Comments on: What’s Toronto Mayor David Miller doing with his garbage?

By: George

George — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 23:32:20 +0000

The very least the city taxpayer should expect, the very least, will be a refund of one month's garbage collection and other services portion of their tax (so far). The inconvenience and other damage can be compensated by sinking this great mayor in the next municipal elections.

By: Drew

Drew — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Mel's the one who gave garbage workers with ten years seniority the right to a permanent job with the city to end another strike. They are unfireable thanks to him. What's needed is a mayor who looks out for all his citizens instead of his union buddies. That's not Miller. He's been doing his best to help the unions by stalling on any action against them. Their contract was up in January. He let them drag out negotiations to the hot summer months. The city had a list of demands. It gave up every one of them but the union won't give in on even the egregious sick day payout demand. Miller talked tough to Torontonians in the first days of the strike, threatening fines for dumping etc., not a word to the unions. He doesn't take out legal injunctions against unions for delaying people exercising their legal right to use the city designated dumps. He also has a legal right to have the trash hauled away from the parks but leaves it there to help the unions. He's spent Toronto into huge debt draining all reserves and knows it. The union demands can only be met by borrowing more money. Since he's already charging a special garbage tax for a service that's not being provided he's on thin ice. Contract out to private garbage collection as in Etobicoke (and North York until Miller handed that back to his greedy union buddies) and kick Miller to the curb as well.

By: Legal Corruption

Legal Corruption — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 01:25:31 +0000

Fuck UNIONS…the scourge of modern civilization…antiquated, redundant and a bunch of bingo playing trailer trash!….get rid of them and employ free enterprise, then you will see the difference between producitivity and blowhards!!!

By: Legal Corruption

Legal Corruption — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 01:22:26 +0000

Bring back Mel…Oy Vey!

By: JustinWordswrth

JustinWordswrth — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:51:12 +0000

Call your City Councillor and demand a refund for the services that have not been delivered for the last month.

By: JustinWordswrth

JustinWordswrth — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:49:54 +0000

New Rule: For as long as our governments enforce monopolies, we get to remunerate the recipients with monopoly money.

By: Monkey in the Middle

Monkey in the Middle — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:49:46 +0000

I am a University-trained Public Health Nurse who never wanted to be on strike. I am also a taxpayer who is in tune with the larger economic realities and the need for fiscal restraint. The Union has not given me any detailed information. The City has locked us out-asking us to hand in our equipment, security key fobs etc. even before the strike deadline. I would go back to work in a flash. I do not want to be a scab because of reprisals. There are many of us caught in the middle of this political game of saving face and who flinches first.

By: Deb

Deb — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:34:42 +0000

Miller IS the problem in Toronto, his answer for absolutely everything is to find a way for us to pay more. Daycare is horrid, property tax out of control, what does he do with the extra $60/year carbon tax, we pay $150 to park ON THE STREET, we used to work until June 28th of each year just for the government now i believe we are into September……when does it end…my pay cheque doesnt go up each time he decides to increase a tax here and there..i dont recall the last time i got a nine percent increase never mind 18 sick days a year. Miller caused this garbage problem and eventually he will give in and in a few years they will strike again for more and more and more. Where does it end, when is enough….ENOUGH!! We in Canada are to complacent we just go with the flow and let someone else make all our decisions for us, sure we bitch but we DO NOTHING.

By: JustinWordswrth

JustinWordswrth — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:01:24 +0000

Everyone should be given fair treatment. The question (and debate) is, what is fair?

By: JustinWordswrth

JustinWordswrth — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:58:17 +0000

Success certainly is not requesting back to work legislation. Success would be passing out-of-work legislation, in other words, making it illegal for the government to employ people where the private sector can do a much better job of it. Success would be walking into McDonald's and being served by your garbageman of yester-month.

By: JustinWordswrth

JustinWordswrth — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:52:26 +0000

I know where Miller has put his garbage… he's filled his budget with it.

By: JustinWordswrth

JustinWordswrth — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:50:14 +0000

His name is FedUpInToronto – obviously he lives in a dump!

By: JustinWordswrth

JustinWordswrth — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:47:25 +0000

If David Miller was standing up to the unions, their members would be right now mid-way through an interview with the local Wal-Mart midnight manager – and being told that they simply do not have the qualifications.

By: JustinWordswrth

JustinWordswrth — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:41:05 +0000

City Council could hire private contractors. They won't do this. Perhaps they are (also) the ones holding the city to a ransom.

By: Skinny Dipper

Skinny Dipper — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:27:52 +0000

Take my poll. Vote for the 2010 mayor of Toronto. There's 32 names to choose from. The poll is an STV/AV preferential ballot (ie. 1, 2, 3, and so on.) http://skinnydips.blogspot.com

By: Toronto Resident

Toronto Resident — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:09:14 +0000

If Miller was really standing up to the unions or had any interest in serving Toronto residents this strike would be over by now — or at least close to a resolution.

And people — especially Toronto residents — have every right to be angry at Miller for mishandling this situation. He can't simply take all the credit for successes but deny responsibility for any failures. The buck stops at him.

By: John

John — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:46:52 +0000

As crazy as it seems, I think you are forgetting that their are people in the world who do not drive cars. What about their tax money? What about the billions of dollars that go into building and maintaining roads for cars.

Compared to the public transit systems in the major cities in the US, Europe, and Asia, ours is ancient, if we don't get our acts together to improve our transit system, we will be left behind.

How can you say that David Miller has no respect for Torontonians when he is the only one standing up for the minorities and the future of the city.

If you can't stand the mayor, may I suggest moving to Alberta?

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:30:54 +0000

I am astonished that people are so angry at the mayor, calling him a leftist, when he is the one standing up to the unions. Yes the stike is hard for everyone but there is no need to use the mayor as a scape goat. As for the garbage, I live in a small house with five people and we havn't filled up our garbage bin yet. Perhaps instead of complaining about the mess, people should get their own composts and stop consuming uneccessary amounts.

David Miller I salute you!

By: Outsider

Outsider — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:43:26 +0000

What nonsense.Have you bothered to look at the sidewalks,the trash cans that tipping over overfilled with garbage,on every corner.You like looking at that?Open your eyes.The sidewalks are littered.That is your idea of 'clean'?Do you live in a dump or something?

By: gase

gase — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:36:04 +0000

i propose the next drop off zone will be in his lawn

By: FedUpInToronto

FedUpInToronto — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:50:34 +0000

I agree. I think those working in the health profession such as paramedics should be given fair treatment and give them those 18 sick days…i think they deserve it. What I think most Torontonians are pissed about are the garbage collectors or city office workers making $25+ an hour and also demanding the 18 bankable sick days. I personally think paramedics etc. should have their own union and not be lumped in with garbage collectors. It doesn't make sense … I mean, give people fair wages yes, but come on people…18 bankable sick days?

By: FedUpInToronto

FedUpInToronto — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:43:59 +0000

ok, ok…let's not all get worked up. The issue at hand is unions and politicians holding citizens hostage regardless of where in this fantastic country we live.

By: FedUpInToronto

FedUpInToronto — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:34:59 +0000

Give me a brek Outsider. I work in the downtown core and considering we've had a month of this strike, the streets are pretty clean. There is actually a volunteer movement in the city that has people going to the worst areas to help clean up. We're doing our best as citizens under the lunatic unions and our even more lunatic mayor.

By: Sickofit

Sickofit — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:31:56 +0000

It's Mark Ferguson, isn't it? Anyways, he lives in Brampton. 'nuff said.

By: Dakota

Dakota — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:12:38 +0000

I did not call people from Ontario garbage, you made that inference yourself. I said that they were haling garbage from Ontario out west one car load at a time.

Find a sense of humor.

Or is it buried in a mountain of garbage?

By: Frank Anthony

Frank Anthony — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:10:19 +0000

I hope Torontoians realize what this Mayor is all about.
I never voted for Miller and never will. This man has no respect for Torontonians……especially motorists.

He nickel and dimes us at every turn, lets these bike riders in our streets do what they want because he refuses to plate them so they can be held accoutable for their wrong doings, wants to hold on these damn streetcars, and has made a mess of streets like St. Clair.
Now he wants us to keep our garbage at home.

As the world changes we all have to make adjustments but this Mayor it out of control. He should step down NOW.

(Fed Up)

By: ateacher

ateacher — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:04:23 +0000

Hey GTA Chuck, I think he should volunteer his garage as an upscale dumpster, anyway he'll say… "it is all well".

By: jjm

jjm — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:34:33 +0000

Maybe the mayor should face reality and let the whole city councel in .
He and his minions are making the city even worse.
I think the whole city will be better off without hi royal blondeness david miller.
Better still go back to california

By: Outsider

Outsider — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:53:06 +0000

Withn all this,do not be surprised to hear that he has been re-elected in a landslide.I am so glad I moved three years ago,I still drive there for my job every morning.Full of crime,full of garbage,they have summer festivals coming up and they will do it all in the garbage?Trash cans almost tipping over overfilled with trash.Litter everywhere.Shopkeepers are the ones making the effort to keep the curbs clean,this is sad.Whoever visits that city this summer will not be coming back,I can guarantee you that.

By: WottaMess!

WottaMess! — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:30:04 +0000

Yeah, really clever, except this poster is also referring to Ontario tourists who are driving around out west as 'garbage'.
Please read the whole post before you say you 'love it' (And, yes, I am assuming that Donna is from Ontario – even if she is not, why would Canadians anywhere agree that people from one part of their great country are 'garbage'? That's just nasty!)
And Dakota, why such anger towards Ontarians? You may not personally like us bringing our money out there, but I am sure there are many people in the tourism industry through all parts of the west who may disagree with you.
On that note, I was in Banff National Park earlier this month. To that I can say, Loved it! And no garbage anywhere to be seen.

By: Furious

Furious — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:57:21 +0000

With the current employment situation as it is, there are thousands of people ready and eager to take over the jobs of those that do not want their jobs.
It should be illegal for anyone whose salary is paid by the Taxpayer to strike.
This strike was planned to cause the most harm to the Taxpayers who are paying their salaries and benefits. Why does the Taxpayer allow it ?

By: win

win — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:35:12 +0000

They are probably doing what the union is here in Windsor and that is piling it up on the curb in front of their union hall. And then what happens is that the Health Unit orders the city to remove it.

By: ateacher

ateacher — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:48:58 +0000

It's really interesting how patient can Torontonians be with this "Mayor", who showed speed of light trying to strip benefits out of worker's contracts, and none velocity whatsoever to even talk about returning money to "his" taxpayers for the services not delivered i.e. garbage collection, and closed summer camps that are already paid.

Refund the money, please. Give a fair contract to the workers. If you can't do this, just resign and let a competent citizen take your place.

By: Ken J.

Ken J. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:38:15 +0000

"skills amount to picking up garbage"… um you're obviously a victim of the city's propaganda machine. There are a LARGE number of NON-Garbage people involved in this. Paramedics, EMD's, Nurses, Public Health workers, … all skilled in their own professions. …
I think we should all withhold the newest portion of our taxes, the one that goes for trash collection according to Gray bin…..

By: Joshua S

Joshua S — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:20:09 +0000

Success would be to apply what Mayor Daley of chicago did. Fire 1500 of workers and see if they still want to stick it out. Success would also be to hire private contractors to pick up the garbage from the temporary dump sites. unions have the right to strike, the citizens of Toronto also have the right to hire alternative services should the unions FAIL to provide a service.

By: GTA Chuck

GTA Chuck — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:19:40 +0000

Are you kidding me??, he can throw garbage in his garage indefinitely? Amazing, just amazing………Wow, what a great citizen he must be to stubbornly say to himself that all is well and his garage has lots of room for more garbage, never mind the health risks… I think Macleans needs to put him on the cover more often.

Through this entire stirke I have never seen him so embarassed or upset than when he showed up on the cover of Macleans and was asked about it during a news conference. He was clearly miffed. Nice.

By: Joshua S.

Joshua S. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:14:40 +0000

I believe he and the lazy councillors gave each other a almost 30% raise back in 2003- or 4. Unfortunately, like Miller, his supportors are ideology driven vs. practicality. I actually voted for Miller in his first term as I thought a large airport on the island would ruin park space. Now I'm a enthusiastic fan of Porter and their services. But let's not mention that Miller completely failed on his promise not to have Porter exist/expand. He's raised property taxes, licence fees, car registration fees, land transfer taxes, garbage fees, PET fees, USER fees for rec centres, closed down pools, water utilities, Streep parking permit fees, shorterned library hours, shut down ice rinks during march break (how does this make sense? – close down rec centers while kids are OUT of school?) and lets not mention we're also over 3 Billion dollars in debt!(since 2002) . We've had 2 TTC strikes, 2 Garbage Strikes, a Record No. of murders (2006) all under his watch. Someone explain to me what he and his policies have done successfully?

By: Donna

Donna — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:07:05 +0000

Love it "Slumdog Miller"

By: Donna

Donna — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:05:03 +0000

Good question I wonder if he has to wait 3 hours before they will allow him to drop off his garbage. Oh when they do go back to work are they going to expect overtime to clean up the mess they caused.

By: Kevin in Taxoronto

Kevin in Taxoronto — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:57:38 +0000

I hope Mr. Miller opens up his garage for all those people out there that don't have one. His socialist agenda will not allow him to cross picket lines to get on with other city business – what are all of council on strike now too?! Not only am I not receiving garbage pickup, but council is not working either! This only gives more power to the unions whose aim is to shut down the city and strong-arm a resolution in their favour. In my opinion, the best solution is to maintain as normal a lifestyle as possible to demonstrate that we will not be held in fear….

By: Dakota

Dakota — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:56:01 +0000

Judging from the number of Ontario license plates on the roads out west, my guess is that Slumdog Miller is shipping a lot of his garbage out of the province one car at a time.

Toronto’s new slogan should read “Toronto, Canada’s Dump.”

By: hosertohoosier

hosertohoosier — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:52:08 +0000

160000/148000 = 1.081

That is an 8% raise in 2007. The other raises look to be at the rate of inflation. Since 2004 it works out to an annual rate of about 3%. That does not seem unreasonable to me, though mayoral salaries are bizarre. Larry O'Brien in Ottawa makes as much as Miller, while the mayor of Vancouver only makes about 120,000. Mayor Daley in Chicago makes 216,000; Mayor Nutter in Philadelphia (probably the closest to Toronto in size) makes 186,000 (after a voluntary $18000 pay cut) and New York mayor Bloomberg, $225,000 (though he only takes $1).

I wonder though if the non-monetary perks of running a larger city are the reason that you don't see amazingly high salaries for the bigger cities (things peak around $200,000/year). Running a bigger city gives one a national profile, connections and a sure spot on a well-paid corporate board after you retire (not to mention more opportunities for graft).

By: Carol

Carol — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:29:29 +0000

Must be nice to have a garage in the city!

By: carl789

carl789 — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:43:01 +0000

So when the strike ends will the city then charge the additional levy on people who put out their saved-up extra bags of garbage? Is that why Miller is advocating this approach? Maybe this is how he plans to finance the new streetcars, hold a strike and charge a fee for all the stored up garbage?

By: c_9

c_9 — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:37:05 +0000

Looks like my posts with many links are getting flagged or held, so here's a list with no links. Found these all with Google in ten minutes:

Year, Mayor, Council, Where found
2009, 166985, 99153, Toronto's homepage
2008, 163040, 96805, Wikipedia
2007, 160000, 95000, Adam Giambrone's site
2006, 148000, 87000, Adam Giambrone's site
2005 ?
2004, 142539, 84068, Google Books

I don't see a 9% raise!