Waive recreation fees at Antibes

Councillor Pasternak wants community space to offer free rec
Kris Scheuer
(Written April 4 for Town Crier.)

Councillor James Pasternak wants the city to make Antibes a Priority Centre where all recreation fees would be waived. Photo courtesy City of Toronto.

Residents in the under-served Antibes community shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for rec programs offered at the local community centre, councillor James Pasternak says.
The Ward 10 rep is asking city council to consider making the Antibes Community Centre, located off Bathurst Street, north of Finch Avenue, a designated priority centre.
City program fees continue to increase, and programs formerly offered for free now have costs, Pasternak said. This is affecting participation rates in a neighbourhood where the average annual family income is about $30,000 lower than Toronto’s average.
“Making (Antibes) a priority centre is crucial for Ward 10,” Pasternak said. “It would allow unfettered access to recreation. It would help newcomers and low-income residents.”

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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.

Ella Rebanks ward 27 candidate

Local resident, mother, volunteer runs for first time
Rebanks passionate about helping others across Toronto
Kris Scheuer
(Written Aug 5 for Town Crier.)

Ella Rebanks with her family. Photo courtesy of Rebanks.

Ward 27 candidate Ella Rebanks says wasteful spending at city hall has to stop, but she cautions not all spending is wasteful.
“What (mayor hopeful) Rob Ford considers wasteful and the bulk of the population think is wasteful aren’t the same,” said the Toronto Centre Rosedale council candidate.
“If you have a social program, it’s not wasteful spending. It’s us doing our job,” Rebanks added.
“Focus on Bloor Street construction that’s taking too long…that’s wasteful.”
As of August 5, Rebanks was one of 13 candidates running to replace retiring councillor Kyle Rae. She said with no incumbent the timing was right for her to run.
“I live in the ward,” said the mother of three. “I know the ward inside and out. So why wait to run?”

Jack Layton G20 reaction

Vandalized businesses should be compensated: Layton
NDP leader says G20 summit was mishandled
Kris Scheuer
(Written June 28 for Town Crier.)

Jack Layton paid a visit to the Town Crier offices to offer his views on compensation for G20 protest damage. Photo by Victor Aguilar/Town Crier.

The morning after the G20 Summit wrapped up in Toronto, Federal NDP leader Jack Layton called on the Harper government to compensate businesses that were vandalized by violent protesters.
Layton was speaking to reporters at an editorial board this morning at Town Crier’s offices.
He said the G20 meeting was not well planned in terms of the Toronto location.
“Of course when you invite the global leaders, you are also going to essentially be inviting the Black Bloc to show up. It’s too bad Mr. (Stephen) Harper didn’t listen to the mayor and the city officials who said why don’t we put the meetings in an area that’s easier to secure for example the CNE, which has lots of open space around it and no businesses around it.”
Layton, along with his wife and MP Olivia Chow asked the federal government to compensate businesses if there was property damage.