Reaction to Mayor Rob Ford’s Nov. 5 bombshell admission to smoking crack cocaine has been fast and wide-spread.
A day after Ford admitted using the drug, a protest under a “Save Toronto” banner formed outside City Hall. Several city councillors have released statements expressing a range of reaction from personal concern to outrage.
“This is a difficult time for the city,” Coun. Gary Crawford (Ward 36 Scarborough Southwest) said in a statement on his website. “The mayor has stated publicly that he needs to make some changes in his life. I sincerely hope that he takes the time and gets the support he needs.
“Actions speak louder than words. There are 45 members of council and we still have a city to serve.”
Coun. Josh Matlow (Ward 22 St.Paul’s) issued a strongly worded statement slamming the mayor and his brother, Coun. Doug Ford (Ward 2 Etobicoke North).
“Mayor Ford has been lying to Torontonians for months, if not longer,” Matlow said. “He and his brother have unfairly and maliciously attacked anyone who has questioned his behaviour.”
The Mayor should remove himself from office and address his personal issues, Matlow said in his statement, adding he vows to support every effort from City Council to prevent further damage to city credibility.
Reaction on Twitter
Twitter lit up with tweets both for and against the mayor’s resignation. Here is a small sample of what people are saying.
Just imagine, if you would, how Ford supporters would have reacted to David Miller doing a quarter of the stuff their mayor has done.#TOpoli
— Luke Savage (@LukewSavage) November 6, 2013
My view on Mayor ROB FORD. Leave the guy alone. So he’s been on a binder or two, who hasn’t? Wasted so much money trying hang him!
— KEVIN KINGSLEY (@ARGOLIFER) November 6, 2013
I realized last night that my little kids only know what “crack” means cause of Rob Ford. #angry #TOpoli #wtford
— Rick Smith (@rjcsmith) November 6, 2013
#TOpoli Sympathy for #RobFord … I’d hate to be judged on all the things that ended in my mouth when I was #inadrunkenstupor
— Elron Steele (@elron6900) November 6, 2013
For a guy that works “16 hours a day”, Rob Ford shows up pretty late for work. #topoli
— Steve V (@FarAndWide) November 6, 2013
So (breaking news) I became a first-time dad today, but all the media are too busy covering the Rob Ford crack fallout. #topoli #jokes
— JerroldWL (@Jerrold) November 6, 2013
..just hoping @southpark creators jumps in on the Rob Ford bashing…. Please! #topoli #RobFord #Toronto #TOpoli #905 #416
— Raff D (@sparky9021) November 6, 2013
The media needs to leave rob ford alone…he’s the closest thing we’ve had to a normal human being like the rest of us
— sijad ghani (@s_ghan07) November 5, 2013
Brooks Barnett, staffer who Ford knocked off his feet during drunken rage in his office St. Paddy’s Day 2012, gets a clue, quits. #TOpoli
— Elliott Ross (@ElliottRoss6) November 6, 2013
All of a sudden the U.S. is interested in #Canada for reasons other than the oilsands or the keystone xl #TOpoli #canpoli #inadrunkenstupor
— Diana Howe (@moongoddess) November 6, 2013
In a dinner listening to a cop & a city worker argue about their bosses. They finally agree: Bill Blair > Rob Ford. #TOpoli
— Whisky Jean (@Whisky_Jean) November 6, 2013
One protestor with her timely sign #TOpoli pic.twitter.com/bwXOdYqb49
— Jane Gerster (@Jane_Gerster) November 6, 2013
“Save Toronto” rally at Nathan Phillips square #topoli pic.twitter.com/u0P9svMmBb
— Lisa Mayor (@lisamayor) November 6, 2013
My statement on Mayor Rob Ford’s conduct http://t.co/2xEuC6zqBJ #TOpoli #TOCouncil
— Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) November 6, 2013
After the Doug and Rob Ford Circus today I’m officially embarrassed to say that I breathe the same air as those two scumbags. #scum #topoli
— Dean Blundell (@ItsDeanBlundell) November 5, 2013
Release the Cracken! #TOpoli
— Ben Thornton (@BCThornton) November 5, 2013
In a drunken stupor, I once left cheese on a London, Ontario hotel window sill. Feels good to finally confess. #RobFords #TOpoli
— Ron Kaine (@ronbo39) November 5, 2013
Ford smoking crack is only a small part of why he needs to go. Public drunkenness, DUI, skipping work, hiring criminals. #TOpoli
— Matt Nish-Lapidus (@emenel) November 5, 2013
now Toronto’s police chief is politically insensitive. ROB FORD WAKE UP! Bill Blair doesnt care what stripe you wear as long as its legal
— Kenneth K (@davros6999) November 5, 2013
He smoked crack, but he never inhaled. #RobFord
— Andrew Lampard (@aglampard) November 5, 2013
“Yes i have smoked crack….no i do not do drugs” #RobFord
— Chris Evans (@18speaks) November 5, 2013
Rob Ford’s drunken stupor is basically his Tyler Durden.
— Jean Claude (@nal000) November 5, 2013
ANY toronto city councillor who sits in chambers with rob ford from this moment on should also resign. because they too are a disgrace.
— torquilcampbell (@torquilcampbell) November 5, 2013