Ford blasted for missing Casa Loma debate

Any opinion Mayor Rob Ford may have on the future of Casa Loma is “inconsequential,” following his notable absence from a debate on the castle’s future management, St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow says.

Casa Loma was one of several prominent matters the mayor missed when he bowed out of his own executive committee meeting early to coach a football game in Newmarket on Sept. 10.

In the past, Ford has weighed in on the future of Casa Loma, saying the city should sell the property.

At the meeting, executive members unanimously [url=http://www.mytowncrier.ca/whod-like-to-run-a-castleth.html]approved a recommendation[/url] to seek out potential castle operators.

Matlow blasted Ford’s absence.

“The mayor makes himself irrelevant for not being present for the important moments but then being part of a daily sideshow of folly and gaffes,” said the Ward 22 councillor, who represents the Forest Hill neighbourhood where Casa Loma is located.

Ford’s press secretary George Christopoulos said when the mayor left, there were no longer any contentious issues on the agenda, so Ford “felt comfortable leaving the meeting in the hands of other committee members.”

Another item debated during the mayor’s absence was the review of the city’s controversial anti-discrimination policy.

The mayor has been heavily criticized for putting his private volunteer endeavors, such as coaching football, ahead of his mayoral duties.

Ford found himself in hot water again this week when the Globe and Mail published an article revealing Ford’s alleged use of city staff and resources for his volunteer football work.