Tommy the barber of St. Viateur Street is about the wisest man in the world, certainly the wisest man on the island. He has something to say to Alex Norris, city councillor and future leader of the pitchfork revolution. Norris was refused admission to a council meeting because he wasn't wearing a tie. Sez Tommy: "Hey Norris, get a tie!" Coolopolis thanks Tommy for his guidance.
Thanks for passing on Tommy's guidance, Kristian. I am sure I will hear it myself the next time I go to get my hair cut. Overwhelmingly, though, the feedback I've been getting from constituents has been the precise opposite: that I should hang tough and remain tie-less. I think City Hall's current dress code is ludicrous and brings ridicule upon council. With all the scandals and multiple police investigations under way into goings-on at City Hall, there are surely other more important issues we should be focusing on. Which is why I have put zero energy into this issue and why, when the speaker insisted I wear a tie (or risk expulsion from the chamber), I put one on. That said, having city councillors pass rules to determine what they may and may not wear is downright absurd. I think we can safely leave it up to voters to determine whether their elected representatives are well enough dressed. If anyone in Mile End really feels strongly enough that I've not been a snappy enough dresser, they can always vote to defeat me in the next election.
ReplyDeleteHe looks like Verne Troyer.
ReplyDeleteTommy the barber on St. Viateur? Any chance the barber shop is/was a few doors east of the St.Viateur Bagel Bakery (the original- North side near Park Ave)? I remember going to a barber there back in the early/mid 60s: Sam Anisman was the name, but I seem to recall another barber, called "Tommy" being there, too. Hell, that was almost 50 years ago. I stopped going there one day after some kid came in, jumped in a chair and got a "regular" which consisted of him getting his head shaved. Wasn't going to take the chance of that happening to me! Can't be the same guy, can it? Not after this long?...
ReplyDeleteM. BIALEK,
ReplyDeleteDress codes are about respect in whatever culture. Whether a marriage, funeral, cocktail party etc. Mr. Norris has made his point so let's move on! Tie-gate will certainly not sway a vote for or against him in the next election. However the question of respect and wasting further Council time will certainly be considered. Plateau residents want Mr. Norris paying attention to questions of jobs, reducing taxes, public transport etc. If you feel your rights and freedoms have been abused certainly pursue the point Start a petition, file a complaint or whatever action you feel is appropriate but please stop wasting OUR tax dollars on tie-gate.
Hey Kristian, Got my hair cut at Tommy's again today, and you know what he told me? "Just be yourself. That's what's important. If you don't want to wear a tie, don't wear one." And no, I didn't browbeat him into saying that. Didn't even raise the topic. He volunteered this with no prompting. I think Tommy's views on the dress-code issue are evolving.
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