Mayor Ford takes to the airwaves again, urging video’s release

A day after apologizing for past “mistakes,” Mayor Rob Ford took to the airwaves again on Monday to repeat his apology for public drunkenness and texting while driving, as well as calling on the police chief to release the so-called crack video in police possession.

But, he again dodged questions about the alleged video that appears to show him smoking crack cocaine.

“I’m not an alcoholic. I’m not a drug addict,” a defiant Ford said on radio station AM640, while challenging any member of his government to leave if they couldn’t work with him.

“Anybody who wants to go, go. I’ll be running the ship, even if it’s by myself. I’ll be serving the city.”

He also said during the interview that he thought he was being followed and called police about it. Click here to listen to the interview.

Ford under fire

Ford has been under fire for months ever since the Toronto Star and Gawker reported the existence of the alleged video on May 16.

Tensions boiled over on Thursday when police chief Bill Blair said police had recovered videos from a wiped hard drive, including one with images of Ford that were consistent with what news outlets had reported.

Ford has repeatedly said he does not use crack cocaine and his lawyer Dennis Morris has questioned how anyone could know what substance is shown on the alleged video.

Ford also said police should release the video. But police say it’s up to the courts to decide whether evidence is released to the general public.

Kelly accepts Ford apology

Meanwhile, deputy mayor Norm Kelly said Ford’s “blanket apology” and an acknowledgment that his personal lifestyle was affecting the life of the city was a good first step.

“It may not be the one that everyone had anticipated but it was enough,” he said. “I’ll hold him to his commitment, and hopefully time will prove that he’s made the right decision.”

Kelly added that Ford also addressed at least three concerns of the executive committee including getting a driver.

For others at city hall, however, Ford’s words have failed to impress.

“I don’t think it was adequate. It didn’t address what most people were very concerned about, which were the drug allegations,” said Coun. Gloria Lindsay Luby.

“What I really would like to hear is him take a leave of absence. Get over this.”

Coun. Joe Mihevc said just because Ford used the apology word doesn’t mean Ford has actually apologized. He said Ford needs to account for his actions, say where he’s erred and show some kind of commitment to changing his ways.

Mihevc said Ford’s associates, some of whom have been arrested, raise “massive questions.”

Meanwhile, the chair of Toronto’s budget committee, who works closely with Ford, said the city has to push past the scandal.

“I see his message as one that will allow us to coalesce and keep our minds on the work that needs to be done for the city,” Coun. Frank Di Giorgio said at city hall.

“I believe that Mayor Ford, in his eyes, made an apology that I think was sincere. I think he believes that there’s important work to be done at the city and he has a contribution to make.”

Di Giorgio added that if there’s doubt that Ford can’t conduct business, councillors need to “get in behind him and bolster him.”

Some councillors said they needed to work on how to govern despite Ford’s personal issues.

“The mayor has said he’s not going to resign, and he’s not going to take a leave of absence, so with that we just need to now figure out how to move forward,” said Coun. Karen Stintz, who has announced she plans to run against Ford in the next municipal election.

For his part, former mayoral candidate John Tory said the apology was “incomplete” but acknowledged it was a small step forward.

“If you have a personal problem, to even begin to admit that you have one — let alone on radio or television or in front of all the newspapers — it’s a tough thing to do. He went a step further than he ever has before,” he told CityNews on Monday, but added Ford should have taken some time off to deal with those issues.

“It would have been better if he’d apologized for more,” including the people he hangs around with, Tory said.

Toronto divided

For some Toronto residents, Ford’s latest statements did little to change their views.

“Rob Ford’s ‘apology’ sounds to me like just blowing smoke. Never mind what kind of smoke,” @OCLSC said on Twitter.

“How many lies must Rob Ford be caught in before we can officially declare him to be a liar?” tweeted another.

Not surprisingly, Ford’s supporters continued their staunch defence of the mayor.

“Despite whatever Mayor Rob Ford has done in his personal life, he is still a good mayor and people should leave him alone,” tweeted one woman. “The end result is that he is saving tax payers money,” said another.

Lingering questions

The controversy around Ford is likely to continue — despite his apology — as many unanswered questions remain about the alleged video.

Toronto police have said that the video they recovered will be evidence in the case against Alexander Lisi — a friend and sometimes driver for the mayor. Police allege Lisi tried to get his hands on the video and have charged him with extortion.

Ontario’s attorney general said he thought Toronto police likely had good reasons for not releasing the video immediately, as Ford and his lawyer have demanded.

“It’s an ongoing police investigation,” said Attorney General John Gerretsen.

“I am not going to get involved in whether or not the mayor should or should not be making these kind of calls.”

With files from CityNews.ca staff

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