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Webster still driving TTC 3
By Don Peat ,City Hall Bureau First posted: Friday, July 22, 2011 1:19:59 EDT PM
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TORONTO - Is it the end of the line for TTC chief general manager Gary Webster?
Not yet.
Former TTC vice-chairman Councillor Joe Mihevc accused Mayor Rob Ford’s administration of plotting to oust Webster and replace him with a candidate dedicated to building the Sheppard subway.
“It’s in play,” Mihevc told the Sun. “Torontonians need to voice to their mayor that they want competent managers, not lackeys running the TTC.”
TTC officials confirmed Webster was still on the job Friday.
Mihevc said firing Webster would send the message across the city civil service that politics rather than professional competence matters.
“It’s a question of whether we want professional managers or ass kissers at the TTC,” Mihevc said.
The Ward 21, St. Paul’s councillor lauded Webster for having a proven track record at the TTC, despite the TTC’s recent customer service woes. If Webster gets the boot, Mihevc stressed TTC riders will notice it.
“They’ll feel it on the street,” he said. “You will have a very poor public transit system.”
Commission spokesman Brad Ross said Webster wasn’t available for an interview Friday but was working hard with staff on the 2012 budget and ongoing customer service improvement initiatives.
“The TTC is a large, complex organization. His continued leadership has never been more important,” Ross stated in an e-mail.
Councillors on the TTC commission would have to vote to remove Webster.
TTC chairman Karen Stintz could not be immediately reached for comment.
Councillor Doug Ford declined to comment Friday.
Adrienne Batra, the mayor’s press secretary, refused to discuss Webster.
“We don’t comment on personnel matters,” she said.