Re “A strong democracy system,” Editorial Digest, Feb. 28: Strong mayors around the world who have accomplished worthy achievements are not the product of their system. Their achievements are the outcome of strong leaders.

What transformed urban infrastructure in Bogota was the work of the ex-mayor Enrique Penalosa’s leadership acumen. Neither was the work of ex-Toronto mayors David Crombie or John Sewell the effect of a strong mayor system.

What has prevented the mayor to present a vision and an agenda for the city the past four years, and set goals and timelines to work on this? As you pointed out — of yet another report, with yet again the recommendation of road tolls — this is indeed underachievement wrapped up in endless planning and reporting.

In such cases, the strong mayor system becomes a prop-up for a weak leader.
And if the Minnan-Wongs of the council are able to persuade a majority of councillors to follow an agenda, that is a leadership skill that a mayor may exercise likewise. Lela Gary

Speak up for a better way
I agree with Chris Bilton (“Sympathy for the driver,” Feb. 28): passivity is the biggest problem on the TTC, and it extends way beyond the driver’s seat. As riders, we too are afraid to confront one another over space issues in our overcrowded transit system.

We all know what it’s like to enter a packed subway train, streetcar or bus. People scurry through the doors and then grimace when they can’t get past the flock of bodies firmly planted in their precious territory. But after the doors hiss to a close, a huddled mass of angry commuters silently curse one another. All the while, no one actually says anything. Who sounds the call that says, “move back please”? A good driver might do so, on occasion, but we shouldn’t rely on them to teach us how to share space, and we shouldn’t look to them for empowerment, either. Leave that to kindergarden teachers to dispense to their five year-old-pupils.

If we’re constantly “packed crotch-to-briefcase,” it’s because people are too stubborn to give up space, and others are too afraid to ask them for it. What’s so daunting about being politely assertive? It’s not hard to look someone in the eye, smile, and say, “Excuse me, would you mind moving back if you can?” And once you find your place, anticipate that you’ll have to move at least once to accommodate another rider.

Call it Canadian, or downright Torontonian, but this type of quiet, smoldering passiveness and fear of public confrontation is a psychological epidemic, quickly spreading across our lifeline of public transit. We cannot allow this depressing lack of communication to take hold. Instead of waiting for Our Master’s Voice to tell us how to get around, we should draw from our highly evolved skills of human interaction and talk to one another. Steve Birek

CORRECTION
In last week’s Reader’s Choice feature, Satay on the Road (1572 Bayview, 416-440-0679; 2003 Avenue, 416-488-5153) was incorrectly labelled as the Best Indian winner in the Best Takeout section. Satay on the Road actually won the Best Thai category in the Best Takeout section. EYE WEEKLY regrets the error.

Send letters to letters@eyeweekly.com or 625 Church St, 6th fl, Toronto, M4Y 2G1. Names withheld on request, but name, address and daytime phone number must be included. All letters become property of Eye Weekly for purposes of publication in print, online or in any other form.

Email us at: LETTERS@EYEWEEKLY.COM or send your questions to EYEWEEKLY.COM
625 Church St, 6th Floor, Toronto M4Y 2G1