Tuesday’s headlines

5 comments

1. Heaps should never have asked for the money in the first place. The writing is on the wall. Council knew that it could not slip this by, with out public outcry. Despite their first attempt.

   Three cheers for the Toronto Party!

2. Heaps’ comment in the Star: “The lack of protection for newly elected councillors being sued by unsuccessful candidates strikes a blow to our democratic system by discouraging citizens to run for office,” he wrote.

   Yes sir, but the finding was apparently that there was inappropriate conduct on your part BEFORE you were a Councillor… which, many would say, likely resulted in you becoming the Councillor in a very, very tight race (less than 100 votes). Yeah, a comprehensive policy may be needed, as Heaps, claims. But such a policy should only cover those who have not been found to have acted inappropriately. A policy that would reimburse Heaps given the facts that have come out about this case would be a sham of a policy.

3. Sorry if I’m repeating previous rants, but re: the missing route maps article:

   The route maps, even when present, are horribly flawed in that they try to present a vertical subway line in a horizontal space. Visit _any_ other subway in the world and, with very few exceptions, you will find that a “line map” goes over the door, while a “system map” or two are placed on the wall elsewhere in the car. This helps people who just want to check stops quickly see where they are, and provides a map for those with more complicated journeys to plan transfers. TTC by comparison seems to be ignoring common sense and best practice and inventing their own crappy way of annoying everyone.

   Toronto is busy upgrading streetcar routes, but good luck finding streetcar information in the subway. Need to figure out which station has the airport connection? Can’t help you.

   In conclusion, the whole map setup in the subways needs to be thrown out and redone — line maps over the door, and system maps with ALL rail lines (subway, streetcar, SRT, Link, GO) displayed on the wall. I know the TTC likes to operate like it is permanently 1978 but map logic is timeless…

4. From Councillor Heaps’ comments in the G&M article, it is clear that he and his apologists still don’t get it on why the Star branded his request for money and Council agreement as “offensive.” He seems to be oblivious to his own ethical culpability in the situation. The issue about illegally spending public money is by far the lesser of the troubling implications of his actions and request. This should be a question of whether a Councillor who commits a crime whether wilfully or innocently and is caught cheating during an election campaign should retain his seat. In this context, it is offensive to the most fundamental democratic values to even suggest that this Councillor should be illegally reimbursed for the ramifications of the illegal act. This cannot be considered in the frivolous lawsuit category when Heaps has admitted guilt for an act committed during the election. To do so is to sanction cheating and dirty tricks in future elections and debase the quality of public debate. For Heaps and Miller to try and sweep under the carpet the implications of their ethical turpitude is indeed offensive.

   Posting for a friend.
   Comment by Council watcher.

5. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/756172–architectural-gem-could-be-saved

   you missed this!
   4th & 5th paragraphs!
   heartless!!