meeting today after only three councillors showed up.

Mark Grimes, Joe Mihevc and Ana Bailao were the only committee members able to slog through the snow Wednesday morning to be on time for the meeting.

After waiting some 20 minutes for the remaining members — including Maria Augimeri, Michelle Berardinetti and Vince Crisanti — to arrive, staff decided to reconvene the meeting after the scheduled lunch break.

Wednesday afternoon's TTC meeting won't be cancelled due to snow.

TTC spokesman Brad Ross confirmed they are still on track to meet at 1 p.m
...

I have noticed so far that Ana is on time for meetings, and at City Council meetings she is really there and actively listening to other councillors speak. Not at all like Adam Giambrone who would run in now and then to vote with the Miller block, or sat there texting on his blackberry or chatting with others while debates were active.

I hope this trend continues.
----

Note:  News media were embarrassingly alarming predicting a Groundhog Day Feb 2nd 'SNOWMAGEDDON' or 'SNOWPOCALYPSE', schools closed and police warning people off the roads. Well, this prediction was a big bust. Blizzard? What blizzard?

* Update: Congratulations to Ana Bailao. It Seems she is now CHAIR of the Affordable Housing Committee, with Mark Grimes Etobicoke ward 2 as vice-chair.