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Oct. 10 - Oct. 17, 2004 |
Right of Way on St.Clair
Gillan and Vivacqua allege irregularity in debate at City Hall
By Niccolò Marras
Originally Published: 2004-09-19
Following 15 hours of passionate speeches in favour and against the proposed streetcar right-of-way barriers on St. Clair, held on Monday at City Hall from 9 a.m. to midnight, the Planning and Transportation Committee and Works Committee have decided to recommend to the Policy and Finance Committee that City Council approve alternative no. 6, i.e. the one that includes the barriers.
Now it will be up to the Council of September 28-30 to debate and decide whether to approve the recommendation as it is or change anything.
Who could reverse City Hall's orientation in favour of the needs of the citizens of St. Clair? Apparently the destiny of this road is in the hands of two or three councillors who might tip the scales either way.
Things have gone in the direction given by the City Hall-TTC study group. Opponents included the five BIAs of St. Clair, some 65 percent of the residents, and some members of the Police and Fire Services. Three of the four city councillors of the St. Clair wards also opposed the barriers (the fourth, Joe Mihevc, is vicechair of the TTC and supports the barriers).
Their opposition has been dismissed, as was the alternative project they supported.
There was also an alleged irregularity in Monday's debate, denounced by Jeff Gillan and Ida Vivacqua of the SOS - Save Our St. Clair committee.
Opposers see this as the conclusion of a "fake democratic debate" about a "done deal". They wonder whether enough city councillors will manage to act independently and uncover eventual underlying wrongdoings, thus enforcing the democratic process, or will become victims (or accomplices) of a "done deal" flying above their heads and their autonomy.
Another question is asked by councillor Frances Nunziata. "Why must so much money be spent on a project that many residents reject, on a street already served, instead of using the same amount on a street not served yet?"
As we said, Jeff Gillan and Ida Vivacqua also spoke of maneuvering in order to influence the commitees.
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