Before David Miller became mayor, he spelled out his view for the city
My interview with him in 2002 before he became mayor
A look back now that Miller’s announced he won’t run again
By Kris Scheuer
(Originally written for Town Crier Nov. 7/2002)
“I think the city faces a great future, but only if we have great leadership and I don’t think we do now,” Parkdale High-Park councillor David Miller told a small crowd, who had gathered to hear him speak at a Rosedale gallery.
Miller, who wants to be the city’s next mayor, spoke and answered questions on Nov. 6 at D&E Lake Limited on Yonge St. north of Summerhill subway station.
“I have no idea who else is running. I’m the only one who has announced candidacy publicly. I think Mel Lastman wants to run again. It’s possible he will run again. If he doesn’t, there could be four or five candidates come forth,” he said.
“I do know that City Hall has a lot of problems now,” he said referring, in part, to the MFP computer leasing scandal, which is being investigated by police and through a public inquiry.
“I’m worried about where the city is going,” Miller said in an interview. “I am running because Toronto needs to move forward. It’s been stagnant for the last 15-20 years. I think City Hall needs to be more open and honest and citizen-centred.”
He mentioned the need to enhance public space along with development.”In my ward, Windemere by the Lake is building a day care in it for the public, not just residents of the building.”
Miller wants to increase access to the political process.
“People don’t mind if they do not have power (themselves), but they want to be listed to and help produce results.”
So what issues are important to him?
The city’s diverse multicultural society, is something he’d like to enhance.
“Nurturing the TTC, making the city safe and enhancing public space and making it vibrant,” he added.
Miller doesn’t support the expansion of the Island Airport.
“If you are clear with people (on issues), and you get elected (based on your position),” he said, “then you have the moral authority to get things done at City Hall because this is what people want.”
He added that, “I’ll think that I’ve been successful as mayor in the first term if everyone feels that city hall is honest and trustworthy. And if in every neighbourhood people can point to positive change that they are engaged in with city hall.”
“I think this election is a crux of whether the city stays vibrant or doesn’t,” he concluded. “It is not too late now (to keep the city great), but it could be 40 years from now.”
The next municipal election is November 2003.
Kris Scheuer 
This was one of my first interviews with then councillor David Miller back on Nov. 6/2002. He’d announced his intention to run for mayor at that stage. But it was still months before he and former mayor Barbara Hall (considered the front runner), Tom Jakobek, John Tory, John Nunizata could officially register as mayoralty candidates for the Nov. 10/2003 election.