Crawford reflects on Ford scandal

Nov. 2012. Mayor Rob Ford at Variety Village flood relief fundraiser

By Hedy Korbee

“You get to the point where enough is enough,” said Ward 36 Councillor Gary Crawford, reflecting on the Rob Ford crack scandal that has engulfed City Hall in the last month and made Toronto the butt of jokes around the world.

In an interview with Birch Cliff News following City Council’s vote to strip the mayor of key powers, Crawford said he was surprised and shocked when the mayor, after months of denials, admitted that he smoked crack in a “drunken stupor”.

Crawford said he became increasingly concerned by the string of revelations that followed, including Ford’s admission that he drinks and drives and court documents detailing his association with alleged drug dealer Sandro Lisi, who is facing extortion charges in connection with the crack video.

April 2013. Mayor Ford in Birch Cliff for road repair announcement.

Sexual comment was “last straw”

But Crawford said the “last straw” for him was the live news conference where the mayor made an inappropriate sexual comment about a female staff member and said he had “more than enough to eat at home”.

“That was so unacceptable to even make that kind of comment,” said Crawford.  “Not only was it was in bad taste, but bringing up the name of the individual.  I know her.  The fact that he would bring up a name like that and the impact that would have on this individual.  It’s not what anybody, whether you’re in public life or not,  should have done.  I really lost a huge amount of respect for him.”

Concerned about international reputation

Crawford said while he has empathy for the mayor and tried to give him the benefit of the doubt early on, he does not agree with  Ford’s decision to continue in his role as mayor while he deals with his problems.

Crawford said he voted with the vast majority of councillors to limit the mayor’s authority out of concern for the city’s international reputation.

Ward 36 Councillor Gary Crawford

Among other things, Crawford said the music alliance with Austin Texas, solidified with a trade mission in October, was in jeopardy because of the scandal,

“We had a number of phone calls from Austin. They were actually concerned that with all this media attention maybe they should be pulling out of the alliance, strictly because of what was happening with the mayor.  Myself, Josh Colle and Michael Thompson wrote letters down there… I think it’s fine now.”

Ford “losing core support” in Ward 36

Crawford has been gauging public opinion in Ward 36 in a series of “meet and greet” sessions that were planned long before the Ford scandal erupted.

He’s said he’s wary of polls showing Ford’s approval rating holding steady at 42% because it doesn’t reflect what he’s being told by constituents.

Crawford said he believes that Ford has lost core support in a ward where he won 10,000 votes, beating George Smitherman by almost 4,000.

April 2013. Mayor Ford tours Kingston Road construction

“At this point, if I had to guess,  25% of the people that I’ve spoken with are definitely saying ‘he’s had some issues, but you know what, he’s done some good work and I’m willing to overlook’.  There are 50% who don’t know whether they can continue to support him.  Also a lot of people (25%) who never did like and never supported him and don’t support him now.”

Crawford also said it’s his impression that negative reaction to the mayor is even stronger in Birch Cliff.

“Generally Birch Cliff tends to be a little more liberal, liberal left.  And I think whether it’s north or south  of Kingston Road, generally people have been fairly supportive of some of his agenda items but never liked him on a personal level.  I think especially in the Birch Cliff area… anybody who would have voted for him in Birch Cliff probably won’t vote for him again.”

Crawford has supported Ford agenda

Crawford is a Red Tory (a fiscal conservative but social liberal) who has supported Mayor Ford’s agenda and voted with the mayor on 84% of votes at City Council since 2010.

He said he doesn’t think the Ford scandal will hurt him politically in the next election but ultimately that’s a decision that will be made by voters.

“I’m very open that I’m a fiscally responsible person and I will continue with that.  And people will have to judge me according to, hopefully, my record.  When we’re looking at getting things done in the community…they will judge me for my record.  I stand by everything I’ve done, especially on a fiscally conservative side. People are going to have to make that distinction between the two of us.”

Painted Mayor Ford portrait

This summer, Crawford painted a portrait of Rob Ford that was commissioned by the mayor’s mother.  Crawford said he never spoke with the mayor while he worked on the painting, and added it’s not something he could do now.

“If I had to do it now, I couldn’t have created that portrait based on what I know,” said Crawford.  “Surprisingly, people seem to think we’re best buddies because I did this portrait of him.  But in fact this portrait was a snapshot of an individual who I’ve known just as the public has known him.”

When asked outright if Mayor Ford is his friend, Crawford replied:  “No. I’ve supported the agenda.”

Crawford said in the 3 1/2 years he’s spent on Council, he’s had about four one-on-one meetings with the mayor, and has actually spent more time talking to Ford’s mother and Councillor Doug Ford than the mayor himself.

“Rob is more reserved,” said Crawford. He’s not as open. He tends to hang out with different crowds.”

Back to business?

Now that Mayor Ford’s influence has been diminished, Crawford says it is his hope that the “circus mentality” at City Hall will end so that Council can get back to the agenda.

More court documents about the police investigation involving Rob Ford will be released on Dec. 6th, unless the Crown decides to appeal.