Lottery could help city, hopeful says

[attach]2014[/attach]Ward 27 candidate Perry Missal wants regular inspections of public playgrounds, a Toronto lotto to generate revenue and increased pedestrian safety.

He’s launching an extensive platform on his yet-to-be released website, [url]www.perrymissal.ca[/url], in mid-August.

“I want to look at a City of Toronto lottery managed by the (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp). It’s not a tax but a user pay. People from Markham or Mississauga could buy the Toronto lotto as well,” said the 43-year-old. “We could target (lotto funds) for specific projects such as subways and the rest could go to general revenues.”

Another key issue is posting when public playgrounds were last inspected.

“We know when a restaurant was last inspected,” Missal said of the city’s Dine Toronto program that’s displayed in windows and online.

“I want a city inspection program for all public playground equipment.”

He’s also advocating for a red flashing light at crosswalks which he says would better relay the message to stop than the current yellow “caution” light. And he’d also like better education for city visitors about the need to stop at open streetcar doors.

“This year we have had a lot of pedestrian fatalities,” said the first-time candidate.

Visitors could be educated on these traffic safety initiatives via info provided in rental cars or in hotel rooms, he said July 28.

Missal’s one of 14 candidates vying to replace out-going rep Kyle Rae.

“I’m the only (candidate) with a list of accomplishments for my community,” said Missal, who has lived in the ward for 12 years. “You can talk about what you’d do, but eventually you have to produce something.”

Some of those accomplishments include: serving on the Toronto East York Preservation Panel and as a vice-president for a local residents association, and helping steer capital improvements to Moss Park.

“I’m able to communicate exactly what I want to achieve and lay out a map to achieve it.”