Putting the city of Toronto under possible extortion control of a gang? - LOL! That's a little dramatic is it not? (I would hate too see how the gang would have fared against that wacky crew at city hall).
Per the reporters I would rather have them base their reporting on facts instead of interpretation or what they thought they heard. I thought the Star had integrity. If it was Wynn instead of Ford in this situation I would fully expect the Sun to make a zillion assumptions and to report on what they thought they saw or heard.
But looking back at what happened and what has transpired since the infamous video was reported...Has Toronto suffered from it? I believe it has one of the highest rates of construction of any city in North America, it has received world recognition during Ford's reign (good or bad publicity all equal publicity), they hosted the Pan Am games...The city, as far as I can see, did not suffer under the years of Ford rule.
As much as partisan politics come into play, the role of Mayor has little impact on the big picture of the city.
Prior to Tory, Toronto has had a loudmouth, a socialist and a buffoon sitting in the Mayors chair and despite those drastic opposing views, the city has survived and thrived under each leadership.
Ford sitting the Mayoral chair, was really insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/01/21/cities-most-high-rises-construction_n_4638559.html