In one of the towns above above Steeles you can start to see that all city parks need not be acres of cut grass and weeds. If you drive up Don Mills past Steeles into Markham, on your left you can see how this town's Simonston Park (in German Mills) has combined natural growth areas along the park periphery with the main activity areas of cut grass.
The naturalized areas not only break the monotony of short grass but add an attractive and ecologically useful dimension to the park. Adding native species plants and grasses might be part of the plan. Going wild with nature seems a worthwhile idea.
Cutting back of grass cutting should reduce both maintenance costs and air pollution. It should improve the air quality. And improve park enjoyment.
In Ward 33 there are many areas where going more natural seems a natural fit. Stretches on slopes behind residential lots such as Dallington or Lescon Park look like good places to start.
Coupled with community gardens we could see our parks becoming more multi-dimensional.
Public, Open, ...
- Advocacy, Democracy - Action, Resolution - Issue, Concern, Opinion - Decision, Challenge, Opportunity - Help, Listening, Developing, Caring - For, Against - Searching, Evaluating - Hoping, Giving - Maturing, Growing - Thinking, Reacting - Critical, Conditional - Responsibility, Involvement, Engagement - Agree, Disagree - Inclusive, Isolated - Engagement, Disinterest - Commentary, Silence - Constructive, Insightful - Systemic, Narrow - Contemplation, Execution - Delay
Sunday, March 21, 2010
What Should Toronto Be?
Last week the discussion of what Toronto should be was raised indirectly by a Conservative MPP from a rural constituency. He felt the rest of Ontario would be better off it became the 11th province. If you remember the pre-amalgamation debate, many in Toronto thought that this Harris imposed integration, combined with social cost downloading and school underfunding models reflected a need to see Toronto as a standalone government worthy to be a province.
This week's Star editorial opinion concluded "Rather than seeking provincial status for Toronto, or even the GTA, it would make more sense to expand the city's powers and give it access to new revenue sources, like road tolls. Efforts to foster more economic co-operation across the GTA would also be beneficial. The best way forward lies in wisely building on what we already have."
The City of Toronto Act 2007 did somewhat enhance the city's powers but only so far. The Star's road tolls idea might make more sense if it was a added to a consumptive tax.
Yes, maybe pragmatic reality says Toronto can't become a part of the Canadian confederation as province but it needs to be further uncoupled from the maternal strings of Ontario. Toronto cannot continue to treated as a child of the province: it must become more peer like.
Of course, we will hear none of this from the McQuinty folks. But hopefully, a 2010 city candidate or two will keep the idea going that the 2007 Act was just one step in an evolution of Toronto to another position of governance and freedom within Ontario . We need to hear about the next step.
Is it time to add "city states" within provinces to the confederation table_ add Montreal, Vancouver, ... ?
This week's Star editorial opinion concluded "Rather than seeking provincial status for Toronto, or even the GTA, it would make more sense to expand the city's powers and give it access to new revenue sources, like road tolls. Efforts to foster more economic co-operation across the GTA would also be beneficial. The best way forward lies in wisely building on what we already have."
The City of Toronto Act 2007 did somewhat enhance the city's powers but only so far. The Star's road tolls idea might make more sense if it was a added to a consumptive tax.
Yes, maybe pragmatic reality says Toronto can't become a part of the Canadian confederation as province but it needs to be further uncoupled from the maternal strings of Ontario. Toronto cannot continue to treated as a child of the province: it must become more peer like.
Of course, we will hear none of this from the McQuinty folks. But hopefully, a 2010 city candidate or two will keep the idea going that the 2007 Act was just one step in an evolution of Toronto to another position of governance and freedom within Ontario . We need to hear about the next step.
Is it time to add "city states" within provinces to the confederation table_ add Montreal, Vancouver, ... ?
Pragmatism and Cost-Benefit Analysis Enter the City Election
In today's Star we find out that candidate for mayor Rocco Rossi is neither left or right but pragmatic. Hopefully, more elected politicians can adhere to the philosophy of pragmatism. Liberal Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau was an admitted adherent. Whether Rossi is a practicing pragmatist or just a practical man, time will tell if he is elected although we might suspect based on education, work as a business consultant and charity/political fundraiser he should be more the former than the latter.
He proclaims to be an environmentalist, cyclist and progressive who knows that the financial house must be in order. He sees the city needing to stick to its "core business" but sees the value of Toronto Hydro (selling it off) only in debt reduction opportunity?
As Rossi tries to escape a "right" side of the political spectrum voter perception, we can also see in the Star a report of the burgeoning 6-figure, $100K police force: many of whom say they must live outside the city_Toronto's too expensive for them. It raises doubts about police cost effectiveness or deficient cost containment.
According to this story Toronto's previous budget chief David Soknacki is currently putting together a study for the Toronto Board of Trade on police service financial matters. We should expect it to be a big news item_especially, if he can find a situation with news legs.
The story gives examples of police pay procedure for court appearances_ not the stuff of heavy crime but everyday ticketing for driving or car use offenses. There does not seem much "cost-benefit" analysis or even a concern that the city deserves a greater share of the ticketing revenue stream rather than the ticketing officer making the court appearance. (That is to say, the "overtime" pay for the officer or cost seems high_ 4 pay hours versus say a $200 ticket or less or city benefit.) Broadly, speaking it seems the C-B analysis needs to find some adherents in the TPS.
Pragmaticism and cost-benefit analysis should be engrained in both elected political office holders and public servants. They should be words found in a worthy candidate's election platform and form part of a city political party's reason for being. Rossi might be on to something_ it's time to drop the "left and right" hat thing, especially in city politics.
He proclaims to be an environmentalist, cyclist and progressive who knows that the financial house must be in order. He sees the city needing to stick to its "core business" but sees the value of Toronto Hydro (selling it off) only in debt reduction opportunity?
As Rossi tries to escape a "right" side of the political spectrum voter perception, we can also see in the Star a report of the burgeoning 6-figure, $100K police force: many of whom say they must live outside the city_Toronto's too expensive for them. It raises doubts about police cost effectiveness or deficient cost containment.
According to this story Toronto's previous budget chief David Soknacki is currently putting together a study for the Toronto Board of Trade on police service financial matters. We should expect it to be a big news item_especially, if he can find a situation with news legs.
The story gives examples of police pay procedure for court appearances_ not the stuff of heavy crime but everyday ticketing for driving or car use offenses. There does not seem much "cost-benefit" analysis or even a concern that the city deserves a greater share of the ticketing revenue stream rather than the ticketing officer making the court appearance. (That is to say, the "overtime" pay for the officer or cost seems high_ 4 pay hours versus say a $200 ticket or less or city benefit.) Broadly, speaking it seems the C-B analysis needs to find some adherents in the TPS.
Pragmaticism and cost-benefit analysis should be engrained in both elected political office holders and public servants. They should be words found in a worthy candidate's election platform and form part of a city political party's reason for being. Rossi might be on to something_ it's time to drop the "left and right" hat thing, especially in city politics.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Do you wonder what the plan is?
If you drive around this city, one of the first things that sticks out is the deteriorating road conditions. You wonder how long it will be before the city gets around to go from fixing the potholes to putting in a new road surface.
If you go to the city website, you can find out about current and planned road closures but even after looking at city budget documents you cannot find out when work in scheduled on that third world roadway you just drove over in TO - without reading an 8 page PDF file and then you aren't sure one way or the other: there is no simple lookup such as entering Leslie, Finch, Lawrence, Wilson and getting a fast response. With a 5 year capital budget, maybe we should be expecting more detailed and specific planning. Doesn't the city have a simple project database that allows workers, councillors and citizens to find out what is going on? (How is 311 going to work around this?)
Yesterday, the Star initiated a federal "stimulus" tracker program project by citizens to see if what is planned is being done_ are the shovels in the ground? They provided a list of Toronto projects. Some cover some roadways and parks.
(By the way, there doesn't seem to be much money allocated for any stimulus project on roads or parks in our ward_except for Victoria Park road work and Shawnee Park tennis.)
Many residents in our ward might be interested to know about work related to "basement flooding program". Yes, it's a chore to go to the city website and find anything unless you are a trained researcher or librarian.
Would you have tried looking under Get Involved then select Projects then scroll down to Basement Flooding then scrolled down and clicked Ward 33?
Bottom Line: the city doesn't make it easy to find out what's going on in. You must wonder how city staff get to know what those are planning to do or are working on in the room next door. You can understand why a road like Leith Hill gets prepped in late 2009 for road re-surfacing before the planned early 2010 sewer work! We live in the information age_ why is it so difficult for our council and city management to get their act together.
If you go to the city website, you can find out about current and planned road closures but even after looking at city budget documents you cannot find out when work in scheduled on that third world roadway you just drove over in TO - without reading an 8 page PDF file and then you aren't sure one way or the other: there is no simple lookup such as entering Leslie, Finch, Lawrence, Wilson and getting a fast response. With a 5 year capital budget, maybe we should be expecting more detailed and specific planning. Doesn't the city have a simple project database that allows workers, councillors and citizens to find out what is going on? (How is 311 going to work around this?)
Yesterday, the Star initiated a federal "stimulus" tracker program project by citizens to see if what is planned is being done_ are the shovels in the ground? They provided a list of Toronto projects. Some cover some roadways and parks.
(By the way, there doesn't seem to be much money allocated for any stimulus project on roads or parks in our ward_except for Victoria Park road work and Shawnee Park tennis.)
Many residents in our ward might be interested to know about work related to "basement flooding program". Yes, it's a chore to go to the city website and find anything unless you are a trained researcher or librarian.
Would you have tried looking under Get Involved then select Projects then scroll down to Basement Flooding then scrolled down and clicked Ward 33?
Bottom Line: the city doesn't make it easy to find out what's going on in. You must wonder how city staff get to know what those are planning to do or are working on in the room next door. You can understand why a road like Leith Hill gets prepped in late 2009 for road re-surfacing before the planned early 2010 sewer work! We live in the information age_ why is it so difficult for our council and city management to get their act together.
Public Transit Ideas Important in the Election Discussion
Yesterday, two important "idea" articles related to TTC - public transit from the Star's Opinion discussed: smartcards and LRT vs subways.
Both writers provide studied insight that is important to the election discussion and city operation.
It feels almost embarrassing to consider what PanAM games visitors might encounter in 2015 on the TTC.
Smartcards are long overdue as a means to improve both TTC operation and customer satisfaction. As the "LRT vs subways" writer points out they can assist the TTC to understand how its customers use it service much better than current fare methods.
This writer (an ex-councillor and a transportation consultant) also questions the lack of co-ordinated city planning and thinking required to ensure that the investments in public transit provide the payoff in city building or shaping. There is a major gap between the city's official plan and zoning and the Transit City plan (as well as current public transit projects).
If Smitherman needed the prudent rational to argue a pause on Miller's Transit City implementation he has found it.
And lest we forget, one of the mayoral candidates provided a solution on how to fund subway constructions: make users of the 404/DVP and Gardiner pay for driving access to and from the city. Maybe, forging a direct link of a road toll to a public transit project like that done for bridge tolls in the States rather than just another general revenue tax is a missing link to the city infrastructure financing scenario. Tolls end when subways are in place and paid for by law unlike the 407 hit.
Good stuff for talking but how do we see it become part of a vote by citizens. As suggested below, we need city political parties to ensure that when we vote we can direct what is going to happen by knowing where the candidates stand on big impact issues.
Both writers provide studied insight that is important to the election discussion and city operation.
It feels almost embarrassing to consider what PanAM games visitors might encounter in 2015 on the TTC.
Smartcards are long overdue as a means to improve both TTC operation and customer satisfaction. As the "LRT vs subways" writer points out they can assist the TTC to understand how its customers use it service much better than current fare methods.
This writer (an ex-councillor and a transportation consultant) also questions the lack of co-ordinated city planning and thinking required to ensure that the investments in public transit provide the payoff in city building or shaping. There is a major gap between the city's official plan and zoning and the Transit City plan (as well as current public transit projects).
If Smitherman needed the prudent rational to argue a pause on Miller's Transit City implementation he has found it.
And lest we forget, one of the mayoral candidates provided a solution on how to fund subway constructions: make users of the 404/DVP and Gardiner pay for driving access to and from the city. Maybe, forging a direct link of a road toll to a public transit project like that done for bridge tolls in the States rather than just another general revenue tax is a missing link to the city infrastructure financing scenario. Tolls end when subways are in place and paid for by law unlike the 407 hit.
Good stuff for talking but how do we see it become part of a vote by citizens. As suggested below, we need city political parties to ensure that when we vote we can direct what is going to happen by knowing where the candidates stand on big impact issues.
Chipmunk Suits, Movie Nights and Websites - Part of the Demcratic Deficit
Yesterday, the Star reported on Councillor Heaps use and defense of spending the people's money to entertain residents in his ward. Today the Star's editorial replies :While such spending is seemingly frivolous, it has a purpose: to boost the name recognition of councillors within their wards and enhance their chances of re-election. As such, it constitutes yet another advantage for city hall incumbents over any would-be challengers.
In Ward 33 are movie nights and councillor websites serving resident needs or purely "boosting the name recognition" thing and contributing to the democratic deficit?
In Ward 33 are movie nights and councillor websites serving resident needs or purely "boosting the name recognition" thing and contributing to the democratic deficit?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Ideas and Parties
As we go deeper into this year of city elections, we are hearing many ideas (new and old) on how to change and hopefully improve our city. To make ideas become city policy and programmes and /or services requires consensus building and vote gathering_ both on election day and in the elected city parliament _ that is, city council.
A single councillor or even the mayor must have the support of council to see ideas go forward beyond being a nice or attractive notion or proposal.
This March 16 article, Porter: City council hopefuls are just what Toronto needs reflects some good ideas ( by councillor wanabees who likely won't win) yet are worthy of public and continued discussion.
This March 16 article, Porter: City council hopefuls are just what Toronto needs reflects some good ideas ( by councillor wanabees who likely won't win) yet are worthy of public and continued discussion.
Historically, the key role of a political party is to aid the process of an individual's idea becoming part of a group interest that in the elected assembly can propose and debate coherently and vigorously such ideas to enable enacting legislation. A party provides the "marketing" agency that can under its "brand" promote widely what an individual normally cannot. The media attention expands. The consensus building is broader and deeper when a group or coalition stands behind ideas or proposals. Parties become idea champions_ ideas that represent both non-elected and elected party membership and more of the general public.
For too long parties have not been allowed in city politics in Ontario. This might have been reasonable when cities were much smaller. But today, Toronto has a larger population than most provinces with a total budget well over $9 billion. No one councillor can grasp the totality of the urban governance or be on top of things _ across the city and maybe, even with a ward.
A party allows councillors to become needed and proven "specialists" as well as weak foundation generalists in city matters. We see this in Ottawa and at Queen's Park.
In Canada's two next in size cities, Montreal and Vancouver city party politics has been in place for decades. Maybe, there are reasons why both cities have had the "world class" experiences and events that Toronto has only seen from the sidelines.
City parties are not just city versions of the parties we see in Ottawa or at Queens Park. They group under shared and concrete ideas on the liveable city more than abstract and the left-right spectrum categories. They can become the mechanism to enhance civic participation by more people.
It is time that ideas on how to change and improve Toronto start with a focus on the role of city political parties and their ability to bring ideas forward and create consensus for voters to make on election day. No candidate so far has seen this void.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Putting Off Budget Reality to After the Election?
If you read some of the thoughts running the city operations with a $350 million surplus, some candidates for mayor and council have received a boost while Rossi and Smitherman have lost ammunition for their onslaught on the financial situation. Even Councillor Carroll (see Mirror Mar 12 , " Ski Hlls issue could lead to more open budget consultation") warns that "next year a more open policy for debate will likely be more essential as the city braces for more cuts still in 2011... the tough stuff's coming...".
Why as "budget chief" has she put off the reality check until next year?
Well where has the councillor been standing and shouting? Yes, _ shoulder to shoulder with Mayor Miller. She cannot have it both ways. Much more than most of us simple minded taxpayers, she is close to the city's financial operations. She has access to all the data and personnel. Why hasn't budget process been more open_ wasn't she aware of the surplus issues and the need to discuss the impact to the immediate future just after 2010 in this year's presentation?
Her soft warnings indicates a tendency to please for power rather than take a stand for what needs required and said, last year and now.
Without the unanticipated surplus would we taxpayers be facing a 8% or 12% or 16% or even 20% increase? And while the tax rate looks low, are we really paying less for services based on equivalent property to others in the GTA? Remember without the surplus, the increase to balance was about 16% at proposed service and fee levels!
Is there not a need to start building short term "reserves" in the property tax revenues to smoothly adjust_via keeping the rate at 4%? Can anyone really expect McQuinty to change and come up with a quarter billion for TTC operations by Dec 1 2010? (Was McQuinty given a heads up on the city's "lucky" surplus to forego its consideration in the 2010 Ontario budget?)
Contrary to what some think, Rossi and Smitherman likely have more dry ammo to fire broadsides at those in charge who are NOT speaking up strongly and forthrightly _ financially speaking.
The city child has been abandoned by its provincial mother and must consider looking after itself for some time_ no matter how much it contributes regularly to its family's upkeep.
Why as "budget chief" has she put off the reality check until next year?
Well where has the councillor been standing and shouting? Yes, _ shoulder to shoulder with Mayor Miller. She cannot have it both ways. Much more than most of us simple minded taxpayers, she is close to the city's financial operations. She has access to all the data and personnel. Why hasn't budget process been more open_ wasn't she aware of the surplus issues and the need to discuss the impact to the immediate future just after 2010 in this year's presentation?
Her soft warnings indicates a tendency to please for power rather than take a stand for what needs required and said, last year and now.
Without the unanticipated surplus would we taxpayers be facing a 8% or 12% or 16% or even 20% increase? And while the tax rate looks low, are we really paying less for services based on equivalent property to others in the GTA? Remember without the surplus, the increase to balance was about 16% at proposed service and fee levels!
Is there not a need to start building short term "reserves" in the property tax revenues to smoothly adjust_via keeping the rate at 4%? Can anyone really expect McQuinty to change and come up with a quarter billion for TTC operations by Dec 1 2010? (Was McQuinty given a heads up on the city's "lucky" surplus to forego its consideration in the 2010 Ontario budget?)
Contrary to what some think, Rossi and Smitherman likely have more dry ammo to fire broadsides at those in charge who are NOT speaking up strongly and forthrightly _ financially speaking.
The city child has been abandoned by its provincial mother and must consider looking after itself for some time_ no matter how much it contributes regularly to its family's upkeep.
Friday, March 12, 2010
More Thoughts on Our Magical Surplus
Yesterday, the Star's Royson James wrote a scathing and cynical followup to the Mayor's surplus announcement (see Surprise! City bolsters budget with surplus New money pushes excess funds to $350 million, cuts property tax increase by $23 per home).
His take is more damning than our post below but we seem to be sharing the same mindset
(UPDATE: in Friday's MIRROR, the previous budget chief, David Soknacki writes BEYOND THE HEADLINES: Vigorous debate needed on how to pay for services. He says "... residential property tax payers will continue to enjoy the lowest tax rate in the area with a reduced increase. And finally, $75 million will be used so that next year's anticipated deficit will start at about $400 million. These decisions illustrate clearly that next year's opening position for our city finances is not viable. " (italics added for emphasis on strangeness of reducing keeping tax rate down rather than starting next year with some money in the bank!)
We can see all of the city budget staff working extra time to put a new face on the "staff recommended" 2010 budget documents.
We should be asking whether the city will go through another round of public consultations. They seem needed due to the magnitude and directional change of the mayor's announcements.
So far the mayor, budget chief representing this ward or any member of the Executive Committee have NOT provided appropriate insight into the magical money hat that has been found in the city hall treasury.
We must wonder how any one can go into the budget process for the next year without having the results from the current year tied in to its budget line by line!
Instead of magic we thought that the city would invest in sound financial management and reporting systems to run our city and be able to report on the differences between city plan and its actual results. We must also wonder how the city can go so deep into the budget process without having good estimates of the year end results from city and ABC operations.
Granted the unexplained differences or surplus on a $9 billion budget of about $310 million is less than 3.5% of total budget and about 3.5 times the announced 4% residential property tax revenue increase of $87 million. Looked at in another way, the residential increase is less than 1% of total. Some might consider this balancing just a rounding error.
Should the early presentations pursue the legal requirement to "balance the budget"? This seems too rigid if the city cannot work out the final bottom line numbers with greater efficacy in time for public presentation.
Given that the city collects property taxes before setting the final budget based on last year's values the final balancing act should come after setting all other items and be the outcome of council's final decision.
But this digresses from the point made in the post below. The city needs an improved and more timely financial reporting system (that would also likely change the culture and character in the city's finance department and that of the ABC's). Such a system would allow the budgeting process across all departments and agencies to be on top of things by knowing how the state of finances is working out and to understand differences from the prior year's plan and results and make appropriate accommodations whether for a 1 year or multi-year operations cycle.
The next mayor should be pressing for this change and more.
We need to know the likelihood that the city could run a surplus or deficit_since forecasting to a "balance" position is problematical. We know that smart budgeting builds in contingencies (especially, for the downside). We know that historically, Toronto and its pre-amalgamation components managed to build reserve accounts.
We also need to know the list of projects for the future that did not make the current plan. Going to multi-year forecasts will help here. But why did Miller wait until the last 8 months before an election to introduce a notion of even a 2 year operations cycle and set up arrangements without a broader discussion?
Is it now out in the open that the so-called "Budget Committee" is just a remnant from the past and that the mayor's office directs all budget matters? Should this committee be abolished? Should professsional staff in the mayor's office assume responsibility for all the background preparation? Should an independent Council Budget Officer be set up to report to and aid council on budgetary and other fiscal matters_ such as the Parliamentary Budget Officer in Ottawa?
Maybe Miller has opened a pandora's box for change and improvement as his lasting legacy.
His take is more damning than our post below but we seem to be sharing the same mindset
(UPDATE: in Friday's MIRROR, the previous budget chief, David Soknacki writes BEYOND THE HEADLINES: Vigorous debate needed on how to pay for services. He says "... residential property tax payers will continue to enjoy the lowest tax rate in the area with a reduced increase. And finally, $75 million will be used so that next year's anticipated deficit will start at about $400 million. These decisions illustrate clearly that next year's opening position for our city finances is not viable. " (italics added for emphasis on strangeness of reducing keeping tax rate down rather than starting next year with some money in the bank!)
We can see all of the city budget staff working extra time to put a new face on the "staff recommended" 2010 budget documents.
We should be asking whether the city will go through another round of public consultations. They seem needed due to the magnitude and directional change of the mayor's announcements.
So far the mayor, budget chief representing this ward or any member of the Executive Committee have NOT provided appropriate insight into the magical money hat that has been found in the city hall treasury.
We must wonder how any one can go into the budget process for the next year without having the results from the current year tied in to its budget line by line!
Instead of magic we thought that the city would invest in sound financial management and reporting systems to run our city and be able to report on the differences between city plan and its actual results. We must also wonder how the city can go so deep into the budget process without having good estimates of the year end results from city and ABC operations.
Granted the unexplained differences or surplus on a $9 billion budget of about $310 million is less than 3.5% of total budget and about 3.5 times the announced 4% residential property tax revenue increase of $87 million. Looked at in another way, the residential increase is less than 1% of total. Some might consider this balancing just a rounding error.
Should the early presentations pursue the legal requirement to "balance the budget"? This seems too rigid if the city cannot work out the final bottom line numbers with greater efficacy in time for public presentation.
Given that the city collects property taxes before setting the final budget based on last year's values the final balancing act should come after setting all other items and be the outcome of council's final decision.
But this digresses from the point made in the post below. The city needs an improved and more timely financial reporting system (that would also likely change the culture and character in the city's finance department and that of the ABC's). Such a system would allow the budgeting process across all departments and agencies to be on top of things by knowing how the state of finances is working out and to understand differences from the prior year's plan and results and make appropriate accommodations whether for a 1 year or multi-year operations cycle.
The next mayor should be pressing for this change and more.
We need to know the likelihood that the city could run a surplus or deficit_since forecasting to a "balance" position is problematical. We know that smart budgeting builds in contingencies (especially, for the downside). We know that historically, Toronto and its pre-amalgamation components managed to build reserve accounts.
We also need to know the list of projects for the future that did not make the current plan. Going to multi-year forecasts will help here. But why did Miller wait until the last 8 months before an election to introduce a notion of even a 2 year operations cycle and set up arrangements without a broader discussion?
Is it now out in the open that the so-called "Budget Committee" is just a remnant from the past and that the mayor's office directs all budget matters? Should this committee be abolished? Should professsional staff in the mayor's office assume responsibility for all the background preparation? Should an independent Council Budget Officer be set up to report to and aid council on budgetary and other fiscal matters_ such as the Parliamentary Budget Officer in Ottawa?
Maybe Miller has opened a pandora's box for change and improvement as his lasting legacy.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Feb Budget, $210 M - Today, $100M - Where is this"surplus" money coming from?
Why was Mayor Miller euphoric and being a spin doctor when he should be embarrassed? A good mayor would have the financial reporting system in place and be reporting in January how the city did in 2009 according to plan! This should be done before presenting the 2010 budget!
A surplus exists when Operating Revenue exceeds Operating Costs. So what major items in revenue and costs did not match your budget forecast and why?
Were the tax revenue estimates off_ that is, too low? Is staff not capable of putting the needed information systems in place? Did the city economy not suffer during the Great Recession? Do we have the right managerial qualifications on the city Budget Committee?
This is what Mayor Miller should have been speaking to. Instead he talks about reducing the rate of increase in the city property tax by 1% or about $40-50 a year and reviewing planned user fee increases. He need not bother about the 1% _ it is just too small. We need to be keeping our eye on the ball and apparently he and his budget team do not. What happened between February and March_ less than 3 weeks is the big question! What things of priority can now be done with the extra money but couldn't fit in under the budget cutoff?
Our mayor in February's presentation seems happy to talk about keeping the city tax rate lowest in the GTA! Then he complains about the lack of city awareness in the federal budget.
How is Toronto looking in the senior level finance offices when it finds "surplus" in a time of major deficits and claims lowest taxes while the senior levels squirm to lower costs as revenues dropped?
This is the stuff of political embarrassment. It will be hard to keep the hand out for the 1 Cent GST thingy anymore. It will be hard to argue for more infrastructure money when $300 million is pulled from the magic hat. It will be hard to understand why roads are crumbling, parks look shabby, the city justifies other revenue sources like Vehicle Licensing and Land Transfer taxes.
Let's hope this "surplus" magic becomes part of the election campaign discussion in our ward.
Note - in our February posts (Structural Deficits, Budget Discussion) there are links to "opinion" pieces that have sound suggestions on the needed changes to the city's financial reporting and budget preparation and when and how the mayor should the financial state of the city.
A surplus exists when Operating Revenue exceeds Operating Costs. So what major items in revenue and costs did not match your budget forecast and why?
Were the tax revenue estimates off_ that is, too low? Is staff not capable of putting the needed information systems in place? Did the city economy not suffer during the Great Recession? Do we have the right managerial qualifications on the city Budget Committee?
This is what Mayor Miller should have been speaking to. Instead he talks about reducing the rate of increase in the city property tax by 1% or about $40-50 a year and reviewing planned user fee increases. He need not bother about the 1% _ it is just too small. We need to be keeping our eye on the ball and apparently he and his budget team do not. What happened between February and March_ less than 3 weeks is the big question! What things of priority can now be done with the extra money but couldn't fit in under the budget cutoff?
Our mayor in February's presentation seems happy to talk about keeping the city tax rate lowest in the GTA! Then he complains about the lack of city awareness in the federal budget.
How is Toronto looking in the senior level finance offices when it finds "surplus" in a time of major deficits and claims lowest taxes while the senior levels squirm to lower costs as revenues dropped?
This is the stuff of political embarrassment. It will be hard to keep the hand out for the 1 Cent GST thingy anymore. It will be hard to argue for more infrastructure money when $300 million is pulled from the magic hat. It will be hard to understand why roads are crumbling, parks look shabby, the city justifies other revenue sources like Vehicle Licensing and Land Transfer taxes.
Let's hope this "surplus" magic becomes part of the election campaign discussion in our ward.
Note - in our February posts (Structural Deficits, Budget Discussion) there are links to "opinion" pieces that have sound suggestions on the needed changes to the city's financial reporting and budget preparation and when and how the mayor should the financial state of the city.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Ward 33 _ Its Facts and Figures
DRAFT
On this blog's sidebar you can access the Ward 33 profile that can tell you much about its residents in terms of facts and figures. In the next while we will use this post to bring out some of this data.
On this blog's sidebar you can access the Ward 33 profile that can tell you much about its residents in terms of facts and figures. In the next while we will use this post to bring out some of this data.
Trees, Tree Management, Neigbourhood Gardens
DRAFT
Along Sheppard Ave E (along the subway route) we can see a lot of tree additions since the subway opening. In time we might expect to see a tree lined Sheppard Avenue. Trees are important city assets and tools.
They improve the city aesthetics, air quality and street cooling by shading ground and buildings.
The city has tree planting programs for city boulevards on the inner streets as well as on private property (LEAF).
But we see many areas_ city boulevards, parks and private property where more trees would improve the cityscape. As well, we notice many trees on private property that don't receive appropriate care (pruning for shaping and dead branch removal)
How can more trees be planted to fill gaps and start a replacement program for those approaching their end of life?
Remember that many of our current trees were planted around the same time period and will die together at old age.
As well, we see large areas of our parks that are just fields of cut grass_ not used for play or other purpose. They are under-utilized lands that could become food production areas. We see a church land program on the Peanut. Should we see more on public lands, such as Dallington Park?
This falls under city greening.
Again, will the 2010 election in our ward discuss trees and food gardens?
Along Sheppard Ave E (along the subway route) we can see a lot of tree additions since the subway opening. In time we might expect to see a tree lined Sheppard Avenue. Trees are important city assets and tools.
They improve the city aesthetics, air quality and street cooling by shading ground and buildings.
The city has tree planting programs for city boulevards on the inner streets as well as on private property (LEAF).
But we see many areas_ city boulevards, parks and private property where more trees would improve the cityscape. As well, we notice many trees on private property that don't receive appropriate care (pruning for shaping and dead branch removal)
How can more trees be planted to fill gaps and start a replacement program for those approaching their end of life?
Remember that many of our current trees were planted around the same time period and will die together at old age.
As well, we see large areas of our parks that are just fields of cut grass_ not used for play or other purpose. They are under-utilized lands that could become food production areas. We see a church land program on the Peanut. Should we see more on public lands, such as Dallington Park?
This falls under city greening.
Again, will the 2010 election in our ward discuss trees and food gardens?
Urban Design - Public Transit - Affordable Housing
The Sheppard E Subway line cuts through what has been mostly residential neighbourhoods. It takes people mostly to areas of work and of learning or play outside Ward 33. It brings in relatively few to work, learn or shop/consume. Most of the new development (done, in progress or planned) along this new public transit infrastructure is also residential in form. The city is more intensified (higher residential density , but not necessarily more compact_ don't walk to work or to shop).
The Sheppard E. line in short has dramatically altered the urban design of the landscape above Hwy 401 in the city wards (33 and 24)_from Bayview to the DVP/404. Most of the residences for sale have been to the higher income and younger demographic. They do not reflect the averages of Ward 33. Is this part of a plan or policy?
The north-south tie-ins bus route tie-ins to the subway are good on Don Mills but less so for those close to and along Leslie.
In both Wards 33 and 24 there is city run (THC) affordable housing. In fact, the Peanut area rental apartment towers as well as those in Parkway Forest might be considered private owned affordable housing.
The THC has indicated some redevelopment of one of its Ward 33 properties.
In this election year, we need to discuss the nexus of urban design, public transit and affordable housing in our ward. We might also adding "greening" the city.
Will there be any discussion?
The Sheppard E. line in short has dramatically altered the urban design of the landscape above Hwy 401 in the city wards (33 and 24)_from Bayview to the DVP/404. Most of the residences for sale have been to the higher income and younger demographic. They do not reflect the averages of Ward 33. Is this part of a plan or policy?
The north-south tie-ins bus route tie-ins to the subway are good on Don Mills but less so for those close to and along Leslie.
In both Wards 33 and 24 there is city run (THC) affordable housing. In fact, the Peanut area rental apartment towers as well as those in Parkway Forest might be considered private owned affordable housing.
The THC has indicated some redevelopment of one of its Ward 33 properties.
In this election year, we need to discuss the nexus of urban design, public transit and affordable housing in our ward. We might also adding "greening" the city.
Will there be any discussion?
Monday, March 8, 2010
What increase will we see on the city tax bill?
In 2009 we started to see the impact of the phase-in of the 2008 MPAC property assessment notice (which had overall assessments in Ward 33 going up in the mid 20 percent rate range). It appears that for many, maybe most in Ward 33 the increase in the city tax bill is higher than the city average.
Under Current Value Assessment, we expect our property taxes to rise if our property increases are over the averages and they have been for many or most houses in our ward.
The 2010 city budget under consideration has a 4% increase in the total residential tax. This is the same rate of increase as last year. In dollars, the 2010 residential increase will bring in about $87 million more.
We are left to ponder what would have been the situation for 2010 if the city had not had an unanticipated $210 million surplus from 2009! Would the increase be deep in double digits?
While the city tax rate went down in 2009 (from .61% to .60% or 1.33%) the assessment values increases in Ward 33 went up more than the city average of 5.39%. Many residential properties likely saw assessment rates increasing over 7%. The combined net effect for many households in our ward would be a city tax component increase in the 6% area_ 50% more than the city average of 4%!
The education component set by the province had a tax rate decrease of 4.55% that still resulted in the provincial take increasing by about 2.6%. (The combined tax rate was about .85%)
In 2010 we can likely predict that our household increases will be similar in percentage changes to 2009. That is, the total tax bill (city + education) will likely be in the range 5 to 6.5% depending if the province sets a lower education rate.
However, with the province reducing the education tax load (as well as corporate income tax rates) on businesses across the province, in times of deficits we should be expecting the province to take us closer to 6.5% total increase.
If the combined tax rate stays constant to 2012, many residential household (single family houses) will see a 2007-2012 increase of over 30%!
That is, under a storyline that was fortuitous for 2009-2010 we are likely going to see increases in our city tax bill that will make retaining your home more difficult (fixed to low increases in family income) to giving up on somethings. They could be worse. They unlikely will be better. The middle class squeeze remains.
Under Current Value Assessment, we expect our property taxes to rise if our property increases are over the averages and they have been for many or most houses in our ward.
The 2010 city budget under consideration has a 4% increase in the total residential tax. This is the same rate of increase as last year. In dollars, the 2010 residential increase will bring in about $87 million more.
We are left to ponder what would have been the situation for 2010 if the city had not had an unanticipated $210 million surplus from 2009! Would the increase be deep in double digits?
While the city tax rate went down in 2009 (from .61% to .60% or 1.33%) the assessment values increases in Ward 33 went up more than the city average of 5.39%. Many residential properties likely saw assessment rates increasing over 7%. The combined net effect for many households in our ward would be a city tax component increase in the 6% area_ 50% more than the city average of 4%!
The education component set by the province had a tax rate decrease of 4.55% that still resulted in the provincial take increasing by about 2.6%. (The combined tax rate was about .85%)
In 2010 we can likely predict that our household increases will be similar in percentage changes to 2009. That is, the total tax bill (city + education) will likely be in the range 5 to 6.5% depending if the province sets a lower education rate.
However, with the province reducing the education tax load (as well as corporate income tax rates) on businesses across the province, in times of deficits we should be expecting the province to take us closer to 6.5% total increase.
If the combined tax rate stays constant to 2012, many residential household (single family houses) will see a 2007-2012 increase of over 30%!
That is, under a storyline that was fortuitous for 2009-2010 we are likely going to see increases in our city tax bill that will make retaining your home more difficult (fixed to low increases in family income) to giving up on somethings. They could be worse. They unlikely will be better. The middle class squeeze remains.
Voting in the Internet Age
In the city election and other elections expected soon, most of us who vote will go on election day to a polling station. At that station we will be verified as a voter and given a piece of paper on which we check our candidate preference(s). An official will take our vote and place it in a box for counting after the polls close. Counting will proceed by methods known for centuries.
Machine processing and tabulating is happening in some jurisdictions (mainly American). Americans make many more decisions on their "vote" documents than Canadians.
We will wonder why isn't technology that most of us use daily being put to use and improving our democracy.
In the Internet Age where a majority of homes have computer/communications access the obvious question is why not make every home a polling station and for those who lack this set up polling stations with internet voting.
Benefits could be greater voter turnout, faster reporting of results and the ability to handle referendum type questions more readily and frequently and maybe, lower the cost of election voting.
You can find out why "the reliance on Internet voting could inadvertently place the validity of the election process at risk." in today's Star ("Geist: Hackers, viruses threaten online voting validity").
Giest explains why those who have tried using the Internet have suspended their actions.
Machine processing and tabulating is happening in some jurisdictions (mainly American). Americans make many more decisions on their "vote" documents than Canadians.
We will wonder why isn't technology that most of us use daily being put to use and improving our democracy.
In the Internet Age where a majority of homes have computer/communications access the obvious question is why not make every home a polling station and for those who lack this set up polling stations with internet voting.
Benefits could be greater voter turnout, faster reporting of results and the ability to handle referendum type questions more readily and frequently and maybe, lower the cost of election voting.
You can find out why "the reliance on Internet voting could inadvertently place the validity of the election process at risk." in today's Star ("Geist: Hackers, viruses threaten online voting validity").
Giest explains why those who have tried using the Internet have suspended their actions.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Incumbency Advantages & Arrogance _ Budget 2010
This week at a public meeting on the staff recommended 2010 city budget one councillor stood out dramatically in the news _ Paula Fletcher. When a meeting attendee shouted out she "should be fired" she challenged the person to run for office. If running for councillor office were a level playing field that might be a fair play. But as pointed out in a Feb 2010 forum post on "incumbency" the incumbent runs at a strong advantage_ with the help of the people's money.
Fletcher's arrogance and the advantages of incumbency were taken up by the G&M's Christie Blatchford yesterday in a column well worth reading by all_ especially if you are not familiar with the incumbency advantages.
See our Feb 2010 for some DO & DON'TS to correct this city democratic deficit.
If you want to check out the facts and figures that Blatchford used go to city website page Councillor Office Expenses You can also check out the city's election year policy on use of corporate resources set in 2008. It is almost laughable on the lack of meaningful restrictions.
Even that councillor website and cellphone is paid for by the people's money.
Fletcher's arrogance and the advantages of incumbency were taken up by the G&M's Christie Blatchford yesterday in a column well worth reading by all_ especially if you are not familiar with the incumbency advantages.
See our Feb 2010 for some DO & DON'TS to correct this city democratic deficit.
If you want to check out the facts and figures that Blatchford used go to city website page Councillor Office Expenses You can also check out the city's election year policy on use of corporate resources set in 2008. It is almost laughable on the lack of meaningful restrictions.
Even that councillor website and cellphone is paid for by the people's money.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Your City / My City - The Saturday Star
In this important city election year, we see The Star stepping up and stirring the pot with the type of dialogue needed to get needed change in our city. Yesterday, this "liberal democratic" newsmedia started its Your City/My City dialogue (this link points to the summary page). We hope such endeavours can percolate through the election platforms of candidates for mayor as well as ward councillors and maybe school board trustees.
Royson James's "Can-Do spirit works wonders" column concludes: "We know the current system is designed for perpetuation of the status quo. If only we could change it, there might be hope for more rapid change and the birth of new blood, new initiatives, ideas and solutions. As it stands now, Your City, My City is too closed, too exclusive.If it takes party politics at city hall; giving the vote to non-citizens; changes in our school curriculum to stress civics; term limits and other electoral reforms to usher in a new force, bring them on."
Previous posts in this forum have expressed a similar sentiment. We hope that candidates for office in this election year reflect on how to get change. We believe it starts with changing our city governance model and getting a handle on both our democratic and financial deficits.
Royson James's "Can-Do spirit works wonders" column concludes: "We know the current system is designed for perpetuation of the status quo. If only we could change it, there might be hope for more rapid change and the birth of new blood, new initiatives, ideas and solutions. As it stands now, Your City, My City is too closed, too exclusive.If it takes party politics at city hall; giving the vote to non-citizens; changes in our school curriculum to stress civics; term limits and other electoral reforms to usher in a new force, bring them on."
Previous posts in this forum have expressed a similar sentiment. We hope that candidates for office in this election year reflect on how to get change. We believe it starts with changing our city governance model and getting a handle on both our democratic and financial deficits.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Unwanted Federal Intrusion in Urban Design
The Toronto Port Authority is a federal agency that has power along the waterfront. It controls things such as the Island Airport and access to it. It sometimes is a willing partner with the city and sometimes not.
In today's G&M we have an example of this agency claiming a federal right to build a 400 car parking lot (underground) where there are structures (large concrete silos) from Toronto's past that the city wants to preserve and develop as an historical heritage site.
While the TPA chief officer sees nothing wrong with the city heritage statement he wants to maintain a federal right for something that seems to require the destruction of these structures.
Why the TPA would need a 400 space parking lot as public transit becomes more accessible along the Queen's Quay is not indicated in the G&M report.
But we see an unwanted federal finger poking into our urban design. While the city pushes for greater use of public transit as part of a greater city greening strategy we see a federal officer wanting the option to bring more cars to the waterfront at some future time_ more traffic and pollution. Dah & dah.
In today's G&M we have an example of this agency claiming a federal right to build a 400 car parking lot (underground) where there are structures (large concrete silos) from Toronto's past that the city wants to preserve and develop as an historical heritage site.
While the TPA chief officer sees nothing wrong with the city heritage statement he wants to maintain a federal right for something that seems to require the destruction of these structures.
Why the TPA would need a 400 space parking lot as public transit becomes more accessible along the Queen's Quay is not indicated in the G&M report.
But we see an unwanted federal finger poking into our urban design. While the city pushes for greater use of public transit as part of a greater city greening strategy we see a federal officer wanting the option to bring more cars to the waterfront at some future time_ more traffic and pollution. Dah & dah.
Monopoly Service Delivery vs Competitive Bidding
Candidate Rossi is starting to stir the pot on how to operate or manage a big city_ especially, a big city where the quality of city services has been declining while costs increase and worker unions create monopoly situations in terms of service delivery.
This is a necessary discussion during the 2010 election campaign and must be continued down to the wards by candidates for councillor office. It also makes good politics that is best handled under the mantle of a municipal political party.
Today, we see Rossi and Smitherman going at each other and vying to see who says it best. The Star editorial today Outsourcing worth a look provides a good introductory for city voters. Columnist James looks at the Candidates in a race to the right. The Star also provides a good backup story on Private transit less rare than you'd think.
The current cabal of city politicians supporting a status quo in service delivery must start to acknowledge the cost & quality disadvantages of monopoly delivery and look deeply at the market concept of private-public competitive bidding delivery. This is not necessarily a march to the right but a march to do it right. We see too much evidence of service delivery not being done well with the right social payoffs.
As a social democratic this writer feels that city and any governance must keep the eye on serving the citizenry well and not just keeping the public service better off than the citizenry they should be serving. Subsidize when necessary. Make money where it doesn't hurt. This is not a left of centre vs right of centre thing_ it is just being pragmatic and wise.
The bottom line is that we must start to seek cost containment on city service delivery and it starts with staffing and technology: labour is the biggest cost element. Technology added to the mix can provide the increases in work productivity leading to cost containment.
This is a necessary discussion during the 2010 election campaign and must be continued down to the wards by candidates for councillor office. It also makes good politics that is best handled under the mantle of a municipal political party.
Today, we see Rossi and Smitherman going at each other and vying to see who says it best. The Star editorial today Outsourcing worth a look provides a good introductory for city voters. Columnist James looks at the Candidates in a race to the right. The Star also provides a good backup story on Private transit less rare than you'd think.
The current cabal of city politicians supporting a status quo in service delivery must start to acknowledge the cost & quality disadvantages of monopoly delivery and look deeply at the market concept of private-public competitive bidding delivery. This is not necessarily a march to the right but a march to do it right. We see too much evidence of service delivery not being done well with the right social payoffs.
As a social democratic this writer feels that city and any governance must keep the eye on serving the citizenry well and not just keeping the public service better off than the citizenry they should be serving. Subsidize when necessary. Make money where it doesn't hurt. This is not a left of centre vs right of centre thing_ it is just being pragmatic and wise.
The bottom line is that we must start to seek cost containment on city service delivery and it starts with staffing and technology: labour is the biggest cost element. Technology added to the mix can provide the increases in work productivity leading to cost containment.
Moscoe's FREE Legal Services for Councillors
At one time multi-term Councillor Moscoe seemed to be a people's representative. Something you might expect from an admitted NDP social progressive. However, his latest proposal backed by the Executive Committee (presumably including our ward councillor's approval) would give our elected councillors a one-up over any citizen or organization that would dissent on a councillor's public or publicly important behaviour. That is, he proposes a special legal task force to protect members of council from the people paid for by the people's city imposed taxes.
Such is the behaviour of one who has spent too long in office and seems to validate the argument of incumbency advantage, need for term limits and the increasing democratic deficit in the politics of our city.
Check out this Star editorial slamming this undemocratic proposal, Council's Legal Hit Squad and the reader reaction.
Last August, we had a post on the Sandra Bossin affair. That and the recent Heaps affair seem to be causing Moscoe some angst.
Such is the behaviour of one who has spent too long in office and seems to validate the argument of incumbency advantage, need for term limits and the increasing democratic deficit in the politics of our city.
Check out this Star editorial slamming this undemocratic proposal, Council's Legal Hit Squad and the reader reaction.
Last August, we had a post on the Sandra Bossin affair. That and the recent Heaps affair seem to be causing Moscoe some angst.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
S@DM Decision: Email from Don Mills Friends & Councillor Minnan-Wong
| This post came as an email message: From: "Don Mills Friends" To: "Don Mills Friends" Subject: Communication from Councillor Minnan-Wong re Don Mills Settlement |
Please see below the forwarded e-mail communication from Councillor Minnan-Wong regarding the Don Mills Settlement, with the previously confidential, but now public, settlement details attached in PDF format.
Please note that, although Appendix 2 of the Design Panel Commentary in the attachment shows Don Mills Friends as being one of the agreeing parties, we stated our strong disagreement as soon as we were made aware of the details and have since withdrawn from OMB party status (click here for more information).
Simone Gabbay, Founder
Don Mills Friends
416-446-0862
Dear Don Mills Resident,
On
My vote was not against a community Centre. I have long been an advocate for a community centre for a deserving Don Mills community. Still, I was not prepared to support an application for development in exchange for a community centre at any cost.
I voted "no" for the following reasons:
Firstly, I disapproved of the secrecy of the details of the settlement. This confidentiality prevented me from holding another public meeting and releasing the specific details before City Council considered the item. I strongly objected to this secrecy at Council as the community should have been provided with all the facts first.
Secondly, the application included the kind of heights and densities found along the Sheppard subway line. I fear that these heights and densities will now be used in the future as precedent and will set the tone for new development in Don Mills. I remain very concerned that
Finally, I do not share in the view that a refusal by City Council would have "killed the deal." While it is true that Cadillac Fairview indicated as much, they had made this claim before. While it is true that the OMB may have approved the application anyway without a community centre, it is also possible that the OMB may not have approved the development in its proposed form. Should we as City Councillors make our decisions based upon what the OMB may decide? Or, should we decide an application based upon the merits of that application? I side with the latter.
I believe this application was defeated by City Council the first time on its merits and that it should have been a second time for the same reason. Intensification in Don Mills may be inevitable, but it should be managed and be appropriate for the neighbourhood, not fast tracked and dictated by developers using the practice of "chequebook planning."
Whether we agree or disagree on the settlement, I thank you for taking the time to communicate with me on the matter. This is an important community development and your input is essential to the decision making process.
The details of the settlement are now available to the public and have been attached for your convenience.
Thank you again for your feedback.
Sincerely,
Denzil Minnan-Wong
NOTE: you can use the City Council Updates (blog) or W33AC Docs OnLine links in the sidebar to connect to the city documents
Monday, March 1, 2010
TTC - Customer Amenities??
Given the recent customer satisfaction concerns about TTC performance, we thought some might find this post interesting.
While browsing an IT newspaper today, a headline stood out "Laval Gets Wireless Bus Updates" . According to this report "Webtech Wireless Inc of Vancouver announced this month (Feb 2010) the Societe de Transport de Laval (STL) has launched Nextbus, which includes the installation of 80 signs at bus stops." This GPS / cellular technology will "alert transit users of estimated bus arrival times". (Besides Laval, several other Canadian and American cities already have this arrival information service at their bus stops. Click the Nextbus link above to see how it works on the internet.)
The latest (Aug 2009) TTC Transit City Bus Plan on pages 22-23, Section 2.5 of this 59 page document covers "Improving Customer Amenities and Service Information". (We can't insert the text- they made the document "secure" although it appears written for ridership.) Under sub-section 2.5.2 (arrival times) the text refers to "plans" . A July 2008 CBC News story, reports "The Toronto Transit Commission's board has given its approval for Grey Island Systems International Inc. (part of Webtech) to develop a system that gives travellers constantly updated information on the arrival times of their TTC rides."
A Jan 2010, TTC news link says "in July, all 800 streetcar stops will have SMS capability whereby customers can send a text message to the TTC and get an immediate response about when the next streetcar will arrive at that particular stop. Select shelters and subway stations serviced by streetcars will also have LED readouts with next vehicle arrival information Bus stops will have the same capability in 2011 as the TTC upgrades the GPS units aboard all the buses in its fleet." (TTC committed to customer service excellence)
The question is "what has been holding back the TTC?" A Canadian firm has leading edge technology that has already been implemented in transit systems in many North American cities. We can pose some questions.
Why hasn't our transit system been more conscious of and responsive to customer needs for information on service status and arrivals? Will the customer service panel of outsiders find out and provide the path to changing the TTC focus? Will TTC be leading or only following after strong customer dissatisfaction feedback? Does our city council and TTC board share the same mindset about providing us with important and needed information?
UPDATE 2/3/10: The Star's Royson James considers if Mixing up TTC board is better way. He recognizes the problem of a TTC commission board stuffed with councillors without any outside experts_ the stagnant mindset problem
Bottom Line: Better late, than being world class?
While browsing an IT newspaper today, a headline stood out "Laval Gets Wireless Bus Updates" . According to this report "Webtech Wireless Inc of Vancouver announced this month (Feb 2010) the Societe de Transport de Laval (STL) has launched Nextbus, which includes the installation of 80 signs at bus stops." This GPS / cellular technology will "alert transit users of estimated bus arrival times". (Besides Laval, several other Canadian and American cities already have this arrival information service at their bus stops. Click the Nextbus link above to see how it works on the internet.)
The latest (Aug 2009) TTC Transit City Bus Plan on pages 22-23, Section 2.5 of this 59 page document covers "Improving Customer Amenities and Service Information". (We can't insert the text- they made the document "secure" although it appears written for ridership.) Under sub-section 2.5.2 (arrival times) the text refers to "plans" . A July 2008 CBC News story, reports "The Toronto Transit Commission's board has given its approval for Grey Island Systems International Inc. (part of Webtech) to develop a system that gives travellers constantly updated information on the arrival times of their TTC rides."
A Jan 2010, TTC news link says "in July, all 800 streetcar stops will have SMS capability whereby customers can send a text message to the TTC and get an immediate response about when the next streetcar will arrive at that particular stop. Select shelters and subway stations serviced by streetcars will also have LED readouts with next vehicle arrival information Bus stops will have the same capability in 2011 as the TTC upgrades the GPS units aboard all the buses in its fleet." (TTC committed to customer service excellence)
The question is "what has been holding back the TTC?" A Canadian firm has leading edge technology that has already been implemented in transit systems in many North American cities. We can pose some questions.
Why hasn't our transit system been more conscious of and responsive to customer needs for information on service status and arrivals? Will the customer service panel of outsiders find out and provide the path to changing the TTC focus? Will TTC be leading or only following after strong customer dissatisfaction feedback? Does our city council and TTC board share the same mindset about providing us with important and needed information?
UPDATE 2/3/10: The Star's Royson James considers if Mixing up TTC board is better way. He recognizes the problem of a TTC commission board stuffed with councillors without any outside experts_ the stagnant mindset problem
Bottom Line: Better late, than being world class?
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