Tag Archives: TOpoli

Rob Ford – A People’s Mayor

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Previous Megacity Mayors, Mel Lastman and David Miller,
had each been elected to Council positions in former municipalities.

Not Rob.

First elected to Toronto City Council in 2000,
following 1997’s forced Amalgamation.

Rob Ford, Arguably then, was Toronto’s First
post-Amalgamation Megacity Mayor.

In 2010’s Mayoral Election, Rob Ford and his
Campaign Team, always addressed me as,
“Mr. Syed”.

It was, in a word, Respect.

2010 Mayoral Campaign, Rob found resonance on cutting the Council Size in Half,
from 44 to 22 Councillors.

Known for returning every phone call or showing up at people’s door if asked, or hounding bureaucrats on their behalf,
no one could deny Rob Ford the accolade as Expert Retail Politician.

Indeed, if Rob was working so hard as one of 44 City Councillors,
why couldn’t a few more Councillors work just as hard… in a reduced Council of 22?

Whatever the reality of this perception, this argument was missed by numerous City Hall gadflies.

When asked from where he learned how Toronto City Council works,
Rob Ford, with a smile and glint, would credit his former Council Seat-Mate,
Jack Layton.

When Jack Layton passed away, Nathan Phillips Square became covered with messages.
People mourned, shared, reflected, in chalk.

Rob Ford was there, remembering, reflecting.

Today, again, Nathan Phillips Square is being filled with heartfelt chalk messages.
Among them, one that says:

“Rob Ford – A People’s Mayor”

— HïMY SYeD

Rob Ford 2014: Referendum vs Re-Election

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Toronto City Hall 8:15 a.m. January 2, 2014

Rob Ford walks past The Colin Vaughan Press Gallery, along a corridor it shares with Toronto’s Election and Lottery office.

Named for late City Hall Reporter, Colin Vaughan, who previously served as Alderman representing The Annex. His son, Adam, today represents Ward 20 Trinity-Spadina.

Three years before Toronto City Councillors began turning their backs each time Mayor Rob Ford rose to speak, Adam Vaughan was first to do so. He turned his back as Rob Ford was being sworn in; he faced The Public during Ford’s inauguration speech.

December 2010: turning your back on the Mayor appears petulant.

December 2013: it looks prescient.

Rob Ford and Adam Vaughan have been and remain each other’s true Council Nemesis.

Mark Cidade stood waiting for City Hall to open at 7:30 a.m.

Once inside, Cidade found Election staff setting up the rope line. Somehow, Bruce Baker beat Cidade to the Pole Position. Baker intended to be first to file for Ward 36 Councillor. No matter. Cidade being second in line would become 2014’s first Mayoral Candidate.

Third in line? “Al Gore“.

45 minutes later, Bruce Baker permitted Rob Ford to stand in front of him after Cidade and Gore each denied Ford a spot ahead of them.

Rob Ford began his Re-Election Campaign… by budding in line.
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Meet “Al Gore”: Toronto Mayoral Candidate 2014

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Each New Year’s Day Afternoon, The City of Toronto hosts it’s annual Levee, where members of the general public line up to get a turn at meeting and being greeted by the Mayor and members of City Council.

On a day when nearly everything else in the city is closed due to New Year’s, this was the only game in town. The only other game of note being the NHL Winter Classic down the road in Detroit, which everyone seemed to be following on their BlackBerries and other handhelds.

This being a Municipal Election year in Toronto, and the day before nominations officially open, I found numerous potential Mayoral and Council Candidates doing the rounds inside the Rotunda of Toronto City Hall.

Among City Council Wannabes wandering the Rotunda was one Al Gore, declared Mayoral Candidate. Oh really? “Al Gore”?
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