Goodbye Ford Nation

[Butler1000]

The problem with contracting out the rest of garbage collection is that no one seems to be willing to go after the jobs for life provision in the municipal contracts. Ford brags that there were no strikes on his watch, and that is in part because he paid off the union and left the jobs for life thing intact.

The problem is the city already reduced all the staff not covered by jobs for life. No further staff reductions are possible. If contact out garbage in the east you have to find those guys new jobs, keeping them on the payroll. So no savings, in fact, it would be extra money to hire the contractor.

Until someone actually takes on the union progress will be slow, waiting for guys to retire. But Ford was all talk no action, yapping like he was tough on unions while buying them off.

Agreed. I think at this point we need to rely on job elimination and attrition(not hiring more) until the extra manpower levels out. The easiest way to get around the jobs for life is to limit re-hiring adding new people. In the long run there will be less city staff as we eliminate positions slowly.

The contract doesn't come up until after the Games. And yes I'm waiting to hear all the candidates responses to how they will deal with them over the campaign.

 

[MattRoxx]

Um. I really hope you aren't implying you would like to see Ford die. Because if you are that pretty much ends any credibility. Seriously. Disagree all you want with someones politics but that is just bad............

But you like Ford, and he's said similar things. Does this finally pretty much end any credibility Ford has with you.

What I compare bike lanes to is swimming with the sharks. Sooner or later you're going to get bitten... Roads are built for buses, cars, and trucks, not for people on bikes. My heart bleeds for them when I hear someone gets killed, but it's their own fault at the end of the day."

Seriously, disagree with cyclists all you want Ford but that is just bad...and ignorant. Hateful. And not true at all.

And let's not forget:

“Do you want your little wife to go over to Iran and get raped and shot?

Seems like hypocrisy or double standard to love Ford for his bluntness but complain about others using similar manner of speaking.

 

[MattRoxx]

Since Ford has been in office, I'm paying more taxes. Ford isn't saving me money.

And, he hasn't saved the city $1B, but he's costing the city money.

As long as you live in Toronto, you will pay additional (and increasing) taxes for Ford's subway. The best case scenario is to have it paid off in 30 years. But as history has shown "temporary" taxes never go away, they remain and increase over time. To pay for unexpected increased costs. To pay for the Finch line. To pay for the Sheppard line. To pay for the DRL. To pay for repairs. To offset lower than expected revenue...

 

[Moviefan-2]

Read Terence Corcoran in the NatPost today.

Tory entry guarantees Chow victory.

I hope Corcoran is proven wrong.

On the plus side, though, it's encouraging to see Lovehobby reading Corcoran and the National Post. That can only lead to positive changes for Lovehobby.

 

[Butler1000]

But you like Ford, and he's said similar things. Does this finally pretty much end any credibility Ford has with you.


Seriously, disagree with cyclists all you want Ford but that is just bad...and ignorant. Hateful. And not true at all.

And let's not forget:

Seems like hypocrisy or double standard to love Ford for his bluntness but complain about others using similar manner of speaking.

I pretty sure somewhere I already publicly wrote him off. But I won't right off the policies. I still want subways, privatized garbage, the unions reined in. I want to put a hold on to much "social" spending and see resources diverted to core infrastucture upgrades(sewers, transit, roads). This was the message sent by a good portion of the populace.

I believe the city is on the cusp now due to population size and riding the economic downturn of actually becoming "world class". What I think this election may decide is how we will become that. Will we be a city still of neighbourhoods? Divided and defined that way? Or will we finally since amalgamation start to see the whole city being planned for the future?

At the very least the man has brought municipal politics to the forefront as never before. People are engaged in wanting to define the vision they want of the city. I don't know where my vote will go yet. I read today that Chow may actually keep the Scarborough extension. I need to see all the platforms before I decide.

But Ford is not on the list for one simple reason. Even if he says all the right things he can't impliment them. He is a detriment to the policies I want to see as the template for the foreseeable future. But he brought them into the mix. Others can now take up the cause.

 

[Butler1000]

As long as you live in Toronto, you will pay additional (and increasing) taxes for Ford's subway. The best case scenario is to have it paid off in 30 years. But as history has shown "temporary" taxes never go away, they remain and increase over time. To pay for unexpected increased costs. To pay for the Finch line. To pay for the Sheppard line. To pay for the DRL. To pay for repairs. To offset lower than expected revenue...

The best case scenario for me is to add 5% over the next 4 years in dedicated transit tax to the property tax bill and use it with provincial and federal money to build a real subway network. Add in a 2% sales tax on hotel and reataurant bill too please. A lot of revenue from outside the city there and not uncommon in many cities.

 

[Butler1000]

Finally I'll add matt I don't agree with ANYONE wishing someone dead. Ever. Period. It has no place in a civilized society. If Ford said it he was dead wrong. And so was the poster I called out.

I believe the phrase about two wrongs applies here.

 

[oldjones]

Finally I'll add matt I don't agree with ANYONE wishing someone dead. Ever. Period. It has no place in a civilized society. If Ford said it he was dead wrong. And so was the poster I called out.

I believe the phrase about two wrongs applies here.

"If Ford said it…"!! You missed his video rant about ripping out entrails and puking into the carcass then. Does that have a place in your "civilized society"? More to the point, does a public official prone to expressing such loathsome threats, and falsely denying them afterwards belong in any office of trust and respect, let alone in any society pretending to being civilized?

 

[Butler1000]

"If Ford said it…"!! You missed his video rant about ripping out entrails and puking into the carcass then. Does that have a place in your "civilized society"? More to the point, does a public official prone to expressing such loathsome threats, and falsely denying them afterwards belong in any office of trust and respect, let alone in any society pretending to being civilized?

Ok once again....I've publicly written him off. I've moved on. I'm done with him. He will not be getting my vote. There. Stated again. Get it now.

And I'll say this again. Whatever Ford said still doesn't justify the posters comment. It makes him in fact no BETTER than Ford. Get it? Understand? Do I need to use a crapload of flowery language? Should I get Anne Rice to create the prose for you?

Do you have any thoughts on the other candidates at this point? Initial reactions? Maybe something constructive?

 

[toguy5252]

I think he could actually have been a pretty good and effective mayor if he had been given a chance to lead. He really is quite a tragic figure.

 

[5hummer]

I think he could actually have been a pretty good and effective mayor if he had been given a chance to lead. He really is quite a tragic figure.

Seriously?

 

[MattRoxx]

I think he could actually have been a pretty good and effective mayor if he had been given a chance to lead. He really is quite a tragic figure.

Hahahahahahahahahaha

He was a councilor for 10 years, had plenty of opportunity to lead. Instead he decided his main priority was being a volunteer high school coach. Once out of high school (job) he graduated from snorting coke to smoking crack.

As for the other candidates: Soknaki seems smart and responsible, but without enough experience to make a good run at it.
Even though Stintz is Conservative, I like that she's a bike commuter. But she has no chance at getting elected, which in a way shows her poor judgement.
Tory would be...Miller Rite. Grand ideas that would be expensive, causing the usual caterwauling in council. He's got a lot of baggage, and Ford's anti-elitist rhetoric against Tory will make both of them look bad.

Chow would be good for the city. Smart, compassionate, knows politics and how to get things done. It would be such a nice change.

 

[asterwald]

Chow has no Charisma or personality.

 

[ogibowt]

Chow has no Charisma or personality.

neither does Harper, and we have been stuck with this vile creature for 8 years

 

[fuji]

neither does Harper, and we have been stuck with this vile creature for 8 years

Hey he has charisma, he plays in a rock band with a child molester, Herringboner or whatever. That's edgy!

 

[Polaris]

Chow has no Charisma or personality.

The other thing about Olivia Chow is she is 60 years old. When you're that age, very unlikely that one will trust and go with new ideas.

If Olivia gets in, it will be tax and spend far more than Miller ever did. That is the only thing she knows how to do.

A similar view can be made of John Tory. Claims he is a conservative, but he's a LIBERAL. That's why he keeps losing. No one trusts the guy, because no one really knows what he stands for. Although he talks a good game, has not played a good game in decades.

They say Ford is not a good leader, but how will these two, Chow and Tory be good leaders.

If there is a Mayor Chow, she will be like that substitute teacher and the kids go crazy in the classroom, as they have done that before.

If there is a Mayor Tory, that image seems improbable because Tory, although he's independently wealthy, he seems more like the pro-typical corporate ass kisser than some leader, like Stalin or Putin or Thatcher or Reagan.

Rob Ford better rehabilitate himself ASAP - as he's still in it.

:hail:

 

[Lovehobby]

You say tax and spend as if it is a bad thing. Great cities Don't come from broke ass cheapskates.

The place is falling apart. Gardner needs to come down more transit Req'd you think it just happens? Costs money.

 

[Polaris]

You say tax and spend as if it is a bad thing. Great cities Don't come from broke ass cheapskates.

The place is falling apart. Gardner needs to come down more transit Req'd you think it just happens? Costs money.

Cut payroll 10%-15%, there's some cash right there.

That's another theme in the economies of the western world, public servants overpaid, must be cut down to size.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/2048333-ukraine-and-the-markets?source=google_news

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles...0001424052702303426304579405802649203822.html

 

[MattRoxx]

The other thing about Olivia Chow is she is 60 years old. When you're that age, very unlikely that one will trust and go with new ideas.

Fuck your ageist bullshit, asshole. I'm close to her age and have more progressive new ideas than you and both Fords combined. "Unions bad, people want subways without paying for them". None of that is new.

And back to the Campaign Manager Doug Ford shitshow, today courtesy of the Conservative National Post:

Councillor Ford maintained it’s inappropriate for the chief to go on that fishing trip. Then he pulled John Tory, a mayoral candidate, into the fray, by revealing that Mr. Pringle is raising money for his campaign.

“In my opinion [Chief Blair is] part of the old boy’s club. He’s good friends with Andy Pringle, he’s good friends with John Tory and isn’t it a coincidence John Tory is running for mayor. And the chief is very political against the mayor. Put the dots together,” said Councillor Ford.

Erika Mozes, a spokeswoman for John Tory’s campaign, confirmed that Mr. Pringle is co-chair of Mr. Tory’s fundraising. “We are delighted! He is a well known community activist and philanthropist,” she wrote in an email.

“Andy donated to Mayor Ford’s last campaign and the Fords encouraged him to join the police commission. There appears to only be a conflict if you don’t support Mayor Ford. This is just another Ford farce.”

 

[MattRoxx]

So what's Ford attitude on social housing? Any way the wind blows? Or typical drug-addled schizophrenia.

Just one month ago, during city council’s budget debate, the mayor and his brother and campaign manager Doug were the only two members of council to vote against asking other orders of government to provide matching funding for TCHC’s repair backlog—he said at the time that he didn’t want to frustrate the federal government with requests.

Yesterday, he went to Ottawa - to ask other orders of government (federal) to provide funding for TCHC.

Inside the meeting, Mr. Ford and other mayors urged federal minister Candice Bergen to boost funding for social housing, a growing area of tension between Ottawa and Canada’s cities.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which organized the meeting, is warning that $1.7-billion in annual federal spending on social housing is about to expire over the coming years and Ottawa has not said whether any funding will continue. Mr. Ford is among those calling for more housing cash, $800-million for his city alone.

But Ms. Bergen, the Minister of State for Social Development, appeared to dismiss the argument that Ottawa needs to find new money for social housing.

“They’re agreements to pay mortgages, and the mortgages are coming to an end,” she said. “These are mortgages that are paid off. The federal government has fulfilled their end of the agreement… It’s not a cut. If any of you have a mortgage, when we’re done paying a mortgage, we don’t have to keep paying the bank.”
...
A spokesperson for Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group confirmed that Mr. Ford’s office made a request “late Tuesday afternoon” to tour Ottawa’s new CFL stadium, but the request was turned down because it is an active construction site. Mr. Ford’s spokesperson Amin Massoudi told The Globe the mayor was still planning on driving by the site in the afternoon, but decided to return to the meeting to attend Ms. Bergen’s presentation.

What a goof. No wonder he paid his own way to the conference, he just wanted to put in less than a 1/2 day of "work" and then go sightseeing.