Cherry and Ford strike a pose at today's meeting
The opening of Toronto City Council’s first meeting was surprisingly amicable and friendly as Rob Ford took the oath of office and councillors had their pictures taken with him. The lefties on council didn’t let the occasion get too depressing, and, in fact, started to play a little with Ford when they could—Gord Perks gave Rob Ford a joke punch to the arm, but was upstaged when Glenn De Baeremaeker walked up and gave Ford a big ol’ smooch.
Things were doing fine until Don Cherry walked up to the podium and started opening his yap. Wearing pink “for all those pinkos who ride bikes,” Cherry said he supported Ford because of respect for taxpayers…straight-talker…something about a tree…OK, we sort of tuned out until Cherry finished off his rant with the words “put that in your pipe, you left wing kooks!” So, uh, that happened. Council’s kooks opposition were apparently, and understandably, non-plussed.
Now that's what we call sucking up
Cherry’s remarks were followed by His Worship Himself. No big surprises in Ford’s speech. He listed his priorities for the new council, and said that the city would be relying on council for leadership—just, presumably, not when it comes to Transit City. Ford closed with a shout-out to William Lyon Mackenzie, with whom the mayor feels some kinship because, said the mayor, “he fought for the little guy.” It was truly an odd moment—harkening back to a man who helped bring democracy to Canada with fire and musket shots almost immediately after Cherry’s display was, well, jarring.
Then council got down to business, for all of a few minutes: approving Ford’s picks for the Executive Committee, which (it turns out) is a total sausage fest so far. Once again, Ford’s critics are understandably irked. And with that, the first meeting of Toronto City Council, 2010-2014 adjourned until tomorrow.
More infantile headliners from Toronto life. Grow up
December 7, 2010 at 4:37 pm | by NicNic: I’m confused. Ford, I guess, was the headliner of the event. Are you calling him idiotic? Or are you referring to the headline?
December 7, 2010 at 7:35 pm | by andrewHow surreal — likewise, Cherry’s latest sartorial excess, matching his usual blowhard bombast … Tho’ this “Politics ‘R Us” tirade is a real Cherry-bomb for sure! Exploding in Ford & Co.’s direction — unintentionally Cherry’s collateral damage?! Mind you, Mayor Ford likewise upped the ante, so to speak — if indeed, his equally mystifyingly “memorable” words were actually of his own “making” … One thing’s certain: Toto, we sure ain’t in Kansas anymore!
December 8, 2010 at 4:45 am | by AstuteCitizenThe headline is so appropriate. However, turds are brown. Maybe he can be the bubblegum stuck on the sole of our collective shoe.
December 8, 2010 at 7:14 am | by Pink Like MeDon’t insult Don Cherry. That’s very low for Toronto Life Magazine to go.
December 8, 2010 at 9:54 am | by TorontoessDon’t mention Don Cherry. That’s very low for Toronto Life Magazine to go.
December 8, 2010 at 1:55 pm | by VSI’m referring to the headline…I’m a newcomer to Toronto..grateful not to know who these people are lol
December 8, 2010 at 2:17 pm | by NicEvidently, Toronto Life doesn’t know the meaning of “nonplussed”, or how to spell it.
December 8, 2010 at 6:07 pm | by DanThis journalistic gem certainly gives credence to Cherry’s comments about “pinkos.”
December 9, 2010 at 6:56 am | by WalterPReluctantly have to agree with WalterP on this one. Headlines like this are worse than any of Cherry’s “pinko” or “left wing kook” comments. Take the high road TL instead of acting like a tabloid.
December 9, 2010 at 8:42 am | by Concerned CitizenGreg Weston said it best.You invite a clown you get a circus.
December 9, 2010 at 9:28 am | by TERRYMR FORD if you wanted to do any more damage to yourself you should of worn a hab jersey don would of really hurt with that mouth of his subban anyone
December 16, 2010 at 8:55 pm | by MIKE