[markbarbera]

Bob did not stand up and cancel LRT, nor could he if he wanted to do so.

There has been a lot of silly talk from the hysterical class about Bob secretly meeting with the Premier and changing the city's agenda against the will of council (vis-a-vis GO/LRT in particular), but that is all really just bunk.

I agree the role of mayor gives a great deal of access to the Premier's office. Just as all previous mayors have done in the past, Bratina does (and should) have the ear of the Premier. And it is quite true that he has a mandate from all citizens, while councillors only enjoy the mandate of their ward constituents.

I am in favour of the return to the Board of Control of yesteryear. Since its removal, we have seen a fifedom of local ward reps more driven by what's good for their specific ward rather than what's good for the whole city. A lack of an executive level in council has been the major contributor to the disfunction that has plagued council of late.