City Council — December 2014
December 2 + 3, 2014
30 posts
Was not cool enough to be invited to today's invite-only council meeting, so watching via livestream. Tune in: http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=12&rid=16&sid=1030
Guests Louise Russo and Bill Davis present John Tory with the chain of office. Hope this is the last time he actually wears this goofy thing
Now each councillor will step up and receive their declaration of office. The theme from "Too Many Cooks" doesn't play, but it should.
In a nice moment, Tory motions to the crowd to give Norm Kelly a standing ovation as he receives his declaration of office.
And we're done. If you like the ceremony scene in Star Wars but feel like it's too short and the score is distracting, you would enjoy this.
Anti-violence advocate Louise Russo is delivering a strong speech. Don't think she'll end with "put that in your pipe, you left-wing kooks."
In his opening address, Tory offers a "sincere word of thanks" to Norm Kelly for making a "unique contribution."
Tory wants to move a ceremonial motion thanking Rob Ford for his public service. Call me cold, but I don't think I'd vote aye on that one.
"Better days are ahead," says Tory, before ending his speech by calling for One Toronto. Standing ovation.
Why would you want Mammoliti back on the Exhibition Place board? So he can try to ban dancing some more? http://t.co/ZTf8AshvEY
Rob Ford is recommended for a seat on the Hockey Hall of Fame Board of Directors. All right. http://t.co/NRN4HFaWHh
Once you get to the bottom of this list, you realize the city has some seats on some really weird boards. http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/st/bgrd/backgroundfile-73888.pdf (PDF)
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority recommendations. Not exactly a murderers' row. http://t.co/a2wUWQVFJ4
Here at the second day of council's first meeting. Smaller crowd today, fewer suits. As it should be.
Coun. Filion moves to not put Mammoliti on the Civic Appointments Nominating Panel. Wants to put Wong-Tam on in his place.
Mammoliti rises to speak. He congratulates Tory, then notes his own vote percentage increased.
Mammoliti says if council is going to take one appointment away from him, maybe they should just take all his appointments away. Okay.
Now Layton moves to take Mammoliti off the Exhibition Place board and replace him with Gord Perks. Sensing a trend.
New councillor Jim Karygiannis defends Mammoliti in his first speech then uses the word "irregardless" a couple of times.
Tory manages to make a vote happen without Ford asking for a recorded vote. Item passes via simple show of hands.
Close vote! Council votes 19-26 against taking Mammoliti off the Ex Board. Here's the result: http://t.co/iovLnBMiMi
Councillor Karygiannis is under the impression Orthodox Christmas takes place on December 25. City calendar has it on January 7.
Karygiannis gets surprisingly worked up over this discrepancy. I don't know why.
Council votes 44-0 to permit the continued service of City Manager Joe Pennachetti. He'll stick around.
Now on to the selection of speaker. Minnan-Wong nominates Nunziata. He says she's had some bright spots and rough patches.
Newbie Councillor Joe Cressy rises to speak on the item. He introduces himself, then says he can't support Nunziata as speaker.
Motion to confirm Nunziata as speaker passes 38-6. Opposed: Layton, Cressy, Davis, Fletcher, Perks, Wong-Tam.
And the meeting is over. Next meeting will be December 11, with Nunziata back in the speaker's chair.