Mayor David Miller’s budget surplus

David Miller announces his suggestions for extra $100 mil surplus
By Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier March 12.)

Mayor Miller announced city's surplus higher than expected. Photo by Phil Alves/Town Crier file photo.

Mayor David Miller’s announcement the city has an additional $100 million budget surplus has sparked a political war of words.
“When the budget was announced almost a month ago, the estimated surplus was $250 million,” he told a packed house of media in his city hall office March 10. “I am pleased to announce today that more accurate year end accounting only now available, estimates the surplus to be over $100 million dollars higher.”
Toronto-Danforth councillor Case Ootes was not impressed with Miller’s announcement.
“Why didn’t he know about it before?” Ootes asked. “I don’t know why he called this press conference to highlight the fact this whole place has been mismanaged.”
Miller told the media it’s hard to get complete year-end numbers too far advance before final figures are available.

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Miller not stepping down or running again

Mayor Miller’s important announcement was on the budget
Speculation his press event was on his future, was false
By Kris Scheuer

I  was in the very packed, hot (temperature-wise) Mayor David Miller’s office this morning for his widely anticipated “important announcement”.
Because everyone associated with the press conference was so tight-lipped about the subject manner not even offering the topic, it was speculated Miller was going to say he was running for re-election OR stepping down sooner than the end of this term. Not so.
It was to announce the city has $100 million more (above the $250 million surplus) in revenues than perviously thought.
I will report back later with my story for the Town Crier newspaper. For now, read his speech for yourself for the details.