(Image: Christopher Drost)
In a fittingly dramatic end to the city’s long-running budget drama, Josh Colle emerged from relative hiding in order to block $15 million worth of service cuts and essentially stop the budget debate in its tracks. According to the Toronto Star, Colle’s motion—and the 23-21 vote that followed—was the culmination of some serious back-room politicking that started before Christmas. Apparently, centrist and lefty councillors engaged in “furious negotiations” through BlackBerry messages, shared online documents and meetings both in and out of city hall. The ragtag crew was careful to only add the most crucial items to the omnibus motion (sorry, Sarah Doucette, that doesn’t include the High Park Zoo), a strategy that kept it from growing out of control. Meanwhile, the mayor’s staff did its best to sway votes their way. In the end, however, Rob Ford was simply outmanoeuvred and outgunned. Read the entire story [Toronto Star] »
this is crap.
good to see “democracy” is strong in this city.
January 18, 2012 at 1:49 pm | by AWhat is democracy coming to when a leader can’t unilaterally decide to slash services and punish the poor and weak? Geez.
January 18, 2012 at 1:52 pm | by Joe ToryThe end of Ford’s reign:
Coun. Giorgio Mammoliti, an ally of Ford, told CityNews on Wednesday he was “pissed” at losing the $15-million surplus, and will propose that council be cut in half next month.
January 18, 2012 at 1:52 pm | by Joe SmithWill that self-promoting oaf Mammoliti include him in the cut? PLEASE.
January 18, 2012 at 7:11 pm | by G.