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| Maria Augimeri |
Maria Augimeri (Ward 9) called someone a criminal in an Italian newspaper this year. He didn’t like it, she could not prove it and when the dust had settled the Councilor owed $5,000 for her indiscretion. The question before City Council was who should pay this amount. Mayor Ford was opposed and was one of two dissenting voices Tuesday (August 26, 2014) during an argument on this point. A motion was moved by Councillor Josh Matlow that Council direct the City Manager to amend the Complaint Protocol so that where the complainant is successful and the Councillor is found in breach of the Code of Conduct that the policy require the Councillor to pay the complainant’s legal fees directly. But no, City Council eventually decided that the city — that would be you the taxpayer — will pay the $5,000. There may be many ways to spin this decision but the council vote was 33-2 — an overwhelming majority — to pay for the councillor’s careless talk. Why? The stories don’t make it very clear. For Mayor Ford it was tailor-made for his campaign message that only he cares about public money. “She accused him of being a criminal. He is not a criminal and now the taxpayers have to pay for her comments? I’m sorry. That’s not right.” It is a very good example of why the mayor continues to be a contender for re-election in October. And a reminder that his problems have always been about his personal behaviour, not his politics.
