Mayor Lastman's Spicy note

Councillors rip plea to pop diva

Ginger is Mayor Mel Lastman's favorite Spice -- but his personal appeal to get her to "reconsider" quitting is hitting a very sour note with some councillors.

Lastman, who yesterday sent a letter to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell pleading with her not to leave the world's most popular all-girl group, is under fire for devoting his energy to trivial concerns.

"We're going to become the laughing stock of Canada with a letter like this," said Councillor Ila Bossons.

The newly amalgamated city is facing very difficult times, she fumed. "The mayor should save his ammunition and letterhead for more important issues than the Spice Girls."

Bossons added she wants her mayor to be a serious person, not some "yokel going after sub-teen rock idols."

Councillor Doug Holyday agreed.

"I don't know why he'd waste his time," he said. "This lady is going to receive thousands and thousands of letters from her fans wanting her to reconsider."

Councillor Howard Moscoe joked Lastman should write to Premier Lucien Bouchard urging Quebec not to secede.

The mayor, who had been scheduled to meet the Spice Girls in January until one fell ill, was disappointed at news of Halliwell splitting from the group.

"Please, Ginger, we hope you will show up," he said in his letter, referring to the band's July 11 date at the Molson Amphitheatre.

"I don't think she'll let Toronto down. I hope she'll come to Toronto," said Lastman, whose granddaughters are fans of the pop divas.

In the letter, Lastman wrote that he understood "differences" had sparked Halliwell's departure over the weekend, but urged her to put them aside and "work things out."

"Thousands of your fans, especially the youngest ones, have had their hearts broken," he wrote.

Lastman said he's optimistic the entire quintet will perform here next month.

He made his surprise Spice Girls plea at the end of a press conference launching the Tickets for Kids program.

The joint initiative between the City of Toronto and Ticketmaster gathers unused tickets -- donated by corporations, the city and private individuals -- to sporting and cultural events and distributes them to young people who make a positive contribution to the community.