The Toronto Star’s Robyn Doolittle speaks to Councillor Michelle Berardinetti, who in addition to being a total Ford loyalist also happens to married to a Liberal MPP:
By accepting the position on Ford’s executive, Berardinetti says she was agreeing to side with the mayor. So far, it hasn’t been a problem, because Ford has strong support in her ward.
But would that change if the mayor sics “Ford Nation†on her husband’s seat?
“I don’t think he will,†she said.
But if he does?
“I really think that was just Rob being Rob,†said Berardinetti.
via City councilor must choose between Rob Ford or her husband — in politics – thestar.com.
I knew there was a reason municipal politicians tend to stay out of provincial and federal races. It can backfire.
With this upcoming provincial election, though, Ford wouldn’t be able to stay out of it if he wanted to. The Progressive Conservatives are already using him symbolically — cut the gravy! Respect for taxpayers! Blah blah blah –, and the “Respect for Taxpayers Action Group” that Nick Kouvalis is putting together seems to be gaining steam.
If the provincial election pushes Berardinetti away from the mayor and into the ‘mushy middle,’ it becomes a whole lot more difficult for the mayor’s office to wield control.