Crazy Town: The Rob Ford Story

I guess the most striking thing about my reading this book is the fact that my friend Shirley scoffs derisively whenever I mention that I'm not only reading it, but enjoying it. In most books we read, there's always someone we dislike, but does that keep us from reading on, or even picking up the book in the first place?

In spite of the many failings, lies and deception of Rob Ford, his story is a fascinating glimpse into several worlds I wouldn't otherwise experience- the world of entitlement by belonging to a wealthy, tightly-knit family ( I have a little experience with this, actually, from David's disastrous marriage to Brooke AND her family), the murky world of excessive drinking and drug- dealing, the world of journalism and the life of a busy newspaper, and of course, the world of municipal politics.

This is an excellent piece of investigative journalism written by a young woman only 12 years out of school, and read like an extended well-written article- clearly written, getting right to the point, and not dwelling too much on the long story leading to this fascinating period in Toronto's history. Right from the beginning, she clarifies how such a person could ever have won the 2010 election- it was our old foe Mike Harris, who by creating a mega-city with the amalgamation of all the boroughs placed the people from the suburbs directly in opposition to the downtowners , and this is also why, near the conclusion of the book, she states the reasons why Ford could win again in October.

Here are some other reasons, which I want to remember: 

1. While 70% of Torontonians want him to step down and get help, over 40% still have a favourable view of his performance as mayor.

2. He'll be running as an underdog, and that means more competition. Someone could win with less than 40% of the vote.

3.He has delivered on some of his goals- he contracted out garbage collection, made the TTC an essential service and rescinded two unpopular taxes for home buyers and car owners.

4. he hasn't saved the city a billion dollars, but he did save 400 million dollars.

5. He promised to build more subways, and has federal aid in place to get it done.

6. He took on contract negotiations with the unions and won, saving over 2million dollars.

So come November, we'll see- just this week there's a story out about a woman arrested for DUI and she was driving Ford's truck near the rehab he's in near Bracebridge.