Cross-posted to Spacing Votes
WARD 12 (York/South Weston) – Frank Di Giorgio – D
NOW magazine calls him “Frank Who?”. Voted to reduce the TTC’s Ridership Growth Strategy spending and voted against the St. Clair ROW project.
WARD 13 (Parkdale/High Park) – Bill Saundercook – C
Known most recently for his failed attempt to oust Howard Moscoe as TTC Chairman. Eye magazine critizes him for voting against raising the TTC’s budget. Tends favour lower fares over improved service, and voted to reduce the TTC’s Ridership Growth Strategy spending. Despite his voting record, he nevertheless remains a member of the TTC Commission.
WARD 14 (Parkdale/High-Park) – Sylvia Watson – C
Not much to show for. Watson is leaving municipal politics and there are now 14 candidates running to fill her vacancy, including one of Toronto’s leading environmentalists and public transit advocates, Gord Perks.
WARD 15 (Eglinton-Lawrence) – Howard Moscoe – A
The current Chairman of the TTC commission, there is no doubting his support for public transit and it’s riders. His most recent success’ include transferable metropasses, the killing of perimeter seating and passing the Ridership Growth Strategy. His abrasive personality has made him a lighting rod of controversy, however. Transit advocate Steve Munro comments that “what he has done so far is fine, but his focus on subway projects is going to undermine a lot of other good work.”
WARD 16 (Eglinton-Lawrence) – Karen Stintz – C
Claims to be committed to improving and expanding the TTC, but voted to reduce spending on the Ridership Growth Strategy. She is also vehemently opposed to the purchase of new subway cars from Bombardier. Steve Munro adds that Stintz “needs to seperate her hatred of Moscoe from whatever her position is on public transit. Is she really against better service, or only better service provided by NDP supporters?”
WARD 17 (Davenport) – Caesar Palacio – D+
His blackest mark is his staunch opposition to the St. Clair ROW project, but he has paid attention to transit in other ways, including proposing new GO stations in his neighbourhood and backing the TTC’s time transfer initiative on St. Clair. Now that construction of the right-of-way is underway, intends to support measures to beautify the street.
WARD 18 (Davenport) – Adam Giambrone – A
The current Vice-Chairman of the TTC, Giambrone has impressed with his hardwork on the TTC Commission and provided a moderate, level-headed voice during the tumultuous TTC wildcat strike. Has been touted as the successor to Chairman Howard Moscoe, but at the young age of 27, he may not be ready for the position. He’s one to watch.
WARD 19 (Trinity-Spadina) – Joe Pantalone – B
A strong supporter of public transit and has suggested such noteworthy projects as an LRT along the Queensway through Etobicoke. However, he favours the construction of the pedestrian unfriendly Front Street extension.
WARD 20 (Trinity-Spadina) – Martin Silva – n/a
Appointed to fill the vacancy left by Olivia Chow’s move to federal politics, Silva does not have much of a record for or against public transit. However, he is not running for re-election and there are 8 candidates vying to fill the void, including former CityTV politics reporter Adam Vaughan.
WARD 21 (St. Paul’s) – Joe Mihevic – A
A personable and passionate councillor who has been a staunch in his support for public transit. He took the lead in advocating for the St. Clair ROW project, the Ridership Growth Strategy and the expansion of the streetcar network. Transit advocate Steve Munro adds that Mihevic needs to take a stronger, pro-transit stance when it comes to his role on the Budget Advisory Committee. Nevertheless, he has been a hard-working TTC Commissioner and is Toronto’s most transit-friendly councillor.
WARD 22 (St. Paul’s) – Michael Walker – D+
Self appointed council gadfly. Voted against the St. Clair ROW project and against the TTC’s Ridership Growth Strategy, but has called for increased provincial and federal support for public transit.
written by James Bow, with additional commentary from Steve Munro and Craig Cal
