I'm not an expert in road engineering, but I've always suspected it is a consequence of a decision by the city -- likely related to the need to save money -- to repair and replace the streets without replacing the sidewalks and curbs. As a result, the roads rise with each new level of asphalt, and the curbs and sidewalks seem to be sinking.

You've probably seen them setting wooden forms along particularly crumbly stretches of curb. A city concrete mixer arrives later, and carefully pours a thin dollop of concrete in the forms. Given how bad the curbs are, it's a noble but mostly pointless exercise.

[Sam Katz] will be a tough sell on the CCPA's message. The mayor is profoundly wedded to the tax freeze. But if he doesn't raise taxes, how will the city protect key services and infrastructure renewal? We're already in a deep hole and further spending cuts will only deepen it.