- Thread starter DonCorleo
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Toronto mayor Rob Ford apologized on Sunday for being "hammered" in public and acknowledged the need to curb his drinking, but the mayor of Canada's largest city didn't address allegations of drug use and said he will remain in his job despite mounting pressure to resign.
"I'm going to weather this storm," Ford said.
Ford made his remarks on his local weekly radio show at a time when he is facing growing pressure to resign after police said they had obtained a copy of a video that appears to show him puffing on a crack cocaine pipe. Ford didn't address the contents of the tape, saying he cannot comment on a tape he hasn't seen. "I just got to maybe slow down on my drinking," Ford said.
Ford acknowledged making "mistakes" and that he can't change the past, but vowed "to ride the storm out".
"I want to move forward but to move forward I also have to make changes in my life which I will assure I will do," Ford said.
Ford declined to take a leave of absence or resign. "I sincerely apologize, there's absolutely no excuse, no one to blame but myself," Ford said. "I am going to fight like no one has seen before to win the next election."
Ford said he shouldn't have been drunk in public when he appeared at the Taste of the Danforth street festival in August.
"That was pure stupidity," Ford said. "I shouldn't have got hammered down at the Danforth. If you are going to have a couple of drinks, you stay at home and that's it. You don't make a public spectacle of yourself."
Ford also said he got "a little out of control" after St Patrick's Day in 2012. A city spokeswoman released last week an incident report from city hall security guards who said they witnessed a "very intoxicated' Ford having trouble walking and swearing at aides that day.
The incident report said that at 2.30am on St Patrick's Day, Ford "visited the security desk alone with a half empty bottle of St Remy French Brandy". The report states the mayor said his car had been stolen and that he wanted to call police. Security told Ford his car was at home and took the bottle from him before finding him a taxi. Ford said you can't be "running around with a half bottle of brandy" at City Hall at 2am.
Ford met Saturday with Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, who had said he wanted to express the concerns of city council members after news of the video emerged. Police on Thursday announced that the video had been recovered from a computer hard drive during an investigation of an associate of the mayor suspected of providing him with drugs.
Allegations that Ford had been caught on video smoking crack cocaine surfaced in May. Two reporters with the Toronto Star and one from the US website Gawker said they saw the video but did not obtain a copy. Police Chief Bill Blair told a news conference Thursday that he was "disappointed" in Ford but said the video did not provide grounds to press charges against him.
Ford told a woman who called into his show that she was a great mother for explaining to her kids that his behavior is not acceptable, but said ''I'm not resigning. I'm not going away."
All four major Toronto newspapers have called on Ford to resign. Many city councilors and the Toronto board of trade have also called on him to step down.
Ford called on the police chief to release the video. "Whatever this video shows, Toronto residents deserve to see it and people need to judge for themselves what they see on this video," Ford said.
Police said the video will come out when Ford's associate and occasional driver, Alexander Lisi, goes to trial on drug and extortion charges. Lisi, who was released on bail Friday morning, is accused of threatening two alleged gang members who had been trying to sell the video to the media. Police said they can't release the video because the case is pending before the court.
The mayor is not facing any charges. However, police have said they want to talk to him, but his lawyer has so far declined the request.
Municipal law makes no provision for Ford's forced removal from office unless he's convicted and jailed for a criminal offense. Voters may have the final word in the October 2014 mayoral election, in which Ford has said he plans to run.
"I'm going to weather this storm," Ford said.
Ford made his remarks on his local weekly radio show at a time when he is facing growing pressure to resign after police said they had obtained a copy of a video that appears to show him puffing on a crack cocaine pipe. Ford didn't address the contents of the tape, saying he cannot comment on a tape he hasn't seen. "I just got to maybe slow down on my drinking," Ford said.
Ford acknowledged making "mistakes" and that he can't change the past, but vowed "to ride the storm out".
"I want to move forward but to move forward I also have to make changes in my life which I will assure I will do," Ford said.
Ford declined to take a leave of absence or resign. "I sincerely apologize, there's absolutely no excuse, no one to blame but myself," Ford said. "I am going to fight like no one has seen before to win the next election."
Ford said he shouldn't have been drunk in public when he appeared at the Taste of the Danforth street festival in August.
"That was pure stupidity," Ford said. "I shouldn't have got hammered down at the Danforth. If you are going to have a couple of drinks, you stay at home and that's it. You don't make a public spectacle of yourself."
Ford also said he got "a little out of control" after St Patrick's Day in 2012. A city spokeswoman released last week an incident report from city hall security guards who said they witnessed a "very intoxicated' Ford having trouble walking and swearing at aides that day.
The incident report said that at 2.30am on St Patrick's Day, Ford "visited the security desk alone with a half empty bottle of St Remy French Brandy". The report states the mayor said his car had been stolen and that he wanted to call police. Security told Ford his car was at home and took the bottle from him before finding him a taxi. Ford said you can't be "running around with a half bottle of brandy" at City Hall at 2am.
Ford met Saturday with Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, who had said he wanted to express the concerns of city council members after news of the video emerged. Police on Thursday announced that the video had been recovered from a computer hard drive during an investigation of an associate of the mayor suspected of providing him with drugs.
Allegations that Ford had been caught on video smoking crack cocaine surfaced in May. Two reporters with the Toronto Star and one from the US website Gawker said they saw the video but did not obtain a copy. Police Chief Bill Blair told a news conference Thursday that he was "disappointed" in Ford but said the video did not provide grounds to press charges against him.
Ford told a woman who called into his show that she was a great mother for explaining to her kids that his behavior is not acceptable, but said ''I'm not resigning. I'm not going away."
All four major Toronto newspapers have called on Ford to resign. Many city councilors and the Toronto board of trade have also called on him to step down.
Ford called on the police chief to release the video. "Whatever this video shows, Toronto residents deserve to see it and people need to judge for themselves what they see on this video," Ford said.
Police said the video will come out when Ford's associate and occasional driver, Alexander Lisi, goes to trial on drug and extortion charges. Lisi, who was released on bail Friday morning, is accused of threatening two alleged gang members who had been trying to sell the video to the media. Police said they can't release the video because the case is pending before the court.
The mayor is not facing any charges. However, police have said they want to talk to him, but his lawyer has so far declined the request.
Municipal law makes no provision for Ford's forced removal from office unless he's convicted and jailed for a criminal offense. Voters may have the final word in the October 2014 mayoral election, in which Ford has said he plans to run.
I used to accept the fact that the man did his job, wanted to do what was best for the city but just have no idea on proper PR or how to handle oneself when one is a public figure. However all the lying and the fact that now he has been caught, he is still being stubborn and refusing to step down - he's just a distraction and a laughing stock now. Not what Toronto needs.
W
Wanker
Guest
I would rather have a drunk cheap bastard that saves us money than a slick one that steals our money.
What if you could elect a MILF-y right winger with the same agenda and wouldn't embarrass the city?
I hope Stintz get's some momentum. I don't trust Minnan-Wong any further than I could throw Ford.
Cardinal Fang
Reviewer
- Joined
- May 9, 2012
- Messages
- 5,717
I would choose not to have either.
W
Wanker
Guest
You really trust Stintz after the TTC fiasco?.
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HOF
Guest
I'm moving to TO and running in the next election as the candidate to choose as NONE of the ABOVE! My platform (shoes) will make me 6'0, I'll bring back disco and hotpants not on me of course. I've already slimmed down and look pretty damn good these days. I'll wash my ass twice daily for women like reverse!
Oh yeah, I will completely leave the HOBBY off all political agendas! Any politician that goes after our hobby will be seen in pictures with Rob Ford smokin' da crack!
I will win! Oh yeah, I will accept bribes and freebies, but I will not drive and use a cell, nor will I hire Alexander Lisi as my driver. If the media shows up on my doorstep, I'll answer all questions asked in a polite and orderly manner. If this hour has 22 minutes shows up on my door step, I'll give them a show!
I'll be the mayor seen at Oasis and HUBGFE parties reaching out to all citizens and quests of Toronto! I'll be the mayor opening the ETDWSS and I'll be mayor at the Pride parade because there are some incalls in the area that I can sneak off to.
Oh yeah, I will completely leave the HOBBY off all political agendas! Any politician that goes after our hobby will be seen in pictures with Rob Ford smokin' da crack!
I will win! Oh yeah, I will accept bribes and freebies, but I will not drive and use a cell, nor will I hire Alexander Lisi as my driver. If the media shows up on my doorstep, I'll answer all questions asked in a polite and orderly manner. If this hour has 22 minutes shows up on my door step, I'll give them a show!
I'll be the mayor seen at Oasis and HUBGFE parties reaching out to all citizens and quests of Toronto! I'll be the mayor opening the ETDWSS and I'll be mayor at the Pride parade because there are some incalls in the area that I can sneak off to.
Madman
Reviewer
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2011
- Messages
- 17,534
There we go, the spin has begun. Doug Ford is now trying to place the blame on the police chief.
https://www.citynews.ca/2013/11/05/doug-ford-says-toronto-police-chief-blair-should-step-aside/
What a joke, this is making a mockery of the Mayor's office.
The mayor’s brother, Coun. Doug Ford, came out swinging against Toronto police on Tuesday, calling on chief Bill Blair to step aside and saying Rob Ford was “uninvited” from an upcoming police gala.
“I asked him to step aside,” Doug Ford told Breakfast Television, adding that he and his brother both support front line officers.
“This is the most political police chief this city’s ever seen. He went out believing he was the judge, jury and executioner, he’s created a bias towards the mayor, he’s also compromised himself and jeopardized the case,” Ford told Kevin Frankish in a phone interview.
Earlier that morning, he told radio station AM 640 the chief “wanted to go out and put a political bullet right between the mayor’s eyes.”
Doug Ford also spoke to John Stall at radio station 680News. Listen to the interview below.
[Download] (To download: Right click -> Save as)
https://www.citynews.ca/2013/11/05/doug-ford-says-toronto-police-chief-blair-should-step-aside/
What a joke, this is making a mockery of the Mayor's office.
The mayor’s brother, Coun. Doug Ford, came out swinging against Toronto police on Tuesday, calling on chief Bill Blair to step aside and saying Rob Ford was “uninvited” from an upcoming police gala.
“I asked him to step aside,” Doug Ford told Breakfast Television, adding that he and his brother both support front line officers.
“This is the most political police chief this city’s ever seen. He went out believing he was the judge, jury and executioner, he’s created a bias towards the mayor, he’s also compromised himself and jeopardized the case,” Ford told Kevin Frankish in a phone interview.
Earlier that morning, he told radio station AM 640 the chief “wanted to go out and put a political bullet right between the mayor’s eyes.”
Doug Ford also spoke to John Stall at radio station 680News. Listen to the interview below.
[Download] (To download: Right click -> Save as)
U
User-E
Guest
He finally admitted to smoking crack.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has admitted to smoking crack cocaine, saying he had done so in a "drunken stupor".
Mr Ford made the confession to reporters at city hall on Tuesday, saying he had taken the drug about a year ago but was not an addict.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24824651
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has admitted to smoking crack cocaine, saying he had done so in a "drunken stupor".
Mr Ford made the confession to reporters at city hall on Tuesday, saying he had taken the drug about a year ago but was not an addict.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24824651
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Al Bumin
Guest
DonCorleo said:
By Golly you were right.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has admitted to smoking crack cocaine.
Speaking to reporters at Toronto City Hall on Tuesday, Ford said that he's smoked in the past, but he is not addicted to the drug.
"Yes I have smoked crack cocaine. But I am not an addict," he said. "Have I tried it? Probably in one of my drunken stupors," he said, adding that he may have smoked it approximately one year ago.
"I've made mistakes, all I can do now is apologize and move on."
The bombshell revelation comes days after Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair said police had recovered a video that, in accordance with news reports, shows the mayor smoking from a crack pipe.
In his comments, Ford said there were a "couple of isolated incidents" when he's been in a "drunken stupor."
He called on Blair, once again, to release the video.
"I don't even recall there being a tape and a video. So I want to see the state that I was in. I don’t know what else I can say."
When news of the alleged crack video was first published in May, Ford said he does not smoke crack, and could not comment on a video he had not seen or does not exist.
Asked by reporters why he has repeatedly denied smoking crack in the past, Ford said he wasn't lying.
"You didn't ask the right question. Am I an addict? No. I do not do drugs," he said.
Ford apologized to his family, friends, and Toronto residents. "It's a problem," he said.
Ford says he won't quit
Despite the stunning admissions, Ford maintains that he has no plans to resign or take a temporary leave.
The mayor told the Toronto Sun that he felt like he needed to deal with the controversy that's surrounded him over the last six months.
"I have work to do and I am moving on," he told the Sun. "The way I see it now, this is over."
Ford told the Sun he believes he knows what's on the video.
"Did I smoke something? Probably. It's ugly. "
Councillors call on Ford to step down
Meanwhile councillors continue to call on the mayor to step down.
Following Ford's admission, Coun. Jaye Robinson said Ford "does not have a shred of credibility."
Calling on Ford to step down, at least temporarily, she said city hall has become "a circus."
"Anyone saying it's not affecting the business of the city, they're not being honest. It absolutely is."
Coun. Paula Fletcher suggested Ford step aside in order to get some help.
"He needs to actually not be in the media spotlight and trying to fulfil his operations as the mayor in order to get the help he needs," she said.
Coun. John Filion said council can't remove Ford from office as he was elected.
"I'm not calling for him to be removed from office. Council can't remove him from office; the people can do that next October if he's in the election," he said.
"But the city has important work to do ... The train wreck is happening and we need to get rid of this distraction.”
Earlier in the day, Filion said he plans to table a motion that would see council vote on suspending the mayor's powers to appoint and dismiss the deputy mayor and standing committee chairs.
The motion would remove Ford's ability to shuffle the members of his executive committee and hand that power over to city council at large.
Following Ford's shocking announcement, Filion said he has "empathy" for the mayor.
"We all have reasons why we behave the way we do. On a personal level, I feel very badly for the mayor. When I say I hope he steps aside and gets his life in order, I mean that sincerely," he said.
'Huge amount of turmoil at city hall': Premier
Following Ford's drug use revelation, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said her biggest concern is whether city business can carry on.
"We want municipalities to be able to function, and there is a huge amount of turmoil at city hall right now," she told reporters.
Wynne said there is no legislation in place to remove Ford from the mayor’s office, but noted that the police service and the courts "have to take action."
"I'm concerned about the situation, as I believe all Torontonians are," she said. "We're watching this with concern."
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-admits-to-smoking-crack-cocaine-1.1528841
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Robintheboywonder
Guest
Brilliant, I can't understand why some are shocked. It was obvious and it's obvious his brother is also nuts.
H
HOF
Guest
CRACK IS WHACK!
I DID IT IN A DRUNKEN STUPOR, SO IT'S NOT MY FAULT!
I am not a Toronto resident, if I were I would not have voted for you, and I never would vote for you politically. I have never met you, nor do I wish to, but I have seen you up close and personal and it's apparent there are issues for you to deal with, just like ALL of us!
Walk away from politics, get help, enjoy the family life and your life because it's far too short!
Best of luck in seeking and getting help, you made a big step today admission of usage.
H
HOF
Guest
Hopefully, he will get the help that he needs and deserves as a human. Although he's a liar, I do applaud that he has admitted his issues, doesn't change that I would never vote for him, nor sit down with him, but he's a husband, a father, a son, a brother and has problems that can be helped.
H
HOF
Guest
Esco! said:
:biggrin2:Okay I added that part!
