Live: Q&A with George Smitherman

Toronto mayoral candidate George Smitherman joins us here at noon Thursday for a live Q&A. We'll open things up to questions starting about 11 a.m., then please return for the chat at noon.

Where candidates stand on walking and biking

The Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation has released its survey of candidates' positions on walking and cycling issues in the city, asking each whether they support pedestrian policies and the city's bike plan and the timelines they project for implementation. The survey which includes all municipal candidates from mayoral wannabes, to councillors to trustees.

Not all candidates responded, however, including mayoral frontrunner Rob Ford. But he did do the survey in 2006 and his positions haven't really changed.

Here's the media release:

The Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation (TCAT) releases the results of its 2010 Municipal Candidate Election Surveys today. TCAT surveyed all Toronto candidates to provide voters the candidates' views on active transportation issues and the concrete steps that can be taken to improve cycling and walking in Toronto. Surveys were sent in August 2010 to all of the mayoral, councillor and school trustee candidates – 475 candidates in total, with 137 respondents to date.

The survey for mayoral and councilor candidates contained nine questions gauging support for specific cycling, pedestrian and public transit projects in the city. School trustee candidates received a different survey, related to increasing opportunities for students to safely walk or bike to school. Of particular interest was support expressed for TCAT’s top three priorities for the next term of council:

• A Complete Streets Policy for Toronto: 69% per cent of 13 mayoral candidates and 77% of 84 council candidates strongly support developing and implementing a Complete Streets policy. This policy would ensure our streets are routinely designed to provide the safe travel of all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.
• Full implementation of the Toronto Walking Strategy by 2019: 54% of 13 mayoral candidates and 79% of 84 council candidates say they would fully staff and fund the Pedestrian Projects Unit of the Public Realm Section.
• Building a new major east-west bicycle lane on Bloor Street and Danforth Avenue: 46% of 13 mayoral candidates and 45% of 83 council candidates strongly support this important artery for cyclists.

“It was important that our questions reflected issues that both our coalition members and the city as a whole have told us are major concerns and priorities,” said Nancy Smith Lea, TCAT Director. “We asked about a Complete Streets Policy because they are hugely successful in the United States, Toronto transportation staff supports it, and it provides a holistic solution to providing safe streets for all users of Toronto’s streets,” continued Smith Lea.

Promoting cycling, walking, and public transit use is crucial for Toronto to reduce local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions; fight obesity; provide safe routes for the elderly, children and people with disabilities; and bolster local businesses. “Safety, health and the economy are all concerns that the majority of the population shares. Promoting policies that improve the safety of our streets increases the number of people walking and biking. This in turn improves individual’s health and increased customer traffic to local businesses. These surveys provide voters what they need to choose candidates that will take steps to promote active transportation,” said Smith Lea.

To read the candidates’ individual responses, visit TCAT’s web site

Download the full summary reports: mayoral, councillor, and school trustee.

Download a copy of this press release here.

Background
This is the second Toronto election that TCAT has conducted a municipal candidate survey, with questions based on its active transportation platform. The 2010 TCAT platform, “Action 2014: Taking the Next Step,” provides a detailed analysis of concrete steps for the city to take in all areas of its operations to improve walking and cycling in the next term of council.

In full: Sarah Thomson's "should I stay or should I go" email

The Star reported this morning that Sarah Thomson is "considering dropping out of the race to help prevent the 'huge crisis' of Rob Ford becoming Toronto mayor." It marks the first time in this campaign that one of the five main candidates has openly raised the possibility of dropping out, although the Star revealed earlier this month that Rocco Rossi, unable to get any tractions with voters, considered withdrawing in August.

Our cross-town rival the Globe interviewed Thomson this morning and she said talk of her dropping out is "ridiculous." But then she added: "Well, today it is anyway." That is not surprising - it's hard to continue as a serious candidate once people know you have one eye on the exit.

Thomson sent the Star an email Thursday night after being told we had two independent sources saying her camp had had discussions with at least one other camp, Rossi's, and the idea of her dropping out had been floated. A story to that effect would be in the paper. Below is the full email she sent in response. You be the judge - is she pondering a possible departure?

Hi David,

I have been in discussions with all teams to build consensus and work collaboratively. After 8 months of working together with Rob, day in and day out, we have all seen the real Rob Ford and we all understand what a huge crisis Toronto would be in if Rob Ford were to become Mayor.

 

I have had a solid 10% support across the city. Smitherman has been coming down since he started and Joe hasn't been able to change his support.

 

I have not  made any decision to step down. I know I have a solid 10% and a passionate tenacious team -- we don't have the money to do big advertising campaigns -- but word of mouth and passion have got us this far. We are working, as everyone else is, to see if we can garner the support that Smitherman can't seem to attract.

 

The next two weeks will determine if one of us can rise up or not.

 

Best,

Sarah

Ford was Levy's biggest campaign contributor

The Sun's Sue-Ann Levy and front-runner Rob Ford Do-Si-Do

The Sun's Sue-Ann Levy has been championing front-runner Rob Ford throughout the race. Another of her favourite topics is the "sweetheart" deal the city awarded the Boardwalk Pub (owned by the Foulidis family) in the Eastern Beaches. She has suspiciously pointed to the fact that the Foulidis family donated to local councillor Sandra Bussin's past campaigns.

Someone who is admittedly not a fan of Levy's passed this on asking: is she being a bit hypocritical?

Turns out, Ford was the largest contributor to Levy's failed provincial campaign in 2009. The Etobicoke councillor gave the maximum $1000. Councillor Doug Holyday and his wife contributed $250 each. The three were among 31 donors who gave more than $100.

Read anything into it? We don't.

CAA surveys mayoral candidates in and around Toronto

Issues continue to be lost in this municipal election as Rob Ford's lead continues to dominate Toronto's mayoral race. To keep that lead Ford continues to say more of the same vague stuff with which he opened and his opponents look increasingly desperate.

But once you get past the surprise Ford juggernaut, transportation remains the top concern for many voters in the city and around the region.

So the CAA has put the question of transportation priorities to Toronto mayoral candidates and those in other municipalities, including Burlington, Mississauga and Vaughan. Clearly many candidates didn't respond but some might see that as interesting of itself.

You won't be surprised by the responses, many of which are formulaic out-takes from formulaic platforms but if you're just starting to pay attention to the specifics of the race have a look.

Live: Q&A with Rocco Rossi

Toronto mayoralty candidate Rocco Rossi joined us at noon Thursday, fielding questions in a live Q&A.

Ford is running strong -- but will he bike?

Toronto Cyclists Union has convinced three of the major mayoral candidates and several lesser-knowns to go on a group ride through Toronto rush-hour on Monday morning.

"The ride will stay within the core, between Bathurst and Bay, Bloor and Queen," the union's head, Yvonne Bambrick, said in a news release.

"Candidates will experience almost the full range of scenarios faced on a daily urban commute by bicycle – they will cycle on arterials with bike lanes, without bike lanes, on roads with construction, on minor arterials, and on side streets. This ride will not however take candidates into the less welcoming suburban cycling environment where traffic speeds are higher."

Bambrick said in an interview that Rocco Rossi and Sarah Thomson (who both have bike plans with a strong preference for keeping two-wheelers off main arterials) and Joe Pantalone (who says all vehicles have to learn to get along) have confirmed. George Smitherman has a scheduling conflict and asked to a private ride, Bambrick said. She's hoping he'll find a way to make it Monday.

And Rob Ford? The mini-van-driving Etobicoke councillor is no fans of bikes or bike lanes, as evidenced by a viral YouTube video where he tells city council that cyclists have only one person to blame if they get hit: "My heart bleeds for them when I hear somebody gets killed, but it's their own fault at the end of the day."

Bambrick said a Ford aide told her he is busy Monday morning but, Bambrick says, "I'm holding out hope that he'll make it out."

Barring rain, the politicos are set to roll away from 215 Spadina Ave., at Sullivan St., at 8:30 a.m. on Monday Sept. 27. The half-hour ride ends back at 215 Spadina.

 

Hot-button issues galore on tap for Wednesday's mayoral debate

The second mayoral debate in the series hosted by the MaRS Discovery District, on Wednesday night at York University's Keele St. campus, will focus on the hot-button issues -- finance, transportation and managing the city.

Opinion polls have consistently ranked transportation and city governance -- particularly how the city spends money -- as top-of-mind for voters. Rob Ford's acendance in those same polls while hammering away at Mayor David Miller's left-leaning council for wasting money suggests that is the only issue that matters for many.

Ford is promising to radically cut spending and contract out services to save labour costs, George Smitherman is promising financial rigour but says he would have a more careful hand, with Rocco Rossi and Sarah Thomson striking a similar tone, while Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone is alone is saying stay the spending course, albeit with tweaks.

On transit, plans range from Ford's plan to build more subways and scrap streetcars altogether to Pantalone's endorsement of the existing light-rail-based Transit City blueprint.

Among the panelists will be the Star's Royson James, who is guaranteed to put some feet to the political fire. The Star is a media sponsor.

The debate starts at 7 p.m. and is at York's Tribute Communities Recital Hall, Accolade East Bldg. 4700 Keele Street.

T.O. food vendors wither; New York's battle Iron Chef -style

 

We chronicled the sad state of the Toronto à la Cart program in Saturday's Star.

Back in March, we interviewed Sean Basinski, the champion of New York City's huge and diverse street food scene. He said the eight participants in Toronto's program were "set up for failure" with red tape and restrictions while their NYC counterparts flourish. There , the 3,000 year-round and 1,000 seasonal food vendors need only a $200 permit, a $200 business licence and a health and safety inspection, and the public benefits with tasty, safe food all over the city, he said.

To rub delicious sea salt in our wound, Gotham is hosting a battle of the vendors to determine the "top street chef."

Moroccan, Mexican, Venezuelan -- it's enough to make you cry into your fries.

Here's the press release:

6^TH ANNUAL FOOD FIGHT TO DETERMINE NYC’S TOP STREET CHEF

Finalists Announced for Beloved Vendy Awards Cook-off

New York – The Street Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center today announced the five street vendors who will compete in New York City’s sixth annual Vendy Awards, the intense grill-to-grill cook-off to determine New York’s top street chef. 

One of the city’s most beloved and widely anticipated food events, the Vendys are the premier street food showcase and last year attracted 800 savvy street foodie attendees. This year’s Vendys will take place on Governor’s Island on September 25^th.

“The Vendy Awards shine a spotlight on New York City’s most talented sidewalk chefs,” said Sean Basinski, Director of the Street Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center. “Only on this night do the best of the best – our concrete elite from across the city – unite for a fantastic food fight to win the 2010 Vendy Cup.”

These outstanding finalists are in the running for the coveted Vendy Cup:

• After only a year as a street chef, Yassir Zraouli and his Bistro Truck have foodies buzzing about his Moroccan inspired bistro-fare that’s bringing the casual vibe and deep flavors of the Mediterranean to high end fare like lamb and fish.

• Brother and sister "Rosa" Ofelia Cardoso and "Vilio" Viliulfo have served up traditional Mexican fare from their hometown, Puebla for two decades – after 17 years in the Bronx, they stormed midtown with their El Rey de Sabor cart three years ago.

• Astoria’s self-appointed “King of Falafel” and returning Vendys nominee from 2007 and 2009, Freddy Zeidaies says his chicken platter with pickled turnips is ready for its turn in the winner’s circle.

• Rain, wind, and blizzards haven’t keep Liliana Velasquez and Adolfo Gonzalez from serving up authentic Venezuelan street food 362-days-a-year at their Patacon Pisao truck in Inwood. 

• After nabbing the Rookie Vendor crown last year, Oleg Voss of Schnitzels and Things is taking his hand-pounded, lightly-breaded, fried- to-perfection cutlets to the big leagues and hoping to continue their winning streak.

“In the street food capital of the world, who can pick a favorite? They’re all so delicious,” said Amy Kantrowitz, Director of the Vendys for the Street Vendor Project. “The Vendy Awards are definitely New York City’s most mouth-watering moveable feast.”

Starting in May, New Yorkers were encouraged to nominate their sweetest or most savory street vendor online at www.streetvendor.org/vendys.  Over a thousand loyal customers packed the ballot boxes to determine which sidewalk chefs would face off as finalists.

The winner of the coveted Vendy cup will be determined by a panel of esteemed judges who will evaluate the vendors on a number of factors, including flavor, portability and personality. This year’s judges include Leslie Koch, President of The Trust for Governors Island; Molly O’Neill, former New York Times reporter and food columnist, cookbook author, and host of the PBS series Great Food; Aarón Sanchez, owner and executive chef of Centrico restaurant currently planning the opening of his own taco truck; Stephen Starr, owner of 20 restaurants previously  awarded “Restaurateur of the Year” by Bon Appétit magazine and Zagat; and Tanya Wenman Steel, Editor–in-Chief of Epicurious.com since 2005. They will be joined by Citizen Judge Alyson Waller of Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.

The street food enthusiasts attending the cook-off will have the opportunity to weigh-in for their favorite street meat as well. The vendor receiving the most audience votes will win The People’s Taste Award. The audience will also select the crème de crème in a dessert truck category and a Rookie Vendor of the Year category. Nominees for both categories will be announced later this month.

“Once a year, we come together to celebrate New York City street cuisine and the hardworking food vendors.  The Vendy Awards are our way of increasing New Yorkers’ recognition and appreciation of the food on the street,” added Basinski.

The all-you-eat cook-off will feature an open bar of beer and wine. The event is on track to sell out well ahead of time, so Vendys fans are encouraged to purchase tickets ($85 and up) ahead of time online at www.streetvendor.org.

Portland mayor delivers some inspiration to Toronto businesses

It's a shame not a single mayoral candidate showed up for what was arguably the most inspirational talk on city building that's been heard during this year's municipal election -- and it came from a guy who's not even running, at least not here -- Portland Mayor Sam Adams.

He regaled the Tuesday breakfast crowd at the Toronto Board of Trade with the strategies Portland is using to become one of the most sustainable cities on the continent.

The west-coast city has a certain vibe and a green culture but it's not content to rest on its progressive roots.

It boasts a whopping 8 per cent of trips by bike and 15 per cent of trips on transit -- staggering statistics in the U.S. and impressive by this region's standards. But Adams says that's not good enough. He wants to double those numbers and reduce by half the 66 per cent of trips that happen in Portland by car by 2030.

He congratulated Toronto on having the wisdom not to tear up its streetcar tracks in the 1970s when virtually every city in North America was doing just that. In the 1960s Portland rebuilt its downtown streetcar network, which runs in mixed traffic, and it has since built a modern light rail system on dedicated rights of way into the suburbs.

Portland is also creating what Adams called 20-minute neighbourhoods by taking inventory of what services are available within an easy 20-minute stroll of people's homes and bolstering the goods and services that would normally send residents into their cars to drive for a litre of milk or take the kids to piano lessons.

In an interview after the speech, Adams told The Toronto Star that grocery stores are key partners in transportation planning in his city.

A quick Google and it's clear that Adams is no saint -- his personal problems have received a full public airing -- and he doesn't claim his city is Nirvana.

But he makes no apologies for the public investments Portland is making in sustainable industries, neighbourhoods and transportation.

"If these efforts didn't give the public the best value proposition I wouldn't be promoting them," he said.