He always seems to be two steps ahead of this incompotent that the waterfront condo owners, island squatters, social in-activists, unions have put in office twice. Thompson recognized long before Comrade Miller that the city had problems with gangs and spoke out on the problem. Miller got on board after the start of the year of the gun. It is time to start working on getting rid of the deadwood at Toronto Silly Hall.
Miller to ask province for more governing power
Updated: Mon Jun. 02 2008 7:25:41 PM
ctvtoronto.ca
Toronto Mayor David Miller wants more power and he's going straight to the top to ask for it.
He is planning to ask the provincial government to amend the City of Toronto Act so that he can have more control over governing the city.
He will ask for more power to hire and fire the city manager as well as the ability to hold closed-door meetings with his hand-picked executive committee.
If the province agrees to the change, it will adjust the Act once it is up for review in January 2009.
Some councillors at city hall say the move will make municipal politics less accountable to the public.
"We have a mayor who came in with a broom and talked about openness and transparency but at the same time, he wants to hold secret meetings," said Coun. Michael Thompson. "I have a problem with that and I think members of the public do too."
Thompson and six of his peers on council are giving the public a chance to speak out about the move. They are holding a public meeting Monday night at the Scarborough Civic Centre.
A spokesperson for Miller said the mayor has no plans to consult the public on the issue.
On Tuesday, several motions will be presented at the Executive Committee requesting the issue go to council before it's decided.
However, two independent panels, including one that conducted a fiscal review of the city, recommended the mayor have more power to move city affairs along.
Coun. Kyle Rae said more power equals greater efficiency.
"That's what happens in most cities," he said. "The mayor is able to manage civic servants so that they can deliver on promises."
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has said he would support giving the mayor more power.
Councillors Divided On Idea Of Giving Mayor More Powers
The concept of extending more powers to Toronto's top politician isn't sitting well with some city councillors.
Mayor David Miller would like to see the province allow him more leeway in office, including the ability to hire and fire the city manager. Among the opponents to that plan, Councillor Michael Thompson, who represents Ward 37 Scarborough Centre.
"Maybe a smart mayor, you know, with more power would do well for the city, but what about a not-so-smart mayor," he observed.
Thompson also worried he wouldn't be able to serve his constituents as effectively if the mayor is given more power, and suggested Miller would be able to conduct private meetings with his executive committee.
"The current mayor came into office with a big broom, talking about accountability, transparency and so on. Yet he's now proposing secret meetings," he said.
On the other side of the debate, City Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker of Ward 38 Scarborough Centre, who feels the changes Miller's looking for won't have that big an impact on Torontonians.
"I think the Mayor expanding his powers really isn't a big deal at all. I don't think any taxpayer in the entire City of Toronto will ever notice the difference," he said.
The Mayor's office so far hasn't commented to CityNews on the matter, but some councillors said the request for more powers would be put to the province this summer.
The public will be able to speak out on the issue at a forum Monday night. When asked on the street, some city dwellers praised the potential move.
"I think it's a good idea," one individual opined. "I think the major has to have that kind of authority so that decisions can be made."
Another said, "The only way they're going to get anything done is if he has the power to do it."
The public meeting happens Monday night at the Scarborough Civic Centre, beginning at 7pm.
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