Roads, sidewalks and transportation services. To begin, what do you think are the most important issues facing our city in 2011, страница 67

Roads, sidewalks & traffic - Financial Advice

services, programs, and people.  No doubt I'll be made to pay dearly (even more dearly than I already have!) for being so blunt in my critique, as a very politically astute, very engaged client-citizen-TAXPAYER "social justice" advocate, small business owner, consultant to government (all 3 levels, in 2 languages"), served on the executive committees of national and regional boards for diverse community, professional, and charitable organizations, with a reputation for excellence in customer relations and client services, received national and regional awards, commendations and public/media recognition, is very actively engaged in volunteer and community services and development, etc., etc.  In other words, I know whereof I speak, I've always "walked the talk", and my personal, professional, and community

"endeavours" and "activities" have always reaped invaluable ROI-benefits for "the Greater Good" of whatever has happened to be my "neighbourhood" ...  I have no doubt that  improvements can be made in how the City of Toronto spends OUR money and provides services, programs et al.  But it shouldn't be done without genuine public consultation and collaboration -- and I don't mean "lip service" ... I'm not against "public-private partnerships" but I don't believe it's "the better way" in most instances ... Once the profit-motive is introduced, public trust, democratic and civic principles of governance and "Public Good", "Public Interest" takes a backseat -- and those who have the "contracts" et al aren't those who suffer the consequences ... But the people of Toronto certainly will -- and already hit hardest are those who have the least and certainly can't afford to "do without" or "make do with less" ... In my 59-years, I have never been as dismayed or demoralized -- or angered -- by what I see is happening to MY city, MY province, MY country by "those in power" -- duly elected by the people to SERVE the people!, AND NOT TO PROFIT OR PROSELYTIZE! OR RESHAPE MY CITY, MY PROVINCE, MY COUNTRY TO SUIT THEIR OWN IDEOLOGICAL AGENDA AND VERY OBVIOUS VESTED INTERESTS!

68.      

Road tolls.

69.      

Bring back the vehicle registration tax / Implement congestion charges or road tolls / Do NOT eliminate the land transfer tax / Increase parking fees and raise the amount given to the City from the Parking Authority (currently set at 40%, I believe)

70.      

State of roads is a disgrace - we should have a separate temporary levy on taxes to fund a remedial program to bring roads up to appropriate standard.  Road tolls should be considered to provide for future maintenance.

71.      

The city needs to develop long term reliable revenue streams and should not rely upon one time fixes like asset sales.  The city could consider a hotel tax, and other revenue sources that will be incurred by non-residents (including road tolls), who use city infrastructure and services but do not bear a share of the costs.  

72.      

None of the preceding questions on service provision addresses cost efficiency - zero based budgeting.   /  / | also believe that the city should make some choices around what businesses it should or needs to be in and which of the services it currently provides should be left to other levels of government or the private sector, examples - the parking lot business and the subsidized housing business.