Margaret Atwood 1, RobDoug Ford 0 (Despite the Close Score, It's No Contest)

Backlash over Toronto library cuts gives Fords ‘pause for thought,’ Margaret Atwood says. (Toronto Globe and Mail, 8/25/2011)

Excerpt: Writer Margaret Atwood hopes Mayor Rob Ford and his allies on council have learned a thing or two from the outpouring of support from citizens for Toronto libraries as they contemplate cuts to other city services this fall.

Talk of closing branches “in a heartbeat,” as Councillor Doug Ford said earlier this summer, shows they did not understand how important the city’s library system is to citizens of all ages and walks of life, said the award-winning author.

In July, Ms. Atwood tweeted a link to a petition protesting proposed cuts that helped set off a verbal sparring match between her and Councillor Ford, the mayor’s brother and closest adviser.

Mr. Ford, who said he would have no problem closing one particular branch in his ward, went on to say that he “wouldn’t have a clue” who Margaret Atwood was if she passed him on the street. Those remarks went viral and the councillor later clarified his remarks, saying he meant most people in his ward would not know the author, and calling her a “great writer.”

Torontonians responded to those remarks and Ms. Atwood’s twitter comments by flooding councillors’ offices with messages in opposition to the possible cuts and crashing the website that hosted the online petition.

Related posts:
Curmudgeonly behavior @ Toronto City Hall.  (8/14/2011)
Speaking up for the Toronto Public Library.  (8/11/2011)
Toronto councillors not lining ujp to support mayor's call to close libraries.  (8/6/2011)
Library rallies its supporters.  (8/6/2011)
Toronto mayor Doug Ford goes hyperbolic. (7/29/2011)
Toronto councilor uses his position to bully Margaret Atwood  .(7/27/2011)