Jack Lakey
TorontoStar
Canada
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Recent articles by Jack:
Sign alerts hikers to trail closure — for construction that ended nine years ago; beaver baffle battle baffles Metrolinx
Outdated signs underscore the need for the city to be more attentive to them, if for no other reason than to avoid looking dumb. → Read More
Confused by the new bus lane and the lack of signage on The Esplanade? You’re not alone
Eastbound drivers aren’t supposed to go past Sherbourne Street, but there’s nothing to indicate they can’t go any farther. → Read More
Signs at waterfront Green P lots can fool drivers into paying for free parking
They don’t make it clear that parking is free during weekdays, which dupes people into paying when it isn’t necessary. → Read More
311 is making it easier to file a complaint and follow it to resolution. Should The Fixer be worried?
It has expanded its option menu and says more than 600 service requests can be made by phone, mobile text or online. → Read More
What’s with the curbside storage for new streetcar tracks? There must be a better way
A cache of streetcar rails was dumped in the curb lane on Queen Street W., which slows traffic and eliminates parking. → Read More
It cost the city $400,000 to fix up the historic Joy Oil gas station. Why is it still waiting for a fillup?
The city always has a story about why nothing has been done with it for such a long time. → Read More
Why is this decrepit wooden box still on the waterfront? It’s a mystery
It surrounds a utility pole on Queens Quay and has been there since the waterfront street was redeveloped. → Read More
Metrolinx is battling ‘beloved’ beavers by draining the pond where they live. Local residents side with the wildlife
Somebody is fighting back by raising the ‘beaver baffle’ installed to drain the pond in Grey Abbey Park above the water line. → Read More
This sidewalk abruptly ends with no warning — right where pedestrians need it most
Pedestrians must weave between pylons and a hole where the sidewalk should be, just inches from speeding traffic. → Read More
Who fixed the button that wouldn’t stop beeping?
A resident who reported a loudly malfunctioning pedestrian-crossing button to both Toronto and York Region couldn’t get a straight answer about which ... → Read More
Never mind the bollards — what about the safety of the pedestrians using this sidewalk?
It’s bent halfway across the sidewalk and in the way of pedestrians → Read More
Scaffolding hides pedestrian signal from people crossing the street
People on the other side of the intersection need to be exceptionally tall to spot the signal. → Read More
Why does this traffic signal for trail users turn red 24/7 — even when nobody’s around?
The city says it has to be that way, to avoid confusing drivers at another intersection less than 100 metres away. → Read More
Drivers beware: Parking spots painted on this Toronto street prove to be a ticket trap for confused motorists
The city has yet to cover up parking lines on the street, even though signs say no parking. → Read More
Leaning sign post is a head-bumping obstacle
The post south of Bloor Street has slowly been bent until it extends well across the sidewalk on Huron Street. → Read More
Drivers puzzled by lane closed for months on busy Toronto street for no apparent reason
The curb lane was barricaded months ago, but there’s been no work done to justify the closure. → Read More
The city finally gets serious about dangerous cow parsnip near pedestrian areas
A pilot project calls for the plant to be removed within three metres of paths and trails, due to “explosive” growth. → Read More
The Fixer fixes: Bloor bike lane reopened; collapsed brickwork repaired; Blythwood pothole filled
The Fixer updates how repairs have been made to the subjects of recent columns. → Read More
Newly laid sod turns a crispy golden brown after City of Toronto fails to water it
The city says a contractor is on the hook to replace the sod if it dies due to a lack of watering. → Read More
The Fixer gets a scolding for chasing off a hawk intent on stealing baby robins
While one reader was aghast the Fixer was interfering with nature by trying to save the robins, others offered sympathy and ideas for how to keep the ... → Read More