Property Tax Hike is Achievement for City says Mayor, Sundin and Fletcher Aren’t Talking to Media: TorontoIAM

This is a selection of recent popular blog articles from TorontoIAM where you will find the best blogs from Toronto, Ontario as well as video uploads, social networking, rumors, and blog authoring

Raptors Should have “Pounded” Wizards Two Nights in a Row

The most recent post on RaptorsTalk.com rants about the Raptor’s win over the Wizards last night (122-83). Our blogger was a bit “pessimistic” about the win, stating that the Raptors should have “pounded” them the night before, considering the Wizards were out two all-stars. Last night, Toronto “rebounded fairly well” a better job than usual, although they “still got out rebounded on the offensive end, 10-7.”

According to the post, “the Raptors shot a staggering 56.6% from the field, 77.2% from three, and 88.2% from the line.” In comparison with Tuesday night, “the Wizards had almost 20 less shot attempts… [and] turned the ball over 16 times (8 more than the Raps), but they also had 9 less offensive rebounds.” What “upset” our blogger most was that “the Wizards get more out of Roger Mason Jr. (who get’s paid less than $1m/year) than the Raptors do from Kapono (who makes about $6m/year).” A quarter by quarter breakdown is listed in the post.

Mayor Claims New Taxes are a “Tremendous Achievement” for Toronto

From Real Estate Intelligence, a recent post reminds us that Toronto homeowners “will face a 3.75 per cent property tax increase this year, as well as the city's new land transfer tax which comes into effect today.” The land transfer tax “is expected to raise $175 million for city coffers.” The property tax increase means an additional $80.70 in taxes on a $365,000 residence, “which is thought to be the average Toronto house price.”

The post notes that Mayor Miller called this move “a tremendous achievement for the city… Building a city that is livable and provides prosperity and opportunity for everyone is the most important role of local government.” He claims the budget will allow them “to make the kinds of investments Torontonians want and deserve.” Miller's opponents on council disagree. “They say the 2008 budget is just as unsustainable as the ones in previous years, the only difference being that the provincial bailout came early in the process instead of late.” According to them, it is simply a reflection of “how expensive it is becoming to live in Toronto.”

Fletcher and Sundin Hold Private Meeting

Hockey Buzz’s Howard Berger discusses the “much-anticipated meeting between Cliff Fletcher and Mats Sundin,” which took place yesterday afternoon. The new GM and captain “spoke at length for several hours about a number of issues pertaining to the team and, of course, about Sundin's position on waiving the no-trade clause in his contract.” Their conclusion at the end of the meeting was for “a self-imposed gag order” between now and the NHL trade deadline, Feb. 26.

Fletcher called the meeting “congenial” according to the post. Fletcher has an obvious “fondness” for Sundin, who he acquired for the Maple Leafs “in a draft day trade with the Quebec Nordiques in June, 1994.” Fletcher understands that if they go mute on the topic it will “only spark more intense speculation leading up to the trade deadline.” He stated that “We can't control that. But, as far as Mats and I are concerned, there's nothing more to discuss with the media at this time.” Even though he wouldn’t to go into any detail, Howard believes “Fletcher isn't anxious to unload Sundin.” He knows that during his second tenure with the Leafs, he “will be remembered for two decisions: a) the choice of a full-time GM to replace John Ferguson, and b) his handling of the delicate Sundin matter.”  

Alumni Theatre’s Private Lives Mostly Successful

John Kaplan, blogging for Stage Blog at NowToronto.com, reviews Alumni Theatre’s production of Noel Coward’s play Private Lives in his most recent post. The play is “one of his most successful comedies,” although not always “as laugh-provoking as you might think.” The set-up is about a divorced couple who have each remarried. They find themselves “honeymooning with their new spouses in the same Mediterranean hotel… [and] falling in love again.” Kaplan writes that the Alumnae Theatre production was “only a partial success, but there's still enough glitter to make the show worth a visit.”

To pull off this play, there “must be a strong, glowing connection between Amanda and Elyot.” In Alumni’s production “the actors know how to make use of the silences as well as the words, and in those silences they suggest the magnetic draw between these two sparring lovers.” The female lead is played “deliciously” by Dinah Watts. She knows how “to purr her lines or throw them like hand grenades.” Scott Clarkson, playing Elyot, is “nearly as accurate, with a nice sense of irony, though he's occasionally stiff and his British accent comes and goes.” As their respective partners, Derek Perks and Michelle Alexander don't really “fill out their characters until the third act.” Director Ed Rosing did well setting up the action in the first act, “though the second sometimes drags and lacks a necessary sparkle.”

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