Out on the tiles on the TTC
Regarding the funding of the proposed Scarborough subway extension (NOW, September 26-October 2), I’m curious to know why the TTC is wasting precious dollars on unnecessary – and costly – station facade upgrades instead of channelling it into improving and expanding its services.
Recently, I contacted the TTC’s complaint bureau on this point.
I don’t need fancy glass stations brimming with (usually useless) public art or nicer tiles.
What I need is a fully functioning subway service able to meet its ridership’s needs.
Jason Smith
Toronto
John Greyson: hard to handle the truth
I was disgusted by Schlomo Schwartzberg’s letter regarding John Greyson’s unjust arrest in Egypt (NOW, September 26-October 2).
Greyson is an outstanding human being. He is talented, hard-working and compassionate, one of a rare breed of true filmmakers.
He is here to tell stories, and sometimes those stories are hard to handle. He’s a man who stands up for what he believes in.
He and Tarek Loubani are Canadian citizens being held without charges in a volatile country. I’m not sure how Schwartzberg would like it if he or a member of his family were in the same position.
When I think of Greyson and Loubani on hunger strike, it brings tears to my eyes.
Heather K. Dahlstrom
Toronto
Theatre a nowhere scene?
“T.O.’s theatre scene is one of the world’s most admired,” you say (NOW, September 19-25)? Don’t make me cry! Most ignored, actually. Not only abroad, but at home, too.
A few weeks ago, I was sent a survey in the mail. It seemed interested in the quality of our lives. Asking about our leisure preferences, it listed restaurants and casinos, sports, books, music and films. Theatre was nowhere to be seen.
See what I mean? In Canada, hockey is seen as culture, and theatre as entertainment.
Alina Brock
Toronto
Bike messengers held hostage
Reading your article concerning possible strike action by bike messengers (NOW, September 12-18), it occurred to me that people may not have a clear idea what the issues are in this largely exploitive “industry.”
Proper industry is regulated. The courier industry has no regulation.
While the owners of these companies drive Bentleys and such, messengers survive on $80 a day. Some downtown make no more than $50 a day and are treated like modern-day slaves.
The key to solving this issue is regulation of the industry as whole. Hold owners accountable for taxes and for paying their contractors a living wage.
Will Broduer
Toronto
Mimico’s pigeons no doves
Read 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Toronto’s River Valleys (NOW, September 26-October 2). You have probably received mail about this already, but the word Mimico, “home of the wild pigeon,” refers to the now extinct passenger pigeon and not to the common rock dove that is everywhere today. Otherwise, a good article.
Michael J. Harrison
Toronto
American Apparel’s Hasidic ad
Kudos to NOW and American Apparel for featuring a Hasidic hunk in the back-page ad (NOW, September 26-October 2). All that remains for follow-up ads is a Hasidic babe, a curvy Muslim woman with a hijab or a bearded young Muslim. Then all will be forgiven.
Bogos Kalemkiar
Toronto
Condos, not Porter, ruin the waterfront
The Colgrasses’ claim they can almost wave to Porter Airlines passengers from their balcony (NOW, September 26-October 2). I have to guess they’re living in a waterfront condo.
The waterfront was ruined years ago by the construction of these buildings. I live half a mile from the lake and can’t see the water at all. All I see is high-rises and partially built high-rises.
I have no dogs in this fight, but I find your hypocritical NIMBYism very disturbing.
Bazl Salazar
Toronto
Porn score to settle
Susan G. Cole has made her stance on pornography well known (NOW, September 12-18). “Toxic” is the word she keeps using. It’s therefore unsurprising that she gave middling reviews to the recent porn-themed films Don Jon (NOW, September 26-October 2)and Filthy Gorgeous: The Bob Guccione Story (NOW, September 19-25). Whether cinema is good or bad, films and filmgoers deserve open-minded reviews by critics who leave their vitriolic agendas at home. In the future when films like these open, please send someone else to review them.
Kerry Grant
Toronto
Why cops shoot first
It seems when NOW Magazine reports on a police incident with the public there are the predictable letters from police-bashers and armchair critics implying that our diverse police are racists, poorly trained, trigger-happy, bullies, etc.
What happened to Sammy Yatim was tragic. However, at the end of the day our police officers are fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, and their primary responsibility is their own safety and the safety of the public.
They are on the front lines dealing with the mentally ill, hardened criminals and disrespectful dolts, and sometimes they have to make split-second decisions that can take someone’s life to save their own.
M. Davidson
Toronto
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