What the mayor’s been up to this week.
Monday, June 4, 12:45 p.m. Protocol Lounge, Mayor’s Office, City Hall.
Meets Indy car driver James Hinchcliffe (a.k.a. the “The Mayor of Hinchtown”), who is visiting as part of a promotional tour for the upcoming Honda Indy race. As depicted in the Toronto Sun‘s video of the encounter, the Mayor of Toronto chuckles when Hinchcliffe tells the assembled press that “Actually, I was getting some advice. I mean, I think his position is a little more legitimate than mine, since mine was self-appointed, and he actually earned his… I’ve been getting some good tips for Hinchtown.”
Tuesday, June 5, 12:30 p.m. Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre, Bay Street, south of Dundas.
Delivers an unusually well-regarded speech to the Economic Club of Canada, functionally outlining several broad priorities for the remainder of his term. He soon posts the text as a Facebook note.
Tuesday, June 5, 2 p.m. Urban Eatery, Eaton Centre.
Takes a walk through the food court in which the previous week’s gun violence had occurred. He speaks to staff at, among other restaurants, the KFC and the McDonald’s. The Globe and Mail reports that he declined offers of food, stating, “I’ve had lunch.”
Wednesday, June 6, 5:30 p.m. Council Chamber, City Hall.
Delivers a half-hearted speech asking City Council to repeal the 5-cent bag fee, which does not achieve the precise result he had intended. When scrummed later, “Mayor Ford was in the rapid-blinking mode he sometimes enters when he’s upset,” Star reporter Daniel Dale tweets.
Wednesday, June 6, 8:42 p.m. Dundas Street West, near Dovercourt.
Drives west on Dundas, breaking tradition by not stopping in at the Dundas/Dovercourt LCBO for a post-Council purchase. He is, however, spotted at another LCBO (possibly the Dundas/Jane location) shortly afterward.
Thursday, June 7, 2:45 a.m. Steak Queen, Rexdale Boulevard, west of Martin Grove.
Drops by after last call for some takeout. This was at least his second late-night visit to the establishment, and—according to employee Karim Nassimi—he got the “chicken breast special.” Given the late hour, did the mayor appear to have his wits about him? “He was okay,” says Nassimi. “He just came here, went down Rexdale [Blvd.], and bought the burger and go.” The restaurant enthusiastically posts a photo of the visit, which they delete following The Grid‘s inquiries.
Thursday, June 7, 3 p.m. Council Chamber, City Hall.
Votes against a motion moved by Adam Vaughan, and seconded by Doug Ford, that requests the City Clerk make changes to accommodate video-conference deputations from people whose disabilities make it difficult for them to show up at City Hall. The only other dissenting vote comes from Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday.
Sunday, June 10, 2:20 p.m. Newstalk 1010 studios, Yonge and St. Clair.
Spars with his brother over the value of engaging with people with whom they disagree.
Doug: ‘Kay, folks, we’re back. Traffic congestion all over this city, we need some out-of-the box thinkers. If you’re an out-of-the-box thinker, give us a call. If you want streetcars, don’t even waste your time callin’ me.
Rob: Nah, you can’t say that.
Doug: Well, no, you know something, I don’t even want to hear…
Rob sighs.
Doug: …about these antiquated streetcars. Let’s start thinkin’ about the future. Give me one benefit about a streetcar. There isn’t any.
Rob (laughs): I don’t find…
Doug: There isn’t!
Rob: But something we can’t take that approach, though, you have to have an open mind. You may not like ‘em, I don’t like ‘em, but some people like ‘em. Right, so we have to listen to all sides of the debate and listen to everyone’s point of view, folks, 872-1010. 416-872-1010.
Doug: We’re talkin’ solutions. Solutions.
(Listen starting at 8:26 of this mp3.)
