Bussin, McMahon transition stand off

No smooth transition in Beaches post election
Neither Sandra Bussin or Mary-Margaret McMahon called either other
Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier Nov. 11)

Mary-Margaret McMahon is sworn in as Ward 32 councillor Dec. 1. Photo courtesy of Mary-Margaret McMahon.

Councillor Sandra Bussin has been criticized for not reaching out to Mary-Margaet McMahon, who soundly defeated her in the Oct. 25 election.
“I have not heard from (Bussin) or her staff. It’s disappointing,” McMahon told the Town Crier Nov. 9.
But communication is a two-way street.
“Ms. McMahon has not called me,” Bussin said this afternoon.
McMahon admitted that it’s true she’s not called Bussin either but was waiting for her to call either on election night or after McMahon’s family vacation.
“I’m planning to call her,” McMahon said today.
Conversation or not, from Bussin’s perspective the idea of a transition between two councillors is something new and has not been done in the past.

Outgoing Councillor Sandra Bussin. Photo by Francis Crescia/Town Crier.

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Call 311 for any Toronto city service

City launches new three-digit number for public inquires
Calling 311 to get questions answered and issue service requests
By Kris Scheuer
(Written Sept. 18 for Town Crier)

The new 311 information service will allow residents and businesses to conduct business with city 24/7, 365 days a year. Photo by Kris Scheuer/Town Crier.

Calling the city to report a pothole in your street shouldn’t be that hard, but if you don’t know who to contact you could spend an eternity on the phone.
City hall’s got the message and has launched the new 311 phone line to assist residents and businesses with municipal issues.
Since 2005, Toronto has spent $35 million gearing up for the new call centre that launched Sept. 24. The new three-digit number replaces Access Toronto, which would redirect people to the right department. 
With the new three-digit number, customer service reps can answer questions about multiple services without transferring the caller. In 70 percent of cases, the call centre will process requests for service such as a pothole repair or missed garbage pick-up.