Fragedakis takes over Ward 29

Mary Fragedakis to tackle city and ward issues
New councillor will be shift from retiring Case Ootes
Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier Nov. 11)

L-R: Second place candidate Jane Pitfield congratulates councillor-elect Mary Fragedakis. Photo by Francis Crescia/Town Crier.

Councillor-elect Mary Fragedakis may be a new face at city hall, but she’s fairly familiar one in the community she will represent beginning Dec. 1.
“I’ve lived my whole life in ward 29,” said the new Toronto-Danforth rep. “My friends, family and neighbours are here. I started the Broadview Community Youth Group because of the lack of affordable programs. I understand the context of the area.”
And Fragedakis arguably made history on election night, introduced at her victory celebration as the first woman of Greek background to win a seat on council.
She captured over 41 percent of the vote, beating out runner-up Jane Pitfield and five other candidates.

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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.

City candidate uninvited to Grit forum

Jennifer Wood running for city council was invited to Liberal forum
But Ward 29 candidate was uninvited when she didn’t agree to conditions
By Kris Scheuer
(Written March 11 for Town Crier.)

Ward 29 candidate Jennifer Wood. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Wood.

Ward 29 city candidate Jennifer Wood was snubbed from a recent forum held by the Toronto Danforth Provincial Liberal Riding Association after refusing to sign a release stating she wouldn’t run against the Grits in future provincial or federal elections.
Wood first reached out to the Liberal association to speak about her candidacy.
The association contacted her with info about the March 8 forum to introduce Liberal-friendly council hopefuls to their members.
She was originally invited to the forum.
“They had three questions,” Wood said days after the forum. “Why I’m running, the credentials I’d bring and the third thing was an agreement not to run provincially or federally against any Liberal candidate in the future.”

Toronto Danforth Ward 29 candidates

Councillor Case Ootes not running in To-Danforth
Four candidates running to be new Ward 29 rep
By Kris Scheuer
(Written Feb. 11 for Town Crier.)

Former Leaside councillor Jane Pitfield is running in Toronto Danforth’s Ward 29 and I wrote about her on Jan. 6 the day current rep Case Ootes announced he would not seek re-election. But she’s not the only one seeking this seat.
Now meet a trio of candidates running here: Chris Caldwell, John Richardson and Mike Restivo. Scroll down to read each profile.

Chris Caldwell wants to involve residents more in planning process. Photo courtesy of Chris Caldwell.

Chris Caldwell registered as a candidate on Jan. 4 before Ootes made a decision not to run.
I looked forward to running against him,” Caldwell said from his home 180 metres outside Ward 29. “There’s a lot I didn’t agree with (Ootes) on but it runs deeper than that. It is how people are engaged in the planning process. They want to see their desires reflected in policy.”
He wants the community to be involved in any development planning application from beginning to end.
“We make better decisions with more information,” said the 41-year-old business analyst and consultant with a background in urban planning.

Case Ootes not seeking re-election

Toronto Danforth councillor calling it quits in 2010
Ootes reflects on 21 years in public office
By Kris Scheuer
(Written Jan. 14 for Town Crier.)

Coun. Case Ootes not running for re-election in Ward 29. Photo by Francis Crescia/Town Crier.

With thoughts turned to a possible career in academia, Case Ootes is foregoing another run at council after two decades representing Toronto-Danforth’s ward 29.
On Jan. 6, Ootes announced his retirement from municipal politics, saying he will not be seeking re-election this year.
The father of four sat down with the Town Crier in his East York Civic Centre constituency office Jan. 13 to discuss how the area he’s represented has changed, life after city hall and a possible new career as a professor.
“I decided some time ago – a year ago,” he said of his decision not to run again. “I have been an elected official for almost 22 years. It has been rewarding, but I want to move on.”

Jane Pitfield runs for Toronto council

Former councillor Jane Pitfield to run for election
She registered as candidate in east end ward
By Kris Scheuer
(Written Jan. 6 for Town Crier.)

Former councillor Jane Pitfield plans to run in Ward 29 after Case Ootes announced he'll retire. Town Crier file photo.

Jane Pitfield wants back into city hall and she’s chosen to run in Toronto-Danforth Ward 29.
Case Ootes the current local rep held a media conference this afternoon announcing he won’t seek re-election in this east end ward.
And at 3 pm today, Pitfield registered as a candidate for the ward she has political roots in.
“I was very surprised when councillor Case Ootes announced his retirement,” she told the media at the city’s election offices.
She met with councillors Ootes, Cliff Jenkins and Michael Walker weeks ago indicating her interest in running if any of them choose not to run.
“All of them said they thought they’d return,” she told the Town Crier today.
Then last night, councillor Ootes called to tell her he would not seek re-election.
“I felt my interest is so strong in coming back. Why wait?” she said in an interview.

Case Ootes won’t seek re-election

Veteran Toronto councillor Case Ootes to retire
By Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier Jan. 6)

Councillor Case Ootes announced Jan. 6 he won't seek re-election after nearly 22 years in politics.

After two decades in municipal politics, Toronto-Danforth Councillor Case Ootes is calling it quits.
He announced today he will not run in the fall city election.
Former Leaside councillor Jane Pitfield plans to register this afternoon to run in his Ward 29.
“I am officially announcing today that I will not be running for re-election next October,” he told the media at 1:30 pm Jan. 6.
“I have been at it for 21 years and it’s been very rewarding, but I want to pursue some other things that are yet to be defined. And I want to spend more time traveling with my wife.”
“I do want to take the opportunity to thank the people of East York for re-electing me seven times over the last 21 years,” said the former deputy mayor under Mel Lastman.

Case Ootes retires, Jane Pitfield runs

Councillor Case Ootes won’t run for re-election
Former politician Jane Pitfield to register today in his ward 29
By Kris Scheuer

Toronto-Danforth Councillor Case Ootes won’t run for re-election in the 2010 race. He is holding a press conference at 1:30 this afternoon, that I will be attending as the Town Crier City Hall Bureau Chief.
And I got a call from former Don Valley West Councillor and unsuccessful mayoralty candidate Jane Pitfield that she will register in Ward 29 today at 3 pm.
Update. As promised, my article on Jane Pitfield running and a separate story on Case Ootes‘s retirement.