Your Tax Dollars At Work

February 21, 2007
Roads to perdition
Councillor slams naming of two new streets after living MPs
By ZEN RURYK, CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF

Liberal MP Judy Sgro and former federal cabinet minister Sergio Marchi have truly made their mark on Toronto's streets.

Both have roads named after them in a residential development that is now being built in the Jane St.-Wilson Ave. area.

Councillor Doug Holyday complained that it's a bad idea for the city to name streets after politicians.

"You're suppose to may be honouring someone for a contribution and sometimes after the political career is over, there is time to do a thing like that. But it sure isn't when the politician is still active."

City policy stipulates that names of "living people should only be used as street monikers in "exceptional circumstances." Only a person's surname should be used unless additional identification is necessary to prevent duplication with other street labels in the Toronto area, according to the policy.

Holyday said he could not see any exceptional circumstances that would warrant the naming of streets after Sgro or Marchi.

Sergio Marchi St. and Judy Sgro Ave. are part of a subdivision off Torbarrie Rd.

The names were quietly approved in late September at the final council meeting before November's municipal election.

Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong was surprised when told about the street names.

"I certainly wouldn't have streets in my ward named after them."

Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti, who represents the area where the homes are being built, defended the naming decision, saying it has the support of local community representatives.

"It absolutely fits in with this community and what we want in this community -- and, quite frankly, that's all I give a darn about," said the councillor for York West (Ward 7).

Go get your picture taken.......