Ford....Robin Hood in reverse!

And so start the Ford years...

• A transit fare increase and routes to be cut...but he did cut the vehicle registration tax... These two combine to denigrate transit and promote driving - perhaps the wrong direction for a city that so desperately needs better transit and less cars on the road! Not to mention this fare increase basically steals from the poor (transit riders) and gives to the more wealthy (automobile owners).
• Ford's "Campaign Math" proves inaccurate as imagined in-efficiencies turn out to be much much less than expected...and do not provide the savings promised
• A balanced budget in 2011 is only possible due to last years surplus...look out in 2012!
• The penny pincher who promised a reduction of 2.5% has actually brought in an budget with a 1% increase in the operating costs...the biggest budget in Toronto history.
• His plan to save money on the backs of the poor...by moving them from shelters to motels where they will have to fend for themselves...is either callous or ignorant.

The editorial in the Star today covers many of these topics and is a harbinger of what is to come...Toronto bought "the man with no plan"...I think we are about to see the results of that action...

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/919354--toronto-s-budgetford-chooses-driversover-transit-users

2011 - It's Election Fever! (really?)

2011 promises to be quite a year if you follow elections.

In Ontario, voters may go to the polls twice this year...once for a federal election which some say will occur in the early Spring, and again in early Fall as the provincial election takes place October 06.

So what will the year bring?

Ontario voters will be subjected to months of federal-provincial posturing, and partisan snipes from the war rooms of each party.

If Canada does go to the polls in a national election in March/April, the reigning government , the masters of mud-slinging, will pull out all the stops to win the elusive majority. Anything less than a majority would be a loss for Mr. Harper and would set in motion his demise as Conservative Leader. So count on this one getting dirty early in the game.
And if Ontario denies him that majority watch for a lingering bitterness that could influence the fall Ontario elections.

We do know that Ontario will be voting October 06. The Premier will be defending his record while Mr. Hudak tries to de-throne him. Hudak has held back his platform, choosing to oppose by trying to perfect the sound bite and chip away at the Liberal Premier. Of interest is how the public will take to Andrea Horwath - both she and Hudak were elected at their respective Party conventions in 2009, so both are still "new" to the general public. If Horwath gains some popularity, she could assist in carving off support for the Libs and hand the election to Hudak and the Conservatives.

One has to wonder how the Ford factor will play in the GTA. Over the next few months the public will be watching and waiting to see how Ford handles the City...If he does well, will that result in Conservative support? At what level...federal?...provincial?...both?
Or will it be a race amongst the leaders to cast them in the Ford image as one who will cut waste?

Or...Is it possible that by October, the economy will have improved, and voters anger will have dissipated? Is it possible that the electorate will carefully evaluate the choices and platforms and vote for something rather than against something?

I suppose another option is that voters could be so election weary by October (assuming a federal election takes place) that they stay home to watch sports or wash the dog...

It all promises to be an interesting year...so stay tuned as the rhetoric heats up and the campaign buses start their engines.

Ford pops a Cherry!

Is this really what you hoped for Rob?

When you asked Don Cherry to introduce you, did you ever think he would become the story of the day and not you?...on your Inauguration Day?  Did you think that you'd have to spend the rest of the day explaining his remarks and not your plan?

Well it happened...and Don is the story...and not in a good way. He managed to offend,alienate and divide...He played directly into your critics hands and unfortunately re-enforces an unflattering view of you.
And you can't just say "That's just Don being Don"...cause that implies you knew he has a wild card and still decided to proceed with him. (Makes one wonder if he was saying what you are really thinking...and that you quietly approved of his comments)

Well Rob...what are you going to do? First real test of leadership here...

You can say nothing and hope it goes away...Or you could come out and say that's not the kind of rhetoric that is associated with your administration and its regrettable.

Remember you're the Mayor of the entire city...right and left...users of cars, public transit and yes...bicycles.

So what's is going to be Rob? Hide behind "That's just Don being Don"...or be the Mayor?