Welcome Back Royson

I am glad to see that Sue-Ann Levy and I are not the only ones to talk about Miller's first broken promise.....transparency at city hall.

Shhh! They're setting the budget TheStar.com - News - Shhh! They're setting the budget

Royson James
Toronto Star

Toronto starts its annual fiscal trek $518 million short of a balanced budget. But city officials refused Monday to utter that very figure, which was released last year.

The city wants about $200 million from Queen's Park this year – in addition to the $200 million the province already earmarked for the 2007 budget. But those numbers wouldn't escape the lips of budget chief Shelley Carroll on Monday.

The tight-lipped, close-to-the-vest, behind-closed-door approach is part of Mayor David Miller's strategy to fix the city's budget woes. And if it works, the only ones complaining will be those concerned about the small matter of openness and access to government.

As the mayor's office evolves into a big-city, U.S.-style seat of power and control, the first casualty is transparency and the ability of citizens and dissidents to gum up the process.

The 2007 budget process is exhibit A.

At the head of each department is a Miller-appointed lieutenant. Over at the TTC, where councillor-advocates often fight against fare increases, the same yoke-bearing system is in place. No mavericks refusing to follow the city-imposed directives can be tolerated in the new regime.

It's 1933 in Munich......possibly a script for a sequel to The Producers.