Five things we learned from the Star’s voyeuristic reporting about Rob Ford’s itinerary
Mayor Rob Ford has, thus far, tried hard to keep his personal itinerary a secret. We’re not quite sure why, but now that the Toronto Star has managed to get its hand on it . . . well, we’re still not quite sure why. The paper looks at the first two months and a bit after the mayor was inaugurated, and there’s nothing that’s terribly incriminating. And if the Star can’t dig up the dirt on Ford, it’s not for a lack of trying. Still, here are five things we learned.
1. Mike Harris is still kicking around
The former premier showed up briefly at Rob Ford’s victory party, but the Fords have tried pretty hard to hide connections between the two figures. Of course, now that he doesn’t have to worry about an election until 2014, Ford can be a bit (just a bit) more open about meeting with the man Toronto still loves to hate. The Star reports that Ford met with Harris and a fundraiser on December 20. Topics for discussion might have included: gratitude, and whether they hate red tape or brown gravy more.
2. Councillors not meeting with the mayor is normal
In an attempt to maybe gin up some controversy, the Star notes that Ford has only met with one opposition councillor in his itinerary—Kristyn Wong-Tam, on February 9. Adam Vaughan, however, says that’s not bizarre or a sign of Ford’s hate for democracy: Vaughan only met with David Miller “about three times” in seven years, says the Star.
3. Being the mayor is hard work
The sheer number of events is impressive. We can’t say how it compares to Miller’s time in office, but the fact that Ford was attending an event to thank a fundraiser on the morning of Sergeant Ryan Russell’s death sure speaks to the mayor’s dedication to getting his face out there and meeting the people of this city.
4. Meetings aren’t everything
Ford has met with Hazel McCallion, Oshawa mayor John Henry and Jim Flaherty. Ford’s meeting with the finance minister seems to have produced exactly zero for Toronto specifically, and close to nothing for cities generally.
5. Of course, football
Ford, as promised, continues to make time for his football team. The alternative is to have the players yelled at in locker rooms during CBC interviews with brother Doug Ford, and nobody wants that.
Here’s another thing to learn:
The Toronto Star is acting like a jilted bride at the altar. They didn’t get what they want so now they will try to do anything to undermine him in the public’s eyes. Meanwhile, every step they take…it looks more desperate and pathetic.
I say, good for The Star for trying.
It’s worth seeing what any politician’s day planner looks like, especially if s/he doesn’t want the public to know.
There may be nothing remotely incriminating here about Ford, but it’s still noteworthy for a local newspaper.
What would be far worse for readers would be if the Star didn’t bother printing just because they found nothing bad.
Surprised that (out of your five points) you didn’t mention the main thing that we all learned from the Star’s articles. That Rob Ford, as full-time Toronto mayor, still takes time off during the working day to attend meetings of his privately owned family company. Don’t remember Miller doing that.
One of the great things about comments on articles on the internet is that they persist long after the chips fall. I wonder if Toronto Life is still desperately trying to prop up Rob Ford any way they can. Perhaps propping up such a growing disaster has become far too much work now, after no end of failures that were predicted even before Ford was elected by anyone who has faith in simple arithmetic and cares for Toronto.