Veteran city councillor Kyle Rae quits

Reports indicate after 19 years, he’s packing it in
Rae won’t seek re-election in 2010
By Kris Scheuer
(For update, click here.)

So more shake up at city hall. Is this a good think folks? Let me know.
I just read several reports that Toronto Centre-Rosedale Councillor Kyle Rae is calling it a day.I first read the news in an article by Rob Lamberti, a reporter with the Toronto Sun.
I have since read it on numerous news sites.
As it’s midnight on Friday night/Saturday morning, I can’t confirm.
But plan to tomorrow or Sunday when I speak with some Toronto politicians on my day off.
I have interviewed Rae many times over the past eight years and will seek to do a one-on-one interview with him for the paper I work for the Town Crier.
In the meantime, the full text of what he’s reportedly emailed his supporters is all over the ‘net, but I read it first on the Toronto Star‘s site. I have posted the full text of Rae’s email below.

“Dear Friends, last week, I began my 19th year as City Councillor for Ward 27. After lengthy and thoughtful consideration over the last year, I have decided that I will not run in the 2010 municipal election.

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Millions to fix up social housing

$220 million will be spent on repairs, upgrades
By Kris Scheuer
(Written Dec. 1 for Town Crier.)

Workers strip old bathroom tiles from a Toronto Community Housing unit during a recent renovation. Francis Crescia/Town Crier file photo.

Toronto social and affordable housing complexes are getting a $220 million facelift over the next two years.
The province and feds are pumping this cash into renovations and retrofits which means everything from new toilets, lighting and fridges to repairs of decks, garages and elevators for thousands of Toronto tenants.
“It certainly helps (to reduce) the state of good repair backlog and helps buildings stay in good repair,” says Glenn Courtney, city manager of social housing administration. “And it provides better living conditions for tenants in these buildings.”
During the first phase, between now and March 2010, the city will spend $98.5 million for 1,217 projects.
The money is spread out among 139 Toronto housing providers but the lion’s share of this cash, $68.3 million is going to the city’s Toronto Community Housing.