Here's the wire story. Flame away, fans.
http://www.thechamplainchannel.com/wnne/2626467/detail.html
Hijack: The Manchester Primaries are no more. Apparently the locals didn't like the name either. Click on my name to read the story, and SEE the old logo (which I kinda like).
Hijack: The Manchester Primaries are no more. Apparently the locals didn't like the name either. Click on my name to read the story, and SEE the old logo (which I kinda like).
Hijack2: Miller's up by 14 000 with 1322 polls reporting.
We have a new mayor.
We have a new mayor.
Berroa deserved to win. I'm surprised and glad that he did.
As for the NL, Brandon Webb was superior to Dontrelle Willis in all respects except wins and flair. Webb got seven 1st-place votes (out of 32), but seven other voters didn't have him in their top three. Hmmph.
As for the NL, Brandon Webb was superior to Dontrelle Willis in all respects except wins and flair. Webb got seven 1st-place votes (out of 32), but seven other voters didn't have him in their top three. Hmmph.
In honour of TO's new mayor, I ran a check on baseball's "Millers". There's Stu and Wade and Orlando and Damian. But, what about Corky, Cyclone, Dogie and Dots?
I'd say that Stu was the best of them. He had a 16 year career, and pitched exceedingly well from age 35-40 for Baltimore from 1963-67. Wade has a chance to be even better.
I'd say that Stu was the best of them. He had a 16 year career, and pitched exceedingly well from age 35-40 for Baltimore from 1963-67. Wade has a chance to be even better.
I was happy, even ecstatic, to see that Berroa won out over media favorites Baldelli and Matsui. Then I saw that Willis won and thought I could live with it, but Webb in third!?!?! Come on ...
Personally:
AL
1. Berroa
2. Gerut
3. Matsui
NL
1. Webb
2. Podsednik
3. Willis
Personally:
AL
1. Berroa
2. Gerut
3. Matsui
NL
1. Webb
2. Podsednik
3. Willis
Ahhh, a mayor with integrity. Now all those Montrealers can stop laughing at me for not knowing what the WHO is by association!
What date was the ROY voting completed?
What date was the ROY voting completed?
Voters must turn in all ballots the day after the season ends.
Not too many 10-9 pitchers are going to win Rookie of the Year, just as 14-12 guys aren't going to win the Cy. Maybe that's too bad; W/L record isn't an ideal way to decide between guys. Willis only really hangs with Webb in most stat categories due to the vagaries of park effects; outside of Coors Field - which almost nobody understands correctly - most writers don't acknowledge park effects at all.
It wasn't a horrible selection. I don't think it was the right selection (I had Webb and Podsednik in a virtual tie, with Willis a strong third) but it wasn't horrible.
Berroa in the AL was an excellent choice from the writers. I criticise them pretty fulsomely when they make a bad pick, so let me be the very first to blow their horn when they make an excellent pick. Berroa deserved to win, and he won, and well done to the voters.
As for David Miller, I'm just glad *I* don't live in the City of Toronto. When I say "well done to the voters", it stops at AL Rookie of the Year. (We made the wrong decision here in Hamilton too - oh well).
But seeing Barbara "I Stand For Nothing" Hall get utterly trounced was sooooooo sweet.
It wasn't a horrible selection. I don't think it was the right selection (I had Webb and Podsednik in a virtual tie, with Willis a strong third) but it wasn't horrible.
Berroa in the AL was an excellent choice from the writers. I criticise them pretty fulsomely when they make a bad pick, so let me be the very first to blow their horn when they make an excellent pick. Berroa deserved to win, and he won, and well done to the voters.
As for David Miller, I'm just glad *I* don't live in the City of Toronto. When I say "well done to the voters", it stops at AL Rookie of the Year. (We made the wrong decision here in Hamilton too - oh well).
But seeing Barbara "I Stand For Nothing" Hall get utterly trounced was sooooooo sweet.
As for David Miller, I'm just glad *I* don't live in the City of Toronto. When I say "well done to the voters", it stops at AL Rookie of the Year. (We made the wrong decision here in Hamilton too - oh well).
Ha, it's not that bad, really. But, I have to say, as a disinterested non-Canadian I found the Miller campaign borderline hilarious. Where I am in the Annex (near downtown) there were a lot of Miller signs on a lot of yards, and we got a lot of his fliers in the mailbox. Miller's slogan is "clean up the city" or something very similar. If he means avoid scandals, perhaps he can be forgiven and maybe he even has some credibility there (to be honest I have no idea). But, prominent in his campaign are promises to protect the citizens of T.O. from the horrors associated with a couple dozen more flights per day into the downtown island airport. (One of his fliers had quotes from people like Sheila Basrur discussing the deleterious health effects from marginal increases of pollution from airplane exhaust.) Meanwhile, as I understand it, Miller has the backing of the public employees union (except the police), which presumably includes such people as the bus drivers and trash collectors. Now, does anyone care to estimate how much air pollution in T.O. in aggregate is caused by the massive TTC bus fleet, compared to the pollution caused in T.O. by the current or future planes flying into the island airport? 100:1? 1000:1? 10,000:1? (I'm talking about fine particulate or incomplete combustion byproducts that causes smog or lung problems; not CO2.) The basic idea here is that we need to be realistic about what the problems actually are, and blaming a few airplanes that fly out over the lake is ridiculous.
Or take the municipal trash collection. I don't think too many people would argue if you claimed that there is too much random loose trash on the city streets. What is the source of it? Some is from the occasional litterbug, but not much. (I don't think I've ever seen a pedestrian actually drop trash on the street. There is something to be said about Canadian politeness.) Some is from trash bags that raccoons have clawed their way into. (It's amusing to go out for a walk the night before trash day. You run into huge, fat raccoons on every block. They're absolutely spoiled.) Anyway, a big chunk of the random trash on the street is from sloppy municipal trash collectors. I'm not kidding. They spill bins while they're dumping the contents into the backs of the trash trucks, and from what I've seen a number of times, these guys apparently have no incentive whatsoever to pick up what they spill. It just sits on the street and they drive off. (I work out of the house so I'm around in the neighborhood when the trash collectors come by. I don't actually stalk them or anything, I just look out the window and watch.)
Anyway, maybe Miller will "clean up the city", but he'll have to fight through his own hard core constituency to do it.
< /rant >
< /hijack >
Ha, it's not that bad, really. But, I have to say, as a disinterested non-Canadian I found the Miller campaign borderline hilarious. Where I am in the Annex (near downtown) there were a lot of Miller signs on a lot of yards, and we got a lot of his fliers in the mailbox. Miller's slogan is "clean up the city" or something very similar. If he means avoid scandals, perhaps he can be forgiven and maybe he even has some credibility there (to be honest I have no idea). But, prominent in his campaign are promises to protect the citizens of T.O. from the horrors associated with a couple dozen more flights per day into the downtown island airport. (One of his fliers had quotes from people like Sheila Basrur discussing the deleterious health effects from marginal increases of pollution from airplane exhaust.) Meanwhile, as I understand it, Miller has the backing of the public employees union (except the police), which presumably includes such people as the bus drivers and trash collectors. Now, does anyone care to estimate how much air pollution in T.O. in aggregate is caused by the massive TTC bus fleet, compared to the pollution caused in T.O. by the current or future planes flying into the island airport? 100:1? 1000:1? 10,000:1? (I'm talking about fine particulate or incomplete combustion byproducts that causes smog or lung problems; not CO2.) The basic idea here is that we need to be realistic about what the problems actually are, and blaming a few airplanes that fly out over the lake is ridiculous.
Or take the municipal trash collection. I don't think too many people would argue if you claimed that there is too much random loose trash on the city streets. What is the source of it? Some is from the occasional litterbug, but not much. (I don't think I've ever seen a pedestrian actually drop trash on the street. There is something to be said about Canadian politeness.) Some is from trash bags that raccoons have clawed their way into. (It's amusing to go out for a walk the night before trash day. You run into huge, fat raccoons on every block. They're absolutely spoiled.) Anyway, a big chunk of the random trash on the street is from sloppy municipal trash collectors. I'm not kidding. They spill bins while they're dumping the contents into the backs of the trash trucks, and from what I've seen a number of times, these guys apparently have no incentive whatsoever to pick up what they spill. It just sits on the street and they drive off. (I work out of the house so I'm around in the neighborhood when the trash collectors come by. I don't actually stalk them or anything, I just look out the window and watch.)
Anyway, maybe Miller will "clean up the city", but he'll have to fight through his own hard core constituency to do it.
< /rant >
< /hijack >
Apologies in advance for discussing politics on Da Box.
But, prominent in his campaign are promises to protect the citizens of T.O. from the horrors associated with a couple dozen more flights per day into the downtown island airport.
I think it's a "thin edge of the wedge" problem - I recall reading that somebody is applying to fly jets out of the Island airport (which is currently banned). Once you build the bridge, there's more pressure to expand the airport and increase the number of flights.
One of the joys of living in Toronto is enjoying the waterfront, and it would be less enjoyable with lots of loud airplanes flying overhead.
The airport deal is also symbolic: it was backroom politics, with the average citizen's needs not consulted, or even thought about.
Now, does anyone care to estimate how much air pollution in T.O. in aggregate is caused by the massive TTC bus fleet, compared to the pollution caused in T.O. by the current or future planes flying into the island airport?
Buses are noisy and stinky, and they pollute - but they pollute less than if all their passengers were driving cars instead. (Me, I prefer streetcars and subways to buses. When are they going to finish rebuilding Broadview station, already? :-))
But, prominent in his campaign are promises to protect the citizens of T.O. from the horrors associated with a couple dozen more flights per day into the downtown island airport.
I think it's a "thin edge of the wedge" problem - I recall reading that somebody is applying to fly jets out of the Island airport (which is currently banned). Once you build the bridge, there's more pressure to expand the airport and increase the number of flights.
One of the joys of living in Toronto is enjoying the waterfront, and it would be less enjoyable with lots of loud airplanes flying overhead.
The airport deal is also symbolic: it was backroom politics, with the average citizen's needs not consulted, or even thought about.
Now, does anyone care to estimate how much air pollution in T.O. in aggregate is caused by the massive TTC bus fleet, compared to the pollution caused in T.O. by the current or future planes flying into the island airport?
Buses are noisy and stinky, and they pollute - but they pollute less than if all their passengers were driving cars instead. (Me, I prefer streetcars and subways to buses. When are they going to finish rebuilding Broadview station, already? :-))
I thought it was a good campaign.
Two clearly differentiated candidates with distinct ideas about substantive issues. It was a close race, with very little personal muslinging. And the mushy-centre-stand-for-nothing candidate got killed. It looked a lot like how democracy is supposed to look.
I voted for Miller (I'm one of those people in the Annex with the Millre signs, gid), but whoever won, I was satisfied with the campaign.
On a baseball-related note, Tory would have been good for the Jays, since it would put a direct link, through Rogers, between the Jays and the mayor's office. However, it would also have been an invitation to ugly backroom stuff on the Jays, so as far as the integrity of the game goes, Miller is probably safer.
Two clearly differentiated candidates with distinct ideas about substantive issues. It was a close race, with very little personal muslinging. And the mushy-centre-stand-for-nothing candidate got killed. It looked a lot like how democracy is supposed to look.
I voted for Miller (I'm one of those people in the Annex with the Millre signs, gid), but whoever won, I was satisfied with the campaign.
On a baseball-related note, Tory would have been good for the Jays, since it would put a direct link, through Rogers, between the Jays and the mayor's office. However, it would also have been an invitation to ugly backroom stuff on the Jays, so as far as the integrity of the game goes, Miller is probably safer.
I read in the paper this morning that a voter left Matsui off the ballot because he didn't feel he was a 'true' rookie. If he had voted Matsui first Matsui would have won.
This person should have their voting privileges revoked.
It's not the job of the voter to interpret the rules, it's the job of the voter to follow the rules. The rookie eligibility rules are very black and white. Whether he agrees with the rules of not is immaterial. If he had that much of a problem he should have let someone else vote.
(FWIW the other voter who didn't vote for Matsui didn't because he didn't think he was in the top 3).
This person should have their voting privileges revoked.
It's not the job of the voter to interpret the rules, it's the job of the voter to follow the rules. The rookie eligibility rules are very black and white. Whether he agrees with the rules of not is immaterial. If he had that much of a problem he should have let someone else vote.
(FWIW the other voter who didn't vote for Matsui didn't because he didn't think he was in the top 3).
On Rememberence Day the Blue Jays will be looking to the past and contacting two of there former players Paul Quantrill and Pat Hentgen to see if they are interested in returning.
Consider that TTC buses keep cars off the road and so they cause a NET decrease in pollution.
The main problem is that the transportation infrastructure has been run down in the last 20 years. We need to reverse that. It will take awhile to find funds, but a major expansion of the subway is needed as well as more "clean" buses.
If it were up to me, I'd shut the island airport down. It's used by a few wealthy individuals who want quick access to the downtown (that's the real reason behind the proposed bridge linking it to the mainland). As far as I'm concerned, they can take their jets to Pearson.
The waterfront needs to be revitalized so it can be more attractive for tourists: a bridge would be an eyesore and perhaps destroy the possibility of a beautiful waterfront stretched from one end of the city to the other.
The main problem is that the transportation infrastructure has been run down in the last 20 years. We need to reverse that. It will take awhile to find funds, but a major expansion of the subway is needed as well as more "clean" buses.
If it were up to me, I'd shut the island airport down. It's used by a few wealthy individuals who want quick access to the downtown (that's the real reason behind the proposed bridge linking it to the mainland). As far as I'm concerned, they can take their jets to Pearson.
The waterfront needs to be revitalized so it can be more attractive for tourists: a bridge would be an eyesore and perhaps destroy the possibility of a beautiful waterfront stretched from one end of the city to the other.
Here's a great follow-up on the Manchster fiasco.
http://economics.about.com
I thought the reason they were building the bridge was because the Rochester-Toronto ferry is going to dock near the island airport. That's what the talk in Rochester was. Anyone know for sure?
I thought the reason they were building the bridge was because the Rochester-Toronto ferry is going to dock near the island airport. That's what the talk in Rochester was. Anyone know for sure?
Well said, Robert.
I could find no Torys in baseball history, but a bunch of Rogers, with Steve and Kenny being the pick of the lot. The Halls had a couple of players who started out great and faded fast, Jimmie and Mel. Jimmie hit 33 hrs as a 25 year old rookie in 497 ABs. His home run totals in succeeding years were: 25, 20, 20, 16, 2, 3, 2. A little resemblance there to the popularity of his namesake.
I could find no Torys in baseball history, but a bunch of Rogers, with Steve and Kenny being the pick of the lot. The Halls had a couple of players who started out great and faded fast, Jimmie and Mel. Jimmie hit 33 hrs as a 25 year old rookie in 497 ABs. His home run totals in succeeding years were: 25, 20, 20, 16, 2, 3, 2. A little resemblance there to the popularity of his namesake.
Didn't Quantrill complain about Ricciardi after he was traded? Something to do with one of Ricciardi's assistants, not Ricciardi himself, calling Quantrill. If Quantrill was upset about that, he might not be thrilled about returning to Toronto.
Well one hopes that is water under the bridge two years later. If the Jays come to him serious about bringing him back I doubt he'd hold a grudge. But then who knows. I think Paul was just as upset that he had signed a 3-year deal to stay with the team and got traded.
I think the bigger issue will likely be that Paul might just be out of the Jays price range both in dollars and in years. If we've learned anything about the Yankees the last few years, they'll go hard after Hawkins, Rhodes, Quantrill, and maybe even one of the many closers out there to solve their middle relief issues. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Yankees trot out a $25 million bullpen next year.
It definately makes sense that the Jays at least called his agent expressing interest so they have a foot in the door should he become a real possibility. I think they'll do the same for all of the major relievers out there...maybe someone will be left without a team in late December or early January.
I think the bigger issue will likely be that Paul might just be out of the Jays price range both in dollars and in years. If we've learned anything about the Yankees the last few years, they'll go hard after Hawkins, Rhodes, Quantrill, and maybe even one of the many closers out there to solve their middle relief issues. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Yankees trot out a $25 million bullpen next year.
It definately makes sense that the Jays at least called his agent expressing interest so they have a foot in the door should he become a real possibility. I think they'll do the same for all of the major relievers out there...maybe someone will be left without a team in late December or early January.
I don't know that signing Quantrill would be about money. He turned down a pretty sizeable option to remain in L.A. ($3.1 million, iirc). Unless he's got a very bad agent, he knows he's not likely to do significantly better than that. So it's possible he just wants to play closer to home, or in a different environment. So long as he doesn't think Ricciardi's a jerk, that could be Toronto.
I would assume he still talks to some of his former teammates, so perhaps they can give him a better view of J.P. Quantrill would be great to have around, as long as the salary's not too high.
I would assume he still talks to some of his former teammates, so perhaps they can give him a better view of J.P. Quantrill would be great to have around, as long as the salary's not too high.
Sorry for being off-topic again,
Consider that TTC buses keep cars off the road and so they cause a NET decrease in pollution.
That might be true for some buses, e.g. during rush hour, but in general it depends on how clean the bus is. Cars are built to strict emission control standards (e.g. from California; maybe Canada or its provinces have their own strict standards, I don't know); buses are typically diesel and are presumably much dirtier per gallon burned. It also depends on how full the bus is. A lot of TTC buses are not very full. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to all buses, just to ones that aren't rationally utilized. The TTC schedule appears to be optimized for giving drivers nice 8-hour shifts, rather than meeting actual demand in a cost-effective manner. The predictable result is that the buses are jam packed during rush hour and are often close to empty otherwise.
If it were up to me, I'd shut the island airport down. It's used by a few wealthy individuals who want quick access to the downtown (that's the real reason behind the proposed bridge linking it to the mainland). As far as I'm concerned, they can take their jets to Pearson.
Actually, I agree with you as far as the island airport, but for a different reason. I would also paint parking spaces on the runway, build the bridge, and then let folks walk/bike/drive/etc across. Right now taking the ferry is slow and expensive. If revitilization is the goal, a bridge to the under-utilized parks on the island seems like a good start. Pay for it by charging a reasonable parking fee (thus peds and cyclists pay nothing).
Consider that TTC buses keep cars off the road and so they cause a NET decrease in pollution.
That might be true for some buses, e.g. during rush hour, but in general it depends on how clean the bus is. Cars are built to strict emission control standards (e.g. from California; maybe Canada or its provinces have their own strict standards, I don't know); buses are typically diesel and are presumably much dirtier per gallon burned. It also depends on how full the bus is. A lot of TTC buses are not very full. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to all buses, just to ones that aren't rationally utilized. The TTC schedule appears to be optimized for giving drivers nice 8-hour shifts, rather than meeting actual demand in a cost-effective manner. The predictable result is that the buses are jam packed during rush hour and are often close to empty otherwise.
If it were up to me, I'd shut the island airport down. It's used by a few wealthy individuals who want quick access to the downtown (that's the real reason behind the proposed bridge linking it to the mainland). As far as I'm concerned, they can take their jets to Pearson.
Actually, I agree with you as far as the island airport, but for a different reason. I would also paint parking spaces on the runway, build the bridge, and then let folks walk/bike/drive/etc across. Right now taking the ferry is slow and expensive. If revitilization is the goal, a bridge to the under-utilized parks on the island seems like a good start. Pay for it by charging a reasonable parking fee (thus peds and cyclists pay nothing).
Since JP has admitted (I don't remember which interview it was) that the trading of Q was the move he most regrets having made, I think there'd be no baggage to get in the way of a new deal. Except maybe a no-trade clause...
I can't help but smile thinking of a Jays pitching staff that includes Q and Hentgen. Forgetting all about their pitching abilities (which will be a welcome addition); they will be a good influence on an already good clubhouse.
Imagine having Halladay, Q and Hentgen around to influence the young guys down on the farm in Spring Training. Imagine them being around for any call-ups that happen. Imagine (if you are willing to take a leap) the two being around in 2005, when the young arms should start making regular appearances in the majors.
Pitching, maybe more than anything else, can be influenced greatly by the coaching and support staff. (Just look at Halladay.) A couple of veterans could really help teach the young guys how to pitch, rather than just throw.
Ah, it is to dream. I'd really love to see Hentgen and Quantrill back.
Imagine having Halladay, Q and Hentgen around to influence the young guys down on the farm in Spring Training. Imagine them being around for any call-ups that happen. Imagine (if you are willing to take a leap) the two being around in 2005, when the young arms should start making regular appearances in the majors.
Pitching, maybe more than anything else, can be influenced greatly by the coaching and support staff. (Just look at Halladay.) A couple of veterans could really help teach the young guys how to pitch, rather than just throw.
Ah, it is to dream. I'd really love to see Hentgen and Quantrill back.
Ah, the freakish world of blog communications in which the actual topic of a thread really doesn't matter ...
Back to AL ROY, the best line I've heard so far came on local Dallas radio (KTCK 1310 The Ticket) in which the sports ticker guy announced it this way ...
"Mark Teixeira did not win the American League Rookie of the Year award -- in fact he finished fifth, ensuring that 10 years from now, Jody Gerut and Rocco Baldelli, who finished ahead of him, will win lots of bar bets about their places on the ballot."
Back to AL ROY, the best line I've heard so far came on local Dallas radio (KTCK 1310 The Ticket) in which the sports ticker guy announced it this way ...
"Mark Teixeira did not win the American League Rookie of the Year award -- in fact he finished fifth, ensuring that 10 years from now, Jody Gerut and Rocco Baldelli, who finished ahead of him, will win lots of bar bets about their places on the ballot."
Some buses are clean and others aren't; some cars are relatively clean and many aren't. The main point is that cars typically have only 1 or 2 occupants, while buses that run during the day are rarely empty.
I'm for streetcars and subway trains, but no one is clamouring for streetcar rails in the suburbs and subway building requires a lot of investment. Buses are the only answer for the moment and of course the city should be doing everything it can to phase out the older buses.
Being opposed to a bridge to the island and airport expansion does not preclude one from calling for more capital investment in the TTC - indeed that's part of Miller's platform.
I'm for streetcars and subway trains, but no one is clamouring for streetcar rails in the suburbs and subway building requires a lot of investment. Buses are the only answer for the moment and of course the city should be doing everything it can to phase out the older buses.
Being opposed to a bridge to the island and airport expansion does not preclude one from calling for more capital investment in the TTC - indeed that's part of Miller's platform.
Actually, I agree with you as far as the island airport, but for a different reason. I would also paint parking spaces on the runway, build the bridge, and then let folks walk/bike/drive/etc across. Right now taking the ferry is slow and expensive. If revitilization is the goal, a bridge to the under-utilized parks on the island seems like a good start. Pay for it by charging a reasonable parking fee (thus peds and cyclists pay nothing).
Aside from emergency services, there are no motorized vehicles allowed on the islands (as far as I know, most of those vehicles are electric). If the parks are under-utilized then that is a good thing. They are an oasis, a sanctuary from the car-clogged insanity we call a modern city. In a way, it's a good thing the ferry is a little pricey (it isn't slow at all, and the trip across is really enjoyable) - it keeps the islands from being overrun. I am vehemently opposed to allowing private vehicles onto those islands - it would destroy something very unique.
I wouldn't be opposed to a foot/bicycle bridge as long as it wasn't an eyesore.
It's the waterfront on the mainland side that needs to be revitalized (get rid of the remnants of the industrial past and make it pedestrian friendly). The islands are close to perfect in my view. If we could get rid of that damn airport, the islands would be parkland/reserve adjacent to a small, picturesque community. What could be better than that?
Aside from emergency services, there are no motorized vehicles allowed on the islands (as far as I know, most of those vehicles are electric). If the parks are under-utilized then that is a good thing. They are an oasis, a sanctuary from the car-clogged insanity we call a modern city. In a way, it's a good thing the ferry is a little pricey (it isn't slow at all, and the trip across is really enjoyable) - it keeps the islands from being overrun. I am vehemently opposed to allowing private vehicles onto those islands - it would destroy something very unique.
I wouldn't be opposed to a foot/bicycle bridge as long as it wasn't an eyesore.
It's the waterfront on the mainland side that needs to be revitalized (get rid of the remnants of the industrial past and make it pedestrian friendly). The islands are close to perfect in my view. If we could get rid of that damn airport, the islands would be parkland/reserve adjacent to a small, picturesque community. What could be better than that?
David Miller ran an awsome campaign. He had next to no support when he started and managed to take one issue and brand that into a very full and noteworthy platform that was well-rounded enough to take him beyond an NDP constituency. In fact, it was so good that reporters from all newspapers haven't just embraced many of David's ideas but they've incorporated the same lingo into their mainstream media as a normal discourse (example, the term 'clean government' has almost been rebord).
Gideon, the rampant use of single person SUVs, Hummers, Minivans, etc, is far more destructive to air pollution. Buses certainly aren't clean but even an empty looking bus usually carries 7-10 passengers.
Robert, you're dead on when it comes to the significance of the Waterfront. Not only does scrapping the plan make way for a community oriented space or add a new facade to pitch to the world, it marks the end of Mel Lastman's personal throddle on the city. He's one politician I can't say I'll miss - though I wish him better health in the future.
Outside of the mayor's race, there were some exciting council races all over the city, and even at the school boards too. It's been projected that 39% of elidgeable voters did so, which is sadly considered to be good. What strikes me as dejecting, however, is that with the vast difference between mayoral candidates and the choices in most council wards, voters still send the message of apathy.
City Hall will likely see more activity than its seen since Crombie in 1972, hopefully the changes in service delivery and accountability, along with the alternative 'dispensing' of democracy (moving committee meetings to civic centers, etc) will bring citizens - especially those in Scarborough, Etobicoke and Scarborough - into the polls for 2006. Most of Miller's success will inevitably rest in the next 4-6 weeks as he announces comittee appointments. It will either show him as a concensus builder who is willing to work with the moderate councillors-elect, or he will demonstrate a strong jerk to the left, polarizing much of council (this would result in an inactive municipal government). I would expect that David does the former because by nature he's a concensus builder (has anyone else seen him work a room before? People dream of having those skills).
Gideon, the rampant use of single person SUVs, Hummers, Minivans, etc, is far more destructive to air pollution. Buses certainly aren't clean but even an empty looking bus usually carries 7-10 passengers.
Robert, you're dead on when it comes to the significance of the Waterfront. Not only does scrapping the plan make way for a community oriented space or add a new facade to pitch to the world, it marks the end of Mel Lastman's personal throddle on the city. He's one politician I can't say I'll miss - though I wish him better health in the future.
Outside of the mayor's race, there were some exciting council races all over the city, and even at the school boards too. It's been projected that 39% of elidgeable voters did so, which is sadly considered to be good. What strikes me as dejecting, however, is that with the vast difference between mayoral candidates and the choices in most council wards, voters still send the message of apathy.
City Hall will likely see more activity than its seen since Crombie in 1972, hopefully the changes in service delivery and accountability, along with the alternative 'dispensing' of democracy (moving committee meetings to civic centers, etc) will bring citizens - especially those in Scarborough, Etobicoke and Scarborough - into the polls for 2006. Most of Miller's success will inevitably rest in the next 4-6 weeks as he announces comittee appointments. It will either show him as a concensus builder who is willing to work with the moderate councillors-elect, or he will demonstrate a strong jerk to the left, polarizing much of council (this would result in an inactive municipal government). I would expect that David does the former because by nature he's a concensus builder (has anyone else seen him work a room before? People dream of having those skills).
Is this politics.ca or battersbox.ca? WTF? Really, guys, I'm disappointed. Email each other if you want to talk Miller/Tory. More relevant web sites are only a click away...
It's obviously politics.ca, just look at the sign :p
One last off-topic post:
Gideon, the rampant use of single person SUVs, Hummers, Minivans, etc, is far more destructive to air pollution. Buses certainly aren't clean but even an empty looking bus usually carries 7-10 passengers.
You got my name right :-), but the rest of the sentence is simply incorrect. There are plenty of empty buses with under 7 passengers. This is trivially observed from a sidewalk after dark when the interior lights of passing buses on the street make it obvious how many people are or are not on the bus. More importantly, TTC diesel buses are vaslty dirtier (100-200 times) than whatever gasoline-burning vehicles they may or may not replace. I'm talking about airborne particulate/VOC, not the CO2 emissions that don't affect Toronto directly.
The TTC has a budget. It can continue to pay its drivers above-market salaries, or it can spend the money on (for example) compressed natural gas engines to cut pollution from the buses. Under the NDP and David Miller, what is likely to happen? Patronage to hard-core supporters, or actual steps to "clean up the city?"
Gideon, the rampant use of single person SUVs, Hummers, Minivans, etc, is far more destructive to air pollution. Buses certainly aren't clean but even an empty looking bus usually carries 7-10 passengers.
You got my name right :-), but the rest of the sentence is simply incorrect. There are plenty of empty buses with under 7 passengers. This is trivially observed from a sidewalk after dark when the interior lights of passing buses on the street make it obvious how many people are or are not on the bus. More importantly, TTC diesel buses are vaslty dirtier (100-200 times) than whatever gasoline-burning vehicles they may or may not replace. I'm talking about airborne particulate/VOC, not the CO2 emissions that don't affect Toronto directly.
The TTC has a budget. It can continue to pay its drivers above-market salaries, or it can spend the money on (for example) compressed natural gas engines to cut pollution from the buses. Under the NDP and David Miller, what is likely to happen? Patronage to hard-core supporters, or actual steps to "clean up the city?"
There are only so many hundred buses and there'd got to be a few hundred thousand cars that drive through downtown daily. If there were an effective transit system that would convince these drivers to get off the roads, we'd be in business but there's no amount of cuts to workers that could be made to do that. Senior levels of government have downloaded these responsibilities to the municipality, the consequences include poor service and archaic technology.
I think it should also be noted that TTC drivers aren't overpaid, just as people take shots at teachers who make the maximum 73,000, they cease to acknowledge the fact that this teacher has 20 years in the field and a masters degree. I'm not suggesting that TTC drivers have masters desgrees (though I'm sure there are a few), however, the fact that they make a modest middle-income (which I'm positive starts out at approx. 30K/yr) isn't a poor reflection on the City's decision makers or the unions that protect them.
I think it should also be noted that TTC drivers aren't overpaid, just as people take shots at teachers who make the maximum 73,000, they cease to acknowledge the fact that this teacher has 20 years in the field and a masters degree. I'm not suggesting that TTC drivers have masters desgrees (though I'm sure there are a few), however, the fact that they make a modest middle-income (which I'm positive starts out at approx. 30K/yr) isn't a poor reflection on the City's decision makers or the unions that protect them.
http://economics.about.com
You Toronto fat-cats could always learn how to WALK instead of relying on the internal combustion engine. :)
I think we need to face the facts. Until gas prices go up to say, 2 bucks a litre, people are going to drive their big cars and they're going to drive them a lot. If you want public transportation, try raising the gas tax a quarter and putting the extra revenue into public transportation. It'd be fun to see what would happen to a politician if he or she tried to run on THAT platform. Good times.
Mike
You Toronto fat-cats could always learn how to WALK instead of relying on the internal combustion engine. :)
I think we need to face the facts. Until gas prices go up to say, 2 bucks a litre, people are going to drive their big cars and they're going to drive them a lot. If you want public transportation, try raising the gas tax a quarter and putting the extra revenue into public transportation. It'd be fun to see what would happen to a politician if he or she tried to run on THAT platform. Good times.
Mike
I'm all for raising the gas taxes and (petrol) automobile taxes in general, but the municipal government doesn't have the power to do that (I don't think).
Cities control parking meters. Quadruple the rates, maybe the parking garages would follow suit.
http://economics.about.com
I'm all for raising the gas taxes and (petrol) automobile taxes in general, but the municipal government doesn't have the power to do that (I don't think).
I'm not sure, either. In most U.S. states cities have those powers so I assumed that the same would hold true in Canada. Does anybody know?
The province could always raise the gas tax, then send the proceeds to the city/municipal/regional governments in which the tax was collected. So it doesn't have to be done by the municipalities, though it would be less complex if they did it.
I'm all for raising the gas taxes and (petrol) automobile taxes in general, but the municipal government doesn't have the power to do that (I don't think).
I'm not sure, either. In most U.S. states cities have those powers so I assumed that the same would hold true in Canada. Does anybody know?
The province could always raise the gas tax, then send the proceeds to the city/municipal/regional governments in which the tax was collected. So it doesn't have to be done by the municipalities, though it would be less complex if they did it.
Robert, you're right. The municipal government does not have power to tax gasoline or other auto-related purchase.
Back to baseball. Aaron Gleeman has an interesting comment on the RoY voting today. I had missed this, but some writers had Wigginton and Jerome Robertson ahead of Webb. Yikes.
It's easy to pass this off as just silliness, but it's the same guys who vote for the Gold Glove. In the case of defense, we still rely to a large extent on subjective impression, rather than objective metrics, and the Gold Glove has been viewed as a "consensus" subjective impression by many, Bill James included, and therefore worthy of additional weight, at least for historical purposes.
I'd be very interested in an "Internet Gold Gloves" award. I find the consensuses on baseballprospectus.com and baseballprimer.com much more credible with regard to RoY and MVP voting than the official vote, and I suspect the same would hold true for Gold Gloves.
Back to baseball. Aaron Gleeman has an interesting comment on the RoY voting today. I had missed this, but some writers had Wigginton and Jerome Robertson ahead of Webb. Yikes.
It's easy to pass this off as just silliness, but it's the same guys who vote for the Gold Glove. In the case of defense, we still rely to a large extent on subjective impression, rather than objective metrics, and the Gold Glove has been viewed as a "consensus" subjective impression by many, Bill James included, and therefore worthy of additional weight, at least for historical purposes.
I'd be very interested in an "Internet Gold Gloves" award. I find the consensuses on baseballprospectus.com and baseballprimer.com much more credible with regard to RoY and MVP voting than the official vote, and I suspect the same would hold true for Gold Gloves.
I'd be very interested in an "Internet Gold Gloves" award.
Do that, and Jeter wins every year. The power of internet voting and the New York media, you know?
Do that, and Jeter wins every year. The power of internet voting and the New York media, you know?
Mick,
I was referring to the consensus of the knowledgeable scribes at baseballprospectus.com and baseballprimer.com, rather than that of the beat writers, reflected in the RoY or GG awards, or the casual fans, reflected in the All-Star votes or espn.com votes. I don't think that there is any risk that either the prospectusites or the primates will elevate Jeter to the pantheon of defensive excellence.
I was referring to the consensus of the knowledgeable scribes at baseballprospectus.com and baseballprimer.com, rather than that of the beat writers, reflected in the RoY or GG awards, or the casual fans, reflected in the All-Star votes or espn.com votes. I don't think that there is any risk that either the prospectusites or the primates will elevate Jeter to the pantheon of defensive excellence.
I was referring to the consensus of the knowledgeable scribes at baseballprospectus.com and baseballprimer.com, rather than that of the beat writers, reflected in the RoY or GG awards, or the casual fans, reflected in the All-Star votes or espn.com votes. I don't think that there is any risk that either the prospectusites or the primates will elevate Jeter to the pantheon of defensive excellence.
Since I was one of those "knowledgeable scribes" up until about last week, I think I'm qualified to comment on this. Thanks for your faith in us, Mike, but it just isn't so.
I can assure you that most of us - nearly all of us - just aren't as knowledgeable on the coaches who vote for the Gold Glove awards, and while we are probably as knowledgeable as the beat writers who pick the Rookie of the Year and other similar awards, it would simply be favouring one group of writers over another group of writers - I don't really see the point.
When fans are given free rein to vote - and where there is a concomitant restriction on vote abuse - they generally do a very good job, certainly better than the writers have done. They do a pertty decent job of picking all-star teams as a rule (the substantial majority of the truly bizarre All-Star selections are made by managers, not fans) but since that's an openly abused process, it's not the best example. Something like the "Internet Baseball Awards", though, is excellent - and they are open to everyone. True to form (Mike, care to chime in on the power of "markets of information", maybe with the jar of jellybeans example?) they do a better job with 3000 voters than the writers with 30 - and 30 pretty homogenous voters to boot.
If the awards were voted on by the fans, they'd be so much more meaningful - and more reflective of reality. Until then, we'll have to be content with other fan awards, like the Batter's Box Blue Jay Players of the Year. The votes have now been tabulated, and you can expect an announcement of the winners in the coming days.
Since I was one of those "knowledgeable scribes" up until about last week, I think I'm qualified to comment on this. Thanks for your faith in us, Mike, but it just isn't so.
I can assure you that most of us - nearly all of us - just aren't as knowledgeable on the coaches who vote for the Gold Glove awards, and while we are probably as knowledgeable as the beat writers who pick the Rookie of the Year and other similar awards, it would simply be favouring one group of writers over another group of writers - I don't really see the point.
When fans are given free rein to vote - and where there is a concomitant restriction on vote abuse - they generally do a very good job, certainly better than the writers have done. They do a pertty decent job of picking all-star teams as a rule (the substantial majority of the truly bizarre All-Star selections are made by managers, not fans) but since that's an openly abused process, it's not the best example. Something like the "Internet Baseball Awards", though, is excellent - and they are open to everyone. True to form (Mike, care to chime in on the power of "markets of information", maybe with the jar of jellybeans example?) they do a better job with 3000 voters than the writers with 30 - and 30 pretty homogenous voters to boot.
If the awards were voted on by the fans, they'd be so much more meaningful - and more reflective of reality. Until then, we'll have to be content with other fan awards, like the Batter's Box Blue Jay Players of the Year. The votes have now been tabulated, and you can expect an announcement of the winners in the coming days.
In most U.S. states cities have those powers so I assumed that the same would hold true in Canada. Does anybody know?
Though I'm not sure of this, it is the states, not individual cities, that have the power to levy gasoline taxes. Because of all sorts of different taxes, California gas is notoriously the most expensive in the U.S. -- but obviously not expensive enough to keep people out of their automobiles, as anyone with a car in CA will attest.
Though I'm not sure of this, it is the states, not individual cities, that have the power to levy gasoline taxes. Because of all sorts of different taxes, California gas is notoriously the most expensive in the U.S. -- but obviously not expensive enough to keep people out of their automobiles, as anyone with a car in CA will attest.
Since I was one of those "knowledgeable scribes" up until about last week, I think I'm qualified to comment on this.
Papa Burley, you're no longer a Primer guru?
Papa Burley, you're no longer a Primer guru?
Rob Neyer had some interesting thoughts on the American League rookie of the year voting in his latest article. Forgive me for not posting a link, but here's an excerpt:
"Anyway, the point is that for whatever reasons, Kauffman Stadium has been a great hitter's park for the last two seasons. The Royals' hitters haven't been as good as their numbers suggest, and vice versa for their pitchers. In fact, it's Kauffman Stadium that pushed me into the Hideki Matsui camp, regarding the AL Rookie of the Year.
Not that Angel Berroa wasn't a solid choice. His numbers were almost as good as Matsui's, and he played a pretty good shortstop to boot. What bothers me is how Berroa won the award.
As you might have heard, two voters didn't list Matsui on their ballots at all; not first, nor second, nor even third. Both voters have publicly stated that they didn't consider Matsui because of his extensive experience in Japan.
I hesitate to criticize my colleagues, but these guys -- the Worcester Telegram & Gazette's Bill Ballou and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Jim Souhan -- couldn't be bigger clowns if they wore red noses and big floppy shoes.
1. Matsui is, according to the rules, a rookie.
2. The rules instruct the voter to vote for the best rookies.
Case closed. If a voter thinks the rules don't make sense, he has two viable options: he can refuse the ballot in the first place, or he can accept the ballot but decline to return it. Either of these actions would make the point, and might lead to a change in the rules. Heroic even, in a very small way.
But no. Instead, Ballou and Souhan want to have it both ways. The writers love to vote, because it's as close to playing God as they'll ever get. So they vote and they protest, except the protest rings hollow, since it's accompanied not by sacrifice, but by whining."
Me and Rob Neyer get along real well.
"Anyway, the point is that for whatever reasons, Kauffman Stadium has been a great hitter's park for the last two seasons. The Royals' hitters haven't been as good as their numbers suggest, and vice versa for their pitchers. In fact, it's Kauffman Stadium that pushed me into the Hideki Matsui camp, regarding the AL Rookie of the Year.
Not that Angel Berroa wasn't a solid choice. His numbers were almost as good as Matsui's, and he played a pretty good shortstop to boot. What bothers me is how Berroa won the award.
As you might have heard, two voters didn't list Matsui on their ballots at all; not first, nor second, nor even third. Both voters have publicly stated that they didn't consider Matsui because of his extensive experience in Japan.
I hesitate to criticize my colleagues, but these guys -- the Worcester Telegram & Gazette's Bill Ballou and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Jim Souhan -- couldn't be bigger clowns if they wore red noses and big floppy shoes.
1. Matsui is, according to the rules, a rookie.
2. The rules instruct the voter to vote for the best rookies.
Case closed. If a voter thinks the rules don't make sense, he has two viable options: he can refuse the ballot in the first place, or he can accept the ballot but decline to return it. Either of these actions would make the point, and might lead to a change in the rules. Heroic even, in a very small way.
But no. Instead, Ballou and Souhan want to have it both ways. The writers love to vote, because it's as close to playing God as they'll ever get. So they vote and they protest, except the protest rings hollow, since it's accompanied not by sacrifice, but by whining."
Me and Rob Neyer get along real well.
Papa Burley, you're no longer a Primer guru?
Nein, mein herr. I felt I had to step down because of the pollution. Turns out to have been a good move. More and more, the only things reading Primer did for me was make me angry. (Except Primate Studies and the articles - I learned not to read the article comments.)
I'll be a full-time Bauxite from now on. I enjoy it here *much* more.
Primer is a terrific site. I heartily encourage everyone and anyone to go there, participate in the discussion at Primate Studies, read the articles (which I still do), and have a good time on Clutch Hits too.
But I also promise that this place will never be Primer. We are very crap-intolerant here (at times maybe even intolerant of stuff that isn't crap) and will stay that way.
Nein, mein herr. I felt I had to step down because of the pollution. Turns out to have been a good move. More and more, the only things reading Primer did for me was make me angry. (Except Primate Studies and the articles - I learned not to read the article comments.)
I'll be a full-time Bauxite from now on. I enjoy it here *much* more.
Primer is a terrific site. I heartily encourage everyone and anyone to go there, participate in the discussion at Primate Studies, read the articles (which I still do), and have a good time on Clutch Hits too.
But I also promise that this place will never be Primer. We are very crap-intolerant here (at times maybe even intolerant of stuff that isn't crap) and will stay that way.
Just to second Craig's comments, I also have been visiting Primer less and less and have not been an active contributor since this past summer (during which time the unwillingness of the site to take any action against inappropriate posts became apparent).
I think all the authors at this site agree that what happened to Primer (which was full of first-rate discussions during its first year of existence) will never happen here. Allowing it would be like allowing a visitor to your home to bring their garbage and toss it on your floor.
I think all the authors at this site agree that what happened to Primer (which was full of first-rate discussions during its first year of existence) will never happen here. Allowing it would be like allowing a visitor to your home to bring their garbage and toss it on your floor.