The Bulletin is Downtown Toronto's Best Read Community Newspaper

Volume IX No. VIII

Thursday, May 23, 2013

News Index


	Top Stories
	Local News
	Frank Touby
	Michael Comstock
	Casino
	Federal Politics
	Provincial Politics
	Port Authority and Airport
	City Politics
	Editorial
	Restaurant Reviews
	Columns & Views
	Arts & Life
	St. Lawrence Market
	Police / G20 Before and After
	Bruce Bell
	Letters to the Editor
	Inspiration & Motivation
	Downtown Seen
	Local Business
	Local Sports
	Film Reviews
	Conspiracies: Theories, Facts, Paranoia

Calendar

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Letter to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

Selfish cyclers think they own the ground

Regarding Chris Moise’s column in May 2013 edition of The Bulletin. My experience is, for the most part, cyclists in the city want cars off the roads and pedestrians off the sidewalks! Cyclists have this presumption of elitism and it's their way or the highway!I live on Queens Quay … until recently,... Full Story

Canadian telecom greed and abuse

Canadians pay some of the highest cell phone fees and are forced into some of the worst contracts in the industrialized world. Our broken cell phone market limits our use of mobile Internet technologies, and with it our creativity and entrepreneurship. Providing more choice for Canadians is crucial ... Full Story

Incalculable loss due to a casino

Rarely can one add anything to a Stig Harvor column, but regarding "Only the deluded...want a casino" in March, I must: there are subtle, incalculable costs.A friend wrote from New England that a casino which opened a couple of years ago in another small town has caused bingos in a large r... Full Story

Boycott The Toronto Raptors

On the night of February 21 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto fans of the Toronto Raptors were left standing in line in freezing subzero temperatures so security could follow the commands of the U.S. NBA headquarters and wand-check all patrons one at a time in a search for illegal weapons! That’... Full Story

A casino might solve Toronto's problems

I think Mr. (Coun. Adam) Vaughan needs to crunch more numbers before he adamantly comments. First... if we need 11,000 parking spaces as he says then the Casino is an overwhelming success and Toronto is rolling in money. He has not consulted traffic flow experts preferring to imply that suddenly 1... Full Story

Compassionate TO cops help mom with daughter

What can a mother do when her daughter decides to meet with her internet fiance 1800 kilometers away from home? To assure her safety the mother will follow her on the train to the destination of her meeting. In answer to the mother's wishes, the man does not show up at the station. Although the daug... Full Story

LEGAL WINS FROM LAWSUIT GO TO COMMUNITY & CITY PROJECTS

6:00 - 6:30 pm Allan Gardens Remembrance (Gerrard St. East & Sherbourne St.)7:00 - 8:00 pm Awards Ceremony & Tasty Organic Refreshments at "It’s Jenny" restaurant, 253 Gerrard St. E. (3 blocks east of Allan Gardens park.We will walk together to the restaurant, aprox. 7 min walk) Ac... Full Story

Market street should be car free

RE: October edition article "Car-free Market St. alarms residents." (To read the original article click here)It is appalling when city officials are lethargic to progressive urban infrastructure, other than endlessly discussing and resorting to status quo, as it was the case on the p... Full Story

Pigs suffer cruel lives and deaths

Shocking hidden-camera video of animal abuse secretly recorded at Puratone, a pork supplier to Sobeys, Loblaws, Metro, and Walmart Canada, were released at a news conference Dec. 10 by the animal protection organization Mercy For Animals Canada. The disturbing undercover video reveals pregnant pigs ... Full Story

I'm the mayor! Bite me!

I enjoyed your perspective on Mayor Ford and other mayors of the past. No matter how inapt one believes past mayors to be they did not blatantly and openly show such distain for rules, policies and procedures of council. It is interesting to note that because Ford was so bullheaded, cheap and unwil... Full Story

Bad news, commie, Ford Nation is a silent nation

Bad news commie - there's a bunch of us in growing condo land that aren't in a rush to get Smitherman in office to blow more taxes.Ford nation is a slient nation.You'll see come by-election.

Condos threaten Yonge Street greatness

It was almost a shock to me when I read of a very excellent study put forward by Church Wellesley Neighborhood Association. They are right...interrupting Young St. with enormous high rise towers and little or no retail would effectively kill the connection of the GREAT STREET concept between Colleg... Full Story

Sugar Beach corporate rental okay by him

I read your story about the Sugar Beach closure for corporate rental.An interesting dilema. Im not sure if you still can, but you used to be able to book, for a fee, a fire pit out on Wards Island - the fee reserved this fire pit and picnic spot, and even included some firewood I think. It didn't... Full Story

Re: "Corporations occupy Sugar Beach and lock you out"

Thank you for your expose of privatized public spaces for corporate functions ("Corporations occupy Sugar Beach and lock you out", 28 August 2012). It is a reprehensible misuse of public space. If any person or organization wants to hold a function in public space, they're welcome ... Full Story

Street sweeping on Front wrecks his sleep

Every spring brings about the introduction of late night noise on my street. At between 3:45 am and 5:00 am the city’s street sweeping truck with its whirling brush and vacuum cleaner roars through the night like some screaming banshee waking many of us. I live on Front Street and we have overnight... Full Story

Beware rogue avocado pits...or juice them

Walking east on Winchester, north side, my partner tripped on to the sidewalk. Several people came to ask if he was OK, which was nice. Then I noticed an avocado pit on the side of the road, picked it up and said 'this must have been what happened'. A woman came over and said that the pit had to go ... Full Story

CommunityAir grieves for loss of Jack Layton

It was with deep sorrow that members of CommunityAIR learned this morning of Jack Layton’s death.Jack was a steadfast and committed advocate for a clean, green Toronto waterfront. He was a major leader in the fight at City Hall to stop the Island Airport bridge, and he was dismayed at the huge expan... Full Story

CAW president on Jack Layton's death

The news of federal NDP leader Jack Layton's passing has deeply saddened CAW leaders, members and staff right across the country, as we mourn the loss of an inspiring political leader and a friend to working people and all those fighting for justice.Jack Layton had a broad and truly inclusive vision... Full Story

Cherry Beach should be for people, not just dogs

Well, a large part of Cherry Beach is now a fenced-off paradise for dogs. Good for the dogs and their owners! Now how about giving some attention to the swimming area for humans? Luckily, the water quality is excellent, there are plenty of lifeguards and the vista is a sight for sore eyes. But there... Full Story

Parties need plan as 40% of municipal funding expires

With the clock running out on federal investments in our cities and communities, you’d think at least one of the federal parties would make this an issue in the election campaign.But two weeks into the campaign, no party has shown Canadians a plan to replace the 40 per cent of federal investments in... Full Story

Cathy Crowe: Comstock got it wrong

Is Mike Comstock a journalist? First, he steals a journalist's lines from an article in the Toronto Star, which summarized my concerns on Toronto's Streets to Homes program. Then, he puts those lines in quotes attributable to me. Then he adds his own designation to me as 'Cathy Crowe of Ontario Coal... Full Story

Repeal supported of Internet hate speech act

PEN Canada today announced its support for Conservative MP Brian Storseth's private member's bill calling for the repeal of section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) which deals with hate speech."The best defense against so-called 'hate speech' is not government enforcement of vague pr... Full Story

Doctor's union opposed doc who helped the poor

A bid by the College of Physicians to discipline a physician who helped poor people access a diet allowance was attacked today by a union representing 30,000 Ontario hospital staff." Dr. Roland Wong has practiced medicine professionally, honestly and with great compassion" said Michael Hur... Full Story

Weird, really long letter from troubled guy in Rochester

Bob Duffy, the soon to be Lieutenant Governor of New York is not the Christian you think he is. The city of Rochester is out of control. Their killers, manufacture drugs, and very violent. I have to unscramble their forest of lies, and that takes time. Keep this in mind when you’re reading. I have n... Full Story

Appalled at letter claiming benefits of city water poisoned by fluoride

Dear Dr. Tomkins: Regarding your comments published in the Letters to the Editor section of The Bulletin on 2010-07-13, supporting the chemical poisoning of our municipal drinking water with sodium fluoride, there are numerous scientific studies that contradict the CDC public policy statements. Flu... Full Story

Appalled at article citing dangers of fluoridated water

I was appalled by the June 3 article entitled, “Fluoride in water a danger?” I feel it misleads readers by relying on partial data from a Statistics Canada study on the health of Canadians.Fluoridation of municipal drinking water is a safe, effective and economical means of preventing dental cavitie... Full Story

Bike lanes on Jarvis stole our Cherry Blossom Boulevard

I have no objection to bike lanes but I have a strong suspicion that the city, in deciding where to put them, did no valid research to see if they're some place people want to ride.We have bike lanes on Gerrard but there are way more than double the number of bikes on Carlton/College where there are... Full Story

The Bulletin good, but Touby ruins it

I was picking up a coffee at one of my Starbucks' locations when I noticed this newspaper (June 2010) that I hadn't read before, so I picked it up.I appreciated the cover articles by Eric Morse and Kimberly Spice. I was pleasantly surprised to see the article on Flouride following up the study by ... Full Story

LETTER: Dismay over the North St. Lawrence Market plan The Bulletin predicted

---------------------------------------------------------------------------I was in disbelief when I read your [Frank Touby's] newest article [in the June issue of The Bulletin] called "City Bureaucrats pull a fast one on us." I attended the competition announcement of the winner at todays... Full Story

LETTER: The Bulletin is courageous to take on the fluroidation issue

Thank you for having the courage to tackle this very important issue. As the primary author of the 2006 (not 2007) Ashbridge’s Bay Treatment Plant Neighbourhood Liaison Committee’s motion to interrupt fluoridation, I would like you to correct a serious error in this article. The NLC motion to interr... Full Story

Letter: Thanks

Thanks so much for the little feature on our TOR sculpture, the Bulletin collective really appreciates it. Apparently everyone on Toronto Island gets the paper, and were happy to see Jimmy, the unofficial mayor of the island, featured with the phoenix.Janine Lindgren

Marchese: Writer busted at border by U.S. cops

Recently there has been an apparent increase in police brutality and the coercive use of force by governments around the world. There have been several high-profile cases of Canadians held behind foreign borders, facing imprisonment and malicious prosecution. The Canadian government has been slow to... Full Story

Playground gear in Crombie Park upsets local resident

Tiny Perfect Park named for our Tiny Perfect Mayor (David Crombie) suffers a loss I’m talking about the loss of valuable green space due to the installation of a swing set in our little bit of park between George and Frederick Streets. Imagine my surprise, then, when one day I came out of ... Full Story

Charity run schedules create chaos, pollution

Would anyone claim that inducing a coronary is a good way to promote health? And if the patient were to get friends & family to sponsor his or her favourite charity according to however long he or she could tough it out, wouldn’t the “for charity” part make it all okay? No, you say? Good; then ... Full Story

Toronto needs two airports, including on the Island

Thank you for a fine publication which we all enjoy in the Downtown core. Now I really have to disagree with the idea that Porter should belong to the already clogged Pearson airport.My wife and I live Downtown on Lower Jarvis and I can assure you that the worst noise is produced by badly maintained... Full Story

Glaring errors in airport ‘tirade’

You spilt a lot of ink having a go at Porter and the THC, most of it against them both, as is your right.However there are two glaring errors in your tirade.Firstly, the monies given to an airline by the Export Agency were given to Air Canada to help buy jets. You, as an informed person should reall... Full Story

New ice in Maple Leaf Gardens

For the first time in ten years there will be ice in Maple Leaf Gardens.They will be filming live a reality show Sundays and Mondays at 8 (signs going up now) for about a month called Battle of the Blades...No it is not a shaving competition but features top skating pairs.I imagine the tickets will ... Full Story

If she can’t take the waterfront noise, why not move?

After reading Joan Prowse’s article entitled Viewpoint: Noise Management at the Island Airport, I feel compelled to write and express my own view of the waterfront. It constantly amazes me that people complain about the noise at the airport or on our waterfront.Various commercial airlines have been ... Full Story

A beating in broad daylight and nobody called police

On Aug. 14, I had lunch just East of the Market with two friends. As we were saying our goodbyes on the sidewalk between Jarvis and George, the one of us sitting in an electric scooter was knuckled on the head by a deranged man.He then went on with racial slurs. A young woman who had been hiding in ... Full Story

How about two tunnels to make the Island a park?

The most effective way to kill the tunnel is with a much better new project which you could call the “Island Parkway Project” or “IPP” for short.The Island Parkway would be a new four-lane paved road with sidewalks on both sides.Those would run along the length of the Toronto Islands between the foo... Full Story

Mugged on Front near George

On Aug. 14, I had lunch just East of the Market with two friends. As we were saying our goodbyes on the sidewalk between Jarvis and George, the one of us sitting in an electric scooter was knuckled on the head by a deranged man. He then went on with racial slurs. A young woman who had been hiding in... Full Story

Developer threatens historic building

After attending the recent Community Consultation Meeting re. the application for 132 Berkeley St., I felt the need to re-voice my concerns over the proposed project at 251-255 King Street East. As I write this, the series 'ER' is coming to a close and I'm hours away from being another year older...... Full Story

LETTER: Island complainers, get over it!

I have lived in Toronto and have been employed with the City of Toronto for 30 years now and I'm getting feed up with all the Toronto complainers. If you move next to an airport you’re going to have planes, if you move next to a park you’re going to have kids playing and if you move next to a main s... Full Story

LETTER: 2nd response to Island airport praise

Dear Grumpy Guy at South Beach. Re: your letter that said, "Most cities would kill to have an airport so close to Downtown! If you don't like it - move.” Honestly, who wants to hear this all the time? ... if you don't like it move... Say something that isn't grumpy old white man-like. And ...... Full Story

LETTER: Response to Island airport praise

Being a lifetime urban resident of Toronto, I have memories of my father taking me to the shore and, with a proud fondness, talk about the Toronto Island Airport while watching small planes taking off and landing. I have lived in the Bathurst Quay neighbourhood for almost two years and when I first ... Full Story

LETTER: Island airport opponents spew 'commie rubbish'

I am writing about your article about the Porter Airport expansion which was a piece of biased, commie rubbish. I live in South Beach Marina and am as close to the Island airport as you can get.If I was Roy Halliday, I could chuck a baseball at the planes. I can't hear the planes. I can't smell the... Full Story

LETTER: Dogfight over Little Norway off-leash area

I am writing to inform you of the recent designation of Little Norway Park as off-leash, with the hopes that you will let the broader community know what has transpired in the last week.Little Norway Park at Bathurst & Queens Quay was designated off-leash on April 15th with no community consulta... Full Story

LETTER: BS Tax soaks condo owners

Looking at the impact [of the BS Tax] on condo buildings, and , I would assume any other non-profit organization, the costs run will go up by 8%. Using my building as an example we have an annual budget of approximately $500,000. It’s a small building with only 100 units. Add 8% to our costs and we ... Full Story

LETTER: CFIB prez gripes to Miller about city hiring

On behalf of our 4,000 small and medium-sized business members in Toronto, I write to express my outrage at the City's proposal to add another 1,300 positions to its payroll, as first reported in the media yesterday. I find this "hiring spree" a blatant disregard for Toronto taxpayers, bot... Full Story

LETTER: Toronto Hydro cheeses off shop owner

I own the Leslieville Cheese Market at Queen and Logan. I'm opening another one at Queen and Augusta, on the same block as the Healthy Butcher.Toronto Hydro has delayed my opening by 6 weeks so far, due to special investigations into the mystery voltages on the street at the handwell covers. I rolle... Full Story

LETTER: Pam, Kyle unfair to Downtowners

Downtowners are poorly served by our councillors' annual community environment days. For those of us without vehicles, these events are our only chance each year to recycle a whole range of unwanted items.The vast majority of Downtowners in Centre live between Bloor and King, an area subjected to ex... Full Story

LETTER: Island airport mustn't compare to Pearson

In response to Tony Thornton’s comments on bird strikes at the Toronto Island Airport. Perhaps Mr. Thornton should do his research before he himself becomes an uninformed “armchair critic.”“Poppycock” is a fabulous word, and very apt for Mr. Thornton’s very own comment on the number of flights out o... Full Story

LETTER: Birds will fly where planes shouldn't

Birds will be birds. Regrettably, I fear our federal government’s response will not be to relocate the airport away from the sanctuary and to a safe place, but to kill the birds and destroy the sanctuary. There certainly wouldn’t be any argument from Lisa Raitt former executive director of the Por... Full Story

LETTER: Frank Touby's American Dream column

Excellent article about the "American dream" (February issue of The Bulletin). It's sad that people in general feel that they do have to chase a dream that is mostly a dream that has to do with materialism.When very young I used to chase my Parisian dream with no success, being a U.S. resi... Full Story

LETTER: Destroy bird eggs to protect nature

While neither for or against the Toronto Island airport, I feel compelled to comment on a recent letter to the editor with respect to bird strikes and the Island airport.I suggest that we look at the real problem and that is the birds themselves. The best solution would be to allow for the selective... Full Story

LETTER: Columnist Comstock gets it wrong on TTC

Re: "TTC = Take the Cab?" (column in the January issue of The Bulletin), it is easy for Mike Comstock from the comfort of his columnist's chair to tell TTC Chair Adam Giambrone how to run the TTC. After all, Angry Angry Mike doesn't have to balance a budget or address competing priorities ... Full Story

LETTER: Shabby decorations in St. Lawrence

Am I the only local resident who thinks that the decorations in the St Lawrence Market area this year are the worst ever? Though it is a relief to see that the "Nutcracker Soldiers" which decorated the lamps on Front Street seem to have gone to their reward, the only attempts at decoration... Full Story

LETTER: Just control your dogs

I am pleased that someone has added her comments about the issues with dogs in city parks. I also enjoy walking in many of our Downtown parks, sometimes to sit and have lunch, other time to just meet friends after work.Being approached by a dog nosing about my sandwich does not improve my appetite. ... Full Story

LETTER: Crack down on dog owners who abuse the parks

I live downtown amidst towers and busy roads. I really enjoy going to parks especially St-James Park. It is nice to see trees and flowers. In summer, the garden is particularly beautiful. Unfortunately, my excursions to the park are constantly ruined by dogs running off-leash. Dog owners break... Full Story

LETTER: Hatred toward dog owners must stop

I was sitting here, shaking my head in disbelief, and was left with an overwhelming feeling of sadness, disappointment and anger upon reading Ann Hui's article about Hideaway Park. I will not repeat all the stats kindly provided by others, I will not talk at length about how MORE off leash areas are... Full Story

LETTER: My dog is not a fur baby

I’ve never said a dog is equal to a child, nor would I. My dog is not a fur baby, although he contributes to my health and well being. When Hideaway’s shared area was fenced off by more than 50% and fixed up exclusively for children and families, we logged usage and attendance. Hours before ... Full Story

LETTER: Dog-kids story took me out of context

I am writing in response to your recent article about Hideaway Park where I was quoted. Well I have certainly learnt an important lesson about talking to the media. Two months ago I spoke to your Ryerson Journalism student writer Ann Hui for almost an hour. We had what I thought was a gr... Full Story

Dogs & kids in off-leash parks a non-issue

Having recently read the article written by Ann Hui about the dog park controversy, and the ensuing responses by those that feel that children and dogs do not belong together in a park, I wanted to bring forth my own experience, as I have both a child as well as dogs. My child and first dog came int... Full Story

Letters: Some 'bitching' about dogs and parks

In the news this week, I see that young girls in Afghanistan have been attacked with acid for daring to get a basic education. The global economic crisis means that millions of people infected with HIV do not have access to the basic medications and nutrition they need to leave healthy lives. And ... Full Story

Letter: Bulletin wrong to write about kids-dogs in parks?

I keep waiting for things to go back to normal, for my neighbours to start acting like neighbours again. But maybe I'm kidding myself. Articles like these which highlight the controversies and fail to present the underlying facts probably make for great publishing but they don't make for great neigh... Full Story

Letter: Kids and dogs don't mix in a park

We can thank Councillor Paula Fletcher and Sandy Straw, Parks Manager/Bylaw Enforcement Manger and professional dog breeder for this impasse at Hideaway Park. Both of them believe that off-leash dogs and children (and other park users) will get along just fine in small parks. The new policy they cre... Full Story

Letter: What fools these mortals be

My three cheers for your December issue go to Stig Harvor and Ann Hui on Page 1, and Lorraine Ray Dycke on 4, for raising very real problems of the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood all at once. City Hall's myopia while developers run amok is frightening. Every square foot must sprout a condo, most condo r... Full Story

Letter: War Amps marks the 90th anniversary of the end of WWI

I am writing on behalf of The War Amps Operation Legacy, in which members of the Association’s Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program pass the NEVER AGAIN! message from war amputee veterans to the younger generation. This November 11th marks the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War, wh... Full Story

Letter: Harper dishonest

Stephen Harper and John McCain are both following the same recipe for winning an election: Exploit weaknesses in our human nature. Take advantage of the public's short attention span. Replace policies with soundbites. Fire off misleading attack ads. Create deceitful images. Promote personality. Stre... Full Story

Letter: Comstock needs to do some reading before writing

Mike Comstock's diatribe against safe injection sites in the October issue of The Bulletin was embarrassing. With not one iota of research cited, Comstock suddenly decides he will not vote for the Green Party because it supports safe injection sites.Newsflash, Comstock: Every single party, except fo... Full Story

Letter: The Bulletin prints garbage

I read your recent October, 2008 publication and after having followed up on your web site, I believe your "About Us" section should be drastically changed. There it states "The Bulletin is an independent community newspaper to inform residents, visitors and businesses in Downtown Toront... Full Story

Letter: Ignore Frank Touby

I have attached [see below] a comments that I had sent to you late April 2008 regarding my thoughts about his lopsided, overly emotional tirade that contained comments that I had responded to because I believed they were extremely warped and unrealistic.I recently picked up another Bulletin while at... Full Story

Letter: Canada undervalues human life

What is the value of a human life in this country?Killers walk away from justice and live in taxpayers funded social homes, soldiers are sent to die in a kakameni dustbin like Afhganistan for W and his Saudi - oil buddies yet we call them "fallen heroes"..are we going out of our minds?People were&nb... Full Story

Letter: Market 'No Flyers' story incorrect

The article in the online edition of www.thebulletin.ca entitled "Security to protesters: No flyers outside St. Lawrence Market" incorrectly states that a protester was standing on the sidewalk, near the St. Lawrence Market, when he was approached by city staff and was told that it was illegal to di... Full Story

Letter: Imagine you're hungry, thirsty

Regarding the front-page story in the August issue of The Bulletin: “Fair-weather friends plague Cabbagetown.” It would be nice if these concerned residents got together and asked what can be done to help these people they want out of the area. Bravo to Coffee Time for allowing those down-and-out to... Full Story

Comments on The Bulletin's New Look

What a fabulous new look for The Bulletin! Everything looks so bright and crisp. Love the glossy magazine look! FM, Harbourfront. Congratulations on your bold new style! The paper now looks every bit as great as it reads. JDR Cabbagetown. I always pick up The Bulletin at St. Lawrence Market and find... Full Story

Letter: Market Square battles unwise North Market plan

I am Co-Chair of Residents of Market Square with regard to the city’s North Market Redevelopmentplan. In addition to pushing the city hard to forgo destroying Market Lane in order to allow for a parking garageexit—something which we may have been successful at getting off the table for discussion, w... Full Story

Letter: 'Green' city hall doubles councilors' travel budgets

I don't know if the dog days of summer are a sufficient excuse, but all the major dailies failed to pick up on a cynical and hypocritical move passed by the Miller regime at the last council meet in July, tucked quietly inside the long-awaited amendments to the policy governing council members' indi... Full Story

Letter: Harbourfront Centre makes us suffer

What a relief that the YQNA has decided to do something about the excessive concert (and other) noise at the Harbourfront Centre. Living across from it has become hell during the past few years. The staff at HFC, whom I called many times, made me feel like I am the only one complaining about noise d... Full Story

Letter: City worst offender for waterfront noise

One of the reasons that the City won't enforce the noise bylaws is that they are one of the worst offenders on the Waterfront. They applied for and got eight sound exemptions on the Island so they can break the sound bylaws with impunity. If they enforced the bylaws on Harbourfront and at the Guvern... Full Story

Letter: Congratulations to the new integrity commissioner

My question is how long she will last? Will she like former chief Fantino disappear when the truth conflicts with the mayor's political position? Will she be able to reign in a mayor that exaggerates when his politics require it? Will she be able to stop the mayor's attacks on a la... Full Story

Letter: Is 'misunderstood' Mike Harris really a saint?

In your June edition you pillory Mike Harris with some colourful language. Let's have the truth. Mike Harris took over a province that was headed for the dumper. We had had five years of the Rae socialist government (1990-95) during which the deficit ballooned and the debt increased by 50 billion do... Full Story

Letter: Sewell got it wrong about McConnell

John Sewell (June issue of The Bulletin) gets it half right in his column about Councilor Pam McConnell's involvement with the Sexual Assault Audit Steering Committee.Sewell is right that Councilor McConnell was a driving force in getting the committee formed and active. However, he loses sight of t... Full Story

Letter: Save us from ourselves - take us over

Another day, another controversy, another blogger, another e-mail! The attacks lambasting trustees for questionable expenses have been relentless. It all gets kind of exhausting sometimes, and there’s a temptation to simply pack it in. Something fundamental and important lies at th... Full Story

Letter: Don’t rag on Miller, remember Mike Harris

Some Toronto citizens seem to suffer from short memories. They keep on griping about Mayor Miller. What they have forgotten is the rotten deal the Mike Harris Conservative government unloaded on Toronto and other Ontario cities 10 years ago. Toronto was hit by the double whammy of an unwanted amalga... Full Story

Letter: Miller a dictator who favours a police state

Regarding The Bulletin's May editorial, Miller is much like Harper: It is a given that the GTA is Liberal country. I agree somewhat with your appraisal of the P.M.s secret side and I think you are 100% in diagnosing Mayor Miller's faults.It is not just that the mayor is all rhetoric and no res... Full Story

Letter: The Esplanade is being ruined

The Esplanade used to be a lovely neighbourhood with lots of tourists roaming around. Now it is a construction site with truck traffic and mud galore. We all look forward to the London condo, the Sony redevelopment, Church and Esplanade and the worst: - the GO office building being shoehorned into a... Full Story

Letter to council: Preserve The Esplanade

Re Developments at 1 Front Street East and 5-7 The Esplanade: Residents of the St. Lawrence neighbourhood aren't anti-development, nor are we hypocrites to complain about the Sony Centre and L Tower projects. Our concerns relate to how projects affect the neighbourhood as a pla... Full Story

Letter: Fire the Amalgamated Transit Union

I, who was born, raised and is still living in the City of Toronto, have had enough! No more negotiations with Amalgamated Transit Union 113! No more raises. No more holding this city hostage. No more. Period. They've received far too much in the past and the raising of fares and property ... Full Story

Letter: Princess Street beside Sobey's

Last summer I loved to walk by the old warehouse that is now Sobeys because it was the only place in the neighbourhood where I could hear crickets. Miraculously wild Bluebells and Buttercups were growing there and got quite high so the crickets had a home. While I realize the kids want... Full Story

Letter: Miller time is over

David Miller's appearance on You Tube calling for banning handguns turns out to be a big flop my friends. Go there and read the negative ratings! Pardon me; it has been disabled all of a sudden! Wow, I wonder why? After tax hikes and a looming TTC strike, still dirty streets, no progress in improvin... Full Story

Letter: Great coverage

The coverage in the April issue of The Bulletin is the best I have ever seen..Thanks Dennis [Glasgow] and thanks to The Bulletin, a real community newspaper.Paul SmithPast PresidentSt. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association

Letter: Corrupt P3 editorial was on target

Thank you for your editorial about P3s and other potential hidey-holes for corruption in our modern governments—at all levels. The whole business of corruption in our world needs a good airing. It's not just a third-world problem. You are absolutely right: all government business should be open a... Full Story

Letter: City council is overpaid and incompetent

Strangely enough, Torontonians are sitting on their hands—instead of voting down this overpaid and incompetent bunch of city hall clerks, they are doing nothing. How come? I think the mayor should be held accountable for his decisions. It has been said that Mayor David Miller is a Harvard graduate—c... Full Story

Letter: Will by-election candidates spurn degree fraud?

Dear Toronto-Centre candidates: MP Dan McTeague claimed an MA degree [Economics] at Liberal nomination 1992 and election 1993 and Parliamentary Guides of 1994-96. In April 1997 when he was exposed in newspapers, his MA was whited out. He then started claiming BA (Hons) which also he does not have be... Full Story

Letter: Smitherman has passion for seniors

As founder of the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA), and operator of eight long-term care homes, I want to respond to recent comments by Health Minister George Smitherman.I know from personal experience the kind of passion Smitherman has for seniors. His heart is in the right place. I k... Full Story

Letter: Protect the City's trees

Paul Smith states in his February SLNA column that our neighbourhood's parks need improvements in the form of "pathway improvements...safety and beauty...benches." I beg to differ, emphatically. What our parks need is intensive remedial measures for the trees, which we have abused and neglecte... Full Story

Letter: Rae entertains seniors

Bob Rae met March 5,, with the seniors and other neighbours, at 85The Esplanade in the meeting room. Ashe wanted to met the neighbourhood that he had built when he was Premier that are now in his riding. Bob's career as Premier ended in 1995. Bob a Liberal Candidate is trying to be elected in the ... Full Story

Letter: Canadian pot kills America's youth

I am writing you today because there is a very important event that is to take place in just a few days.A drug kingpin named Mark Emery is going to have his day in a Canadian Court and it is very important to the civilized world that he loses his case. The United States needs to have Mark Emery ext... Full Story

Letter: Police board does not conduct business 'in secret'

In response to John Sewell's column, "Acquitted? Your records may still follow you" (The Bulletin, September 27), permit me to offer a few corrections and a clarification.Sewell refers to my advising speakers that "they will be held to a firm five minutes for what they have to say.&q... Full Story

Letter: Seniors used for corporate publicity

In January’s edition, you had an article about "low income seniors" getting holiday celebrations thanks to the Woodgreen Centre Meals on Wheels Program at Fantasy Farm on Pottery Road thanks to the TD Bank.First off, these seniors pay at least $5 a day for the Meals Program with possible t... Full Story

Letter: Smart! Centres in Leslieville is smart!

Smart! Centres in Leslieville is Smart! For too many years, Eastern Avenue was, and still is, a ' quick secondary access route ' for the many motorists driving either to the Beaches or to Downtown Toronto. And it wasn't that long ago that scrap yards were among the businesses adorning Eastern Avenue... Full Story

Letter: It's a big city

Dear Editor, I really can not believe you have one letter to the ED. in the Dec Bulletin, and the one you print is from the Pres. and VP of Harbourfront. No mention of that though. I thought they were concerned citizens. Folks, it is a city. It is a big city. And we had the honour of hosting the G... Full Story

Letter: Keep green space in our neighbourhood.

On Nov. 13, the Old York Tower hosted a meeting for all the residents in the five adjoining buildings 1 Church, where I live, Older Woman's Network, New Hibrit, Old York Towers and 55 The Esplanade.Representatives from TCHC co-ordinator of Regent Park programs for kids, the principalof St. Michael S... Full Story

Letter: City Hall hell

Suppose you hired a team of managers to run your company. If they were unproductive, you can change the team, or change the method they operate. None of this is valid in the life of City Hall. Watching the councilors online ( Rogers Channel 10) comically debating, arguing name-calling is sad and fu... Full Story

Letter: BIA thanks Sally Ann for change of plans

The Salvation Army has decided to continue its work at the Warehouse Mission near Parliament and Wellesley and not to pursue their plans to open at the old Flamingo site.This decision is a result of the Salvation Army’s desire to fit into the Cabbagetown community in a positive and beneficial way. T... Full Story

Letter: Panhandlers like canaries in a coal mine?

Mr. McAllister’s recent article regarding the migration of panhandlers from tourist areas into neighbourhoods like Cabbagetown had an oddly familiar premise. Specifically, Mr. McAllister’s description of the “mass exodus of aggressive panhandlers” reminded me of what happens when we act out of self-... Full Story

Letter: Seniors getting shafted

As in the last election, I'm getting tired of ads that say working families. Do you know that some people have never been married, are divorced or widowed? It's been listed recently on statistics Canada. Older single seniors may or may not have had children.A lot of so-called seniors (try getting... Full Story

Letter: Distillery residents' fears exaggerated

Richard Reinert's report on the controversy surrounding the proposed new buildings on Cherry St. as part of the Distillery District, describes some of the community's concerns. It's a pity that it does not also put on record the information given at the meeting on August 23 that was able to reassur... Full Story

Letter: Distillery District already is ruined

I remember taking an urban planning class and how what happened in NYC with St Patrick's Cathedral was used as an example of HORRIBLE urban planning...well it has happened here...The piece on the Distillery District was interesting, but lets face it...the monstrosity right outside my window does not... Full Story

Letter: Let’s toss all of council out, tackle feds and province

I must admit that I am inclined to agree with Sam Butera's comments about wanting to impeach Mayor Miller.Being a property tax payer my taxes on my 410 sq ft condo are outrageous. Add to that that Mr. Miller wants to impose additional taxes on things that we enjoy doing, he will be driving a good ch... Full Story

Letter: Impeach Miller

It seems, and recent events prove it, that both Ottawa and Queen's Park dislike David Miller, who himself has very little negotiating power or experience.For that very reason should we Torontonians live under Draconian conditions, while paying outrageous taxes, and services cut back?What kind of po... Full Story

Letter: Mirvish farewell dogged by franks

It is the old tale of a giant dies and his tribute is run by pygmies. After church, I went over to the Ed Mirvish Day celebrations with a friend. I felt Ed Mirvish was worth the tribute. Miller and his gang had taken the do over. They gave speeches for two hours. No food. Warm water was handed out. ... Full Story

Letter: At least make Roundhouse store upscale

I do not understand Toronto. They let the bullies of the Port Authority rough them up, Casa Loma falls into disrepair, subways are built and proprosed to be built that are clear lemons and now one of the most unique buildings in Canada, the Round House is becoming a Leon’s. Good God—at least make it... Full Story

Letter: A mission to clean up Yonge St. needles

In reference to the story "Needles puncture drug strategy rhetoric" I attach 3 photographs."Laneway 1" shows one of 4 drug kits I found around Eastertime in the laneway behind my house on Berkeley. Each kit contains 10 needles."Laneway 2" shows a part of a collection of... Full Story

Letter: Sweep Miller out of office

This is the time we should ask (demand) David Miller to resign as Mayor of Toronto.His first term was a disaster. He has failed the voters again in his second term.He had nothing the slow down the accelerating crime rate, nothing to boost tourism, nothing to help the housing crisis, nothing for the ... Full Story

Letter: NDP? Us?

I live on Queens Quay West.I have never read such rubbish in all my life....from an ' independent' newspaper. Given the highly North American style of personalised battering of Liberal and Tory politicians and the low number of actual correspondents, I can only assume that you are a strong NDP suppo... Full Story

If you want quiet, avoid Downtown, move to a farm

I am getting the impression that we are getting a huge influx of country folk moving into Downtown Toronto.Should we all walk around in slippers and whispering? Don’t people look at more than the house or condo when buying? I live on Carlton St. and I was well aware that I had constant flow of stree... Full Story

Bulletin’s online tax poll misfires

Your online poll question at www.thebulletin.ca doesn’t have enough choices.There should be six choices at least:1) Do you want the federal government to put a stick in your left eye? Yes or No.2) Do you want the provincial government to put a stick in your left eye? Yes or No.3) Do you want the f... Full Story

Letter: Paddler story tips canoe class enrollment over high water mark

Thanks for the article. As a result, two more people signed on. Now we are six and we will put on a performance at the end of the summer. It will be beautiful--at sunset with torches on each canoe.Judylaine Fine

Letter: Pedestrians stand no chance on foot against cyclists

Every year when the warmer weather arrives, there seems to be a lot of attention on the "battle" between cyclists and motorists. What about the poor pedestrians? Legally, most cyclists have a choice of riding on the street or walking their bikes on the sidewalks. In reality, there are m... Full Story

Letter: Timing of bill taxing for seniors

I just received my Final 2007 Property Tax Bill. I am shocked and disgusted by having to prepay the entire year's taxes on September 4, 2007. This is not the way that landlords deal with their tenants; this very unfair, especially for retired persons on strict budgets. I wonder... Full Story

Letter to the Editor: T.O. eyes waterfront for history showcase

Martin Knelman’s front-page Toronto Star story about Rita Davies’ plan to create a City of Toronto museum at the Canada Malting site was more than a disappointing surprise.Metronome’s current campaign for provincial and federal funding is doomed without the visible support of the City of Toronto. Wi... Full Story

Letter: Comstock a bigot

As a former Yonge Street panhandling teen, I relied on the kindness of strangers in order to make my way through hard times. Given this, Comstock's Would Ticketing the Charitable Reduce Panhandling moved me in ways that only bigotry and hatred can. As a current property owner and employee in this sa... Full Story

Letter: Car-free Quay would attract high-end business

I'm reacting to the last issue of The Bulletin, where no less that 3 articles (including 2 front-page ones) rant against decisions to improve mass transit at the expense of car road estate in Downtown Toronto. I strongly disagree with those opinions and I am a supporter of closing/restricting more r... Full Story

Letter: Sally Ann woes

Last month I was on my way to work aboard the eastbound streetcar when I heard a fellow passenger say, “All single women should pick up a guy from the Sally Ann and support him through his rough times.”I live in the neighbourhood where there are three Sally Anns and I have been harassed daily, wheth... Full Story

Letter: Can you spell S-M-O-G?

While I can possibly understand your opposition to the dedicated street car lanes but the idea of replacing the street cars with buses .... p-l-e-a-s-e.City stops are too close together to make buses practical and do we really need more noise, pollution and fumes!Linda Klan

Letter: Mansion District advocates uprooting Garden District dreams

After years of determined effort to keep the downtown district from being officially designated The Garden District branching out from Allan Gardens, our city council has realized the tourist and property advantage of having a designated area north or St. Lawrence Market District.I know opposition t... Full Story

Letter: CRBA, KEVI oppose blocking Cherry St. to vehicles

There have been many concerns put forward by Corktown Residents And Business Association residents and businesses alike about some of the proposals to the West Don Lands development of Cherry St.The concerns are as follows.Should Cherry St. be blocked off to vehicular traffic:it would increase traff... Full Story

Letter: The Bulletin on the beach—in Thailand

I thought you would get a kick out of the wonders of the world wide web.I received your e-mail and am replying from an open air patio over breakfast in Patong, Phuket, Thailand, where I have been for two months. I bet you didn't realize that your distribution stretched so far beyond downtown Toronto... Full Story

Letter: Thank you, Frank

Thank you Frank for your article Tories: "Aristocrats,Wannabes or Butlers"... absolutely down to the point, couldn't be expressed better, send it to the Globe, Star, Sun and the National Post! My congratulations for your incentive thought. Cheers!Daniel H.

Clarifying methadone clinic

I am a Peer Support Worker at the Corktown methadone clinic. I do see a few valid points raised in the February article. Nowhere in the article is the proper name of the A.M.S Clinic used. At no point is it called a clinic. It is instead referred to as a “methadone store” or “methadone distribution ... Full Story

Letter: The lack of building cleanliness and appreciation by some 1 Church St. tenants

I would like to see more tenants leaving less deposits of trash throughout this building.More pride and less laziness would be appreciated. If you don’t leave trash throughout your home don’t leave any throughout this beautiful building! This building deserves BETTER!Name Withheld

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