April 24th, 2008
Councillor: Sun scorched taxpayers
By Adam Chaleff-Freudenthaler // 4 Comments
The Toronto Sun, according to Councillor Howard Moscoe, stiffed Toronto taxpayers by neglecting to pay three months of its taxpayer-subsidized rent for an office at City Hall. In a motion filed last month, Councillor Moscoe said the Sun only paid up after being notified that the details of their deliciously ironic fiscal folly would be made public.
At its meeting beginning Monday, Toronto City Council will vote on three recommendations [PDF] regarding this matter. If Council adopts the recommendations, the Sun would be advised that rent cheques are expected monthly, that in the event of the Sun falling behind again with their rent cheques City staff commence the eviction process and that lease rates for offices in the press gallery be increased to full market value.
Currently, all media outlets that rent at City Hall enjoy paying just 50% of the market value for their offices. In the case of the Sun, the subsidized rate works out to $17 per square foot.
Also on the agenda
Also on the agenda for Monday's meeting are Public Works and Infrastructure Committee reports [PDF] on increasing fees for red-light runners (a request of the provincial government) and renewing the City's contract for red-light cameras. The contract renewal is as a result of a 2006 report that determined the cameras caused a significant reduction in collisions. At the prodding of Councillor Kyle Rae, PWI is also bringing a motion forward that calls on Council to endorse International Car Free Day.
Although it's a little dry, for those who want to know what the City thinks it's good and bad at, I recommend reading the report [PDF] from Executive Committee that outlines the results of the 2006 Ontario Municipal Benchmarking Initaitive.
And if you've just read the OMBI report and need a civic pick-me-up, try the inflamatory notices of motion section of the Council agenda [PDF]. Councillor Michael Walker wants to skewer Mayor David Miller for going to China [PDF], Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong is trying to get his hands on Waterfront Toronto contract details [PDF], a bevy of motions attempt to derail Mayor Miller's move to seek [all PDF] enhanced powers for the office of mayor (as described by Royson James in today's Toronto Star), Councillor Walker is also seeking Council's support to request provincial legislation outlawing SLAPP lawsuits [PDF] and to begin a discussion on the use of Tasers [PDF], and Councillor Cesar Palacio is spearheading the attempt to make the TTC an essential service [PDF].
As always, you can follow meetings of City Council at your computer by clicking here.
Photo by Optimus Prime.
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The Sun shouldn't be allowed to rip off the City and Moscoe is the only Councillor that had the guts to make this public. However, the last thing we need is less journalists in the media gallery. The rent should stay below market.
lol
I would like to see Linda Leatherdale try to explain THIS money-saving measure!
Sue Anne Levy ripping off taxpayers!!
Comment by Justin Berard
April 24, 2008 | 7:30 pm