I don't! He just doesn't have the financial support and support of the special interest groups needed to get people out to the polls. It is in our best interest to have him stay where he is...
Rob Ford as Mayor Slap Chop
Outspoken councillor ready to take the plunge for mayor's chair - and will target TTC, councillors' budgets
By Ted Woloshyn
One of Toronto’s most colourful politicians is ready to take the plunge — cannonball style.
Coun. Rob Ford hasn’t announced his intent to run for the mayor’s job officially, but he most likely will Thursday morning during his regular spot on the John Oakley show on AM640.
And when he does, he will unleash plans for a financial purge that will include reducing city council to 22 elite representatives, eliminating free zoo, TTC and Green P parking passes, and cut councillors’ $225,000 support staff salaries in half (as he has done) in order to save taxpayers millions.
Say hello to mayor Slap Chop.
Ford also suggests councillors “work only two long days a week, and only need to be available four times a month for committee meetings, and yet they receive more than $200,000 a year when you include perks.”
He already carries some baggage thanks to inappropriate remarks, like referring to Coun. Gloria Lindsay Luby as “waste of skin” or his outburst at a Leafs game following a few too many brewskis. A delayed admission didn’t help.
But he doesn’t particularly care about what other councillors think. He believes the future council will not look the same.
“We’re going to have 10 to 15 new faces. I think there’ll be a huge change. I think it (the results) will go right to left.”
However, in order to attain the lead chair, Ford realizes he will need to temper his manner.
“You have to in the job of mayor. In my role of opposition, I had to be the pit bull.”
Although he’s not ready to release his entire platform, one item is certain to be in his sights — the TTC.
“They are poorly managed, and should be deemed an essential service. The problem is you have inexperienced people like (Adam) Giambrone and the NDPers who have never made a payroll.”
Ford feels they need to be replaced by people with business acumen or fiscally responsible councillors like Doug Holyday, Karen Stintz, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata or Michael Del Grande.
A big part of what does appeal to voters is Ford’s dogged determination. He has assisted people outside his own riding who have had no success with their own councillors, and spends none of his allotted expense money.
He argued all councillors’ expenses should be made public, and then utilized his website in pursuit of this burning desire.
“The city finally agreed to post expenses,” he proudly states.
Ford believes during his reign David Miller ignored Etobicoke.
“Absolutely,” he said. “He caters to downtown. Etobicoke (where his riding sits), Scarborough, North York, York, and East York are all out of the loop.”
Ford knows the campaign will be a tough one physically, and to that end he’s hired a trainer.
“I’ve lost 15 pounds and would like to drop another 30 or 40.”
He’s also gathering supporters such as federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, although he admits with a chuckle, “We disagree on the HST.”
Ford told me support is growing at a tremendous pace.
“I’ve had a ton of people who have said, ‘I’ve never voted, but I trust you.’”
Getting those first timers to actually vote could auger well for him.
Right now, Ford is ready for the challenge.
The big question is, are Torontonians ready for Rob Ford, Slap Chop and all?
ted.woloshyn@sunmedia.ca
