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Reposted by Dan Seljak

Matt Elliott @graphicmatt.com · 8h

As expected, all the various speed camera items on the agenda are joined together to create an omnibus item. A speeding omnibus, kind of like that bus in that famous movie, The Bus That Couldn't Slow Down.

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 10h

Penny says GM

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 20h

It is a very odd photo…can’t tell if it’s a shop or just a super harsh flash? The shirt being from 2020 wouldn’t be a tell on its own but so many questions

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 1d

We’re hardly strangers, James

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Reposted by Dan Seljak

Matt Elliott @graphicmatt.com · 1d

In a letter responding to a Councillor Holyday inquiry, City Manager Paul Johnson has provided a breakdown of revenue and expense numbers related to Toronto’s speed and red-light camera programs. Notably, about 24% of fine revenue goes to the provincial gov.
www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis... (PDF)

$In 2024, the City collected $62.6 million in fine revenues, including $37.3 million from ASE and $25.3 million from RLC. In total, the 2024 net revenue associated with the POA regime was $48.2 million, which was leveraged to support the initiatives noted below. For 2025, assuming full operations throughout the year, the City projects to receive $64.6 million in ASE fine revenue and total associated fine revenue of $100.1 million when also including $35.5 million from RLC. Revenues collected, and specifically those collected through ASE violations, are generally allocated to three main purposes: 1. Provincial Remittances • When including the estimated $11 million associated with Victim Fine Surcharges (VFS) for 2025, approximately 24% of fine revenues are remitted annually to the Province, including a charge of $8.25 per infraction for Ministry of Transportation Ontario searches and varying VFS surcharges depending on the fine amount for victim services. 2. City of Toronto Related Administration Costs • It’s estimated that approximately 35% of fine revenues directly fund the City’s costs to administer the operation of ASE. 3. Vision Zero Initiatives • The remaining fine revenues, or approximately 41%, enables the City to invest in public safety and enforcement activities, including:  Toronto Police Service – Annual operating funding is directed to the Police Services Road Safety Program, funding 18 Officers (2 Sergeants and 16 PCs).  Transportation Services Operating – ASE revenue is leveraged to partially offset annual enhancements and inflationary increases to the School Crossing Guard Program and Education Campaign  Transportation Services Capital - ASE revenue is leveraged to offset debt servicing costs associated with Road Safety Initiatives included in the 10-Year$

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 1d

I’ve mentioned this before, but the Twitter list you had back in the day was one of the most important finds of my local civics journey, always chuffed when you share my stuff.

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 1d

I need to do better about it—I am still on there because I want to fight back against these narratives but it’s not a particularly restorative or productive place these days.

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 1d

Two pics didn't upload for some reason on this one but here they are--like why oppose colour, vibrancy, and life?

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 1d

I went full sappy lib on that post but I was provoked, goddammit!!!

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 1d

I do, actually, find it aggravating when people suggest this city is fundamentally broken. It has issues, but what they need are practical and considered solutions applied by those who love this city, its complexity, and its contradictions.

In other words, one rule above all:

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 1d

This is a city of immense promise and opportunity. When faced with a political and economic climate like the one we're in, it is easy to be reactionary. And it is easy to be goaded into reacting. But the solutions are there and can foster the very best of what this city has.

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 1d

Do we currently face hard challenges? Yes. But those have practical solutions. Some suburbanite complains downtown smells like pee? That's not bc Chow is a communist. That's a years-long issue with public washrooms, homelessness, and addiction treatment.

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 1d

Abandoning "Diversity our Strength" (adopted formally in 1997, but effectively always true) because some people--many who don't even live here--claim *recent and temporary* geopolitical/policy factors have caused friction is preposterous. We have a blueprint for vitality already.

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 1d

I've been quite angry on Twitter for the last week and have been trying to parse it...some thoughts:

Toronto's problems largely stem from the cost-of-living crisis. A crisis, in part, caused by the simple fact that people *want* to live here. Opportunity, culture, and fulfilment abound

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 2d

How was I not following you back on here yet

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Reposted by Dan Seljak

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 2d

401 Richmond alone reports 24,000 people came by thru bldn last night during nuit Blanche. What a validation of the desire for public life in this city. Toronto seemed so lit last evening. Every year there’s grumps curmudgeons & naysayers but people come out for NB, esp this year. A renewal.

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 2d

Annex mornings in autumn sun 💛💚🧡

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 3d

I love Torontos big patch of waterfront dirt.

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 3d

it's amazing

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 3d

One of the most captivating parts of Love Park in downtown Toronto is that the towers can reflect the light in beautiful, unnatural ways. Notice how some of the people on the benches in the foreground are lit from both the east and the west.

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 3d

Just hotdogs popcorn and ice cream

Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 3d

I am going to Nuit Blanche to see the giant karaoke tower in Chinatown. I am so excited.

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 3d

Yesterday Councillor Josh Matlow found me at a party and asked me if they were serving marshmallows. The internet has contributed one good thing to my life and this is it.

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Reposted by Dan Seljak

Matt Elliott @graphicmatt.com · 6d

Really striking how vague the actual policy ideas are here for a sitting councillor announcing a 2nd mayoral bid: more special constables on TTC, vague DC relief, don’t raise property taxes so much. Think this Bradford for Mayor sequel will need more substance. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Fed-up residents say Toronto’s best days are behind it. Let’s build a safer, more affordable city

When more than half of residents feel less safe today than they did a few years ago, it’s clear that City Hall needs to do better.

www.thestar.com

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Dan Seljak @anotherglassbox.bsky.social · 6d

I’m ramping up some stuff! We lost neighbourhood retail on the first attempt due to a few key provisions. I’m will address point by point soon but feeling like the incrementalism proposed here is pretty strategic and considered, even if it’s frustrating that we need to take baby steps at all.

Damien Moule @damienmoule.bsky.social · 6d

Neighbourhood retail is coming back to the Planning and Housing Committee October 30. Looks like a watered down form, which is annoying but let's win it this time. Send up the urbanist bat signal. @anotherglassbox.bsky.social @shawnmicallef.bsky.social @dylanreid.bsky.social @seanyyz.bsky.social

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