MAYORAL ISSUES

[Mollywood]

Originally Posted by Filip

Sigh.. Your predictions never seem to pan out do they?

Transit City is DEAD. It will not be coming back, it will not looking ANYTHING like its original form with Ford or a new mayor.
Tory will probably push for the Waterfront LRTs (which I support) but Sheppard will remain in a subway-only focus and Eglinton will continue as is. The other Transit City lines were horribly thought out of and seemed more like Miller and his friends trying to draw lines on a map.

Sheppard is basically in limbo for funding. A few changes of government here and there tend to solve that (Spadina waited nearly 15 years for its funding and has only recently began construction)

You think the Don Mills line was a bad ideal? The Transit City LRT seemed like it was meant to help relieve overcrowding on the Yonge Street line. I haven't studied it but it seemed pretty good to me.

How will the Sheppard subway help our transit problems? I think that line will do nothing for our overcrowding and will not bring in large numbers of new riders, so what's the point? Right now, the Sheppard line is like a ghost town. We need a downtown relief line and maybe the Eglinton line. We also need the Queen's Quay LRT.

[MattToronto]

When asked about Pride from Xtra, Ford promptly said "You have the wrong number." and hung up. Here's the article.

http://www.xtra.ca/public/Toronto/Pr...ons-10272.aspx

[vid]

Thunder Bay's mayor proclaimed gay pride week and raised the pride flag last week.



To be fair, our mayor seems to have some sort of proclamation fetish. There is a new one in our paper almost daily.

[Marbur66]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

I'll fully admit I never thought I would see "Rob Ford" and "workout" in the same sentence.

Even with all his shortcomings, I find it ridiculous how Rob Ford gets ripped for things that have nothing to do with politics. People just like to have "shit on Ford" parties on this forum, no matter what. The whole thing about him being obese is a double standard, since there is no way it would be as acceptable to rip on his weight so much if he were a woman. I bet you wouldn't see that stupid photo-shopped pic in his underwear or whatever if he were a broad.

[Taller, Better]

Oh, come on.... the spontaneous "workout" video of him is nothing more than shameless self-promotion via Youtube. If he worked out every day he would not look the way he does, would he?

[jje10001]

What do you think the budget will hold for us next year?

[rbt]

Originally Posted by Marbur66

Even with all his shortcomings, I find it ridiculous how Rob Ford gets ripped for things that have nothing to do with politics.

Unfortunately, Ford made it political.

When a politician releases a video or photo-op of themselves doing something when it's very obvious it isn't part of their regular routine, it is for political reasons. It was released on his official YouTube account and was obviously setup.

In this case, it's not even a video of the workout itself, just an interview where he says he ran 3 miles and did some lifts (I tend to believe this is true on that day).

If Ford was caught running by a news crew and said "no comment" when asked; then that's personal and his own business.

This material is fair game for criticism.

[Mollywood]

Originally Posted by AndrewJM3D

As if ROFLMAO! What a liar, as is the person with the camera.

Did I just hear him say "I'm gonna STAY in shape"? My hearing is not the greatest so maybe I heard that wrong.

[Filip]

Originally Posted by rbt

Unfortunately, Ford made it political.

When a politician releases a video or photo-op of themselves doing something when it's very obvious it isn't part of their regular routine, it is for political reasons. It was released on his official YouTube account and was obviously setup.

In this case, it's not even a video of the workout itself, just an interview where he says he ran 3 miles and did some lifts (I tend to believe this is true on that day).

If Ford was caught running by a news crew and said "no comment" when asked; then that's personal and his own business.

This material is fair game for criticism.

So by that incredible logic we can also assume that since Smitherman used purple as his campaign theme (a colour few straight men would flaunt around) it's fair game to amuse ourselves with his sexuality? Since of course he made it political therefore fair game for insults.

[AndrewJM3D]

[QUOTE=Marbur66]Even with all his shortcomings, I find it ridiculous how Rob Ford gets ripped for things that have nothing to do with politics. QUOTE]


Being Gay is not a choice, in most cases being a fat bastard is.

The real reason why it's so easy and so okay to pick on this man is because he has been known to do the same thing to others. I can't think of another councilor that has used a racial slur (Gino Boy) against another member of council except for Ford. If he can continue to make derogatory statements and stereotypical comments then we can also pick on him for what's on the outside and just as easy for whats on the inside.

Comments like this one have also opened the flood gates for insults of this man.

Those Oriental people work like dogs. … They’re slowly taking over.

[AndrewJM3D]

Kicking off Toronto’s Bike to work month, The City of Toronto, Mayor Rob Ford, The Ontario Cycling Association, and organizer ZM Cycle Fitness invite you to attend Toronto’s premier bicycle race in the heart of the vibrant St. Lawrence Market.


I'll give $50 to whoever can guess who didn't show up to the event. He sent a representative in his place. I wonder what it's costinbg Toronto tax payers to keep this guy hidden behind so many representatives?

[vid]

Originally Posted by Mollywood

Did I just hear him say "I'm gonna STAY in shape"? My hearing is not the greatest so maybe I heard that wrong.

To be fair, he is already a shape. Round is a shape.

[AndrewJM3D]

So one of his Major platforms was to get rid of this tax: This won't shock those who didn't vote for him.


Land transfer tax must stay for now

CBC News June 7th
Toronto's budget chief says the city can't afford to get rid of the land transfer tax this year despite the wishes of Mayor Rob Ford.

Ford promised to eliminate the tax during his election campaign and hoped to get rid of it by the end of this year.

But Coun. Mike Del Grande, his budget chief, said that was not realistic, given the city is facing a $774-million budget shortfall.

"The mayor has indicated that he would like to see that tax removed," said Del Grande on Tuesday. "I think, as most politicians, people are very quick to criticize about promises. But the same old story goes, you don't really know what you have until you get into it and you see the surprises that are awaiting you."

The land transfer tax brought $278 million into city coffers last year.

Del Grande also criticized Coun. Gord Perks, who on Tuesday said the state of the city's finances weren't as dire as Ford has portrayed. Perks pointed to a staff report that indicated the city had an $88.4 million surplus from last year.

"I think that [Ford's] $800-million financial hole is grossly exaggerated and he's using that gross exaggeration as a reason to talk about cutting services we don't need to cut," said Perks.

He said that with modest property tax increase, a TTC fare increase and some modest cuts, the budget can be balanced.

Del Grande, however, said he likely wouldn't look kindly on added expenditures "that people have not thought out.

"A lot of councillors, as well as people in Toronto, still do not get it," he said. "This is not something from my point of view is political to get back at anybody. We've gotten ourselves into trouble. Somebody has to fix it and it's as simple as that."

The city is currently holding a review of all of its services as it tries to find ways to make up the shortfall. It is currently holding public consultations in an effort to determine which services are valued most by citizens.

"We have to stop the way we have conducted business here," Del Grande said.


And if anybody is interested listen to what he says about it in his interview with CBC the day after election.

http://www.cbc.ca/asithappens/featur...s-mayor-elect/

I'm still shocked he was elected without explaining how he could manage a city by cutting taxes. People are starting to wake up. I wonder what his slogan will be in 3 years? He can't use the Gravy Train again can he?

3 more years until Tory people, a mayor we can be proud of again.

[AndrewJM3D]

Can anybody post a non-tabloid Sun article that shows this man is doing something right?

You may have more luck going into the woods and finding this guy.

[vid]

You can find guys resembling that in the woods around Thunder Bay, but they have herpes.

[AndrewJM3D]

You can find some women like that in Huntsville as well.

[rbt]

Originally Posted by Filip

So by that incredible logic we can also assume that since Smitherman used purple as his campaign theme (a colour few straight men would flaunt around) it's fair game to amuse ourselves with his sexuality? Since of course he made it political therefore fair game for insults.

If Smitherman used the colour purple and brought around a gay partner to events to win the gay vote; while having a wife and kids at home, never having had homosexual thoughts or feelings; then yes, it's completely fair game.

If Smitherman ran around telling everyone he was a straight dedicated wife+kids kind of guy while being in his current situation; then we most certainly could amuse ourselves over his sexuality. I certainly have with a few Republicans who wore this kind of facade.

Hell, even made fun of Giambrone's setup and I actually liked him. Giambrone immediately deflected and stated untruths instead of telling us he has an open relationship and occasionally dates models on the side (this could have worked well for him BTW).

Making a public deception for the purpose of political gain is pretty much guaranteed to bring attention to yourself as Ford has done here.


I don't believe for a second that Ford runs 3 miles a day, every day, in addition to regular weight training and other physical activities (football coaching must involve throwing the ball around at very least); or has been for any significant length of time and nothing in his release implies this is a new routine.

Really don't care if he is large or not; I have issues his assertion that he's genuinely trying to be fit and failing. It is the deception for personal gain that makes it fair game for mocking.

[jje10001]

Ford plans to sell social housing stock to close budget deficit ELIZABETH CHURCH

Globe and Mail Update
Published Thursday, Jun. 09, 2011 12:30PM EDT
Last updated Thursday, Jun. 09, 2011 10:35PM EDT



Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is keen to sell more than 900 units of social housing stock to the highest bidder and use some of the millions it generates to plug the $774-million hole in the city’s budget for next year.

The plan to put social housing units up for sale is the brainchild of the mayor’s hand-picked adviser, a former city councillor brought in to clean house after a spending scandal at Toronto Community Housing Corp.

Case Ootes, who is set to leave his post next week, made public Thursday some of the advice he is delivering to the mayor and the new board of the social housing agency – replacements for the previous board ousted by city council this spring. Mr. Ootes estimates the selloff of all the agency’s single-family homes could raise more than $400-million.

That’s money, he argues, that is desperately needed to solve a “crisis situation” created by a $650-million repair backlog that is so severe it is forcing the country’s largest landlord to leave units empty because there is no money to fix them. This, at a time when 77,000 households are on its waiting lists.

Toronto’s mayor was quick to give his public backing to that proposal, but indicated he has other ideas about what could be done with the dollars it generates.

“I agree. Let’s sell these homes. Let’s take that revenue,” he said. “Obviously, we need the money to fund next year’s budget.”

Asked about the crumbling state of city-owned housing, Mr. Ford said a portion of the profit could be directed to repairs. “Some could go to housing. Some could go to next year’s budget. It all depends. We would have to see.”

The mayor’s comments – and Mr. Ootes’ proposal – set the stage for a showdown between the city’s popular leader and critics who have long feared he is intent on dismantling the affordable-housing provider. Mr. Ford came to power with a pledge to cut costs by eliminating waste and the troubled housing agency – the subject of damning audits that discovered questionable spending by staff, including a spa day, a jaunt to Muskoka and gifts of chocolates – has become a convenient symbol of that excess.

Reacting to the mayor’s remarks, downtown councillor Adam Vaughan, one of the mayor’s fiercest critics, said they reveal Mr. Ford’s intentions.

“It’s the Ford agenda laid bare,” he said. “This is not about fixing social housing. It is about getting rid of it. Charles Dickens used to write about this stuff.”

Mr. Ootes, who led a tour of a city-owned downtown building where three-quarters of the dormitory-style rooms sit vacant because five tenants must share a kitchen and bathroom, said the housing agency must look at options for such “outdated and underused buildings.”

As well, 81 of the city’s single units sit empty because they need repair, he said, including one that requires $175,000 in renovations.

Mr. Ootes said he will tell the new board – to be appointed next week – to press for changes in provincial rules to give landlords more freedom to manage their assets. In particular, he pointed to rules that require the province to approve the sale of any units and requirements that every unit that is removed be replaced with another in the same area.

Catherine Wilkinson, a newly elected tenant representative on that board and a member of the last board, said any discussions about the future of housing units should be at a table where residents are represented. The proposed sale, she said, is a “short-term solution. This is a long-term problem.”

Mr. Ootes said the city has an obligation to “maximize limited taxpayers dollars to provide clean, well-maintained subsidized housing to as many people as possible.”

The first measure of support for his proposals will come next week when city councillors consider an earlier recommendation by him to put 22 single homes on the block.

“It will be a test as to whether council has the will to deal with reality,” Mr. Ootes said of that vote. “The reality is that if they don’t act on those recommendations and the recommendations I am making now, more empty buildings will be the result.”


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle2053653/

So while Ootes wants to sell the money to fix housing, Ford wants to sell it to plug the hole he made in the budget? I hope council at least votes for Ootes' recommendation.

[AndrewJM3D]

Casa Loma may have to be sold: Mayor Ford

Mayor also 'furious' about Leafs practice rink takeover
CBC News Posted: Jun 15, 2011 10:06 AM ET Last Updated: Jun 15, 2011

Supporting Story ContentStory Sharing ToolsShare with Add ThisPrint this storyE-mail this story.End of Supporting Story ContentBack to accessibility links Beginning of Story ContentToronto Mayor Rob Ford says the historic Casa Loma property will eventually have to be sold, saying it's time for the city to stop assuming risk in business deals with service groups.

City council on Tuesday agreed to adopt the recommendations of a staff report that called for the city to regain control of Casa Loma from the Kiwanis Club, which has operated the historic castle since 1937.

"I'm definitely going to be reviewing that. Casa Loma is something that I think we are eventually going to have to sell. That's the bottom line," he said Tuesday.

The Casa Loma decision isn't the only takeover Ford now opposes.

On Monday a staff report recommended the city assume operation of Lakeshore Lions Arena, a four-pad rink in Etobicoke that the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Marlies use as a practice facility.

Along with that takeover comes $43.5 million in debt accumulated by the current operators of the arena.

The city has guaranteed $35.3 million of its debt, and if the operators default, the city would be on the hook for that amount. As an eventual default appears likely, one of the few options left is to assume control of the facility, the report said.

"I'm furious about that. It's completely mismanaged. I voted for it and I regret doing that," Ford said.

The recommendation will be debated at council's executive committee on June 20.

[AndrewJM3D]

I love how the guy voted for an expenssive rink in his area of town but has shot down the new stacked rink for the downtown east side.