10-cent TTC fare hike proposed

Mayor asking other departments to cut more to avoid fare hike
Kris Scheuer
(Written Jan. 10 for Town Crier.)

Mayor Ford announces the preliminary 2011 city budget. Photo by Kris Scheuer/Town Crier.

Today, Toronto got its first glance at a budget under Mayor Rob Ford.
The bad news is TTC is proposing a 10 cent fare hike and reduced bus service on more than 45 routes to increase service on busier ones.
“I did not want to agree to this,” Ford told reporters speaking about the fare hike. “I am not happy about this.”
Ford says he wants to find another option rather than raise transit fares including asking other departments, including the police, to reduce their requests for increases.
However, as of today the recommendation is the TTC raise fares on Feb. 1 including: Adult tokens going up 10 cent to $2.60, Metropasses increasing to $126. Student and senior ticket prices would increase 10 cents to $1.75 and student Metropasses would rise to $104. Children’s fares would remain unchanged.
There would also be service reductions on 48 bus routes including: Royal York 73B no service after 7 p.m. Leaside 56 no service after 10 p.m. Mon-Sat. Forest Hill 33 no service after 7 p.m. Mon-Fri and no service on the weekends or holidays.

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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.

Igor Toutchinski Ward 10 candidate

Will York Centre council candidate win this time?
Toutchinksi’s been a runner up in previous elctions
Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier Sept. 2)

Igor Toutchinski is running in a crowded field of Ward 10 council candidates.

A two-time Ward 10 council candidate who was runner-up in the 2006 municipal election race hoping he’ll emerge victorious this time around.
In 2006, in a field of seven candidates, Igor Toutchinski came second to Councillor Mike Feldman, who recently announced he won’t seek re-election.
But even with no incumbent, it’ll be a tough race. As of press time, Toutchinski was up against nine other candidates.
“This race will be very tight,” Toutchinski said. “The winner will win with a small amount of votes.”
He said his advantage is his profile in the Russian community, which is large in North York. According to Toutchinski, about a quarter of all eligible voters in Ward 10 are of Russian background.

Jarred Friedman Ward 10 candidate

Former city planner runs for council
Friedman is running in York Centre in wide open race
Kris Scheuer
(Written Sept. 2 for Town Crier.)

Jarred Friedman is running in Ward 10.

Local resident Jarred Friedman is running in ward 10 to improve safety, planning and transit and to keep spending in check.
Residents want to be better informed and engaged in the planning process, said Friedman, who is fluent in French, English, Hebrew and Yiddish.
Considering Friedman was a planner with the City of Edmonton and has worked on projects in Toronto, he’s confident his experience will be an asset.
“I can give my advice on planning issues. I have knowledge of municipal government and experience holding public meetings,” said the York Centre council candidate.