http://www.torontosun.ca/News/Columnists/Warmington_Joe/2006/07/26/1702769.html
T.O. Miller's no-fun dream
By JOE WARMINGTON
At least now we know who is in charge. Who would have thought a bunch of cottagers -- many of whom don't pay property taxes while living on disputed land -- would have so much clout? Turns out they call the shots.
First, the island airport bridge was killed and now perhaps The Docks. Beware, party boats. Keep your weddings in check!
Welcome to Mayor David Miller's Toronto -- a city where more stuff on the harbour seems to get shut down than what goes up. Old Marx and Lenin would be so proud.
Perhaps soon The Docks will be a vacant wasteland, like the goofy Rochester ferry building -- another Miller success story. "Noise is a huge topic across this city," he told the Sun's Rob Granatstein. "Businesses have to follow the laws. We're a big city, and noise and quiet matter to people, whether it's on the waterfront or elsewhere."
The guy who runs a panhandling business and defecates on the sidewalk daily doesn't seem to follow the rules and still gets to stay -- even if he yells out at the top of his lungs that he is the messiah. He's a messiah who also doesn't pay taxes.
Imagine keeping a straight face while busting a nightclub for being noisy? Serve booze, but keep it down! This is the latest embarrassment in a city that could be so unbelievably great. Even Miller's chief rival, Councillor Jane Pitfield, was complaining there are too many nightclubs in the Entertainment District.
What? That's why they call it the Entertainment District! Maybe council would prefer the buildings to be vacant, or occupied by a "quiet" methadone clinic.
At the city entrance there should be a sign: "No fun." You know you won't see any of these quiet seekers protesting the noise at the Gay Pride Parade, Caribana, after a Maple Leaf playoff win, or a protest against former premier Mike Harris. Nor should they.
Meanwhile The Docks, which recently invested $4 million in renovations, gets no breaks -- tax or otherwise. It's an easy target for a pack of bullies led by the dynamite duo of Councillors Paula Fletcher and Pam McConnell.
"We wanted to shut them up, not shut them down," Fletcher told Granatstein. "But the ACGO is shutting them down because they won't shut up. The city isn't shutting anybody down."
Nudge-nudge, wink-wink. That's why late yesterday, fresh off the kill, city staffers were flexing their muscles, warning other clubs beware. Too bad they wouldn't chase the murderous gangs. Gunfire and sirens are noisy too.
No, the latest victim of the leftist-controlled city and province is The Docks because some granola-eating islanders want to live the life of gentry right inside the city that the rest of us pay taxes in. The Docks pays taxes too.
And its 300 jobs are in jeopardy, thanks to a ridiculous ruling by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission to go all out and "revoke" its liquor licence in mid-summer.
There must have been other things they could have done, says David Knights, who owns one of 10 businesses in limbo at The Docks. "Why didn't they at least wait until the fall?"
Now dozens of university kids are counting on a judge to overturn the decision this Friday.
The place was virtually empty yesterday -- like much of the rest of the portlands. Maybe a tent city would be better? Or a giant safe-injection zone. Don't laugh.
"The city wants that land," said a source, adding The Docks could be a problem for a potential Expo bid.
Docks owner Jerry Sprachman has made no secret of his dream of having a casino -- which doesn't fit Miller's vision of cars and helicopters are bad and bikes are good.
Perhaps council is jealous because The Docks has managed to do what it hasn't. Unlike the city, this guy Sprachman created something unique on the ugly, unused waterfront -- swimming, beach volleyball, golf, live music, dancing, go-karting and even a night at the drive-in movie! And he did it with no taxpayers' cash.
No wonder those in charge hate him.
