Is Maria burned out?

Maria McRae, a strong proponent of Light Rail and chairperson of the Transportation committee, derailed the entire LRT program last night.  She was concerned that the federal and provincial government money would not be forthcoming so she voted against a recommendation of the current plan and then sneaked out the back door to her hearse car.

What's next, Maria?  You still have a chance to kill the emergency plan for the swans.

Let me set the stage for this issue.  Prior to the last municipal election, John "Screamer" Baird killed the N/S LRT plan to help elect a right-wing city council.  "Go back and figure it out then come back to me with something that I like," spouted Johnny.  Nobody blamed the Cons for the delay in the project or for the $57 million law suit the city faces by cancelling the contract with Siemens. 

The provincial government, when the plan was killed by Johnny, told the city that they will not get any funding, although the money has been set aside by the government, until they decide what their new plan will be.  For that, McGuinty was crapped all over, especially by our favourite local MPP, Lisa Head-in-the-Clouds.

Now the city has a new plan to put forward to the feds and provincial governments to have them decide on funding and what does the Transportation committee do?  They voted to send it to council without a recommendation. And Maria casts the deciding no vote.

Give it up, Ottawa City Council.  At this point in time I am ready to ask the Government of Ontario to dissolve council and install a trustee to run this city.