Sep. 18, 2003: THE TORONTO STAR

No-shows leave TTC meeting in the lurch
Just four of nine councillors attend

Staff scramble to deal with contracts
 

KEVIN MCGRAN
TRANSPORTATION REPORTER

The monthly TTC commissioners meeting failed to make quorum for the first time in the memory of those present yesterday, when only four of nine city councillors showed up.

"I don't ever recall it happening at the commission and I've been at the commission for 20 years," said Vince Rodo, the general secretary for the meetings.

"This should not happen," said Councillor Brian Ashton, one of four commissioners in attendance. "It's a billion-dollar corporation. It needs its officers. You can't run a railway when the commissioners don't arrive on time."

About $15 million worth of contracts were left on hold and TTC staff were scrambling to set a date — probably Monday — for an emergency meeting so suppliers of such items as plumbing materials and rock salt can have their contracts approved before city council meets next week.

TTC meetings are occasionally delayed if staff has enough notice quorum won't be reached. As of yesterday morning, at least five commissioners were expected to show up, but only four were on time for what would have been the commission's 1,832nd meeting.

The commission was already down one member after Joanne Flint resigned from council. Chairman Howard Moscoe's office said he was unavailable due to a family emergency. Offices of councillors David Shiner, David Miller and Sherene Shaw had notified the TTC beforehand that they couldn't make the meeting due to conflicting schedules.