With the news this week that Toronto police have in their possession the video that allegedly shows him smoking crack, Mayor Rob Ford has been thoroughly disgraced. Marcus Gee argues the scandal threatens "the success of Canada’s biggest city."
"Toronto stands at a turning point in its 180-year history," writes Gee. "It is growing as never before, taking in hundreds of thousands of people from every corner of the globe. Its downtown is becoming a little Manhattan, sprouting scores of new office and residential towers. Its cultural scene is a marvel, drawing crowds to its film, art and music festivals."
"But its governance is a mess," he continues. "[The Ford scandal] comes at a time when [Toronto] desperately needs confident, intelligent leadership. If it drags on, the city could find itself tied in knots at a time when it is struggling with serious problems that could stall its recent progress – problems that range from the crumbling Gardiner Expressway downtown to an under-built, run-down transit system to a public housing system that needs hundreds of millions of dollars in repairs."
Gee joins a chorus of other voices in calling for Ford to resign, for the sake of Toronto and its future.
FULL STORY: Rob Ford implosion threatens Toronto’s success

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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