I feel sorry for Mikey. I don't think he would have ever considered a run for council (at least, not any time soon) unless he was egged on by his uncles. And even if he wins, I'm quite sure the family expects him to be nothing more than a mouthpiece. That's a shitty thing to do to kid who's just reaching the age when he/she should be making their own choices about the future. Quite selfish and abusive on the part of the Ford Bros, IMO. Mikey hasn't opened his mouth yet, so it's possible he'll turn out to be his own man. But that possibility is remote, at best.
Also re Ford Fest: Glad to see the complaint letters going city staff. I'm sending one, too. That said, staff is in a tough position because the fest hasn't happened yet. Of course it's going to be a campaign event, but no one can prove that until it happens. Catch-22. This is another case where the Fords have shown us that our rules of conduct for local pols have no teeth. The Fords will apply for a family event, campaign like hell, then walk away laughing, leaving the rest of us to clutch our pearls. It's sick. Maybe the city should change its policy and say that all "community events" sponsored by a candidate during an election period are to be considered "political" when it comes to approving permits.