Tarra Matthews
Senior Content Manager
After the spectacle that Rob Ford has made of himself these last couple months, this news should come as no shock to some, and has been long-awaited by many, many more.
The Toronto Sun is reporting that Rob Ford, the mayoral incumbent for Toronto, whom is also running for re-election, will be taking a break from campaigning to deal with his “personal issues.” The exact extent of these issues is not explicitly outlined; but for an individual in the public eye who has admitted to smoking crack in the past and who has on many recent occasions, been caught on camera publicly intoxicated, a break may not be the worst idea.
Mayor Ford disclosed his decision to step back, while still remaining on the ballot, to Sun columnist Joe Warmington, stating that, “He realizes ‘it’s time’ and that he ‘wants’ to ‘deal with his issues.’ He said he is being urged to not leave the mayoral race by people around him.”
Mayor Ford’s lawyer, Dennis Morris, also confirmed the news to the CBC saying the mayor “Realizes he needs help for substance abuse.”
All this comes after another audio recording of the Mayor has surfaced. The Sun describes the recording as “raunchy” and says it contains dialogue of Ford swearing and ranting at fellow patrons of Etobicoke bar Sullie Gorman’s Monday night (April 28th). The recording contains the gem, “I’d like to f—–g jam her (mayoral contender Karen Stintz), but she doesn’t want … I can’t talk like this … I’m so sorry…I forgot there’s a woman in the house.” To add to this fine display, another witness says that Rob Ford was “really wasted.” On top of all that, Mayor Ford was not seen at City Hall at all on Tuesday.
In ADDITION to all this, Robin Doolittle of The Globe and Mail and author of the book, Crazy Town: The Rob Ford Story tweeted the following:
https://twitter.com/robyndoolittle/status/461677458912051200
This second video of Mayor Rob Ford smoking what has been described as crack-cocaine (by a self-professed drug dealer) was secretly filmed in his sister’s basement early Saturday morning. Rob’s sister Kathy has admitted in media interviews to being a drug addict.
Courtesy of The Globe and Mail“The clip, which was viewed by two Globe and Mail reporters, shows Mr. Ford taking a drag from a long copper-colored pipe, exhaling a cloud of smoke, his right arm convulsing. The footage is part of a package of three videos the dealer said was surreptitiously filmed around 1:15 a.m., and which he says he is now selling for ‘at least six figures.’”
Also visible in the video was Alessandro “Sandro” Lisi, the mayor’s former driver and an accused drug-dealing extortionist.
Check out this clip of Rob Ford on Kimmel back in March trying to explain his antics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jym-K1KoGqM
UPDATE: Mayor Ford has released a statement regarding his decision:
For Immediate Release
April 30th, 2014
Tonight I want to take some time to speak from my heart to the people of Toronto. It’s not easy to be vulnerable and this is one of the most difficult times in my life. I have a problem with alcohol, and the choices I have made while under the influence. I have struggled with this for some time.
Today, after taking some time to think about my own well-being, how to best serve the people of Toronto and what is in the best interests of my family, I have decided to take a leave from campaigning and from my duties as Mayor to seek immediate help.
I have tried to deal with these issues by myself over the past year. I know that I need professional help and I am now 100% committed to getting myself right.
I love the people of Toronto, I love being your mayor and I hope you will continue to stand by me.
With the support of my family, friends, professionals and the people of Toronto, I will conquer this.
Please keep me and my family in your prayers during these difficult days ahead.
I just want to say to the people of Toronto that I thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. I cannot tell you enough how much I appreciate it.
Mayor Rob Ford
What do you make of Mayor Rob Ford’s latest mishap. Would you want a guy like this running your city?
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