Rob Ford could be in trouble at the high school where he coaches football over comments he made in an interview with Sun News. In a letter signed anonymously by teachers at Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School, staff say Ford's suggestion the school is hive of gang activity controlled only by the football team he leads is "disgusting" and "filled with untruths." Ford arrived at Don Bosco after being asked to vacate coaching duties at another school over a confrontation with a player.
In the endless will she, won't she of Olivia Chow's potential 2014 mayoral run it seems right now the NDP MP is leaning towards taking on Rob Ford at the polls. Chow said she is "considering" running, which is a break from her usual stock responses on the matter. Polls conducted in the past have shown Chow would be likely to beat Ford in a straight race. When should Chow decide?
Hundreds of Toronto teachers could be let go shortly after the local school board approved $28 million in staff cuts late last night, a figure that equates to roughly 248 positions. The Toronto District School Board is trying to work around a $55 million deficit.
A second Metrolinx board member is a registered casino lobbyist with the city. Doug Turnbull, who's also vice-chairman of TD Securities, was forced to declare a conflict of interest over his role with MGM. Both he and Metrolinx chair Robert Prichard have excused themselves from discussions over GO expansion at MGM's proposed CNE resort.
TTC chair Karen Stintz wants transit enforcement officers to be special constables again once Presto arrives. Right now the TTC's 40-person team responsible for enforcing payment do not have powers of arrest, the right to transfer people under the Mental Health Act, or the ability to force fare-jumpers to provide an address when caught. The officers' status was revoked by the police a few years ago. Should TTC officers be given new powers to ensure more fines are paid?
A fire in a Kensington Market apartment building last night has left several people without a place to stay. The blaze started on Oxford Street around 4 am in a semi-detached home containing 5 units. No injuries were reported.
Finally, who needs enemies when you've got friends? A man struck by a van on Victoria Park Avenue on Tuesday evening was left in the street by his two companions while they went into a nearby Beer Store. The man suffered severe head trauma and is listed in a critical condition.
IN BRIEF:
- Plaza lost parking after Mammoliti relatives sold, owners say [CBC]
- Oakwood Collegiate teacher fired over jokes [Toronto Star]
- Etobicoke superjail sits empty because province can't staff it, union says [Toronto Star]
- Toronto woman speaks out against cyberbullies on Reddit [CBC]
- Stompin' Tom Connors dies at 77 [CBC]
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Image: "Southbound" by Lychee_Aloe/blogTO Flickr pool.