....cost of running the city has increased well beyond the rate of inflation over the last six years during which Comrade Miller was in "charge." And now he is playing the "poor kids" card.....I have to wonder what the 44 councilors and their staffs are doing. Could they be stepping in and running these programs for the "poor kids?' One of Comrade Miller's fiascos....
By JOE WARMINGTON
Perhaps the best film mystery being played out right now is the final tally of how much taxpayer money has been thrown at the apparent flop once known as Filmport.
200 new dumps get OK
Sites ready should strike go on
By BRYN WEESE, SUN MEDIA
If you thought 21 temporary dump sites stink, get a whiff of this.
The ministry of environment has approved about 200 potential dumps in parks, parking lots and public spaces around the city, which the city could open to accommodate more trash if the 17-day strike drags on.
Geoff Rathbone, general manager of the city's solid waste department, said yesterday the current 19 sites still in use (two have already closed) are about 40-50% full.
"We're tracking that on a day-to-day basis, and will be making future announcements (of where new temporary sites will be opened) as necessary," he said.
The city has issued 250 tickets, which start at $380, for illegal dumping and handed out more than 4,000 warnings.
If the city didn't provide enough trash sites, illegal dumping would be a far bigger problem than it is already, according to City Manager Joe Pennachetti.
"Having to use city facilities like parks for (garbage) drop-off sites is not an ideal situation ... for anyone," he said yesterday. "But if the city does not provide residents with a properly maintained place to drop off garbage, the city would face a growing problem of illegal dumping in parks and public areas."
Toronto's health department has issued six orders to clean up piles of illegally dumped rubbish and to spray authorized trash piles with pesticides. Those sites include: Christie Pits, Scarborough Arena, Eglinton Flats, Caledonia, Wishing Well and Earls Court parks.
Mayor David Miller said despite all the attention paid to garbage during the strike, his main worry is the impact the 17-day labour dispute is having on kids.
"The poorest children in this city are losing their summer recreational opportunities. I don't think that's right. They're losing their camps; they're losing their pools. That's just not acceptable," he said.
Pennachetti said the city is still negotiating with both unions, and "progress is being made."
Miller said an agreement can be reached as soon as the two striking unions, which represent more than 26,000 inside and outside workers, accept that the city is in financial trouble.
"If the (unions') bargaining team can recognize that, there's an agreement to be reached," he said. "It's that simple."
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