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Duly Quoted: David Gunn

By Hamutal Dotan

“I think they’re wedded to this Sheppard subway public-private partnership idea… I’m afraid some people around [Ford] are locked into the idea that ‘We’ll privatize building this subway to Scarborough, so it won’t cost a cent.’ And they believe it! Holy Toledo!”
—David Gunn, former chief general manager of the TTC (1995–1999), explaining why he may not be as welcome back at the TTC as expected. Last week Gunn was invited to visit Toronto and consult with the TTC on how the agency might trim its budget, but in today’s Globe Gunn indicated that Ford may be having second thoughts, given that Gunn is not on board his gravy subway train to Sheppard.

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Comments

  • pickle_juice_drinker

    He can be as unwelcome as he wants.

    He's not on the payroll, he can't be fired. I think this was intentional.

  • http://piorkowski.ca qviri

    But the expenses in bringing him here can be cut as gravy, and opinions discredited and ignored.

  • pickle_juice_drinker

    True, but it would be difficult to get media spin in favour of the Fords in that case.

  • MichaelOrnot

    Welcome or not, he has some credibility on these issues.

    What was intentional? What do you think the intention was?

  • tyrannosaurus_rek

    I'm sure the Sun will gladly take you up on that challenge.

  • http://twitter.com/mark_dowling Mark Dowling

    David Gunn is a pretty respected guy but the one comment that follows him around is his dislike of anything but gold plated the system he is currently in charge of. If he had been in charge of the TTC in the early part of the 20th century, would we have a Yonge line now?

  • torontothegreat

    The scariest part of this quote is the fact that city councillors would be “locked” into anything w/o first looking at the rest of the options.

  • tyrannosaurus_rek

    Maybe it's time for the people behind Keep the TTC Public to appeal directly to councillors.

  • Nick

    If the City ends up owning the line, then the private developers will have to be repaid on their investment – why else would they take the upfront risk? We haven't see Ford's plan but This “return on investment” will likely come in the form of concessions on development levies, which means forgone revenue for the City. Make no mistake, this “plan” will screw taxpayers one way or the other. Because there is return on investment involved, ultimately the plan will cost more than a publicly-funded effort, for which no return on investment is required. In addition, the City can borrow at cheaper rates than can private investors – that's one of the main advantages of government-funded infrastructure.

  • Toronto_Dave

    Damn the experts! To hell with costs, ridership and feasibility! Ford wants subways and subways Ford shall have!

  • ulgyman

    Say good-bye to General Managers, Superintendents, Assist. Supers, Supervisors, Chief Supervisors…….Now they will have to read the newspaper on thier own time…..all those idiots fired and the system works better…Thank you Mr. Gunn…..I'll buy you a beer next time out your way….Oh yeah Mr. Webster…..I'll take fries with that

  • ulgyman

    Gary Webster and friends……can you say “do yor want fries with that”

  • ulgyman

    Say good-bye to General Managers, Superintendents, Assist. Supers, Supervisors, Chief Supervisors…….Now they will have to read the newspaper on thier own time…..all those idiots fired and the system works better…Thank you Mr. Gunn…..I'll buy you a beer next time out your way….Oh yeah Mr. Webster…..I'll take fries with that

  • ulgyman

    Gary Webster and friends……can you say “do yor want fries with that”