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2 chairs better than 1?
January 25, 2007

Juicy conspiracy theories are always abundant at Toronto city hall. One making the rounds involved this week's appointment of two vice-chairs – councillors Janet Davis and Maria Augimeri – to the community development and recreation committee. The conspiracy goes like this: Councillor Joe Mihevc wants to be TTC chair, doesn't get it, so as a sop Mayor David Miller makes him chair of community development, the job Augimeri wanted. Mihevc wants Davis as his vice-chair, but what to do about Augimeri, who, word has it, had the votes on the community development committee in her bid for vice-chair? In an interview Mihevc says he did some research and discovered he could have two vice-chairs. Augimeri will be responsible for recreation, Davis child care. Flame stamped out.

Calling moths `Roma'
likely wouldn't fly

Councillor Pam McConnell noted during a debate on controlling gypsy moths that "gypsy" is considered a pejorative word these days and that it might be best to find some other designation for the pests. She's got a point about the word being offensive (it's said to be derived from the word "gyp,"), but the designation of the little critters has been around for more than a century. Folks formerly known as gypsies are now called "Roma," but we somehow doubt the phrase "Roma moths" would be more appropriate.

`Big picture' focus leaves committees quiet

Things have been awfully quiet at most committees of council so far. But a high-ranking city official said it's not because councillors aren't working or aren't needed. "The new council is supposed to be leaving more things to staff to work on and deal with so they can focus on the big picture," he said.

Tree-cutting backlog
hacks at voter support

Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti (Ward 7, York West) says the city's backlog on tree trimming is causing problems. Staff says they're about a year behind on tree work orders, but Mammoliti said it's more like two years or more.

"I'm very frustrated with what's happening," he said at a parks committee session this week. "People expect to get things done and when we tell them the waiting list is this long, it just doesn't fly."

Mammoliti said staff isn't taking council complaints on the issue as seriously as it should.

"I probably lost 500 votes (in the November election) because of this," he said. "I'm going to take this issue on. I'm gonna keep on it."

Fletcher staying put
as parks chair

Council members attending committee meetings have been advised to choose their seats carefully, as they'll be made permanent so committee sessions can have recorded votes. When this was pointed out this week to Councillor Michael Walker at a parks committee gathering he said he'd like a different seat and pointed at the seat of Councillor Paula Fletcher, the committee chair. Fletcher laughed and replied, "Not just yet," or words to that effect. As a frequent critic of Mayor David Miller, Walker might want to avoid getting his hopes up.

with files from Star City Hall Bureau