Mark Towhey is no longer working for the office of the Mayor. On May 23, he was escorted out of City Hall.
A longstanding ally of Mayor Rob Ford, Towhey served as an advisor on the campaign trail and helped to develop Ford’s economic platform.
According to the official press release, “The Mayor thanks Mr. Towhey for his valuable service and wishes him the very best in his future endeavours. Earl Provost, Deputy Chief of Staff, will assume the role of Acting Chief of Staff until further notice.”
Although the press release makes no reference to Ford’s recent scandals, the timing of the dismissal raises a multitude of questions. What was the official reason for the dismissal? What does Towhey know about Ford’s recent troubles?
Towhey has chosen not to elaborate on what he knows, nor on the reaon for his dismissal.
Sarah Thomson, former mayoral candidate, head of the Transit Alliance, and publisher of Women’s Post made the following statement:
“Everyone knows someone who has suffered from drug and/or alcohol addiction. Allowing an addict to deny their addiction or ignore it, does more to enable them than and little to help them. This is why an addict will often cut off anyone who cares enough to try to help them.
That Mayor Ford has let his closest ally go may say more about Mr. Towhey’s strength of character than any of us will ever know.
I am sorry for the predicament Mayor Ford is in, and do encourage him to lean on friends and family for support and advice.”
