Rob Ford's allies on city council are applauding a judge's decision to let him stay on as mayor for now.

Ford will keep his job into 2013, through an appeal of the verdict in a conflict of interest case against him that has ordered him out of office.

Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong says Justice Gladys Pardu made the right decision.  Minnan-Wong's read is that most people believe that Ford should have his day in court & remain in his position until a decision is rendered.

The councillor says the legal fight has been an "unnecessary distraction" from the important decisions council has to make.

Karen Stintz says the stay allows council to enter into a period of calm.  She is hoping for quick decision in Ford's appeal which will be heard January 7th.

Councillor Doug Ford says the mayor wants to keep pushing his agenda.

But can he?  Councillor Shelley Carroll quips "You can want all sorts of things.  I want a brand new pony for Christmas", "but if you misbehave with respect to the rules, then you have a problem".

Councillor Ford says his brother has learned from his legal battles & is maturing into his role as mayor.

But Carroll points to a blow up at council last week between Rob Ford & councillor Adam Vaughan as a sign the mayor is regressing.

Despite the theatrics, Carroll says councillors want to do the business of the city.  She says it's why councillors are motivated to work together & bring thoughtful leadership the city needs, "because it isn't coming from the mayor's office right now."

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