This is good:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/jude-macdonald/concern-raised-by-residents-friday-night-regarding-mayors-actions-not-adequately/10151501619666710
Concern raised by residents Friday night regarding Mayor's actions not adequately addressed
14 August 2013 at 13:31
Dear Councillor:
I am writing you – ccing the City Clerk, the Mayor's Office and the Integrity Commissioner – regarding the situation that arose Friday night, when Mayor Rob Ford attended the Taste of the Danforth in his capacity as CEO of the City of Toronto.
At some point after he arrived, residents on Greenwood expressed concerns about whether the Mayor had been driving under the influence. He answered, "I am not driving. I'm not driving. I'm not driving." This statement can be heard on video recorded that night.
From the time he was seen standing beside his car, to the visit he made to a Tim Horton's, to the eventual arrival of staff and several police officers, the Mayor was accompanied by residents, and was seen to only consume one cup of coffee. During that time, he was described as – also videotaped – swaying, slurring and stumbling.
To date, there is no indication that the Mayor drank after police and staff arrived on the scene. It is worthwhile to point out that, even if such information becomes known, it is not relevant to the situation that first raised alarms on Greenwood.
Through news coverage, I am given to understand that, earlier in the evening, he was to meet with staff from his office. I would expect one or two members from City security – often seen at such events – were also present at that original location. He did not arrive there at the pre-arranged rendezvous time. Instead, staff were alerted much later to the Mayor's activities through trending reports of his appearance on social media. At some point, staff did manage to find the Mayor, and someone ensured that a strong police presence met up with him, stabilizing the chaotic situation.
On Sunday, during his Newstalk 1010 radio show, Mayor Rob Ford stated, "I drove myself down there. I was not drinking. I went out, had a few beers, and I did not drive home. My people met me after that."
All of the above has been extensively documented – through first-hand accounts on Twitter, photographs, video, a podcast of the Mayor's radio show, and through media coverage. If you are not familiar with any of the above, I can supply links to the relevant material.
To date, he has not come out with a statement through his office that adequately addresses the concerns residents expressed on Friday night. If it is a simple matter of the Mayor parking, then drinking somewhere, then returning to his vehicle, it is reasonable for him, in his elected capacity, to respect people's concerns and supply a specific, clear account of where he went and what he consumed to reach the state he was in. Because of the delay in providing such detail, it is also reasonable to expect that this account should be verifiable.
This is a matter that should concern all responsible residents in Toronto. None of our streets are safe, because people do drive while under the influence of substances that render them dangerous behind the wheel. There is no room for it to be condoned, glossed over, minimized or enabled. The mayor should be a leading advocate of responsible driving. He helps contribute to a culture of safety, or to one where we go back to the bad old days, when driving while under the influence was seen as normal, acceptable behaviour.
If he can account for his time after parking, explaining where he went and what, specifically, he imbibed, the time is overdue for him to formally and publicly inform the City and its residents. I do hope that the need to have this dealt with in a professional, non-partisan and fair way is addressed within the official City framework, and by other members of Council, if the Mayor is not prepared to respond as the situation demands.
Thank you for your consideration,
Jude MacDonald
resident, Toronto Centre