Mayor Rob Ford

It will be interesting to watch.  Clayton Ruby the dragon slayer, against Rob Ford, the man who was elected Mayor of Toronto ,warts and all, just fourteen months ago.

Before the election,  Code of Conduct complaints were filed against him. He and deputy Mayor Doug Holyday were both  complained against for the same offence. 

Toronto  alderman have  an expense allowance of $75,000 ,to spend as they see fit.

An alderman, who regularly spends  his entire  allowance, complained that Ford and Holyday failed to claim any expenses.

He said it made alderman who spent the  allowance look bad.

The Integrity Commissioner  investigated the complaint and found it was true. They didn't claim even though they did have expenses.

Theyhad paid them out of their own pockets. The figures were minimal.

The Integrity Commissioner ordered the two, to claim expenses.

Toronto's Integrity Commissioner is paid  around  $220,000. Staff and office accommodation are provided.

Aldermen have an allowance of $20,000 to retain legal counsel to defend themselves against complaints.

There were other complaints againstAlderman   Ford. Stuff  was dug up during the election and made the rounds of  newspapers and television stations.

There were six candidates for Mayor.He was the focus of all of them.

A Liberal cabinet minister resigned his post to take on the job of running the city.

 Rob Ford didn't seem to be  anybody's favourite. 

Yet he won. It was a decisive win. The people of Toronto it seems, really wanted Rob Ford, warts and all,  to be their Mayor.

So now what? He solicited donations  from city lobbyists for the Rob Ford Football Association. It's for high school kids in his borough. He sent out letters bearing  the city's letterhead.

He received $3,000.

The Integrity Commissioner said he should re-pay the money.

He didn't. Then   he argued in a council meeting and voted that he shouldn't. He said the money had been spent, on the kids football team.

Whatever else he is, Mayor Rob Ford is neither slick nor smooth.

Doesn't sound like the football foundation is much of a slush fund.

A number of Mayors around the city and maybe a few Regional chairmen,might be hoping the press won't  look too closely at numerous foundations in their names that solicit donations   from people who would otherwise be known as "lobbyists" in the city.

In York Region, the United Appeal is supported by the Regional Chair with a dinner or a luncheon. Tables are $250,000 each and seat ten.

There's an annual dinner for the Arts in York Region. Tables much the same price.

 Provincial Liberals  have an annual Heritage dinner. It's a fund-raiser similar to  the United Appeal and the Arts Foundation in the Region. One of them was to honour the career of the cabinet minister who became a candidate against Mayor Ford.

Yes indeedy, it will be interesting to see what shakes out of the Conflict of Interest charge against  the Mayor.

A Toronto alderman who didn't run in the last election ,used the last of his expense allowance to hold a retirement barbecue for himself in his ward.It would likely not cost less than $3,000...taxpayers money.