Allan Gould: The Eichmann Effect
June 4th, 2012Allan Gould, National Post Jun 1, 2012 Reuters Former Nazi Colonel Adolf Eichmann listens to evidence from inside a bulletproof booth in a Jerusalem court in 1961. Today, the first of June, marks exactly 50 years since one of the most infamous men of the past century, Adolf Eichmann, was hung by the …
Gertrude Stein By Peter Wortherington
June 4th, 2012By Peter Worthington First posted: Saturday, May 26, 2012 Gertrude Stein, seen here in a portrait painted by Picasso, married myth with legend in a controversial life of letters. TORONTO – It’s fair to say that Gertrude Stein is one of those names that resonates among people of advancing age with cultural leanings, but is …
Budget 2012 Public Meeting
December 16th, 2011Parker Enews: A few local mysteries explained
December 5th, 2011The following appeared in my most recent North Toronto Post column: People ask; I answer: Q: What’s with the new roadway and traffic lights at the top end of the Bayview Extension? H: Hydro One is about to implement plans for a substantial upgrade to its midtown supply line extending west from Leaside Station along …
Parker Enews: Provocative and important essay by Jack Diamond in today’s Globe
December 2nd, 2011As we on the City of Toronto Budget Committee sit down today to begin work on the details of the City’s 2012 operating and capital budgets, I was interested to see Toronto architect Jack Diamond’s comments in the editorial pages of today’s Globe and Mail discussing from a large scale perspective the challenge of financing …
Councillor John Parker awarded A+ by Toronto Taxpayer’s Coalition
November 22nd, 2011Always nice when one’s work is recognized. Last week the Toronto Taxpayer’s Coalition issued its report card on the performance of all members of Toronto City Council. Marks were assigned according to criteria that included voting record and also effectiveness in communicating the case for improved fiscal responsibility at Toronto City Hall. Only three members …
Parker Enews: Leaside Gardens expansion project update
November 17th, 2011As a local resident, hockey dad, skating dad, arena board member, and city councillor, one of the local projects that has factored prominently in my life for some time now is the initiative directed towards adding a second rink to the existing Leaside Gardens arena. Three significant milestones in this project have been: (a) the city’s …
Parker Enews: Occupy Toronto, etc.
November 17th, 2011Attached are the latest formal communications that have come my way in the above connection. I know they will be of interest to most Toronto residents. As for me, I have received relatively few enquiries concerning the matter. I am not a member of any of the committees having direct responsibility for dealing with the …
Parker Enews: Bayview sidewalk repairs. At last.
October 31st, 2011Late this past summer I circulated a note indicating that road/sidewalk restoration work was planned for both Millwood and a stretch of Bayview in Ward 26. Work on Millwood began almost immediately after that notice was sent. Preparations for work on Bayview were later begun but then suspended. I am pleased to confirm now that …
Parker Enews: Why I did NOT vote to send the Toronto Zoo elephants to the California PAWS sanctuary
October 28th, 2011One of the decisions made at this week’s Council meeting that attracted a lot of media attention was the decision on humanitarian grounds to have the three remaining elephants at the Toronto Zoo sent to a sanctuary in San Andreas California. The issue is a compelling one for many good reasons and many good people …
Parker Enews: Why I voted for the shark fin ban
October 26th, 2011I participated in the press conference at which the motion to ban shark fin consumption was introduced at City Hall, and was pleased to vote in favour of the ban at Council last evening. Like most Torontonians, I regard the practice of finning as indefensibly barbaric. I also share the growing concern that the consumption …
Parker Enews: Why I voted to sell off TCHC single housing units
October 26th, 2011Toronto Community Housing Corporation is the consolidation of pretty much all social housing in Toronto – including former federal, Ontario Housing, Metro Housing, and City of Toronto housing units. It happens to be the country’s largest landlord, housing over 160,000 tenants in over 58,000 households. I serve on its board of directors. In an all-day public session last …
Mayor Ford’s speech at the Empire Club – 14 October 2011
October 19th, 2011Notes for Remarks by His Worship Mayor Rob Ford at the Empire Club of Canada on 14 October 2011 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY 19 years ago. on October 14, 1992, the Toronto Blue Jays won their first American League pennant. It set up a 2-year run that defied everyone’s expectations. A Toronto team did something no …
Parker Enews: Steve Jobs 2005 Stanford University Commencement Address
October 6th, 2011Steve Jobs was as much philosopher as anything else. Need proof? Read the words (or, as he would probably have you do, view the video link).
Parker News: Must reading – a recent address by David Frum
October 3rd, 2011The linked transcript of a recent address by David Frum is must reading.
Councillor Parker on Port Lands Development – All’s well that ends well
September 27th, 2011Port Lands Development – All’s well that ends well I circulate this message to a number of residents who contacted me specifically on this issue. I am pleased that Toronto City Council this week voted unanimously to retain WaterfronToronto as lead agency for redeveloping the Port Lands, putting an end to the recent proposal to …
Parker Enews: Core Service Review – please respond!
September 13th, 2011Today’s press coverage features accounts of the city manager’s core service review report, including recommendations for elimination of some programs and service level reductions in certain others. The report itself is a 26 page document plus appendices. It can be found at the following link: http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2011.EX10.1 The report will be considered by the city’s Executive Committee at …
Parker Enews: Privatize libraries?
July 27th, 2011The rumours are flying on the subject of speculated proposals for cost reductions in the city’s library system. To be fair, some of the concerns stem from unfortunate comments that have been expressed in response to those rumours. To be clear, however, to my knowledge, there is no proposal under consideration to close, let alone …
Parker Enews: Core Service Review – First Report
July 12th, 2011Ward 26 residents have heard from me before on the matter of the city’s finances. I expect I will have more to say on the subject in the future. Meanwhile, many of you will be aware of the core service review process under way at present as part of the effort to find savings in …
Parker Enews: Turning the corner on car-culture in Thorncliffe
June 22nd, 2011Readers of our local papers might be pleased to receive confirmation that despite the odd distraction that might come along from time to time at city hall, we actually sit down to serious business too. Yesterday North York Community Council considered a proposal to redevelop the Esso station at Thorncliffe Park Drive and Overlea to …