Long lineups for Ford bobbleheads

(Update)

Wednesday a motion calling for Mayor Rob ford to step aside will head to Toronto City Council. When asked about it, the Mayor said “let’s get it on.” But at city hall, the Mayor spent hours signing “bobble-heads” for charity as hundreds lined up for one.  Scot Urquhart has the story.

There were thousands of people in line at Toronto City Hall, some arriving at six o’clock Tuesday morning. They stood for hours, for a chance to get their hands on a unique piece of memorabilia. And at the same time, donate to the Toronto United Way campaign.

Christmas came early for Rob Ford.

Far from being an object of ridicule, the embattled mayor of Toronto, for a brief moment, was out of the dark spotlight of drug abuse and public scandal. No longer running to hide from the cameras but rather revelling in them.
Rob Ford was a rock star.

The credit for this miraculous turn around goes to this guy. A bobblehead likeness of the Mayor, although perhaps a little more svelte, than usual.

The plan was hatched back in August by the Mayor’s Deputy chief of staff Earl Provost. Part of the $20 price goes to the United Way and people were willing to wait a long time to get their hands on what may be the most unique Christmas gift of the year.

But not everyone was quite as patient: “I was enterprising. I offered someone to buy one for them if I could get in line with them.”

Enterprising is right. Almost instantly the “limited edition” bobbleheads were up for re-sale online at a price-per-pound that was out of sight! Still, a bobblehead seems somewhat ironic being as many feel that the Mayor needs to screw his head on a little tighter. But at this time of year people seemed to be in a forgiving spirit. Lillian Hunkeler was in line: “Well, you know we have an election next year. That’ll be the time to speak.”

Amid the frenzy, a pitcher went flying. But if someone was trying to pour cold water on the Mayor’s momentum, he certainly wasn’t knocked off stride: “Nothin’ I can’t handle.”

No kidding. Compared to the crack cocaine scandal, this is just a drop in the bucket. The Councillor’s brother however, did put a damper on the festive mood, noting that Toronto City Council was ready to play The Grinch this week with a motion asking the Mayor to step down: “I think the council, they want to do their public flogging again. Then, they can do that.”

But the mayor was dripping with confidence: “Yeah. Things are great. I really appreciate the support. These people are great.”

If there are angry voters waiting to oust the Mayor from office, they didn`t show up at this event. In fact, there was so much support for Rob Ford, it was easy to see why he believes that he still can hang on to office, and maybe even win another election.