If Tim Hudak And Andrea Horwath Want Someone To Meet Rob Ford

Then they should go ahead and meet him. Oppo leaders often meet people the premier won't, as they typically have more time on their hands than the premier.  It would be a lovely opportunity for a photo-op with the mayor.  I'm sure Tim Hudak would like more pictures of him and Rob Ford together; I'm sure Andrea Horwath would like a few more too.

PS.  I'm a T.O. resident and I'm fine if Premier Wynne would rather deal with someone else rather than the mayor.  What good would a meeting do other than further the man's re-election plans?

Rob Ford Can't Win

And Olivia Chow beats John "Hamlet On The Don" Tory.  And this is before the campaign starts.  Before RoFo tries to run without any funds but those brought in by bobble-head sales, no Kouvalis to talk sense into him, and reporters following him around to see if they can get a shot of him drinking vodka while peeing on a tree.  Very hard climb.

And as for John Tory, well--story of the guy's life--he hasn't decided yet.   The guy reminds me of Schrödinger's cat.  It's time to be or not to be, John.  Quit fooling around.

Toronto Teens Talk Mayoral Scandal

Overheard on the bus yesterday:

Teenager #1: So...The Mayor...smokin' Crack!  Guess that means if I do it's OK.

Teenager  #2: Heh...Heh...Heh...

More On The Rob Ford Tapes

Team Ford hired a hacker to try and destroy the first one and, yeah, the second one may actually be a sex-tape.  Oh yuk.

Rob Ford: The 2nd Tape

From DiManno's column:

But wait. There are two videos, Blair revealed at his shocking press conference.

What’s on the other one? Are we not to know? Because a few reporters have already been told by sources what its contents might be.

If true, believe me, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

I'm betting, praying, and yet dreading that its a sex tape.

Was "Ian From Etobicoke" Rob Ford?

WK thinks so, it sure sounds like it to me and, most importantly, Bill Carroll thought so when "Ian from Etobicoke" called his show last night arguing that Rob Ford didn't know he was being filmed in that tape and anyway you can't fire anyone in a union for personal problems.  About five minutes  in, Bill asks "This is you, isn't it Rob Ford?"

BCLSB Exclusive: Rob Ford's Letter Of Support!

Dear Court,
Sandro always gets Me What I NEED and doesn't complain when I borgart the joint. He is truly a fiend.
Sincerley,


Mayro Frod

Rob Ford Loses On Bag Tax

 Something that hasn't yet been reported much upon: Rob Ford's executive council, his hand picked crüe, has voted 10-3 against killing Toronto's plastic bag tax, with only Rob Ford, Doug Holyday and Paul Ainslie voting in favour.  Another defeat for the mayor on a signature issue.  Another win for Toronto and the local environment.

Incidentally, some people have suggested that replacing plastic bags with those recycled bags you buy from Walmart gives you a net increase in carbon emissions.  Well the primary goal of the T.O. plastic bag ban was not to cut carbon emissions; it was to cut the number of plastic bags laying around the streets and parks of our fair city, a goal it has met admirably.

Mrs. Ford Should Go Sleep With Relatives Tonight

Rob's  coming home angry. 

First vote tally showed Denzil Minnan-Wong joining the Stintz side, which if true would be interesting as hell (he being a Ford Loyalist).  They've had several recounts since, however,  and though the "yes" still side won, I'm not sure if he's still on it.

The Future Of Ford Nation

"The fluoridation of drinking water could be eliminated, with impacts on dental health," says the multi-million $ KPMG that report Rob Ford ordered up to help him cut T.O. services.

Actually, I've been told that a few city councillor's have been suggesting that one or two West End water-pads start charging residents for using them.  And the response from residents out there has been to go ape-shit.  This is what you get when you tell everyone that the city's fiscal problems are everyone's but their's.  Nobody is willing to sacrifice.

The Province Responds

...here. The video version is here:


Again, I'm afraid Rob Ford made this call an easy one:

The mayor’s press secretary said that Toronto routinely asks for more money in its pre-budget submission to the province and this year is no different.

However, Adrienne Batra stressed that Mr. Ford didn’t need provincial aid to balance the city’s 2011 budget without a property-tax increase.

“There’s one fundamental difference,” Ms. Batra said. “The funding here was not needed to balance the (2011) budget.”

Rob Ford Bumps Back Another Promise

Mr. Ford said he’s still committed to ending the land-transfer tax, although he wouldn’t say whether it has to happen next year.

Immediately became 2012; now 2012 is becoming 2013. In 2012, what will the date be then?

Mayor Ford's Brain Steps Down

...his flab remains on the job.

Rob Ford Gets Rolled

...by Bill Blair and the T.O. cops. That article, and this one, have the stench of flop-sweat about them. I'm betting the T.O. city cops won't have to cut their budgets, and in fact who knows who will after this display of weakness? Brother Doug seems to want to crap on Toronto's Library Services, who have also demanded a few small increases:

Another colleague was comparing the librarians, that they should be at the same level as the police. That’s the mindset that we have here.

...and I'm not how this will play either, in the end. The libraries in Toronto's suburbs have always been heavily used.

But the takeaway point is: its harder to find painless efficiencies the closer you have to look, isn't it, mayor Fatboy?