Thursday 2 December 2010

Rob Ford's first day as mayor

Rob Ford's Press Secretary with one of the gravy packets
Rob Ford's Press Secretary with one of the gravy packets (see the National Post story below for details about the gravy packets).

Global News: Janet Davis and other cllrs say they're ready to fight Ford on Transit City

Toronto Star - Hepburn: Rob Ford and the risky politics of dashed hopes
Excerpt:

First, Ford has done nothing to dampen his supporters’ overly optimistic expectations of what he might actually be able to accomplish. He is still talking as if everything is possible and that it can happen fast.

Second, he has once again shown that he is unwilling to try to work with his opponents on city council. This week he froze out downtown and left-wing councillors when he announced his executive committee and his senior political team.

That’s a recipe for failure because Ford will need their support when it comes to tackling the truly important issues, such as budget cuts, contracting out garbage collection and forging ahead with his plans to build subways.

Third, Ford is already staring at major hurdles in his quest to reshape this city. The most obvious is the pending showdown with the Ontario government over his plans to scrap Transit City. Premier Dalton McGuinty said Tuesday there’s no more transit money for Toronto and that the city would have to eat the costs of cancelling hundreds of millions of dollars worth of contracts already awarded.

If that happens, say goodbye to Ford’s self-described image as a good watchdog over the use of taxpayer dollars.


Torontoist: Day One for Mayor Rob Ford's Toronto, from gravy packets to subway rackets

Rob Ford: the illusionist - EYE WEEKLY

Rob Ford will do everything in his power to halt progress


Ford silently promises a big raise in property taxes in 2012

Ford's war on public transit and bicycles has begun

National Post: Gravy for Mayor Rob Ford

Torontoist: For Rob Ford, A Zero's Welcome At Nathan Phillips Square Protest

See also:
Rob Ford to cut off rapid transit to his supporters


No comments: