The following message has been left for constituents:

"Hi, thank you for calling the office of Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti. Please note the office will be closed as of Monday, Dec. 8, and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 6, 2004. If you have any concerns with garbage, water or transportation, please call the works department directly at 416-395-6205. Thanks and have a happy and safe holiday."

No word on where the councillor is enjoying his "happy and safe" extended holiday. Attempts to reach his executive assistant, Anthony Cesario, for some elucidation encounter an office mail basket too full to receive messages.

Mammoliti had made little secret of his desire to one day be mayor. This latest escapade suggests he's using Citizen Mel as his role model, whose own absences were frequent and legendary.

Since Mammoliti didn't have to fight for re-election, he can't, like some, even blame post-campaign exhaustion.

Ward 7 residents will have to wait three years before reconsidering whether or not to give Mammoliti a truly long holiday.

Events last week do not bode well for those hoping to see a reinvigorated city council raring to tackle the monumental challenges before them.

At an orientation session held last Thursday for the economic development committee, Councillor Mike Del Grande was the only politician there, and he's not even on the committee. All eight actual members had various excuses — some good, some bad — for not attending.

Last Wednesday, only three of eight councillors showed for the community services committee session: Councillor Olivia Chow, the committee chair; Councillor Raymond Cho; and newbie Councillor Gay Cowbourne.

Councillors Norm Kelly and Denzil Minnan-Wong drifted in toward the end, in time for a photo-op. But Councillors Joe Mihevc, David Shiner and Giorgio Mammoliti (see above) never darkened the doorway.

Kudos to Del Grande, who showed up again along with fellow neophyte keeners Councillors Janet Davis and Shelley Carroll, none of whom sit on the committee.

Former caretaker councillor Fred Dominelli, who filled out the final months of former councillor Betty Disero's term in office, has had a taste of city hall politics and — guess what? — he likes it.

This is not good news for new Councillor Cesar Palacio.

Dominelli has a little quasi-constituency office down on Dufferin St., which happens to be directly in the path of the Front St. extension, a testimony to Dominelli's renowned ability to make shrewd real estate investments.

From that office — at least until the road comes through — Dominelli will be offering his services to community members in need.

"He (Dominelli) has worked hard all his life, he has all the money he needs. If he can help people, he's happy to do it," says a source close to Dominelli.

In three years, Dominelli will try to get back into the political game and has told Palacio quite plainly that he's got Ward 17, which Cesar just won, in his sights.

Small wonder Dominelli has recently had difficulty getting his calls returned.

Neophyte Councillor Mark Grimes not only took on two staff members from departed councillor Chris Korwin-Kuczynski, he also ended up with some of his office furniture.

A nocturnal spy tells us the transfer of material assets occurred on a Friday evening shortly before the Nov. 30 transfer of power. K-K and Grimes are on quite friendly terms.