After Friday’s Ford candidate shuffle, Andray Domise stands out as the man who is, was or will be running against all of them.

He’s a candidate for Doug Ford’s Ward 2 council seat, who was up against Michael Ford until the political newbie, who had refused to speak to the media, ducked out of the race to let his uncle Rob Ford enter it on Friday. If anyone can end the Ford dynasty, it’s Domise — though polls show he’s still a longshot.

Reached by telephone after the dust subsided Friday, Domise said he welcomes the attention the Fords bring to his corner of the city and hopes that it will focus the debate not on Rob Ford’s personal problems, but instead on the real challenges facing Etobicoke North.

“Ward 2 is not a consolation prize,” said the former insurance manager. “Residents have so many needs that aren’t being met right now.”

Whether it’s poor transit — Ward 2 is one of the most transit-deprived areas in the city, he says — or the unfulfilled promises of development around Woodbine racetrack, there’s lots of work to be done.

But Doug hasn’t helped improve the community over the last four years, Domise says. He credits local churches and charities for working to make the neighbourhood safe and clean and shaking off the stigma of “priority neighbourhood” status.

“(Doug’s) been an absentee councillor,” he said. “(He) considers this a part-time job, something to do on the side while he runs his brother’s campaign.”

Related: Doug Ford’s term as Toronto councillor — a timeline

A quiet debut for Michael Ford, council candidate

Over the past four years, Doug has spent all his time downtown, says Domise, and his achievements in the ward are slim.

“He’s only gotten oversized road signs and a big fence. That’s about it,” he said. “There’s so much work to be done, and I don’t know whether the mayor can do that from a hospital bed.”

But Domise doesn’t want to talk about Rob’s drinking or drug use, his association with known criminals or his refusal to talk to police.

“I get my back up a little bit when we talk about his personal life. That’s really got nothing to do with me or with the job whatsoever,” said Domise. “But I will say that he hasn’t yet answered for some of the comments he’s made about our communities. He’s used racial slurs; he’s insulted people; he’s taken them for granted.”

“He comes out to our fairs and festivals and is willing to eat our food and be seen lining up with our women and willing to cut some ribbons. But if you look at his actual votes on council, he’s always voted against community grants; he’s voted always against community events, getting any help for our neighbourhoods, for youth programs, for our festivals. He votes against every single one of them, but is very happy to show up and enjoy the fruits of everybody else’s labour.”

Election day is still more than a month away, but from his unique perch as the alternative to the Ford dynasty, Domise has one message for each Ford.

To Michael: “I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to meet. I would have liked to talk about what your ideas were … it’s too bad (you) never said a single word.”

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To Doug: “We needed you in this neighbourhood and you weren’t here. If you weren’t here for Ward 2, how could you possibly be here for the rest of Toronto?”

To Rob: “Get well soon. I hope to see you at the debate.”

The Ward 2 will be on RogersTV on October 2nd at 10 p.m.

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