Are The Leftist Long Knives Our For Ford & Holyday

The budgets are for constituency offices, shelter from the elements for councilor's personal staff, and it would seem to me that if space is available at the various "civic centers" then why aren't the other councilors utilizing that space and rebate the monies now spent out of their office budget. Portable computers, wireless networks, high tech cell phones, etc. would seem to indicate staff don't need shelter.It looks like the mayor has issue a hit.......

Pay up, thrifty duo told
By ZEN RURYK, CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF

Thrifty councillors Rob Ford and Doug Holyday are refusing to dip into their office budgets to pay city-issued bills for space they use at the Etobicoke civic centre.

Ford and Holyday -- who spent less of their office budgets than other councillors last year -- each received invoices for $1,123 for use of space at the Etobicoke civic centre in 2006.

According to city policy, councillors can use their office budgets to rent constituency offices. They are charged by the city if they set up shop at a civic centre.

Ford argued that he shouldn't have to pay, saying he uses an office at the civic centre once a week "at the most."

MASTER KEYS ISSUED

He said councillors who sit on the Etobicoke York community council are issued master keys that open any of several of the offices set aside for councillors.

"They're insanely jealous that we don't spend money," insisted Ford. "That's all it comes down to. They can't comprehend how Doug Holyday and I don't spend money."

Each city councillor is provided with an annual office budget of $53,100. Ford last year filed no expenses. Holyday hit up taxpayers for only $1,471 of his allotment.

Holyday said he uses a civic centre office an average of 21/2 days a week and dismissed calls he use his office budget to pay for space as "silly politicking."

Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti said he plans on raising the issue Monday at a meeting of Toronto's influential executive committee.