Tuesday November 27, 2012
By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday November 27, 2012
Argos Rise, Ford Falls
Argo fans and Rob Ford detractors celebrate in Toronto
So you thought the Argos winning the 100th Grey Cup at home was just a little too incredible to believe? Well, the storyline gets better, courtesy of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford.
He is an individual who loves football but could be about to get sacked from his job barring the equivalent of a video replay overturning a decision to punt him out of office.
On Monday, Ford, the burly one-time high school centre who still looks the part, was relieved of his mayoralty duties after a judge ruled he broke a Municipal Conflict of Interest Act by taking $3,150 from lobbyists to help fund his private football foundation. Ford was unrepentant in what he had done, both in refusing to abstain from voting on a report by an integrity commissioner to pay back the money and by refusing to admit any wrongdoing in court.
One politician who unsuccessfully ran against him for mayor called the judge’s decision a “touchdown for accountability.”
Ford will be given 14 days to stay on the job and plans to appeal.
But it could be two-and-out for Ford – as in two years on the job with another two still to go had he made it that far.
On Tuesday, Ford will participate in the victory parade for the Argos, who beat the Calgary Stampeders 35-22 at the Rogers Centre on Sunday. The parade will wind through the business section of Toronto and end up at the civic square, where Ford will proclaim November 27, 2012 Toronto Argonauts’ Day. (Source: Sportsbet.ca)