Mel Lastman

Melvin Douglas (Mel) Lastman (born March 9, 1933 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada), was the mayor of the former city of North York from 1972 until 1997. In 1997, North York, along with four other municipalities, amalgamated with the city of Toronto. Lastman ran for and won the mayoral race for the new city, beating incumbent Toronto mayor Barbara Hall. Re-elected in November 2000, he served his full final term. Lastman did not run in the subsequent 2003 municipal election.

Related Topics:
March 9 - 1933 - Toronto, Ontario - Canada - North York - 1972 - 1997 - Toronto - Barbara Hall - 2000 - 2003

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Re-elected in November 2000, with an 80% majority, his closest opponent, the late civic activist Tooker Gomberg, drew just a little more than 8% of the vote.

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Lastman shared Gomberg's three main campaign planks: committing Toronto to 100% recycling diversion by 2010 to replace the controversial Adams Mine plan, agreeing with Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to end homelessness in Toronto, and appointing Jane Jacobs, the ethicist and urbanist to head the Toronto Charter Committee to explore the potential for more autonomy for Toronto. Jacobs had publicly endorsed Gomberg.

Related Topics:
Recycling - 2010 - Adams Mine - Jean Chrétien - Homelessness - Jane Jacobs - More autonomy for Toronto

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Lastman was supported by many in North York for operating that city efficiently and effectively, and for keeping property taxes low. He was also criticized for not listening to other city councillors. As mayor of Toronto, he was criticized for not being able to control city council, and for being too close to lobbyists.

Related Topics:
City council - Lobbyists

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Lastman was an outspoken politician, a trait that was sometimes problematic, but that also endeared him to many Toronto residents. He was sometimes prone to committing public gaffes. After his wife Marilyn was caught shoplifting from an Eaton's store in Toronto, he threatened to kill CITY-TV reporter Adam Vaughan unless he stopped reporting on his family. Lastman injured Toronto's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games when he was asked whether he would go to a meeting in Mombasa, Kenya, and jokingly said "What the hell do I want to go to a place like Mombasa?... I just see myself in a pot of boiling water with all these natives dancing around me." While Lastman apologized profusely for the joke, it brought into question Toronto's reputation as an international city. Lastman was also ridiculed for greeting and shaking hands with members of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang when they held a convention in Toronto. He was further hurt by the announcement that he had an extramarital affair which resulted in two illegitimate children.

Related Topics:
Eaton's - CITY-TV - Adam Vaughan - 2008 - Olympic Games - Mombasa - Kenya - Hells Angels

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On November 10, 2003, David Miller was elected to replace him as city mayor. Lastman retired from politics, owing to his deteriorating health.

Related Topics:
November 10 - 2003 - David Miller

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Outside of his political career, Lastman managed a discount furniture store chain, Bad Boy Furniture. It eventually went bankrupt, but was later resurrected by his son.

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