Rating: NNNNN
Classless Case Ootes
Easy to see why cranky conservative city councillor Case Ootes has been unable to unite T.O.’s right. His latest blunder, this one tasteless, saw the grump unable to muster a kind word about the tragic passing of passionate activist Tooker Gomberg. All he could manage was “He was a thorn in the side of… many of us who didn’t share his ideology.” No mention of an honourable foe, a committed opponent, that kind of thing. Real classy.
Coppsgate deflects furor Who says Prime Millionaire Paul Martin doesn’t know what he’s doing? The sponsorship scandal stink is as tenacious as skunk on a dog, but the PM may have found a way to get it out of the news – cannibalism. The party already unbelievably on the ropes is now eating itself in a series of messy nomination fights. The juiciest of these sees the somewhat irresistible Sheila Copps, one of few Liberal women of influence, invoking Watergate-esque images of breached phone security, due process denied and high-up-sanctioned dirty deeds. Nice work, Paulie.
Rosedale club jilts Jews
Whatever happens in fired director Michael Geluch’s wrongful dismissal suit against the Rosedale Golf Club, the bigger story in this mess has already trickled out. When McDonald’s Canada honcho George Cohon became a member in 1997, after trying in 1996 and being asked to reapply, he became the club’s first Jewish member in 111 years. Some club.
Honderich wasn’t hallucinating
When Torstar prez Bobby Prichard brought in ex-Montreal Gazette publisher Michael Goldbloom as deputy publisher this summer, Star publisher John Honderich was assured a coup wasn’t coming. But goodbye, Bow Tie Boy. Honderich has been forced out, and a budget-cutting lightweight gets the keys to Canada’s biggest daily. During Goldbloom’s reign, the bland Gazette was better known for its bottom line than for its bylines. Staff better not sign long leases, with loads of layoffs to come.
Deputy Dawg Dennis Mills
Since his I-rule-the-waterfront scam didn’t float, Toronto-Danforth MP Dennis Mills is playing the crime card. With no respect for civic politicians, Mills has joined police Chief Julian Fantino’s call for cash for cops. He should remember Fantino works for a mayor who wants to cut the police budget, find new crime-fighting ideas and bolster social services so young people won’t take up guns. Stop showboating and get cash for T.O.’s stated agenda. Next, watch Mills push to beat Bush in landing a man on Mars.
