本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛I know it's a small thing and the promised money isn't much, but we finally have an election proposal from Mayor David Miller that might just increase our pulse rate. A bit.
Starting next year, the mayor would distribute $100,000 a year for four years to each of Toronto's 44 wards to assist in beautifying their neighbourhoods.
It's a start. It's not the massive makeover of our neighbourhoods that's needed, but having dipped his big toe in the water, Miller might return emboldened and committed to a grand beautification scheme involving service clubs, business, institutions, homeowners and BIAs.
Miller's campaign strategy has been to promise little, let sleeping dogs lie, deflect anything controversial and ride back into office. It's a winning strategy, for sure.
Citizens welcome election campaigns because they afford the chance to evaluate past actions of political leaders and to consider prospects for the future. An essential catalyst in unearthing campaign ideas is a vigorous opposition and credible challengers. Without such outside impetus,, the incumbent will likely coast his or her way to re-election, promising nothing, delivering nothing.
Sadly, the current municipal election campaign in Toronto has delivered just that — little or nothing in ideas worthy of excitement or applause. Enter Miller's "even more clean, green and beautiful" announcement.
By most accounts, Miller's actions of the past three years have been modest at best. He promised little during the 2003 campaign and delivered even less. As such, one might have anticipated the mayor would have presented a more ambitious platform leading to his second term.
But from a strictly political standpoint, why should he? It's up to his opponents to force him to expand his vision to capture the people's votes. To take risks is to run against yourself — never a wise campaign strategy. That is why strong, credible opposition is an essential element of a vibrant democracy.
As it stands, Miller can be re-elected Nov. 13, essentially promising nothing.
Rodney Muir, God bless him, will get a few thousand votes. Mitch Gold and Nicholas Brooks and David Vallance and the other no-name candidates can't be expected to challenge.
Stephen LeDrew started too late and, understandably, has offered too little. Hopelessly unprepared, lacking in knowledge, without workers and money and a platform and ideas — except that he can be the strong leader Miller isn't — LeDrew is turning into LeWho.
Councillor Jane Pitfield has no such excuse. She's been preparing for more than a year, but her lack of organization makes one wonder what she has been doing all this time. LeDrew's candidacy hasn't helped, but her campaign was disastrously understaffed and underfunded before he arrived. There is no momentum, too many missteps, and an abiding sense that this dog won't hunt.
So, whatever scraps Miller throws us ...
As it stands, his beautification plan totalling $17.6 million over four years is manageable, even with the city's tight budget. To do more would require several things Miller has shown no desire to advance: More involvement of the private sector and the public; wider citizen involvement like adopt-a-park initiatives; and paying out less than the near-$20 an hour minimum union wage to take care of public spaces.
His plan promises a "Partnerships Office that will build new partnerships with businesses, community groups, and residents' associations, and strengthen existing ones to beautify public spaces," but no details. He says he would expand the graffiti eradication and prevention program as well as expand the "special treatment of major, important streets" and create a Litter Action Team.
What's missing, though, is laying out a strong vision that the public can remember, embrace and aspire to.
There is still time, of course. Miller could amend his sights, after the election, to set targets for each neighbourhoods; challenge them to create works of art; hold an annual community festival where these are shown off in every ward; set a goal of 2,010 new works/gardens/ projects by 2010.
What would that cost? Twice the amount he's planned? Even less, if business and community enterprises are tapped.
The impact on our self-esteem, tourism and creating a sense of place would be enormous.
Anemic elections elicit uninspiring ideas. And without the pressure of keeping a promise, risk-taking in government becomes unnecessary.
So we inch along.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net