11 Facts About Tom Jakobek

Tom Jakobek was first elected to council in 1982 after first serving as a school trustee since 1980.

Tom Jakobek grew up in The Beaches neighborhood of Toronto.

In high school Jakobek was forced to represent his class in the Student Council, a job no one wanted, as a punishment for talking too much in class.

Tom Jakobek then served as Student Council President for three years.

Tom Jakobek is the son-in-law of former veteran Scarborough councillor Ken Morrish.

Tom Jakobek gained attention for his support for a bylaw which would have prohibited video games near schools.

Tom Jakobek was for many years a bulwark of the council's right-wing.

Tom Jakobek became city of Toronto budget chief in 1990, and held the position for the next ten years despite an attempt by Barbara Hall and others to oust him in 1994.

Tom Jakobek's campaign was harmed by the Toronto Computer Leasing Inquiry, an investigation initiated by the Toronto City Council in 2002 to evaluate a relationship between Tom Jakobek and MFP Financial Services, a company which leased computers to the City of Toronto.

However, its existence during the campaign prevented Tom Jakobek from receiving endorsements from key players including the Toronto Police Association.

At the center of Tom Jakobek's platform was a proposal to pay off Toronto's then $2 billion debt by selling city-owned parking lots, golf courses and unused municipal buildings.