Would the gravy train be stopped?

The man who promised to stop the gravy train at Toronto City Hall is now the mayor-elect of this great city, the largest in Canada. His victory is a glimpse into the present state of mind of a lot of people – the anxiety of the just finished (or is it not finished yet?) recession. It is also a kind of revolt against the elite, the haves of downtown Toronto who seem to be the ones enjoying the “gravy” of this almost finished Miller administration.
I heard from some friends earlier during the day that Rob Ford believers went out to vote to ensure his election.
Rob Ford started the campaign as an underdog. His closet rival appeared to have it all wrapped up in January of this year. George Smitherman was the second most powerful man in Ontario as deputy premier when he resigned to run for mayor of Toronto. He had the endorsements of some of the most well known and highly trusted citizens of Toronto. And then in a few months Rob Ford’s popularity surged up giving him an almost unbelievable lead. The campaign with five forerunners seized the headlines of media in Toronto. Heated debates ensued. Opinions in media judged George Smitherman as the candidate with the clearest vision of what he planned for Toronto but Rob Ford’s stop the “gravy train” stuck in the minds of listeners.
All elections are times for promises that are often not achieved. Sometimes when one analyzes the candidates’ platforms, statements contradict one another. The promise of tax cuts is very tempting but the taxpayers have to remember that the less money there is in the coffers, the more possibilities in cuts of services.
Of course, there is a lot to be said about how the money is budgeted, just like the way we do our family spending,. There is the question of priorities and where one shops and how careful each penny is spent. These are considerations that we experience personally which are also applied in government budgeting.
We also have to remember that there are 44 councilors and one mayor who have to work cooperatively to achieve whatever goal there is. There is a need for teamwork and leadership. Our government is not an autocracy that makes decisions arbitrarily. There will be negotiations and giving in, to be able to get what one wants in return. Each of these 44 councilors has his/her own agenda, the promises that were made to respective constituents; the mayor has to consider all those needs of the city, not only those particular goals he had set.
The last election campaigns targeted the Miller administration for all its shortcomings. The progress that the city enjoyed during the last seven years were overlooked. In an article by Hugh Mackenzie (“Face it, Torontonians, Miller time was good,” Toronto Star, October 24, 2010 A21),the author reviewed the accomplishments in the city under Miller leadership.
It mentioned how from a deficit of $109 million in 2003, the city had a surplus of $81 million in 2008. Contrary to the complaints about too high taxes in Toronto, the city has the lowest taxes in the Greater Toronto Area.
The article went on to enumerate the progress the city had made due to improved services which of course needed more spending. This is one point often missed by many: there can be no added service without increased spending.
The year 2003 was characterized by scandals and corruptions at City Hall. The year 2010 will close with nothing but hearsay of wasted expenses which happened to be within the scope of what is considered legal.
Artistic and cultural progress also took place. We have the Distillery District and the Yonge and Dundas Square to show for that kind of development.
For all the complaints that we hear about our transit system in Toronto it cannot be denied that most of the weaknesses are being attended to and a plan for a Transit City is on the way with funding commitment from provincial and federal governments.
Now, what is this gravy train that is being planned to be stopped. Does it carry all these things that will make Toronto the great city that will be recognized internationally as a leader in arts and culture as well as in addressing issues in air and water pollution and global warming? Would the “gravy train” be carrying the provisions for the education and recreation of the have nots, in the places at risk in Toronto?
Yes, let us look after the taxpayers in Toronto. But let us also look where the taxes go, Yes, it would be wise to be vigilant about how the taxes are spent but not to the extent of lessening or cutting very much needed services.
The results of the municipal election in Toronto were an answer for the clamor for change. Let us hope that it will be change for the better. Let us also hope that there would be more teamwork and selflessness among the members of council.
The cry of change was echoed not only in Toronto but also in some of the places in the GTA particularly in Vaughn. The last four years were a period of turmoil in the council of this promising city. The results of the election were a clear indication that its people had enough of this mess. A new leader was elected on whom the population puts high hopes.
This is to congratulate two members of the Filipino Canadian community who emerged victorious in Markham- Alex Chiu, most senior member of Markham Town Council and Marlene Mogado in her second term as school board trustee. Cheers for the landslide victory of Mayor Frank Scarpitti.
The last election showed better response from the constituents of Toronto with more than 50% of registered voters going out to vote as against the about 39% in 2006. Democracy is alive and healthy.
Now we are left to watch in the next four years how those who were elected would carry out their promises. How long would the honeymoon period last?
And for Rob Ford – how would your deal with that “gravy train” Better check carefully what it brings.