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Rob Ford is headed for a tragic fall
Is Rob Ford’s Mayoralty Up In Smoke (NOW, May 23-29)? A well-written article. I think if Rob Ford could look back on the events of the last few weeks, he would have been better off bowing out after the conflict-of-interest ruling booting him out of office last fall.
It’s sad to watch if you understand that he’s mentally challenged (alcohol-addicted behaviour). This has all the makings of Ford’s mayoralty finishing tragically. He doesn’t know how to stop himself.
Dave Archer
Toronto
Pushing the recall button
Another episode of Wayne’s World at City Hall. I know how this sad excuse for an adult got elected, but what frightens me is how the competition will look when re-election time comes round.
We need a “none of the above” ballot alternative. The real reason people don’t vote is that there is no real choice.
Who did we have last time? A scandalized provincial insider who squandered $1 billion? And Ford, a pathetic, seemingly harmless mama’s boy from Etobicoke who spent his life working for his dad’s company.
The next mayor of Toronto should campaign on giving citizens the right to recall a mayor or councillor.
Eva Tonner
Toronto
Replaying mayor’s crack video denial
Rob Ford hasn’t denied that the incident in the alleged crack video ever happened (NOW, May 24). He only denied having seen the video, with a line tossed in about the video maybe not existing at all. Which might mean he’s already bought it – or feels safe enough assuming it won’t come out.
Andrew Ryan Fox
Toronto
Box office box-in
One thing John Semley doesn’t touch on in Tickets! Who Needs Tickets? (NOW, May 23-29) is the creation of artificial demand as a result of resellers buying huge blocks of tickets. Shows appear [to be] sold out while hundreds of tickets are available through third parties.
Not only that, but what about the downright acceptance of companies like StubHub being advertised during Blue Jays broadcasts on The Fan 590?
I realize commercials generate revenue, but more often than not fans are encouraged to get tickets there before any mention of the Rogers Centre box office.
Christopher Hedrick
From nowtoronto.com
German Consulate’s hospitality issues
NOW listed the opening of a photo exhibit at the German Consulate in a recent issue (NOW, May 9-15). Sabine Sparwasser, the Consul General, demanded to see RSVPs, IDs and personally searched people’s bags. Sound totally nuts? Although she admitted us, within minutes she changed her mind and asked us to leave. So, like, thanks for the tip?
Pia Garcia
Toronto
Industrial-strength waterfront
It’s tiresome to read the same old shibboleths about the Island Airport and how it’s hindering the development of a beautiful and pristine waterfront (NOW, May 16-22).
The waterfront has gone from 19th century industrialism to an ugly, ramshackle mix of high-rise condos, marinas and even a fake beach. An expanded Island Airport will not change this. Toronto’s waterfront will never be Algonquin Park, or for that matter Chicago’s famous lakefront. Frankly, I think the best of Toronto’s waterfront is the Island Airport and the Redpath sugar refinery. And of course, let’s not forget the Canada Malting silos – let’s hope they will be preserved. I think it’s time to bring a bit of industrialization back to Toronto’s waterfront.
Andrew van Velzen
Toronto
Island Airport: where’s tax windfall?
What’s clear from the Toronto Port Authority’s economic impact study is that the city got $60,000 in property taxes from the airport in 2012.
What’s not clear is how much of the $1.24 million in “payments in lieu of taxes” the city received for the airport.
Whatever it is, it’s a pittance compared to what the other two levels of government received.
Bob Kotyk
Toronto
Amy Lee Lavoie defended
Full disclosure: I am dating the playwright Amy Lee Lavoie. That being said, Glenn Sumi’s comments on Twitter about her show don’t reflect well on a writer at a respected publication like NOW.
Sumi’s tweets are not well-considered “criticism.” It is the internet equivalent of yelling from the balcony.
Quoting and mocking a writer’s dialogue is hackneyed. Any line of dialogue out of context can sound funny. I am curious as to why Sumi felt the need to share these thoughts via social media? Did he feel it was his duty as a professional reviewer to make his opinion known?
NOW is a great magazine. You have many great writers, including Jon Kaplan, who wrote a glowing review of this same production (NOW, May 9-15.)
Omari Newton
Toronto
Bike Month in the big shitty
I’m pretty new to big-city life and biking in Toronto, for sure, but I’ve been riding a bike for 50 years or more.
Have to say, biking here is scary!
Bike lanes are awesome (when not filled with parked cars), but there are so few of them. I feel as though I’m taking my life in my hands every time I hop on my bike.
Cyclists are people. Workers. Students. Mothers. Fathers. Executives. Kids. You name it. We pay taxes and contribute to the economy.
I think everyone should show some respect to cyclists. More bike lanes would sure be a great start!
Janet McNeill
Toronto
Fundraiser greens Sick Kids
Thank you for mentioning our eco-charity mixer for Sick Kids Foundation in your listings (NOW, May 9-15) The event went great!
We raised over $4,200, from the 100-plus young professionals and over 20 local green businesses that contributed!
Jay Wong
Toronto
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