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a somewhat related story:
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Council 'corrupt', Ford charges
City council’s decision to award an untendered, 20-year contract to Boardwalk Pub operator Tuggs Inc. smacks of civic corruption, Councillor Rob Ford says.
“If Tuggs isn’t, then I don’t now what is,” Ford told the Toronto Sun’s editorial board.
“I can’t accuse anyone or I can’t pinpoint it, but why do we have to go in camera on the Tuggs deal?
“These in-camera meetings, there’s more corruption and skullduggery going on in there than I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Tuggs owner George Foulidis did not respond to requests for comment from the Sun.
Sandra Bussin, the local councillor who has defended Tuggs in the past but recused herself from the most recent vote on the contract in June, also declined to comment.
Both were provided with a transcript of Ford’s remarks by e-mail.
Bussin received more than $12,000 from Foulidis and people associated to him in campaign contributions in 2003 and 2006.
City staff had recommended putting the food and drink concession at the eastern Beaches up for public tender after Tuggs’ first contract expired but councillors opted instead to negotiate a sole-sourced deal with the firm.
A belated attempt to reopen the deal at council’s June meeting failed to get the necessary two-thirds support.
“It’s confidential and I wish you guys knew what happened in camera,” Ford said. “I wish I could tell you the stuff that happens behind closed doors.”
He said the Tuggs deal “stinks to high heaven” and if he is elected mayor on Oct. 25 — he told The Sun he’s now leading the race with 35% support, according to his campaign polls — he might try to break the contract.
“You can undo anything that’s been done,” Ford said. “If it’s going to save (money) in the long run, then I’m going to do it. If there’s a short-term cost for a long-term gain, then that’s what’s going to happen.”
Doug Ford, Rob’s brother and campaign manager who is also running for council in Ward 2, said the system at City Hall is broken.
“There’s a culture of corruption down there and we’re going to put an end to it,” Doug said.
“If this was Chicago or anywhere in the States, they’d be in front of a grand jury and they’d be indicted and they’d be in jail right now.”
He said it’s unthinkable that a private business would agree to a 10-year lease, let alone 20-year lease, for such a business. |
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| quote: | Originally posted by jester
Everything in this country is illegal. |
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery…" Winston Churchill
"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law" - Winston Churchill
Last edited by Jayx1 on Aug-12-2010 at 00:59
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