It’s not even three weeks since Mayor David Miller announced he wouldn’t seek a third term and already one prominent city councillor has expressed his intention to replace him.

In an interview with the National Post, Giorgio Mammoliti confirmed he would run in 2010 on a platform that is tough on crime and enterprising – if uninspired – in its plan to generate revenue.

He intends to pay for initiatives like affordable housing with a tax on the illegal sex trade, a lottery and a casino, which he suggests could be built by the lake on dirt excavated from new subway lines.

As a member of Miller’s executive committee, Mammoliti has been outspoken about the need to crack down on street gangs and massage parlours that operate as fronts for prostitution.

In fact, last spring he was caught with two fellow councillors at a strip club on their lunch break, but claimed he was on a site visit.

Oddly enough, the right-of-centre politician - slammed for being among the highest spenders on city council and for hiring a private contractor for his ward during the garbage strike - is a former New Democratic Party MPP and union leader.

He was first elected as a councillor in 1995 after losing his provincial seat.

Mammoliti has yet to assemble a team and raise as much as $1.5-million to fund his campaign.