A lot has happened this past week - well - maybe it hasn't happened yet, but a lot has been proposed to happen this past week, and I just can't keep up on my opinion pieces. So - today - it's a start...

Beautiful right?

At this week's council meetings, Denzil Minnan-Wong proposed renaming Toronto's historic Union Station to honour Canada's first prime minister John A. Macdonald. While I'm sure we all appreciate the sentiment of wanting to remember - there's something else with tons of great memories that we could also name it after: Union Station!

The building that exists right now has been open for almost 90 years, and its predecessors over 110 years - all whom have fallen into being called Union Station. This is the centre of Toronto's transit hub - regional, national, local - everyone winds up here at some point. We all know it as Union, remember it as Union, and will forever call it Union - no matter what the "official" name would be, so what's the point?

Aside from that - think of the financial commitment that would have to go into changing all city, TTC, GO, VIA, and other signage. It would be a disaster! For the next 20 years, we'd have tourists, and out of towners coming in looking for Union Station on their maps, and would be more than a little confused to find out they're inside of it when they thought they were in the J.A.M. station (which sounds like a hip-hop radio network btw). Leave it alone - let it be - focus your efforts on something more important.

Union...

More Union

Last year, I openly wrote about my support for a Wal-Mart in the downtown core - well - close enough to downtown (article here) at Bathurst and Nassau. People were up in arms about something so big infringing on the beloved Kensington market, and while I understand their arguments, I didn't (and still don't) think that the market has anything to worry about.

That fight is over - or more like on hold, for now. This year, it's less of a fight, and more of a statement: Loblaws is coming to Kensington Market (anchoring the retail space in a condo development at Spadina/College).

Once again, the same people are up in arms about a big chain store coming in and possibly wiping out the market. People - hear me out - Kensington is safe, it will always be safe, and not even Loblaws wants to steal its business. I'm going to give you three reasons why you maybe don't have to get BEHIND the plan, but you can move out of its way.

1. Kensington Market is what makes the area attractive financially, commercially, and aesthetically. If Kensington was no more, the area wouldn't have the same charm - and the value of the condos, and the retails space wouldn't be as attractive. You better believe that the residents, and those who own the project will do everything in their power to preserve this. Now, I know what you're thinking - it's inevitable - even if people want to save it, a grocery store like Loblaws will take out the business of the produce, meat, and cheese shops in the area, but wait...

2. St. Lawrence Market is alive and well despite four, that's right FOUR major grocery chains within 700 metres or less (three of them closer than 500 metres). If you've been to St. Lawrence, you've no doubt walked by these stores, without batting an eyelash. You know that they're completely separate entities, and you're going to get a completely different experience, and product, and that's if you live in the city. If you don't, and you're travelling in - well - you're not coming into the busiest city in the country to visit No Frills, that's for sure. But, this is different kind of market right? Does this even apply to Kensington? Yes, because...

St. Lawrence Market (red circle) and its surrounding grocery stores and their distances

3. Kensington Market already has a Loblaws within walking distance to it, and it has for the last few years. The current Loblaws at Queen and Portland  is a short 900 M walk away, and there are two other chains within about a 1.5 KM radius (a little further walk, but both accessible by short streetcar ride). So, everyone is worrying how Loblaws will affect the market, when, in all reality it's already happened, and we already have the answer, and it's "not at all".

Kensington Market (green circle) and some of the closer grocery stores

I get the worry, I get the protective nature of Torontonians, and the pride we have in some of the cities great places (like Kensington), but sometimes I feel like people get their backs up to easily when it comes to change. Change is good, change means growth, and if we expect to have the money to maintain heritage sites like the markets, and the pride in these places we have today, in the distant future, we have to start learning to choose our battles.

If you're a Torontonian, or GTA resident reading this today - you know that the biggest (but not very surprising) revelations about Mayor Rob Ford finally came to light today - with the Gawker and Toronto Star hinted video of Mayor Ford smoking crack was confirmed to exist, and be in police hands by Toronto police chief Bill Blair.

The famous screenshot of a video I have no doubt we will
all eventually see

As much as today was a disappointing day for Torontonians, as our leader was confirmed to be a disgrace to his city, I have to say that today I was kind of proud.

I was proud of our officials that represent the public in law enforcement - yes - our police. The same police force that has been under scrutiny this year for a couple use of force mishaps (to say it lightly) - has shown me, and us, that even when it comes to people with pull (cue the mayor), allegations that involve the law deserve to be investigated.

When the drug raids (named Project Traveler) near Rob Ford's alleged drug use video site, happened earlier this year, somehow we all knew Rob Ford would be involved. Now - to find out that there was an entire investigation headed up based on Rob Ford, is shocking, and titillating.

Now - I didn't think Rob Ford was responsible enough to lead a city like Toronto, even before this scandal, but this....well...even the die-hard Ford Nation supporters, have got to draw the line somewhere. In municipal politics, where even the mayor has no more pull than any other councillor, we deserve better leadership, and I think everyone is starting to realize this now. This will no doubt be a disgraceful time for the image of Toronto, but how everyone can pull together and agree on one thing: that Rob Ford has to go, is something to build upon.

Even if he keeps himself in office (because as of now, he's the only person that can make that call), all Torontonians have something in common, and that's huge for a city that has felt so divided for so long.

The next election will now be a debate over who can beat the negativity that Rob Ford has brought to the city, rather than who can beat Rob Ford himself.

Stay tuned - this story will only get more juicy!

**Update: Rob Ford is slowly coming unravelled here**
**Update (11/5): Rob Ford has finally admitted the worst kept secret, he has smoked crack/cocaine**

Being off work sick has its perks, like being able to write a blog post, but the negatives are that my ears, nose, and throat are all stuffed up, and a sneeze might cause a few typos here and there (bear with me).

While the city of Toronto wastes more of everyone's time deciding the fate of the Scarborough ____________ (insert, RT, subway, or LRT here, depending on the decision), the TTC has been making some strides in other areas - ones that we will see a lot sooner, and that I am personally excited about.

First off, in light of last night's robbery at Chester station, the commission's plans for all-automated fare collection has been brought to the forefront again. It's a no-brainer move for this to move forward, Metropasses, weekly passes, and tokens, are all sold at automated machines - not to mention the ongoing introduction of Presto to the system. Sometimes there's a line-up at the collector, and I wonder why?

The current Metropass kiosks. They look great, they work
great - they just need extended abilities.

Who's still using the booth to buy stuff?!!? It's like going to the bank - who still goes to a teller to take out money?

Those that are concerned with having someone to ask questions to, etc., I'm not suggesting we take the employees completely away from the stations, but have them there as an information desk, rather than a toll collector. Think of it like the self-serve cashes at big box stores - there's still an employee to answer any questions, etc, but they have no cash, and no access to the cash, so no reason to rob them.

Michelle and I visited NYC in 2012 - and had no problem hopping on the subway within minutes of being in the city, using only a map, and one of the self-serve ticket machines - I know, I know, Toronto isn't New York - but even more reason why our 'simple' system coule be more automated, and easy to use.

Now, don't take this as me preaching for self-serve TTC kiosks, it's happening - I'm just preparing you for it.

The other piece of news is part of the TTC's customer charter that manager Andy Byford pushed forward earlier this year, and something that I hold close to me (my dad being a graphic artist and sign guy and all), and that's that the commission is looking to simplify its way finding signs and line names.

courtesy of BlogTO.com

This morning, BlogTO posted a great article about some of the information on the new line naming and numbering - detailing past names of the subway and rail lines, and what the plans are going forward - I suggest taking a read.

Long story short - the TTC is looking to take the confusion out of the rail lines by giving numbers to each line (like many other major transit cities). The Yonge-University-Spadina line would be become '1', Bloor-Danforth '2', and so on. Changing direction-giving from the mouthful it is now, to simply "Take the #1 train North to Sheppard, and then hop on the #4 train across to Don Mills, to get to Fairview Mall".

I know some people might be against it - but those are the people that take the TTC, and KNOW the TTC. I've tried giving directions to people from out of town, and it does get confusing. Numbers and colours make a lot more sense than explaining by the subway on Yonge (where most tourists are visiting) are called the Yonge-University-Spadina line trains. "What is University? Where is Spadina? Am I on the right train?". 

It's another step in the right direction, that's for sure. 

The only change I would make - although I know it won't happen, would be to separate the #1 line into two numbers. Trains should be #1 going North from Union along yonge to Finch, and trains should be a different number(#2 we'll say for this argument), when they go North up University/Spadina/Allen. If the TTC wants to make their lines simpler, this would go a long way. I've found that the most difficult thing about giving people directions when they're out of town, is making sure they get on the right line at Union station. With both tracks going North, it can be a bit of an issue. 

Me: "Go North from Union to Dundas"
Friend 10 Minutes Later: "I'm at St. George, I didn't hear Dundas"
Me: "Oh, you got on the wrong North line"

With my suggestion, the alignment wouldn't need to change, just a simple separation on signs, for those trying to find their way. 

What do you think, have you ever run into problems giving people directions on the TTC subway lines?

So - if you're reading this, you must be well aware of the mess that is the rail debate in Scarborough - the lengthy, and wasteful discussion about what we, as Toronto taxpayers, will build to replace the aged, and obsolete Scarborough RT route.

Look at 'little blue' over there, so small and lonely

Nobody ever seems to agree on anything about this line, except one thing (the most important); it NEEDS to be replaced. Every photo you see of the actual trains, or system itself, look like they're from the 70's. I could go take a photo today, and show you - and you'd be like - "Oh, I love vintage TTC pics" - well I'll tell you, there's nothing vintage about this...

It looks like something that, in the 60's - people called 'transit of the future'.

I'm not going to go through all of the options that came to light during this fiasco - but you to catch you up - the RT was always MEANT to be replaced by a subway, but after years of indecision (still ongoing), they finally decided to replace it with a state-of-the-art LRT system, that would move more people than the RT, service more neighbourhoods, and cost almost half as much as a subway the same length and number of stations would be. 

However, Rob Ford came out and argued that the "people of Scarborough" weren't happy with this plan. I could argue that, but let's say they were - it was mostly just the vision, and information that those people HAD about LRT's. People think of light rail, and they think of this...

They don't know that LRT's have the same max speed as subways, they don't know that the only reason they have an average slower speed is because there are more stations to stop at, and they don't think about the fact that, unlike streetcars, you're traveling in fully dedicated through ways, that won't be subject to traffic and congestion.

But...instead of powering ahead with an option that was fully funded, and could be started (and completed) much earlier, Rob Ford, his gang at city hall, and even his enemy turned ally Karen Stintz, decided they'd play a game of "Who can get the most votes in Scarborough", at the expense of any sort of transit being built there. They pulled their support from the LRT plan (which was due to begin in construction soon), and decided to back a subway extension along the Bloor Danforth line, against the advise of the chief city planner.

Stintz's decision to back subways may well have cost her any
chance at taking over as mayor in next year's election

Now, about a month later - we're here - the subway the city asked for is not happening - and instead, the province has seemingly had enough of the back and forth, and have decided to 'graciously', build a subway extension that will not only cost more than the LRT, but will remove 3 stops from what exist on the current line, servicing LESS neighbourhoods, and not connect with the Sheppard East line, which was one of the main points of this line. 

So where do we go from here? Council says it will fight the province's decision. Wait, haven't we been down this road before?

• Council fights decision, offers alternative
• Province offers new plan in accordance with budget and requests from city
• By this time, new council decisions have been made and they fight the new plan
• Etc. etc. etc.

We are a city of indecision - it's what we've been known as for the last couple of decades, and we, as citizens need to make sure that we have leadership that will make things happen. Toronto, more than ever, needs representatives that are willing to think outside the box, and support plans of action, rather than inaction. We're just about a year away from the city elections, so I urge you to start thinking about what you want out of Toronto in the next 20 years, because the people in power now, will be in charge of shaping our city

Just remember - building 10 KM of "slower" transit, is better than 0 KM of subways.

So - I've been pretty MIA lately...but it's not been without reason...between work, event planning, and all of the appointments I've been catching up on since my benefits kicked in at work - it's been...well...tiring. Physio on Mondays and Wednesdays, Massage Therapy on Tuesdays, 3 Fillings on 3 separate dates, 2 days of teeth cleaning, an implant consult, and regular doctors appointments. Oh - not to mention things have picked up in terms of moving into the condo again - and I think you see why I'm busy...

Anyway - there's something I feel like I NEED to write about...

This is what people have been spending time on...

Toronto has been at it again - spending precious time arguing about something that may or may not be built in the city. The only good thing about the casino 'debate' has been that it's stopped the Ford brothers from trying to strike down the regional transit plan (again). That's another post though...

So, a casino huh? The numbers are in - a casino could bring in $100 M (a low estimate to be safe) on any given year - which doesn't include the jobs, tourism and money that will come into other businesses as a result.

It also doesn't include the influx of people that will require a boost in infrastructure ($), the money some other local businesses will lose (Woodbine, plus any convention centres that aren't called MGM).

So - what's the best way to go? For once, I agree with the Fords...and please don't think that I'm all of a sudden calling him a good mayor - but the man knows his finances. A casino in Toronto would bring amazing possiblities, and bring Toronto back to the world stage where it belongs. We've lagged too long in areas where we were once leaders, and it's time to catch up.

With Toronto growing exponentially - adding a facility like this is worth it for the jobs alone! People complain about condos, condos, condos - but those same people love the feeling of living in the city. People need places to live - and if you don't like it - then don't live here.

Caesars at the MTCC

MGM at the Exhibition grounds

Now - there have been two main schools of thought (well - three - but I won't include the thoughts on having a casino outside of downtown) - MGM's Exhibition Place idea, and Caesar's MTCC idea. I will tell you, that although I like the way that the MTCC plan revitalizes a mainly weekday, business hours area, and uses existing convention space - building such a facility would be a MESS - and interfere with an already established tourist area (CN Tower, Skydome Rogers Centre, Ripley's Aquarium, ACC, etc.).

So that leaves the Exhibition Place idea...I'm somewhat more involved with this one - my dad works for the city, and does all creative and design work for the CNE and most events on the Ex grounds - so I know it quite well. I know the space they have, I know how underused it is, and I know how badly people would like something more to do there. The infratructure is (somewhat) already there - there's a dedicated GO line to bring people in from out of town, there are two streetcar routes that go directly into the grounds, parking galore, bike routes to the South, and access via Lakeshore, the Gardiner and all surrounding streets is pretty simple. And that's WITHOUT any improvements that no doubt any new tenant would likely fund...

I digress though - people don't like it (people not living anywhere close...) because they think Toronto will turn into some sort of ceaspool of crime, gambling addiction, and we'd lose our identity. Basically - I think everyone thinks Toronto will turn into the old part of Vegas (which Michelle and I happen to have visited about a month ago). Anybody with common sense can see that this is ridiculous...Toronto doesn't want to be Vegas, we want the convention space and economic output from one, that's right ONE casino. Toronto HAS an identity, we are well established, and people know us for things like the CN Tower, our sports teams, our transit (woes) - and a casino won't change that.

THIS is Toronto's identity...

Vegas was built around casinos - THAT'S their identity. How about Paris? Montreal? Chicago? London (England)? Did you know they have casinos? Yeah, they sure went to sh*t didn't they? These places utilized casinos as a tool to fund the city.

Oh, and gambling problems? Yeah, we already have those. Crime? That too. Those jobs people are worried about at Woodbine? Why don't we incorporate an off-track betting system and partner both up - it's simple.

Let's think of the big picture here - this is a moneymaker that WE DON'T EVEN HAVE TO PAY TO BUILD! If people don't want it - it won't be successful, bottom line, and then we go back. If it is though - it will guarantee the long term sustainability of the CNE (something that's been in doubt), improve transit (through the money to the city, as well as push from the owners of any casino to better travel people in), and give one more reason for people to visit.

All in all - I know that the casino will probably get shot down this year - only to surface again soon, and then again after that. Like I always say, Toronto is in a perpetual state of planning and arguing, rather than doing. If we ever expect to grow - we need to act fast - or we'll end up like old town Vegas anyway, only without anywhere to have fun...

Chickens in a Toronto coop...look at all that room they have.
I didn't even get that much backyard space when I was a kid.

Maybe it's because I lived on/visited a working farm as a child, maybe it's because I love eggs, maybe it's that I think having sustainable animals in your backyard giving you instant access to local food is a good thing; no matter what it is - I want chickens.

I read something in the paper a year or two ago about a couple that keeps a chicken coop in their backyard in their Toronto home - they knew they were operating it in direct breach of a city bylaw, but just didn't care. The bylaw itself doesn't name chickens specifically, but most birds in their class, including ducks and geese. Ever since, I found it intriguing, and already have the plans for my future coop drawn up in my head. 

Apparently you can't have chickens...but you have have
bees....that's right....those little bastards that sting (and kill)
some people.

It's a little ridiculous that they're not giving city-dwellers the chance to create a sustainable food source, and even more ridiculous that they're using the living conditions of the animals as a main source of their reasoning. How about cracking down on the living conditions at the chicken farmers across the province? I guarantee you, that any chicken I keep will get 1000 times the care that one of those gets. 

When I was young, and we had to 'put down' a chicken that was sick, or "past it's prime", there'd be no sadness - just a garbage bag, a swift twist and a phrase I'll never forget - "Go see Jesus" (I'm not even religious). Now - if I had a chicken these days (a hen at that) - she'd get a funeral, and an egg-shaped coffin (kind of a death reflecting birth kind of thing). 

So...help me...spread the word about chickens....there's at least a dozen eggs in it for you. Check out Toronto Chickens - a group of people dedicated to overturning the bylaw. (They've been unsuccessful thusfar)

TO bylaw officers are too busy to deal with your nasty neighbour, rowdy bar, garbage dumper, because they're going after the dreaded hens!
— signe langford (@sigster64) February 2, 2012

Yeah...I clearly don't like Rob

Rob Ford is aptly similar to well...a car. Sometimes yours doesn't work right, but you can't afford to go out and get a new one just yet.

Ford's appeal ruling comes out tomorrow - and considering they initially said it could take a couple of months, the decision must have come pretty unanimously. Do I think he'll win the appeal? At this point it sadly doesn't matter, because there are way too many counsellors willing to appoint him back into office anyway. One can only hope I guess.

Here are some of the best tweets I've seen this year about the big, bumbling fool himself:

#WelcomesToToronto where the city is run by an oversized egg #robford
— Rowan M Kelly (@Bmountsfinest) January 21, 2013

I was thinking that Toronto's claim to fame last year outside Canada was the #IkeaMonkey and #RobFord. Can 2013 get any better?
— GlobalHigherEd (@GlobalHigherEd) January 17, 2013

I've read this Te'o story over and over and still can't find a way for it to mean that Rob Ford is not real.
— scottfeschuk (@scottfeschuk) January 17, 2013

Yeah, like Manti T'eo looks forward to Valentine's Day MT @reporterdonpeat: Rob Ford looks forward to tmrw's decision twitter.com/reporterdonpea…
— Mark Zohar (@markzohar) January 24, 2013

Politics is so stupid 😒 Willing to have an ellection that will costmillions because Rob Ford used 3 grand for his football team #pathetic
— Bharampal Bal (@KeepCalm1234) January 24, 2013

Who wants to have a Rob Ford/ Lance Armstrong mahsup shame ride? #BikeTO
— MegO! (@MegLikesBikes) January 24, 2013