Check out this article in the Toronto Star.

I’m growing more and more disturbed by these nakedly political moves on the part of mayor Mel Lastman. Removing Ashton as chair and Mihevic from the transit commission entirely has the definite ring of trying to silence the TTC’s cries of fiscal pain without dealing with the TTC’s underlying fiscal problems.

Betty Disero has the worst attendance record among TTC commissioners, and just a few months ago, she was one of the councillors who voted against the proposal to increase the TTC’s funding by $10 million, which raised the spectre of fare increases and service cuts.

David Shiner, the Toronto budget chief, is the son of Edna Shiner, one of the strongest proponents of the Spadina Expressway. He himself has been dismissive of the TTC’s budget problems, suggesting that the commission’s State of Good Repair program was just a ploy to pad its capital budget.

The proposed appointment of these anti-transit councillors suggests to many that Lastman and his allies on council are no longer interested in supporting the transit commission as it faces a looming capital and operating shortfall. The next municipal election isn’t until November 2003, and the damage these appointments could do to the TTC in the intervening period is incalculable.

I strongly suggest that you write or call your city councillor and tell him or her to oppose these appointments, and to vote in favour of councillors who will take up the TTC’s interests and not keep silent in order to avoid political inconvenience.