The Three Wise Men Are On Their Way To Bethlehem

And that probably explains the lack of intelligence and common sense when it comes to Miller's Apostles.

Miller and his apostles already off and running TheStar.com - News - Miller and his apostles already off and running

Royson James
Toronto Star

Rarely has Toronto city council begun a term with such a burst of energy and a heightened sense of purpose.

Mayor David Miller and his 12 disciples have not met yet to plot the strategy for the next four years, but already these apostles, given lordship over precincts in the civic landscape, have started to show their hands.

Miller himself started it off by musing about the possibility of increased parking fees in downtown Toronto and downtown North York — not to raise much-needed revenues, not to fund cash-starved transit, not to build roads — but to discourage driving, and thus cut harmful emissions that heat up our climate, cause smog and pollution, and ruin our environment.

No sooner had that trial balloon floated past the sentinels of talk radio than the idea elicited foaming at the mouth and other paroxysms of outrage from suburbanites (and little more than a shrug from the majority of his subjects). Mission accomplished.

A political hot potato that wasn't even hinted at during the just-concluded election campaign had been put on the public radar screen.

Councillor Howard Moscoe, tossed from his favoured perch at the helm of the transit commission, landed at the licensing and standards portfolio and started doing what he does best, which is tinker, fix, kick the tires, or, as some say, meddle.

He says maybe landlords should be licensed and levied a fee based on the quality of their buildings. A slum landlord pays more while a princely owner gets a break. This idea has not been voted on anywhere — just Moscoe free styling and pushing the envelope. Again.

(Just wait till he starts on his favourite pastime, smashing and remaking the taxi industry in the name of reforms.)

Days later, another apostle, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Miller's waste management lieutenant, took to the streets and played sanitary worker to get a first-hand look at what you are throwing out as trash.

De Baeremaeker scolded residents who threw out diapers and other compostables, as well as recyclable goods. And he had harsh words for landlords who don't get on the waste reduction bandwagon.

"They'll be cut off, or they'll be fined," he told the Star's John Spears.

Then, getting way ahead of council, the city's new waste reduction leader said: "If you're a bad citizen, if you're a bum, you're going to pay a lot more. I'm going to whack you with a stick. That depends on council, but that's where I'm going."

This is all good. Finally, the city has empowered advocates and activists on its major files and they are embracing their portfolios with vigour. They can freelance and try out certain ideas — without the mayor taking responsibility and the political fallout for their trial balloons.

That's because the "disciples" have been given a portfolio to manage and shepherd. They are council's leaders on their file — almost like cabinet ministers. It's a function of the new governance model adopted by council — one that gives the mayor an executive committee made up of the 12 disciples, and answerable to him.

When they get too far ahead of the mayor, council or the people, the mayor can yank them back.

Of course, talking and delivering are often miles and years apart. Mayor Miller wanted to implement a 311 system that allows residents to call one number at city hall and get action on all civic matters. Implementation proved more difficult. It will be this term before it is accomplished. Chances are, if the current governance model had been in place, 311 would be up and running today.

Citizens are most anxious to hear from budget chief Shelley Carroll. She might want to tell us how the city will close the $500 million budget gap it has but don't expect any pronouncements soon.

The strategy is well-known and well-worn. She and the budget committee will busy themselves with minor tinkering around the edges, hold public meetings and hear from hundreds who want more money, solicit them to join the fight for more money from Queen's Park and Ottawa, approve a small tax hike, and look to Queen's Park for the bailout. (Oh, sorry, it's our money, so bailout isn't the appropriate term).

Amidst the welcome changes, expect some of the same.