Ahmed Hussen had a heck of a day last Tuesday: he swore in six new Canadians at the top of the CN Tower. On the outside.
Pumpkin Parade November 1
Weston’s second-annual pumpkin parade will be November 1. Last year’s parade was cute as all get out, and I’m sure it will be even better this year.
You can bring your pumpkin and your sugar-hungover little ones to Elm Park at 6 on Thursday, November 1.
Unless we’re wrong!
Lekan Olawoye issued a press release saying that he was not included on a recent poll of York South–Weston residents. The poll, by Forum Research, showed Chiara Padovani pulling even with Di Giorgio, and Nunziata’s lead slipping.
The published results include long-shot candidates Fred Fosu (4%) and Deeqa Barre (3%), but make no mention of Lekan Olawoye, who almost certainly polls much higher. It certainly seems like he was not included in the survey.
A recent @ForumPoll published by @CP24 was inaccurate and incomplete as the poll DID NOT include Lekan Olawoye as an option. We request that the poll be re-issued ASAP for accuracy. This is an example of what #YSW & diverse candidates are facing: being overlooked. #TOpoli pic.twitter.com/xW2AO3ZD9N
— Vote Lekan (@VoteLekan) October 18, 2018
In related news, Frances Nunziata says that she responded to CycleToronto’s survey, but that her results were not included in the published results. CycleToronto said she did not respond.
In Nunziata’s defense, she has been an advocate for cycling of late, and created a pedestrian and cycling committee for the ward.
I responded to the survey and yet on your website, you have included the response of one candidate in #ward5 #ysw and listed me as not having responded. What gives? #topoli https://t.co/SHBo9rP0Im
— Frances Nunziata (@FrancesNunziata) October 18, 2018
Padovani support surges
At the end of September, a Mainstreet poll found Incumbent councillor Frances Nunziata with 40% of the vote, fellow incumbent Frank Di Giorgio was at 30%, Lekan Olawoye at 7.2 and Chiara Padovani at 3.8.
In the latest Forum poll, Nunziata has kept her commanding lead over other candidates with 39% but Padovani has built support considerably to 20% with Di Giorgio’s support slumping to 19%. The margin of error would mean that Padovani and Di Giorgio are in a virtual tie for now.
Padovani’s campaign manager, Riley Peterson told me today that she believes the surge in her candidate’s support comes as a result of intense organizing and canvassing.
The Forum poll is several days old so there is a chance for things to change over the last few days before Election Day on Monday 22nd. It remains to be seen whether Padovani can continue to pick up support from people who want to see change in Ward 5. On voting day it will also be important to persuade people to make the effort to vote. In 2014, nearly half of voters stayed home in what is now Ward 5.
Ms. Padovani should also hope for fair weather – apparently, bad weather favours incumbents. Monday’s weather looks to be partly sunny with a chance of showers.
In other Ward 5 news, Cycle Toronto has released the results of a questionnaire regarding cycling in York South-Weston (Ward 5). Only one candidate bothered to respond to the survey – Chiara Padovani.
Urban Toronto has a Weston Common update.
The people at Urban Toronto, operate a website dedicated to ‘condos, architecture, urban development and real estate’. They are in general, cheerleaders for the construction industry and have published an article detailing some of the latest construction milestones at the Weston Common site at 22 John Street opening early next year. While U.T. has glossed over some details of the project, of interest is the way that the existing above-ground parking garage on King Street will be connecting to the new building (the parkade was originally intended to largely serve the retail complex that never got off the ground).
What will the sudden influx of 396 new households do to Weston’s traffic, retail strip and culture? It won’t be long before we have the long anticipated answer.
Incidentally, October 27th is the last day of the 2018 Weston Farmers Market season and the last using the UP Express parking location. Next May, the market will return to John Street behind the new building.
Read the Urban Toronto article here.
Upcoming events
Weston’s Santa Claus Parade will be Sunday, November 25 at 2 p.m.–and it’s sure to be great. This is the 40th anniversary of the best little Santa Claus parade in Toronto.
The BIA hopes you will volunteer or participate.
Frontlines will also be hosting their second annual holiday brunch. Tickets are between $10 and $25.
Saint John the Evangelist opening delayed, again
The St. John the Evangelist school opening will be delayed again. The new school, which was long overdue, was supposed to open in the fall of 2018; it will now open–hopefully–in time for students to return in September, 2019.
Dave Bennett, who is running for trustee, says the delay is due to a legal dispute between the TCDSB and Metrolinx over the culvert; “Without these finalized agreements, culvert construction to replace the ditch between the school and the Metrolinx tunnel lid is on hold”.