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Post: Appoint Citizens to TTC - Pitfield

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AlvinofDiaspar

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From the Post:

Appoint citizens to TTC
Pitfield

James Cowan, National Post
Published: Friday, July 21, 2006
Mayoralty candidate Jane Pitfield wants to add private citizens to the Toronto Transit Commission to end political meddling in its operations.

A nine-member board of city councillors currently oversees the TTC, but accusations that chairman Howard Moscoe interfered in labour talks -- prompting chief general manager Rick Ducharme and commissioner Mark Grimes to quit -- has Ms. Pitfield suggesting a "new model" is needed to run the transit system.

"The commission is not serving transit riders as well as it could, because there has apparently been political interference with management," she said.

Mr. Moscoe has denied his actions were inappropriate, arguing he contacted union boss Bob Kinnear only to try to avert May's wildcat strike.

A motion calling for Mr. Moscoe to step down as TTC chairman was defeated this week by a 5-to-3 vote. Mr. Grimes resigned immediately after the non-confidence motion failed.

According to Ms. Pitfield, four commission seats should be handed to local residents while city councillors would continue to occupy the remaining five. She contends that it would make the organization more accountable and less subject to "political control."

"I'm trying to bring the commission closer in touch with residents of the city," Ms. Pitfield said, who floated the idea at this week's TTC meeting.

Transit advocate Gord Perks, a member of the Toronto Environmental Alliance, said it would be wrong for a public agency to be run by private citizens.

"It can create inappropriate relationships and put people who are not accountable in a position where they can do real harm to the city," Mr. Perks said.

"We have to wonder when somebody has a lot of power and not a lot of accountability, whether they will put the public's interest ahead of their own."

There is significant precedent for Ms. Pitfield's suggestion. The TTC was dominated by citizen appointees between 1921 and 1988, when a plan to build a skyscraper over Eglinton Station and a series of other controversial business decisions prompted councillors to claim control. Indeed, it was Mr. Moscoe who led the fight to replace citizens with councillors, claiming the positions were being used as patronage appointments.

The TTC has also faced criticism this year for pursuing an untendered contract with Bombardier to build subway cars. And, it was revealed this week that a program to add new safety features to the system, such as security cameras on buses, is now close to $22-million over budget.

"I think more people are agreeing: The TTC needs to be run in a more business-like fashion," she said.

Ms. Pitfield said she does not support privatizing the TTC. However, she did suggest that "small portions," such as bus routes, could be contracted to private companies.

Joe Mihevc, a former TTC vice-chairman, said even a small amount of privatization would "balkanize" the system.

"We have a unified, integrated system," he said. "Even starting to privatize would be the worst thing for the TTC."

jcowan@nationalpost.com

© National Post 2006
____________________________________________________

Now, if she is proposing individuals like Steve Munro get on the board, sure. But somehow, I have the distinct feeling she is more interested in the Margaret Smith set.

AoD
 
Quite right. With citizen appointees, as nice of an idea as it is, inevatiably you end up with some pol's golfing buddy. Just look at Gordon Chong (a dentist) as head of GO.
 

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