On the surface, a city councillor who donates to local charities sounds like a good thing to do. However, it is 'blatant vote-buying' when the councillor is question gets a photo op or has his or her name prominently attached to the 'good deed'. It is a practice that must be stopped - or rather, redirected.

How about taking that money from each councillor, putting it in a local ward grants program that is administered by a third party? It would require some kind of lottery or well thought out points rules to ensure that it gives the most bang for the buck. That way, the money comes from the city, not from the local personality.