M II A II R II K
Senior Member
James: How do we make Toronto great? Here's how
Jul 30 2010
By Royson James
Read More: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...james-how-do-we-make-toronto-great-here-s-how
Good ideas lie trampled on Toronto’s mayoralty track — lost in the stampede of criticism that drives the political rhetoric of an election campaign. But how do you make Toronto great? The way forward should have a blueprint that promises a great city — one that values community and equity and respects citizens and their taxes. It does not slash and burn. It does not smash; it builds. But it has no sympathy with ideologues and seeks no partnership with councillors who put their interest above their constituents’. Here’s how it can be done:
Regain public trust
Before a mayor can ask Torontonians to sacrifice and dream about a city of great transit, social equity and excellent service, the office must regain public confidence.
The past seven years should be a lesson not lost on future politicians. David Miller rode into office on a broom, a symbol of a city’s desire to clean city hall of corruption. That he did. But he also allowed his friends on council to destroy the citizen’s faith in city hall. How?
Council took pay hikes themselves while they cut the salaries of senior staff, put workers through a controversial strike, approved tax hikes above inflation each year, and initiated new taxes on cars and property sale.
Councillors refused to cut their office budgets, using the money to feather their nests, fund pet projects, engage in image-burnishing events, support sports teams, dress up in bunny suits, buy expensive espresso machines and outrageously high-priced Christmas cards.
And when challenged by citizens, the council voted to use tax dollars to defend themselves — even when the city solicitor told them the move was illegal.
Worse, the mayor refused to stand up for the citizens, allowing his council to dodge behind fine legal and policy interpretations. For example, when a Beach family, supporters of Miller ally Sandra Bussin, managed to get an exclusive deal from the city to manage a waterfront food business, the mayor remained mum, even though the deal was clearly not in the interest of the taxpayer.
To end this era, the winning mayor would pledge to:
• Freeze council salaries for four years, as the $100,000 they make is a fair wage; cut the office budget to between $30,000 and $40,000, from the current $53,000 a year; cut off those self-promoting, tax-funded ward councillors’ newsletters at the first quarter of an election year; and, finally, obey the law and not fund legal bills for court challenges to councillors’ election campaign finances.
That accomplished, citizens may begin to believe that city council is no longer a safe harbour for arrogant lifers with a sense of entitlement. And candidates will no longer gain traction with a one-issue campaign that taps into this discontent.
Help us feel better about city spending
The city’s budget is the second arm of the corrosive force at city hall, and the most difficult to repair. Some citizens will never believe their money is being spent wisely. They resent every tax dollar they pay. The aim is, don’t give them any more supporting evidence. And give the rest of us reason to feel good about city hall spending.
A winning mayoral platform would promise to:
• Give citizens a property tax freeze in year one as the administration reviews programs, tightens the budget and sets the spending template for the term.
• Approve inflationary tax increases after that, to maintain services that make Toronto thrive. There’s no need to add more police, as we have enough; maintain ambulance and fire services; bolster areas where we’re falling apart.
• Declare the TTC an essential service. Examine outsourcing of garbage collection (and other appropriate services), holding some levers to ensure the city is not held hostage by the contractor.
• Secure the essentials of a fiscal deal with the province, tell citizens how much they have to pay to maintain services, and end the incessant squabbling with Queen’s Park over downloading.
• Equip the auditor general with enhanced resources to target fraud and wasteful spending.
Boost democracy
Citizens report a feeling of disconnection to city hall, especially in the suburbs. A winning mayor must engage the suburbs and bring their representatives into the power positions at city hall. Symbolism is not enough. Electoral reform is needed.
• Set in motion electoral reforms that will be in place by 2014. Indicate some essential elements of the reform that must be studied to deliver a more open, accessible, diverse, representative and equitable city hall.
• Favour a governance model that gives communities more direct control and influence over strictly local decisions, including a budget for local improvement. Eight to 12 such “communities†seem ideal. Elect councillors to represent each “community†on the big city council; and give that politician a seat on the city’s executive committee — along with the mayor’s appointees.
• Support the right of all Toronto residents to vote in municipal elections, citizenship notwithstanding.
• Limit councillors’ time in office to 12 years, or three terms.
• Allow voters to rank candidates on an election ballot and deliver a result where winners don’t take office with as little as 20 per cent of the vote.
• Promote diversity initiatives among councillors that mentor under-represented groups at city council. The female politicians are doing this for women. Visible minorities need similar advocates.
Jul 30 2010
By Royson James
Read More: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...james-how-do-we-make-toronto-great-here-s-how
Good ideas lie trampled on Toronto’s mayoralty track — lost in the stampede of criticism that drives the political rhetoric of an election campaign. But how do you make Toronto great? The way forward should have a blueprint that promises a great city — one that values community and equity and respects citizens and their taxes. It does not slash and burn. It does not smash; it builds. But it has no sympathy with ideologues and seeks no partnership with councillors who put their interest above their constituents’. Here’s how it can be done:
Regain public trust
Before a mayor can ask Torontonians to sacrifice and dream about a city of great transit, social equity and excellent service, the office must regain public confidence.
The past seven years should be a lesson not lost on future politicians. David Miller rode into office on a broom, a symbol of a city’s desire to clean city hall of corruption. That he did. But he also allowed his friends on council to destroy the citizen’s faith in city hall. How?
Council took pay hikes themselves while they cut the salaries of senior staff, put workers through a controversial strike, approved tax hikes above inflation each year, and initiated new taxes on cars and property sale.
Councillors refused to cut their office budgets, using the money to feather their nests, fund pet projects, engage in image-burnishing events, support sports teams, dress up in bunny suits, buy expensive espresso machines and outrageously high-priced Christmas cards.
And when challenged by citizens, the council voted to use tax dollars to defend themselves — even when the city solicitor told them the move was illegal.
Worse, the mayor refused to stand up for the citizens, allowing his council to dodge behind fine legal and policy interpretations. For example, when a Beach family, supporters of Miller ally Sandra Bussin, managed to get an exclusive deal from the city to manage a waterfront food business, the mayor remained mum, even though the deal was clearly not in the interest of the taxpayer.
To end this era, the winning mayor would pledge to:
• Freeze council salaries for four years, as the $100,000 they make is a fair wage; cut the office budget to between $30,000 and $40,000, from the current $53,000 a year; cut off those self-promoting, tax-funded ward councillors’ newsletters at the first quarter of an election year; and, finally, obey the law and not fund legal bills for court challenges to councillors’ election campaign finances.
That accomplished, citizens may begin to believe that city council is no longer a safe harbour for arrogant lifers with a sense of entitlement. And candidates will no longer gain traction with a one-issue campaign that taps into this discontent.
Help us feel better about city spending
The city’s budget is the second arm of the corrosive force at city hall, and the most difficult to repair. Some citizens will never believe their money is being spent wisely. They resent every tax dollar they pay. The aim is, don’t give them any more supporting evidence. And give the rest of us reason to feel good about city hall spending.
A winning mayoral platform would promise to:
• Give citizens a property tax freeze in year one as the administration reviews programs, tightens the budget and sets the spending template for the term.
• Approve inflationary tax increases after that, to maintain services that make Toronto thrive. There’s no need to add more police, as we have enough; maintain ambulance and fire services; bolster areas where we’re falling apart.
• Declare the TTC an essential service. Examine outsourcing of garbage collection (and other appropriate services), holding some levers to ensure the city is not held hostage by the contractor.
• Secure the essentials of a fiscal deal with the province, tell citizens how much they have to pay to maintain services, and end the incessant squabbling with Queen’s Park over downloading.
• Equip the auditor general with enhanced resources to target fraud and wasteful spending.
Boost democracy
Citizens report a feeling of disconnection to city hall, especially in the suburbs. A winning mayor must engage the suburbs and bring their representatives into the power positions at city hall. Symbolism is not enough. Electoral reform is needed.
• Set in motion electoral reforms that will be in place by 2014. Indicate some essential elements of the reform that must be studied to deliver a more open, accessible, diverse, representative and equitable city hall.
• Favour a governance model that gives communities more direct control and influence over strictly local decisions, including a budget for local improvement. Eight to 12 such “communities†seem ideal. Elect councillors to represent each “community†on the big city council; and give that politician a seat on the city’s executive committee — along with the mayor’s appointees.
• Support the right of all Toronto residents to vote in municipal elections, citizenship notwithstanding.
• Limit councillors’ time in office to 12 years, or three terms.
• Allow voters to rank candidates on an election ballot and deliver a result where winners don’t take office with as little as 20 per cent of the vote.
• Promote diversity initiatives among councillors that mentor under-represented groups at city council. The female politicians are doing this for women. Visible minorities need similar advocates.
