http://www.thestar.com/news/torontomayoralrace/article/873111--james-what-i-like-about-rob-ford
James: What I like about Rob Ford
Published On Fri Oct 08 2010
Rob Ford has his faults, some grievous enough to render him unworthy of holding the city’s highest office he now seeks. But the city councillor is not leading the polls in the race to be Toronto’s next mayor because he’s a bumbling fool, as so many pundits maintain, barely hiding their contempt.
In fact, there is enough to like about Rob Ford, and the terms of his endearment offer a glimpse into the municipal world that embraces his candidacy.
Ford, a rough-around-the-edges guy whose unbuttoned suits would make Armani cringe, has developed an almost cultish following because he does what so many refuse to do — take on the city’s power structure and orthodoxy. I like that.
He practises retail politics. He goes ward to ward, gets his hands dirty, personally attends to phone calls, and leaves behind an eternally grateful citizen. That sometimes angers delinquent or slow-responding councillors who resent his intrusion into their ward. Tough. Citizens appreciate the service.
A mayor can’t possibly answer individual phone calls from all Torontonians. But that ethic at the top of the city hall chain of command would be contagious.
Ford doesn’t have to define himself during this campaign. Over 10 years as a city councillor his message hasn’t deviated: Keep spending in check. He owns the brand.
Starting with his own office budget, Ford famously spent $2 of the allotted $53,000 tax dollars one year, even as many spent near the limit and most spent about $40,000. That created many enemies among the big spenders. Some argued he was using his own money to run his office and tried to force him to use tax dollars.
The result? Now Ford must file the spending amounts with the clerk, even if he uses his own money. But all this has done is reaffirm that Ford spends much less than his counterparts, no matter whose money it is. And the legend grows.
Critics argue that the potential savings from office budgets is so small, the impact on the $9.2 billion budget is negligible. Critics underestimate the value of symbols. If councillors routinely waste thousands of dollars on the purchase of espresso machines, bunny suits, expensive Christmas cards, unwarranted cab rides to Woodbridge late at night — all under the guise of serving constituents — what else are they wasting, constituents wonder.
Ford has routinely proposed across-the-board cuts in grants to community agencies and arts groups, for example, a move that saves only small amounts. He’s failed to corral enough votes, but the rejection never deterred him. Such persistence will be required if he’s to use the mandated powers of the mayor’s office to change the culture. If the budget is to be tamed, it will take someone with the single-minded determination of a Rob Ford.
Consider that since 2003, under David Miller, city spending has jumped 44 per cent, to $9.2 billion — a hike of $2.8 billion, more than triple the increases of the previous six years. Annual property tax hikes? 3, 3, 3, 3.8, 3.34, 4, and 2.9 per cent.
Despite consecutive above-inflation increases, Toronto’s property tax rate is still lowest in the GTA. But that’s because Torontonians face an additional land transfer tax, vehicle registration tax, billboard tax, garbage disposal fees, water bill increases of 9 per cent a year, transit fare hikes, and more.
Worse, these hikes occurred even as Toronto received massive amounts of money for its operating budget through the gas tax, GST rebates and annual subsidies from Queen’s Park. So when citizens see clear examples of waste, they rebel. When councillors give themselves a pay raise and use their office budgets as a slush fund, they play right into Rob Ford’s agenda.
City council has no fiscal credibility. Ford may not be able to “stop the gravy train.” There may not even be a gravy train. But an aggrieved citizenry may be willing to give Ford a chance to root around and find out.
Ford will not yield the $1.7 billion savings he envisions. But he believes he can. And when he says he will push for it to happen, his claim is believable. Even if it falls short, the recalibration will have begun. Many are banking on it.
