Morning Brew: Rob Ford gets an election rival, 45 vie for council seat, Bussin mulls a comeback, cyclist has brush with Bill Blair, and Matlow probes Sam sign rumours

Rob Ford has his first confirmed mayoral rival. David Miller's budget chief David Soknacki says he will run against Ford in 2014, although he admits name recognition may be a problem. For the record, Soknacki is in favour of an LRT in Scarborough. "Right now that's the only funded transit," he told the National Post, though that could change if the money comes through.

45 people are in the running to fill former deputy mayor Doug Holyday's seat on city council, including former Etobicoke mayor Bruce Sinclair, former councillor and MP John Nunziata, and a hat full of other former politicians, local business owners, and a former police officer. Council will make a decision Oct. 10.

Meanwhile, former councillor Sandra Bussin is planning a comeback in the Beach. Bussin's 13 years in the east end seat came to a dramatic end when she was trounced by Mary-Margaret McMahon by 39 percentage points - more than 9,000 votes - in 2010. It remains the biggest post-amalgamation election defeat in Toronto, which was largely brought about by her support for 20-year, untendered lease on the Boardwalk Cafe.

Eight people have been arrested for their alleged role in a series of killings and attempted murders, some of which seemed to target random people. Toronto police said Project Sugar Horse looked back at events that started in 2008 and continued in 2010, 2011, and 2012. All face charges of attempted murder or first-degree murder.

A Toronto cyclist claims she had a close encounter with police chief Bill Blair's SUV yesterday. Meghan Orlinski says she was biking to class at Ryerson via University and College when Blair's vehicle encroached on the bike lane, forcing her to swerve. "I kind of hit the side of the door," she told Global News. Blair then rolled down his window and scolded her, though he wasn't driving. Toronto Police say Blair's vehicle never entered the bike lane.

Local burger chain Lick's looks like it's in deep trouble. The company is "displaying all the signs of a struggling chain that's about to go under," an analyst told the Star. Grab one while you still can.

Superior Sausage Co. on Dundas West is shutting up shop for good this weekend, taking its famous kielbasa, ham, head cheese and bacon with it. The store has been in business since 1937 but repeated calls to modernize from provincial food inspectors forced them to close, the owners say. The last day for smoked sausages is Sunday.

City councillor Josh Matlow wants Ryerson University to show him the Sam the Record Man sign over rumours the neon records have been damaged or even destroyed in storage. So far there's been no response from Ryerson president Sheldon Levy. The university told the Star the sign was undamaged.

Finally, part of the Bloor-Danforth line will be closed this weekend (28th-29th) due to track construction work between Kipling and Islington stations. Shuttle buses will plug the cap until 6 AM on Monday, Sept. 30.

IN BRIEF:

• Taxpayers foot $74,850 bill for 30 chairs at Toronto City Hall [Toronto Sun]


• University of Toronto students protest David Gilmour [CBC]


• Toronto Zoo delighted by panda season numbers, despite fewer visits than expected [Toronto Star]


• Woman, 90, dead after being struck by van [Toronto Star]


• Toronto cop tries to catch child predator with Twitter [CBC]


• Security guards get expanded powers for Pan Am Games [CBC]


• Toronto police search for escaped suspect [CBC]

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Mariam Magsi/blogTO Flickr pool.

by Chris Bateman via blogTO