TORONTO - "Well, that was a quiet four years."
And, with that tongue-in-cheek comment from Coun. Josh Colle, Toronto city council wrapped up its final tumultuous session Thursday ahead of the Oct. 27 elections.
The session was rarely quiet with Mayor Rob Ford being stripped of most of his powers last November for admitted misdeeds centred on his drug and alcohol use.
Ford, in a trembling voice, admitted in council that he presented it with ”some challenges” and said he had embarrassed council.
Norm Kelly took over many mayoral duties when council stripped them from Ford and was at the helm while Ford was in rehab this spring.
Councillor Pam McConnell applauded Kelly’s efforts to restore "stability and respect" to the chamber.
"You have brought us out of dark chaos and into the light," said McConnell.
Kelly described the last nine months as the city's defacto leader as "an unexpected, unprecedented and fascinating ride."
The final day of the current council even included some music.
Councillors bobbed and swayed to Bob Marley's "One Love" and the Staple Singers' "I'll Take You There".
Ford, who is seeking re-election in the Oct. 27 municipal election, briefly took the microphone during a reggae-tinged take on Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." (CFRB)
