Lately, we've noticed that an amazing transformation takes place when one is elected to Toronto City Council or nominated to serve on a committee - or for that matter becomes a school trustee.

The One thinks that we are, in effect, witness to a miracle, a veritable transfiguration that takes place - the Holiest of Holies as it were, where a mere lumpen mortal whose only skill might be an ability to convince people he or she should be elected becomes a sudden expert in Any Number of Things. For example, we have: (continued...) »

Of late, The One has heard much wailing and gnashing of teeth over the City's proposed implementation of new bins to collect recyclables and other waste. Concerns include maneuverability of the bins, sidewalk blockage, and their questionable aesthetics, particularly in terms of their heritage friendliness. Perhaps making them look like small Victorian houses - a sort of "Garbage Cullen Gardens" - or a collection of Metronome Clinic client figurines would increase their acceptance.

We're not disputing the fact that the program could have been better researched, introduced and explained, and that the lack of the smallest bin is a curious, and frankly, goofy oversight. Especially since it would consume less space and be more easily moved. From Where We Sit, we think it would've been a much better move on the City's part to wait until these were available and use the time to consider how the program could best be implemented in a dense core area like the Duchy. (continued...) »

As the brouhaha continues over bunny costumes, wine, and mystery limo trips (with, we suspect, more than a few of us wishing Giorgio "Army Boy" Mammoliti had stayed at his unknown $200 destination) we provide our promised follow-up. Here's a list of our suggested guidelines for councillors to follow when managing their budgets, as well as some procedures the City could put into place to support them: (continued...) »

One would think that recent events would prompt our elected Councillors to reconsider their burning need for (list and numbers from Councillor Ford):

• Free golf passes for council and staff: $15,000
• Councillors' food and beverage budget: $55,000
• Councillors' hospitality budget: $25,000
• Magazines/newspaper subscriptions: $14,712
• Free tickets to plays, concerts, etc.: $18,273
• Free TTC Metropasses: $5,622
• Free taxi chits: $18,11
• Plant watering in city buildings: $100,000
• Newspaper clipping service: $40,000
• Free passes to the Metro Zoo
• Free passes to Casa Loma
• Free parking at Green "P" lots
• Free admission and parking at Exhibition Place

But noooooooooo! Despite the dire state of City finances, Mayor Miller's willingness to set his office reno and some staffing increases aside, and a clear indication that those of us who count ourselves among The Great Unwashed are mightily displeased, our predatory porkers continue to hang on, like lamprey eels hitching a ride on a Great White Whale.

We thought it particularly telling that the appropriately named Councillor Gordon "Perks" felt that Councillor Ford's comments about the aforementioned budgetary items were "frivolous" and would have minimal impact on the City's dire financial straits.

Maybe so, Gord-o, but we'll be remembering this frivolity as we flock to the polls, so you and your cronies (including our own hanger-on, Councillor Pam McConnell) might consider which "Perk" you'd like to return, post-election.