Wednesday, November 20, 2013

where the key no longer works

There is a wonderful episode of Yes, Prime Minister (I know, they were all wonderful) where Sir Humphrey, the Cabinet Secretary, has some of his responsibilities taken away from him and reassigned. His key is also taken away from him and the locks changed so that he can't just wander into the PM's office from the cabinet office whenever he likes. I was thinking of this as the locks were changed at Toronto City Hall keeping the Mayor-in-name-only out of the Deputy Mayor's (new) office. Humphrey was more of a schemer than a bully, so it is unlikely that Ford will resort to the same antics. But there will be antics. We know this.

you can watch the episode here or you can read about it here

In the meantime, here are postcards showing City Hall as it looked in 1965 when it was built.

The council chambers located in the flying saucer bit in the centre of the two towers.

Measuring 155' in diameter and 40' to the peak of its domed ceiling, the clear-span concrete shell hovers over the circular central assembly space and semi-circular public gallery. A continuous band of glass between the upper and lower shells provides indirect daylight.



and in 1978, with Nathan Phillips Square looking slightly less bare
Nathan Phillips ("a mayor of the people") was apparently very popular  
(I don't remember as he was in office from 1955-1962) 
and the driving force behind the building of this 'avant-garde' new building 
(the excitement of the opening, I do remember)

12 comments:

  1. Toronto is entertaining the rest of the world . . . ;-)

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    Replies
    1. yes.......
      we're getting rather tired of the non-stop entertainment.

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  2. Ford is a sad little man with no self control, a bully and a child. It has been painful to watch.

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    Replies
    1. I disagree about the "little man", but everything else is true. It has been more painful than funny.

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  3. Humphrey is straight out of central casting (character description: "idiot bully masquerading as grown man"). I feel for everyone who's had to deal with him.

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    Replies
    1. Humphrey at least used his mastery of language to obfuscate and confuse whereas Ford seems to resort to repetition, repetition, repetition.
      Many people have tried to help him and been frustrated.

      Delete
  4. We do hear about him here even in the Netherlands and see how he behaves on the news. It's an amazing thing that someone like him was even elected to such an important office. It is very clear that he is no 'high flyer.' I think the city council is doing the right thing.

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    Replies
    1. He was voted in by people who only care about not paying more taxes. Hopefully, this circus is now over.

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  5. We're from Toronto and driving to Florida at the moment and it is painful to see Toronto on the news with this bully representing us.

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  6. My condolences. Is the deputy Mayor any good?

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    Replies
    1. Time will tell. He is a lot more even keeled and willing to work with council (and the mayor) as a team, and in improving moral.

      Delete

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