Rob Ford's Toronto

[Soop]

David Rider ‏@dmrider 1m1 minute ago

Other issue was whether judge granted Ford lawyer application to make permanent a sealing order on some documents. Judge agreed but ...

David Rider ‏@dmrider 1m1 minute ago

... left the door open for one or more media lawyers to make a motion to argue why the documents should be unsealed.

 

[Soop]

I'm sure the possibility of being called into court is going to be good for business. As long as at least one of the Fords remains in politics, there will always be a good chance they will be involved in a conflict of interest.

Jude MacDonald ‏@judemacdonald 8m8 minutes ago

@dmrider No, timeliness has already been decided (in my favour). Question is re: evidence now.

Jude MacDonald ‏@judemacdonald 5m5 minutes ago

@dmrider Judge has asked reps whether parties can agree on any facts. If not, we may issue summonses to named clients.

 

[Soop]

Jude MacDonald ‏@judemacdonald 6m6 minutes ago

@dmrider The underlying issue: Is news coverage enough to bring COI to court, or is it dismissible as hearsay?

David Rider ‏@dmrider 4m4 minutes ago

@judemacdonald @schchtr Right, Or do u have to get Coke, Nestle etc. to admit they were doing biz w Deco at pertinent time.

Jude MacDonald ‏@judemacdonald 2m2 minutes ago

@dmrider Yes. Fords agree to facts, or we approach clients for those facts.

 

[JWBF]

SAL's position now is that she's disappointed in Ford and can no longer trust him, but in no way did she and the Sun enable him by going along with the 'no video' angle or by complaining that he was being hounded by the media, no sirree.

True, she has never been as rabid as some, like Warmington.

 

[Videodrome]

David Rider ‏@dmrider 3m3 minutes ago
@ftmtrans @judemacdonald @schchtr Judge's position seemed to me to be "this should not be hard to prove." Once have facts, get to the law

That sounds promising.

 

[Cooper]

That sounds promising.

I think the "not hard to prove" refers only to whether the business relationships existed and whether the Fords voted at the times in question. Whether those votes constitute a conflict is a whole other kettle of fish. On another matter, I do like Soop's comment above about possibly calling Deco client to testify. Definitely not good for business. Methinks the Fords would be wise to agree to facts and avoid the scenario altogether.

 

[Jimmi T]

What if he's eventually removed from office--it's doubtful the judge would ban him from running for any period of time, no? Think council should appoint someone or hold a byelection?

 

[riffraff]

So says the Gravy Boat Express when he and his brother use Ford Festers illegally.

Maybe the "Auditor General" could take a look at where the proceeds of the Bobbleheads sold in the City Hall lobby went. Bet not on paperclips. Anyway, looks like Mammo schooled Robbie on how to raise $$$ for his good works.

 

[Videodrome]

What if he's eventually removed from office--it's doubtful the judge would ban him from running for any period of time, no? Think council should appoint someone or hold a byelection?

Do the opposite of whatever Rob wants. If he says by-election, appoint someone. Now, the Ford family would just prop up another family member to run, or someone allied with them.

 

[Cooper]

What if he's eventually removed from office--it's doubtful the judge would ban him from running for any period of time, no? Think council should appoint someone or hold a byelection?

Wouldn't a judge's determination on banning a Ford from running depend on whether the conflict/conflicts (assuming they are ruled to be conflicts) represent a serious breach? Also, while some may see individual allegations as small beer, a judge might decide that a string of conflict findings represents a pattern that deserves a tougher punishment. We'll just have to wait and see. I wonder if there are any other cases to compare with the Ford situation.

As for election v. appointment, we're still early in this council's term, I think council policy would call for an election. I'd certainly support one.

 

[JWBF]

What if he's eventually removed from office--it's doubtful the judge would ban him from running for any period of time, no? Think council should appoint someone or hold a byelection?

Why not, just removing someone like the Fords from office would be useless, the Nation is Ward 2 would just re-elect them so there would be no penalty for their actions. Besides, re-electing a criminal in a by-election after their dismissal from the same ward would be the biggest Gravy Train besides the Fords' business practices.

 

[JWBF]

Maybe the "Auditor General" could take a look at where the proceeds of the Bobbleheads sold in the City Hall lobby went. Bet not on paperclips. Anyway, looks like Mammo schooled Robbie on how to raise $$$ for his good works.

I'm still waiting to see a charity licence for the sale of the Bubble Head dolls.

 

[JWBF]

Do the opposite of whatever Rob wants. If he says by-election, appoint someone. Now, the Ford family would just prop up another family member to run, or someone allied with them.

I hear Kathy is not &@^%$#! anyone for drugs at the moment.

 

[JWBF]

Wouldn't a judge's determination on banning a Ford from running depend on whether the conflict/conflicts (assuming they are ruled to be conflicts) represent a serious breach?.

If the COI is upheld then the greater picture is scary. The whole of Robbie's time as mayor and councillor and his "deals" could be under scrutiny except for the fanatical FF Nation.

 

[adma]

SAL's position now is that she's disappointed in Ford and can no longer trust him, but in no way did she and the Sun enable him by going along with the 'no video' angle or by complaining that he was being hounded by the media, no sirree.

Though one thing about SAL: she's not one to go whole hog Flagg by bringing up Canada Free Press or anything...