“Feldman, a member of council’s right-leaning Responsible Government Group, who is retiring this fall, likened Rossi to former mayor Mel Lastman, who “was able to bring together the left, the centre and the right and have a big mushy middle.”

“I think Rocco would have the same ability to get consensus when you have philosophical differences,” Feldman said.

Feldman (Ward 10, York Centre) said he likes Rossi rival Rob Ford, but is afraid the Etobicoke councillor wouldn’t get enough support on many issues to get a majority of votes from the 44 councillors. That would leave his opponents to “elect their own mayor, a sort of leader of the opposition.”

Feldman says he met with rival George Smitherman but doesn’t see him as a consensus-builder either.”

Read the rest of the article here.

“I dare say an endorsement by Giambrone — the controversial TTC chairman and former mayoralty candidate who was forced to drop out of the race amidst lurid tales of trysts with a variety of women — might be the “kiss of death.”

Kevin Beaulieu, 39 — the EA captured on camera reading the rest of Giambrone’s speech when he resigned from the mayor’s race — says not so.”

Read the rest of the column here.

“Feldman was a councillor in the former City of North York, and after amalgamation in 1998 went on to represent his community on Toronto Council. He served for three years as one of Mayor David Miller’s deputy mayors, and has been an avid supporter of social housing.

In his letter, Feldman told constituents that he “always understood that the global needs of the city affect Ward 10 as much as what happens in Ward 10 affects the city as a whole. While my passion for the people of York Centre is as strong today as ever, clearly it is now someone else’s time to represent you.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Related: Veteran North York councillor calling it quits (Town Crier)

Also: Feldman talks about ‘agonizing decision’ (Toronto Community News)

And: More council turnover: Ward 10′s Feldman retires (Globe and Mail)

Plus: Veteran North York councillor announces retirement (Toronto Sun)

Photo Courtesy: Town Crier

The race in Ward 10 is heating up with a long time North York resident and former engineer, Edward Zaretsky, registering to run in the ward currently held by Councillor Mike Feldman:

“Zaretsky said he’s dismayed with the amount of money being spent on projects like the Wave Deck on Toronto’s waterfront and bicycle routes that he believes only cater to a small minority of the population. He added tax dollars can be spent elsewhere.

“Right now, the sidewalks are not cleaned, the entrance to … a crosswalk is not big enough for a walker or a wheelchair.”

If elected, Zaretsky said he’d fight to eliminate Toronto’s vehicle registration tax, a garbage tax and overtime pay for civic employees. “We need taxes, we need development but there’s a limit to what people can spend,” he said.”

Read the rest of the article here.