Mayoral candidates skeptical about Miller's budget announcement

TORONTO, Ont. - Mayor David Miller's math was called into question by candidates vying for his job, Wednesday.

Some even described Miller's announcement as a political trick.

Mayoral candidate George Smitherman slammed the surprise surplus and accused Mayor Miller of playing emotional games with the public.

"A hundred million dollars can all of a sudden fall out of a drawer, an envelope or even a back pocket? I just think that's a laughable circumstance," Smitherman said.

While Rocco Rossi, who is also running for the top job at city hall, said Miller seemed more concerned with appearance than action.

"It's a two year plan that he has no control over," said Rossi, "the lamest of lame ducks has just quacked one more time."

Meantime, councillor Giorgio Mammoliti accused the mayor of meddling in the mayoral race.

"He took a shot at my campaign, said that it was not achievable to reach a reduction in property takes." Mammoliti said, "that was a shot at me today and the gloves are off."

Mammoliti also told 680News the mayor is getting political and said that only some counsellors knew about the announcement ahead of time while others, like himself, learned about it through the media.  He called on David Miller to step down immediately.