Toronto Municipal Elections 2010

Black Dog · September 21, 2010

Well, your premise is only relevant if your yardstick is to improve the city's situation. This is politics, remember. If the premise is whether Ford can defeat all challengers and get the mayor's job his chances look pretty good! Afterwards, he doesn't actually have to deliver to be successful. He simply has to be perceived, rightly or wrongly, as the man who is trying! If he doesn't get much support from the rest of his council, those councilors run the risk of being perceived as obstructionists. Politically, Ford would get credit for trying and the others would get the blame for any failure.

Oh this is very true. I don't expect Ford to be able to implement his agenda beyond making a few cosmetic budget cuts around city hall. But he's not the type to build bridges and doesn't seem to possess the political acumen to works strategically with his counterparts on council, so I'd say the best case scenario in the event of a Ford win is four years of bureaucratic stasis in which time services continue to erode and decline. Ironically, people who vote for Ford will end up with a city that's a lot more like the one Ford describes today.

Michael Hardner · September 21, 2010

Oh this is very true. I don't expect Ford to be able to implement his agenda beyond making a few cosmetic budget cuts around city hall. But he's not the type to build bridges and doesn't seem to possess the political acumen to works strategically with his counterparts on council, so I'd say the best case scenario in the event of a Ford win is four years of bureaucratic stasis in which time services continue to erode and decline. Ironically, people who vote for Ford will end up with a city that's a lot more like the one Ford describes today.

Then again, the Mayor has tools at his disposal that others do not, especially the focus of public attention. If he's calling for improved services, more responsiveness from the city and there is utter resistance then it could play into his hands, and change the tone of the dialogue.

There are some very basic things that the city doesn't do in terms of responsiveness and service, and I'm hoping that these things at least can happen in a harmonious and productive way.

Black Dog · September 21, 2010

Then again, the Mayor has tools at his disposal that others do not, especially the focus of public attention. If he's calling for improved services, more responsiveness from the city and there is utter resistance then it could play into his hands, and change the tone of the dialogue.

From what I've seen of Ford and his campaign, I don't know that he has the political sophistication to be able to shape the dialogue. He's not a communicator. He's not an ideas man either. Quite simply, if he's elected on the platform of "stopping the gravy train" he'll need to deliver or risk running out of scapegoats.

There are some very basic things that the city doesn't do in terms of responsiveness and service, and I'm hoping that these things at least can happen in a harmonious and productive way.

If people think the city can dramatically reduce spending, slash revenue and still manage to improve services, they are in for a rude awakening.

Michael Hardner · September 21, 2010

If people think the city can dramatically reduce spending, slash revenue and still manage to improve services, they are in for a rude awakening.

It's hard to say what exactly is possible, because we don't have a solid idea of how efficient the city is as delivering services. Miller agreed to a review of operations in order to get the land transfer tax through, but it never happened.

How many garbage inspectors do we have ? How many do we need ?

(I couldn't find out with a quick Google search, and I'm not going to waste time looking into it much further.)

treehugger · September 21, 2010

Before Rob Ford announced that he was running for mayor, he was on 640am every Thurs. morn. at 8:10am

That is where anyone could learn what happened in Toronto. Everything Miller does/did is a secret unless it is something to glorify himself.

Rob Ford talked about all of the deals and the stupid output of $$$ that the public/taxpayers had no idea was going on.

You have all heard about the $120,000 metal tree erected in Toronto to say thanks to all of the Jamaicans for everything that they have contributed to the city.

He hired people and paid them $14. per hr. to go door to door and hiding near by to see if you owned a cat or a dog.

He bought a big factory in North York that sits empty. The first people that wanted to rent it was Jamaicans who wanted it to teach English. It seems that the police were called a few times to do something about all of the noise at the factory while they held all night parties.

etc etc etc etc

Edited September 21, 2010 by treehugger

Michael Hardner · September 21, 2010

Rob Ford talked about all of the deals and the stupid output of $$$ that the public/taxpayers had no idea was going on.

You have all heard about the $120,000 metal tree erected in Toronto to say thanks to all of the Jamaicans for everything that they have contributed to the city.

He hired people and paid them $14. per hr. to go door to door and hiding near by to see if you owned a cat or a dog.

He bought a big factory in North York that sits empty. The first people that wanted to rent it was Jamaicans who wanted it to teach English. It seems that the police were called a few times to do something about all of the noise at the factory while they held all night parties.

etc etc etc etc

Hmmm.... seems like you're saying Jamaicans are a problem here ? Jamaicans teaching English, getting metal trees...

Unfortunately, he doesn't have the wider view that it takes to be a successful Mayor. Also, he only told part of the story on the radio.

guyser · September 21, 2010

Please, dont let Rob FOrd become mayor.

Yeah yeah it would be funny for a while seeing the lefties on council in a snit but please dont let this happen.

Wish I could articulate why, but I cant.

Edited September 21, 2010 by guyser

Jack Weber · September 21, 2010

Please don't tell me that people are going to start attacking Rob Fords dead father . Doug Ford was the main reason Etobicoke General Hospital got a CT scan when it did . Doug was known for paying for many many people to get back and forth from cancer treatments out of his own pocket .

At least keep your hate directed at people that can respond to it .

I was simply asking if Rob Ford's father was the guy who sat as an MPP in the first Harris mandate....

If it was,I watched him in the House at Queens Park many times and he was quite a bully,his personal charitable acts notwithstanding...It would seem the apple did'nt fall far from the tree,however...

Edited September 21, 2010 by Jack Weber

scribblet · September 21, 2010

Please, dont let Rob FOrd become mayor.

Yeah yeah it would be funny for a while seeing the lefties on council in a snit but please dont let this happen.

Wish I could articulate why, but I cant.

LOL aw come on, it would be worth anything to get the lefties in a snit.

Don't forget he's only one vote, he can't do too much without councils's co-operation - so won't it be fun watching this if he gets in LoL

Dog · September 22, 2010

LOL aw come on, it would be worth anything to get the lefties in a snit.

Don't forget he's only one vote, he can't do too much without councils's co-operation - so won't it be fun watching this if he gets in LoL

The mayor hands out the power so he has the power of many . Giorgio Mammoliti just came around and i see more behind him . If Ford wins by double digits and he will the city will be " nudged " in the right direction .

treehugger · September 22, 2010

Hmmm.... seems like you're saying Jamaicans are a problem here ? Jamaicans teaching English, getting metal trees...

Unfortunately, he doesn't have the wider view that it takes to be a successful Mayor. Also, he only told part of the story on the radio.

The thing was about teaching English is that nobody did what they were supposed to do and just used the building for parties at the taxpayers expense.

I never said any such thing about Jamaicans being the problem, you just said it. Ask Miller why he is spending 120,000 on a metal tree. Oh yeah, you'll never get an answer as Ford is the only one who replies within two days to everyone's email.

There were hundreds of pieces of documented information told over the airways, so I would say he does have a very wide view of what is going on in the city and GTA.He told the part of each story that told us what is going on with our money.

Edited September 22, 2010 by treehugger

Michael Hardner · September 22, 2010

I never said any such thing about Jamaicans being the problem, you just said it. Ask Miller why he is spending 120,000 on a metal tree. Oh yeah, you'll never get an answer as Ford is the only one who replies within two days to everyone's email.

Really ?

"The first people that wanted to rent it was Jamaicans who wanted it to teach English. It seems that the police were called a few times to do something about all of the noise at the factory while they held all night parties. "

There were hundreds of pieces of documented information told over the airways, so I would say he does have a very wide view of what is going on in the city and GTA.He told the part of each story that told us what is going on with our money.

The fact that you think he has a wide view of what is going on probably means he does not, as you don't have a wide view of going on. In one post about the city's problems you point at the Jamaicans twice.

You should stay on this board awhile and edify yourself.

Dog · September 22, 2010

You should stay on this board awhile and edify yourself.

What a douchebag .

Black Dog · September 22, 2010

What a douchebag .

Big words giving you problems?

Black Dog · September 27, 2010

Ford: take marathons off city streets

Insert easy fat joke here.

Topaz · September 27, 2010

What is Toronto's debt? Who has the better business plan for the city? I would think the people of Toronto are like every other tax payer in Ontario, lower taxes but can the city afford it?

Oleg Bach · September 27, 2010

Rob Ford has run a successful business while i don't believe Slitherman has ever been successful running anything but a glory hole .

There probably are a few highly focused lawyers who have choosen Ford..to run THEIR city..because even the big dogs are tired of being tolerant of every creepy thing...Smitherman has issues...Ford has issues- Ford wants to smash the crap out of all the lefties...while Smitherman wants to give us all a hug...just beware of the possiblity of being gropped if he is high...over all - we have no one fit to by mayor.

The same investment banker types and welfare bums like me will continue to influence and run the place regardless..what this city needs is..

FOR THE SOCIALIST IDIOTS TAXING THE SOUL OUT OF OUR CITY...SOCIALIST WHO TAX IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THEIR OWN BUREACRACY....THE CITY IS IN A SLOW STATE OF EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL COLLAPSE............MAY AS WELL SEND IN FORD TO GET RID OF THE DEAD WOOD THAT KEEPS SUCKING UP THE IMPORTANT AND LIVE GIVING MOISTURE.

Shady · September 27, 2010

Ford: take marathons off city streets

Insert easy fat joke here.

Sounds like a good common sense solution. But instead of focusing on the substance of the issue, you focus on his weight. Pathetic. :rolleyes:

guyser · September 27, 2010

There probably are a few highly focused lawyers who have choosen Ford..to run THEIR city..

In a rare lucid moment you may have someday, dont you think perhaps these "highly focused lawyers " would pick someone with half a brain.

Oh wait, nevermind.

guyser · September 27, 2010

Sounds like a good common sense solution.

Yes it is, until you think about it and then it is obviously a dumb idea.

In fact, pathetically dumb.

M.Dancer · September 27, 2010

Ford: take marathons off city streets

Insert easy fat joke here.

It's like Lastman grew some hair...then kept on growing and growing and growing....

nicky10013 · September 27, 2010

Thank god. Latest poll only has Ford up by 5 points. This nightmare actually looks like it could be avoided.

Edited September 27, 2010 by nicky10013

Black Dog · September 28, 2010

Sounds like a good common sense solution.

Yes, let's find a solution to the long national nightmare of marathons!

Seriously: who is this a problem for? I know Ford is obsessed with maintaining the supremacy of the automobile, but this is just silly meddling.

But instead of focusing on the substance of the issue, you focus on his weight. Pathetic.

First: I merely opened the door for others to focus on his weight. I personally don't have a problem with Ford's gross obesity.

Second and speaking of failing to bring anything of substance forward, I've yet to see you or any of the other Ford trolls mount any kind of defense of his ludicrous and unworkable platform, even after I went through the effort of detailing just a few of the reasons why it, and Ford himself, suck. I understand, though: its impossible to defend the indefensible. Empty slogans are so much easier.

Edited September 28, 2010 by Black Dog

August1991 · September 28, 2010

Thank god. Latest poll only has Ford up by 5 points. This nightmare actually looks like it could be avoided.

I know little about this election but that video is art in motion.

What did the Left once say: "Speak truth to power." Then, they apparently pulled the plug on his microphone.

I think that Ronald Reagan also pulled the plug on protesters when he was governor in California. What goes around, comes around.

----

Political correctness and the North American Left are an unstable yet self-sustaining marriage of the earnest and the progressive. Like most irrational pursuits, beyond a certain point, no good can come of it.

Edited September 28, 2010 by August1991

Shady · September 29, 2010

Yes, let's find a solution to the long national nightmare of marathons!

You're being intellectually dishonest. The issue he's addressing isn't the marathons, but the severe traffic dislocation and congestion they cause, especially during the summer. Believe it or not, but many people don't enjoy being stuck in traffic for hours on end during sweltering heat. I know, shocking. :rolleyes: