EXCERPTS
Some of the most controversial cuts proposed in the city's Core Service Review were pulled off the table by exhausted executive committee members early this morning - including library closures, the possible sale of the Riverdale Farm, the shut-down of 2,000 city-run child care spots, and the clearing of windrows in front of driveways in suburban parts of the city.
But many of the recommendations in the city's Core Services Review will be going on to Toronto Council after the second marathon executive committee meeting hearing from the public on the cuts.
The committee worked through a speaker's list of 361 names Monday morning, afternoon and night - largely hearing objections to the service review.
The review was expected to save about $100 million a year for the city, which according to City Manager Joe Pennachetti needs to find $774 million this year to balance its budget.
Almost all of the deputations told the committee that they would rather see property taxes go up than the services cut.
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Ford praised city staff and the consultation process that had been criticized by many as being too hurried.
Deputants were given two minutes to speak - in lieu of the customary five - and questions were limited to just one minute.
"We've had hundreds of hours of debate - and we'll see what comes out of it," said Ford.
"We'll have to go through the budget process on a few issues. But we're doing as much as we can. It's been a very, very thorough process. I'm really proud of the executive committee and the taxpayers who came out and voiced their concerns."
- reprinted from Inside Toronto