Two years ago, the tides of change ushered in "Ford Nation" in Toronto, as voters sent Rob Ford to the mayor’s chair with a decisive victory.

Surrounded by his family and supporters, a jubilant Ford declared an end to city hall's so-called “gravy train” as he celebrated his election win Oct. 25, 2010.

On the two-year anniversary of that moment, Ford and Toronto residents are reflecting on everything that has happened under his watch as he nears the halfway mark of his four-year term, as they weigh the mayor’s accomplishments, unfulfilled promises and controversies that have dogged him.

At least two city councillors agree Ford needs to show more leadership during the second half of this term.

“If you ask me I think he has maybe not shown the leadership that most people would have hoped for as far as a thoughtful, deliberate way of being a mayor,” Coun. Josh Matlow told CP24’s Katie Simpson on Thursday.

Matlow said Ford hasn’t found a way to pay for subways and hasn’t found millions of dollars in “gravy,” but he has made city hall more cognizant of fiscal responsibility and he has engaged Torontonians in city politics.

“Whether they love him or they hate him, people care about what happens at city hall and I think that’s healthy because at the end of the day what we do here affects their lives every day,” Matlow said.

Still, Matlow doesn’t think Ford is “the most thoughtful kind of mayor” people want, accusing Ford of allowing outside interests, including his role as a high school football coach, to interfere with his political work.

“He spends a little bit too much time on the high school football field and not as much time here or out there in Toronto working with people,” Matlow said.

Ford will be on the sidelines when the Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School team he coaches faces Senator O'Connor College School on Thursday afternoon.

Coun. Mike Del Grande, who chairs city hall’s budget committee, said he would give the mayor a grade of C-plus or B-minus.

“The only reason I would give him that (grade) is I think there have been more off-field activities and focus, whether it’s driving in the car and reading something or football,” Del Grande said. “I think that’s detracted away from the main focus.”

Turbulent two years

After campaigning on fiscal responsibility, the two years since Ford’s victory have been turbulent, to say the least, with plenty of ups and downs, but he has achieved things he set out to do.

In his crusade to cut costs and save taxpayers a bundle of cash, the mayor counts privatizing garbage collection, scrapping the vehicle registration tax, making the TTC an essential service and signing a new contract with city workers among his accomplishments since taking over from former mayor David Miller, who did not seek re-election two years ago.

During that same period, Ford has failed to deliver on his promises to build more subway routes and cut the land transfer tax, and he has been shrouded in controversy that has overshadowed much of his tenure.

He is awaiting a judge’s ruling in a conflict-of-interest case that threatens to boot him out of office, he has been accused of homophobia for skipping Pride events, he has faced allegations of interfering with public appointments, he has taken the brunt of criticism for service cuts, and he has faced finger-wagging for his driving habits, including talking on a cellphone while driving.

Ford has also been accused of using his influence and aides for football activities, but he denies any wrongdoing.

Approval rating drops

On a monthly basis, Forum Research polls Torontonians about the mayor’s performance to come up with an approval rating.

Ford’s approval rating peaked at 60 per cent in February 2011 and has fallen to 41 per cent, as of late September.

In the 2010 municipal election, Ford scored 47 per cent of the vote, beating second-place finisher George Smitherman, who had 35 per cent, and Joe Pantalone, who finished third with 11 per cent.

Ford, who served as a councillor before he became mayor, was sworn into office in December 2010, along with fellow members of city council.

As council enters the final half of its current term, attention will gradually shift to the next election, and speculation about potential challengers to Ford, who has repeatedly said he intends to pursue a second term, is likely to ramp up.

Torontonians return to the polls Oct. 27, 2014.

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