Jennifer Wood asked to bow out in Ward 29

Rita Smith emails Wood suggesting she quit race
Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier Oct. 15)

 

Jennifer Wood asked to step out of Ward 29 race. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Wood.

 

An email from a Jane Pitfield campaign supporter asking candidate Jennifer Wood to “do the right thing” and drop out of the Ward 29 council race is causing major tension in the east-end race.
Rita Smith, who has been a volunteer on Pitfield’s campaign, sent the email in question to Wood on morning of Oct. 14, the day after Rocco Rossi dropped out of the mayor’s race.
“Jennifer, now that Rocco has bowed out … I hope you will give serious consideration to doing the same thing,” the email read. “You would be doing the right thing for the right reason, and everyone would admire your judgement (sic) in the situation.”
Smith admits sending the email but is adamant she did so without the consent, knowledge or direction of Pitfield.

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Ward 30 candidates on development

Toronto-Centre hopefuls weight in
Balancing development with protection of neighbourhoods
Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier Oct. 14)

How will you protect the local character of neighbourhoods while balancing the need for revitalization and development in Ward 30?

Liz West is running in Ward 30. Photo courtesy of Liz West.

Councillor Paula Fletcher is seeking re-election. Town Crier file photo.

Liz West‘s answer: It’s not enough to fight against development and just say no. Defeating a residential and commercial project on Eastern (Avenue) only to have it replaced with car dealerships as of right while pretending to protect the film studios, did not serve the community well. I believe Ward 30 residents need to understand fully the choices they face so that they can make informed decisions on what is best for the community. I plan to lead those discussions, especially around the developments proposed for the Pan Am games, continued candidate West. These games provide an opportunity to clean up the contaminated Port Lands while creating a balanced development of recreational, reside ntial and commercial spaces that can be showcased to the world.

Paula Fletcher‘s answer: As the current councillor I worked with the community to stop the Big Box on Eastern Avenue. The film industry did not want it as it would jeopardize the future of film; the neighbourhood not want seven million car trips annually through neighbourhood streets and all of the small, family owned businesses on Queen Street, from Leslieville to the Beach, did not want to have their sector decimated.

St. Paul’s Ward 22 exciting race

Candidate Chris Sellors.

Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier Oct. Eight)

It’s the most exciting race in midtown.
A veteran councillor stepping down after decades of service, and only four candidates gunning to replace him.
So who will take St. Paul’s Ward 22 come election day?
Chris Sellors has worked in outgoing Councillor Michael Walker’s office for almost nine years.

Josh Matlow - Ward 22 candidate.

Josh Matlow has been the outspoken St. Paul’s public school trustee since 2003.
William Molls is a bright, articulate local resident who seemed to come out of nowhere. Also on the ballot is Elizabeth Cook, an unknown who registered her name on the last day of nominations.

Ward 10 competitive race

Who will fill outgoing Councillor Feldman’s shoes?
Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier Oct. Eight)

 

ANYONE’S GAME: A dozen candidates want to represent Ward 10. Clockwise from top left: Igor Toutchinski, Brian Shifman, Edward Zaretsky, Eric Plant, James Pasternak, Nancy Oomen, Robert Freedland, Magda Berkovits, Konstantin Toubis and Jarred Friedman. Not pictured: Drago Banovic and Joseph Cohen.

 

It was already going to be a packed race, but when longtime York-Centre councillor Mike Feldman announced he wouldn’t be seeking re-election, more candidates jumped on board for Ward 10.
Now, a dizzying dozen people are vying for your vote in Ward 10.
The victor on Oct. 25 will have his or her hands full this coming term, with ongoing ward issues like the planned Etobicoke-Finch West Light Rail line, vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur’s planned plant expansion at Dufferin and Steeles, and development pressures such as the proposal to redevelop the Bathurst Manor plaza. The new councillor will also need to address the needs of a rapidly growing senior population.
Ward 10 candidates told the Town Crier their priorities range from crime reduction to better management of the city’s finances, reducing gridlock and creating more engaged public process for local developments.

Andrew James bows out of Ward 30

Candidate James endorses competitor Liz West
They hope it’ll be easier to topple incumbent Fletcher
Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier Oct. 15)

 

Andrew James bows out of Ward 30 race to support candidate Liz West.

 

Ward 30 candidate Andrew James announced today he’s stepping out of the race to throw his support behind competitor Liz West.
“Ours was a campaign of ideas and change but over the past few days it became clear that I wasn’t going to be successful in my bid to unseat (incumbent) Paula Fletcher,” said James at a news conference at the Cinespace Studios. “With Liz West I saw the opportunity to have our shared ideas move forward and to bring a new voice to city hall.”