Chaos a Ford family trait

RE: SAM OOSTERHOFF ONE-ON-ONE: ELECTIONS, THE CHARTER AND DOUG FORD, SEPT. 14

Having read the interview between Standard reporter Grant LeFleche and Progressive Conservative MPP Sam Oosterhoff, I wish to make the following observations:

Doug Ford never specifically campaigned that he intended on reducing the size of Toronto’s city council, nor was there any mention at all during his campaign of reforming municipal government in the province of Ontario. In fact, Ford’s campaign was very vague on details.

For a lot of people I have spoken to the problem is not municipal reform but the manner in which he has pushed his agenda on the citizens of Toronto so close to the election. He has created so much confusion in Toronto that the clerk is concerned she cannot run a fair election and candidates are unclear as to how or where to campaign.

It is reminiscent of the chaos in Toronto when Doug’s brother Rob Ford was mayor. There is no urgency to reduce the number of Toronto’s councillors this close to the election. Any changes could have been implemented in the four years leading up to the next election.

In Niagara, which is mostly NDP, we lost the right to elect the chair for Niagara Region. To me this is a step in the wrong direction.

Niagara did not vote for this. Considering the gong show at the Region, I would have liked the opportunity to vote for the chair. It is my understanding that having the chair appointed by council in no way saves the taxpayers money as the number of councillors inclusive of the chair remains the same.

I find it ironic that Ford was critical of the judge being appointed but is OK with Region’s chair being appointed.

The manner in which Ford is forcing change by his use of the Constitution’s notwithstanding clause makes be wonder how often he will use this option during his term as premier.

It's going to be a long four years.

Marie Starrs

St. Catharines