GIGO

This an acronym popular in the early days of computer.....garbage in garbage out was the explanation of why there were system problems and it applies, IMO, to the re-election of David Miller. He has not listened to the people during his last three years and when it comes to disposing of garbage it is obvious he won't be listening during the next four years.

Half of T.O. backs burning

Poll shows Mayor David Miller is on the wrong side of the incineration debate

By ZEN RURYK, CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF

Fifty per cent of Torontonians favour burning the city's garbage, according to a Leger Marketing poll.

Another 20% want to create local dumps and 15% are okay with the current practice of trucking trash for disposal out of town, says the poll prepared for Sun Media.

Another 6% of respondents indicated that they prefer some other mode of disposal, while 10% didn't know or refused to answer.

"Those who opt for incineration are less likely to say that they will vote for Miller in the upcoming election, compared with Pitfield or another option or undecided," Leger vice-president Dave Scholz said yesterday. "So, really he is not on the proper side of what the Toronto electorate would like done here."

Mayor David Miller opposes incineration, saying the disposal process produces dioxins. His main rival, Jane Pitfield, says she supports the use of high-tech, heat-based technologies -- other than incineration -- that produce electricity while getting rid of trash.

Miller's opposition to incineration does not appear to be hurting his re-election bid.

Leger found 44% of Torontonians who say they are "absolutely certain" to vote for Miller on Monday, while only 22% said they were absolutely certain to vote for Pitfield.

Scholz said that 45% of Miller's supporters would pick incineration. In the case of Pitfield, 69% of her supporters prefer incineration.

"Even though this is not a plank that Miller has built his election platform around, people are still willing to vote for him and it's not as large an issue as some of the other issues. And really, this hasn't been an election about issues," Scholz said.

Leger's polling also found that garbage is the fifth-most-important issue -- tied with homelessness -- behind violent crime, traffic, government/politicians, and public transit. Only 3% of Torontonians identified garbage as the biggest issue.

"If you're going to be on the wrong side, this is the one you need to be on the wrong side of," Scholz said.

Questioned 500

The pollster questioned 500 Canadian citizens living in Toronto, between Oct. 27-31. The poll carries a margin of error of 4.4%.

In a controversial move, city council recently voted to spend $220 million to buy the Green Lane landfill site, near London.

The deal, which doesn't become final until Dec. 20, sparked opposition in the London area. Toronto is contractually obligated to continue trucking trash to Republic Services Carleton Farms landfill in Michigan until 2010.

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UP IN SMOKE

What do you think the best method is in dealing with the disposal of Toronto's garbage?

50 % Incinerate it

20 % Create local landfill sites

15 % Truck it out of town

5 % Other

10% Don't know/Refused