Payoffs.  Right in our faces?  You have got to be kidding!

Come on people – time to stand up and protest! When did it become okay for some politicians to hold their hands out right in front of our faces? Did you see the Section 37 and 45 war chests of some of our elected officials?

John Filion (Aren’t you the one who automatically recommends condo variances in North York that can add several more floors to a building?)

Cesar Palacio (You were once Betty Disero’s EA and I liked her – so I’ll let someone else ask about you)

Frances Nunziata (Oh Frances, I remember our Sunday morning walks along St. Clair Avenue with Betty. What happened?)

Josh Matlow (How does your father Ted feel about this one?)

David Shiner (Oh how your late mother Esther and I celebrated together when she supported North York’s first independent housing project for the disabled – a building that is still thriving twenty-five years later – no payoffs in any form for our Esther)

Adam Vaughan (Hey Adam, your late father Colin and I would have had a real laugh over this one – he loved to finger those politicians that he suspected of taking “benefits” in exchange for their support – do you think he would be proud of what you are today?)

Pam McConnell. Former police commission member – Isn’t she the one who got a 1200 sq. ft. condo for less than anyone else would have to pay?

Sure it is over twenty years since I was a member of the Committee of Adjustment – back then developers had to present plans, with drawings, and land use stats – they actually had to do the work – parks, amenities, accessible facilities. Open payoffs to politicians by developers? No way! In the old days, elected officials had to work harder for their payoffs – lie, sneak around, keep the money wrapped in newspapers hidden in their freezers. Today? Just create a development fund.

When did everything change? Is it our fault? Us – the taxpayers – who don’t bother to vote when we should? Yes I think it is.

And why is the Toronto Sun the only newspaper with the guts to report on this stuff?

Where is the Globe and Mail? Hey guys, you once had lots of fun with me –after all, my crime was being one of three signatures on a renovation grant – so why not act now when you finally have the “real goods” you have always longed for?

And the Toronto Star? I wonder what their fixation is with Mayor Rob Ford. For sure we know that he doesn’t take payoffs. We now have a genuinely honest Mayor – how quaint…let’s hope that it lasts. Well, maybe the Star should declare their own conflict of interest since some of their senior staffers are in “personal relationships” with some of these politicians or their relatives.

So, enough is enough. What disrespect. Speak up people – send emails – use the telephone. Don’t leave it to just a few of us who aren’t afraid. How long are you going to take it?