My letter to Rob Ford
Dear Mayor Ford,
First of all, let me be clear: I didn't vote for you. Politically, I'm very
liberal and I disagree with many of your platforms. However, when, upon
election, you promised to try to win over those of us who didn't vote for
you, I gave you the benefit of the doubt. When you promised that there
would not be any service cuts, I truly believed that that was something you
would fight for. Instead, after less than a year in office, you made
headlines by proposing massive cuts to programs that are vital to this city.
Mr. Ford, I love Toronto. I've lived here for five years, and I don't plan
on leaving any time soon. I had a son in January of this year, and my
husband and I have chosen to raise him in this city, in part because there
are so many wonderful city-run programs for children here. I can't tell you
how angered and saddened I was by the list of suggested service cuts that
was released earlier this year.
Another reason that our family has remained in Toronto is because of the
transit system. We don't own a car, and the TTC lets us get around Toronto
safely and easily. There is definitely room for improvement on the TTC (for
one thing, not enough of the stations are wheelchair accessible), but on
the whole it has served us well. Now, after reading about the upcoming TTC
fare hike, I am angered and saddened all over again.
What upsets me the most is that the increase on the regular monthly
Metropass is $5.00, which means an additional $60.00 a year for Metropass
holders. $60.00, of course, being exactly the amount of the Vehicle
Registration Tax. It is a slap in the face to those of us who use greener,
more environmentally friendly transportation to be saddled with this $60.00
increase, after you scrapped the tax for Torontonians who drive cars.
Mr. Ford, we obviously see this city in very different ways. We live very
different lives. But Toronto deserves a mayor who looks out for ALL of its
citizens. These cuts and fare hikes are hurting those who need help the
most; you are hurting those who depend on you the most.
I urge you to reconsider the direction that you are taking this city. While
you might not like the way I see Toronto, and you might prefer to mould
this city into your vision of Toronto, I urge you to work to find some kind
of middle ground that does not hurt or neglect such a large portion of
Toronto's population. Surely there is a way to create a Toronto that works
for everybody?
Best regards,
Anne T.
Ward 22, St. Paul's
Toronto, Ontario
First of all, let me be clear: I didn't vote for you. Politically, I'm very
liberal and I disagree with many of your platforms. However, when, upon
election, you promised to try to win over those of us who didn't vote for
you, I gave you the benefit of the doubt. When you promised that there
would not be any service cuts, I truly believed that that was something you
would fight for. Instead, after less than a year in office, you made
headlines by proposing massive cuts to programs that are vital to this city.
Mr. Ford, I love Toronto. I've lived here for five years, and I don't plan
on leaving any time soon. I had a son in January of this year, and my
husband and I have chosen to raise him in this city, in part because there
are so many wonderful city-run programs for children here. I can't tell you
how angered and saddened I was by the list of suggested service cuts that
was released earlier this year.
Another reason that our family has remained in Toronto is because of the
transit system. We don't own a car, and the TTC lets us get around Toronto
safely and easily. There is definitely room for improvement on the TTC (for
one thing, not enough of the stations are wheelchair accessible), but on
the whole it has served us well. Now, after reading about the upcoming TTC
fare hike, I am angered and saddened all over again.
What upsets me the most is that the increase on the regular monthly
Metropass is $5.00, which means an additional $60.00 a year for Metropass
holders. $60.00, of course, being exactly the amount of the Vehicle
Registration Tax. It is a slap in the face to those of us who use greener,
more environmentally friendly transportation to be saddled with this $60.00
increase, after you scrapped the tax for Torontonians who drive cars.
Mr. Ford, we obviously see this city in very different ways. We live very
different lives. But Toronto deserves a mayor who looks out for ALL of its
citizens. These cuts and fare hikes are hurting those who need help the
most; you are hurting those who depend on you the most.
I urge you to reconsider the direction that you are taking this city. While
you might not like the way I see Toronto, and you might prefer to mould
this city into your vision of Toronto, I urge you to work to find some kind
of middle ground that does not hurt or neglect such a large portion of
Toronto's population. Surely there is a way to create a Toronto that works
for everybody?
Best regards,
Anne T.
Ward 22, St. Paul's
Toronto, Ontario