DON'T ADVERTISE IT, COUNCILLOR IS TOLD, IF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD HAS GONE TO POT

Several irate homeowners have called Scarborough-Agincourt councillor
Michael Del Grande since he persuaded the city to go the extra mile in
identifying alleged marijuana grow operations that are raided by police.

While the city usually demands landlords repair their premises after
pot-growing tenants have been tagged by the cops, Mr. Del Grande wanted the
city to experiment with posting big signs on the property saying "alleged
marijuana grow-house operation."

The experiment appears to be short-lived, and not one that has sat well
with nearby homeowners in recent days. They feared the unwanted exposure
would sink property values. Nor did Mr. Del Grande get many kudos from the
local media.

"They complain about politicians that do nothing, and then when you get
somebody that tries to do something, he's taken to the wall for, you know,
trampling on people's rights," Mr. Del Grande laments.

Meanwhile, Scarborough-Centre councillor Michael Thompson was trumpeting
his invitation to a national marijuana grow-op conference put on by the
RCMP in Ottawa earlier this week. Interviewed on his return, Mr. Thompson
said he is eager to get going on a plan.

Mr. Del Grande was dubious about his colleague's field trip.

"He's got a press conference; he's going to a meeting. So what?" he asked.
" I like Michael Thompson, but a lot of these guys [say], well, we're going
to have a conference; we're going to talk about it; we're going to have a
committee. . . .Years go down the road, and still nothing's happening."