Mayor Ford tries to rouse ailing ally from sickbed for transit vote

The Goods has obtained a email from Ward 44 Scarborough East Councillor Ron Moeser to Mayor Rob Ford, declining the offer of transportation to City Hall for Wednesday's big transit vote.

Moeser is recuperating from surgery and has been absent from city hall for  recent votes including the one in which council defied Ford and his team, reversing $19 million worth of cuts in the 2012 operating budget.

Moeser usually, but not always votes with Ford. The mayor's office is doing everything it can to avoid what looks like a narrow defeat at Wednesday's special council meeting. That's where TTC chair and former Ford ally Karen Stintz will recommend abandoning Ford's underground rail plan in favour of something that looks a lot like his predecessor David Miller's Transit City.

Here's the email:

From: "Councillor Moeser"

To: "Mayor Ford"

Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:22:16

Subject: Offer of assistance to attend City Council meeting February8th, 2011

Mr. Mayor,
 
Thank you for the generous offer of transportation to tomorrow's very important Council Meeting.
 
I regretfully must decline, as the current condition of the skin grafts, intravenous medication and the potential for infection/additional surgeries is limiting my ability to attend meetings at this time. I am hopeful that the surgeries are behind me, but do not want to risk further complications.
 
Again, thank you for your offer.
 
 Councillor Ron MoeserScarborough East, Ward 44416-392-1373