Mayor Ford's Campaign Costs Feed Controversy

St. James Park grass price tag could hit $60Gs   

By Don Peat ,City Hall Bureau Chief
Thursday, December 01, 2011 01:18 PM EST


TORONTO - The bill to repair the damage Occupy Toronto did to the grass in St. James Park could hit $60,000.

Councilor Norm Kelly, chairman of the parks committee, revealed Thursday the cost to replace the turf ruined by the 40-day protest in the downtown park ranges from $20,000 to $60,000.

Despite the city’s uphill battle in evicting the protesters and the damage done to the park, Kelly said there is a bright side.

“One of the benefits of this experience — and we owe this to Occupy Toronto — was we got a court decision on the validity of our bylaw,” Kelly said, adding that it could mean the city will act faster in the future to evict an occupation.

 “In my eyes it is now zero tolerance,” he said.

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/01/st-james-park-grass-price-tag-could-hit-60gs

Mayor Ford’s Cleanup Costs Could Hit $60Gs: Toilette and Dousche

By Peat Moss, City Hall Grass Cutter

Thursday, December 01, 2011 01:19 PM EST

The bill to repair the damage to Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s image could hit $60,000. If he cannot clean up this image problem, he could find himself turfed from office just like he turfed the OCCUPY movement from St James Park.

Mayor Ford is attempting to avoid having a forensic review of his campaign finances after suggestions that “unorthodox finance techniques” were used to feed his campaign.  So far, legal costs have eaten up $55,000 dollars.  But three fund raisers after the election raised some serious dough to cover legal costs. The $71,000 raised will help stuff the Mayor's lawyers. However, the audit committee notes that no receipts were provided for the costs of catering the food and beverages.

According to the Mr Cooke D. Books of the auditing firm of Toilette and Dousche, no questions should be raised about food costs.  “We all know that Mayor Ford enjoys a close relationship with several downtown catering firms. The evidence is clear and it can be seen by simply examining his profile. There is nothing untoward going on here.”

Mr Ford’s lawyers from the Toronto Bay Street firm of Bill, Padding & Howe believe that the allegations against Mayor Ford come from those “99% percent people.”  “These people are simply upset”, notes lawyer Bill Shyster. “Just because people are starving on the streets while politicians feed their campaigns with tasty money from their rich friends is no reason to go after Mayor Ford while he nourishes the 1% with taxpayer’s money.” 

Councillor Norm Kelly, who previously noted there should be a “zero tolerance” approach to OCCUPY protestors apparently does not have a problem with overfed campaign accounts.  To date, Councillor Kelly has not announced whether his “zero tolerance” views apply to corruption in politics.