Teflon Mayor Plays It Safe

Challengers attack mayor

Miller targeted in debate

By NATALIE PONA, TORONTO SUN

It was a David Miller sandwich.

Mayor Miller was fielding attacks from both sides last night during the first televised debate of the mayoral race on CANOE Live.

Miller was left defending his time in office, calling some of his competitors' accusations "astonishing."

"He looked like he was ready to throw the white flag down," said the Sun's Sue-Ann Levy, in post-debate analysis.

FIREWORKS

There were fireworks as Jane Pitfield and Stephen LeDrew attacked Miller's record on transit, City Hall ethics, the waterfront and the St. Clair streetcar line.

"Why do you keep saying things you're going to do when you've been mayor for three years?" LeDrew said.

In one attack, Pitfield accused Miller of having a "secret agenda" for the Gardiner Expressway.

"(You will) wait till the election is done, then tear it down," she said.

Miller said tearing down the Gardiner is not a priority.

Pitfield took her share of the heat when she was asked why she has flip-flopped on issues such as the St. Clair streetcar line.

In September 2004, Pitfield voted in favour of the $68-million plan to put streetcars on dedicated lanes along St. Clair Ave., from Yonge St. to just west of Keele St.

Many local business owners and residents are against the project, which has been built from Yonge to Bathurst Sts. so far.

Miller questioned why she has since again changed her mind.

Pitfield defended herself, saying a mayor must be open to change, when better options are presented.

"Circumstances have changed, David Miller," she said.

Pitfield then fired back, arguing Miller hadn't done enough public consultation before forging ahead with the streetcar plan.

LeDrew -- who the Sun's Lorrie Goldstein called the "flame-thrower" of the debate -- spent his time attacking Miller.

Miller "played it safe," said the Sun's Zen Ruryk, adding that strategy, used in the campaign, may actually win Miller a second term.