While a number of community meetings have been held across Toronto to discuss concerns over more powers for Mayor David Miller, the situation now developing regarding Miller's choice for the new city manager position shows that actions speak far louder than words.
Residents should be concerned about plans by the mayor to centralize far more power in his office than he now has. This is not a criticism of Miller personally or a case of "not this particular mayor at this particular time."
It's an issue of municipal government structure and exactly what do Toronto residents want the role of the mayor and council to be. If we want an all-powerful mayor system, it needs to be more thoroughly debated than is now taking place.
There are pros and cons to the issue, and it is not necessarily a "power grab" as some critics are charging.
Done properly it could streamline the city's operations and make the council considerably more efficient. However, it needs a strong system of checks and balances that guarantee the needs of local councillors and their constituents (the core of municipal government) are not tossed aside by a clique of those loyal only to the mayor.
We're seeing some foreshadowing of what the new order may look like under a strong mayor system with the developing controversy over Miller's recommendation that Joe Pennachetti, current deputy city manager and chief financial officer, replace outgoing city manager Shirley Hoy, who announced her resignation earlier this week. Before the ink was dry, or in this case e-mail, on Hoy's resignation letter, Miller had sent out an e-mail of his own touting Pennachetti for the job.
Unfortunately, this has put Pennachetti in a difficult position and shows some poor judgement on Miller's part. By so flagrantly backing his choice, Miller has set up another "my way or the highway" showdown between himself and councillors.
Pennachetti is clearly qualified for this job and would indeed be a good choice. However, Miller's statements may have created a perception that Pennachetti is a "yes man" for the mayor and councillors may well balk at Miller's recommendation simply to show they won't be told what to do.
"Will councillors rebel against the process and it will be a black mark against Pennachetti who is a terrific guy?" said Ward 25 (Don Valley West) Councillor Cliff Jenkins earlier this week.
Miller has indeed set up such a scenario. It seems that when it comes to consultation with council, Miller has learned little from last July's debacle regarding his plans for a land transfer and vehicle registration tax. Council defeated the mayor on that proposal the first time around chiefly due to frustration over the way in which the plan seemed to be being shoved down people's throats. It was later approved after a lengthy round of discussion and consultation, all of which should have been done in the first place.
A much more subtle approach and a less authoritarian hand is needed by Miller on the issue of the new city manager. His actions so far have shown disturbing lack of interest in and respect for consultation with council as a whole when it comes to making important city decisions. It's hardly the kind of behaviour that would give us confidence in a strong mayor system.