Another staff member resigns from Ford’s office
Posted May 31, 2013 5:03 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – A day after two of his employees quit, Toronto mayor Rob Ford’s office has lost a sixth staff member, Friday.
Michael Prempeh, his special assistant, has resigned, the same day Ford hired three new staff members.
Ford addressed the media Friday afternoon, explaining that he knew Prempeh was leaving and it did not come as a surprise.
“Michael Prempeh told me well over a month and a half ago that he wanted to open up his own business, and I encouraged him to do that,” he told reporters. “Michael’s fantastic, and I wish him all the best. He’s going to be a very successful young man.”
“We’ve hired three great people today, and I’m planning to hire early next week, another three or four people,” he said. “I have three movers and shakers – people that want to come here, want to work hard.
“A couple of them started as soon as they got here. I’m very, very proud of the three new members.”
He added that he has been doing all he can to conduct business as usual amongst the controversy at City Hall, while praising the massive changes made to Toronto Community Housing since he took office. Once again, he did not address any of the allegations when asked, only saying “anything else?”
Ford’s executive assistant and a policy advisor quit on Thursday, resulting in a total of six people departing his office in a one-week span.
Councillor Jaye Robinson who sits on the mayor’s powerful executive committee, suggests Ford take a leave of absence to deal with the drug abuse allegations but councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong is not calling for the mayor to step aside.
“I think it’s his decision on what he wishes to do and I have every confidence that council will continue forward,” Minnan-Wong said.
Talk of the province stepping in isn’t getting much support at city hall.
Councillor John Parker said council can handle it.
