Both Kevin and Ana Now At City Hall
Tweet tells us: TOCouncil News: @kevinBeaulieu joins @KristynWongTam as her executive assistant on Dec 1. #Ward27
Seems the party machines take care of their own, don't they?
Actually, it makes sense that somebody would snap up Kevin given his insider knowledge at council and his proven discretion and loyalty. Anyone that can be loyal to a guy like Giambrone, should be loyal to anyone.
The media are starting to do cutesy stories about the new council. The Star did a story asking councillors to bring what will represents them for the next term: Symbols Ana Bailao brought a picture of her grandmother, sayiung she told her "It's the community that raises you is the community you praise".
... hmmm? Does that mean if you are not Portugese and part of Ana's in-crowd, that you'll be unrepresented at City Hall?
In a previous The Star story, they did a quick intro of Ana Bailao
Inn another story, this time The Toronto Sun, it seems they like Ana: She's Been to the School of Hard Knocks Young at 34, Ana has 'already staffed her office with people from outside city hall'. Is that a wise move? Time will tell.
Showing posts with label KevinBeaulieu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label KevinBeaulieu. Show all posts
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Sour Grapes by Ex-Councillors
If They Quit Early, Why Should They Be Paid ?
http://tinyurl.com/26s6pzw
Both Adam Giambrone's constituency office at 1232 College Street and his City Hall office are empty and nobody's there. I guess Adam must be busy spending the last of his office budget on French lessons and whatever else so he can ding the taxpayers for all he can get.
No wonder associating himself with Kevin Beaulieu cost Kevin the election. Giambrone shows his continuing lack of integrity and shafts his constituents yet again! http://www.adamgiambrone.ca/
The newly elected councillors do not take office until December 1st. Yet so many of those not re-elected are bailing out early and leaving their wards essentially unrepresented. Wouldn't it be nice if someone started a class action suit against them for not showing up for work?
sigh.... yet another reason why taxpayers voted in Rob Ford.
http://tinyurl.com/26s6pzw
Both Adam Giambrone's constituency office at 1232 College Street and his City Hall office are empty and nobody's there. I guess Adam must be busy spending the last of his office budget on French lessons and whatever else so he can ding the taxpayers for all he can get.
Update: Nov 8 Adam's seldom used constituency office is now a discount store
No wonder associating himself with Kevin Beaulieu cost Kevin the election. Giambrone shows his continuing lack of integrity and shafts his constituents yet again! http://www.adamgiambrone.ca/
The newly elected councillors do not take office until December 1st. Yet so many of those not re-elected are bailing out early and leaving their wards essentially unrepresented. Wouldn't it be nice if someone started a class action suit against them for not showing up for work?
sigh.... yet another reason why taxpayers voted in Rob Ford.
Update: Nov 9 - And here's another reason (Developers love Ford?)
Still up on Queen West at Triller... think he'll get fined?
Friday, October 29, 2010
Post Election Blues
Election Results - SO WHAT NOW?
In Ward 18 -
As with every election, no matter who wins, I always notice a bizarre feeling of "Is this real?" after the results are in. For those who lost - and expected to win - like Kevin Beaulieu, the shock and grief is understandable. For those who won, there is always the same degree of shock, just in a different direction.
Ana Bailao won big. She campaigned hard and long and had everything going for her. Despite that, the sneaky tricks, primarily by her campaign, stood out in the last week of the election. I have no doubt she exceeded maximum campaign limits (just by looking at the glossy literature that hit my mailbox all year). I have no doubt she had her election signs up (slightly) early. I have no doubt she engineered and authored supposedly neutral stories in the Portugese only media, and probably exceeded expense limits here too (you are supposed to claim for value of offered goods and services). But then, all those questionable tactics have always been the trademark of big Liberal party politics in Davenport, so were they Ana's doing or did it just come with the territory of her backers? It will be interesting to se if anything comes of these anti-democratic tactics through the normal channels of Toronto Election services.
Despite the tactics, Ana won big. Her shock is likely of the "Oh my God, I won! This is serious!" variety and I hope it sits with her throughout her time on council so that she is constantly thinking - "Now I have to live up to my promises and represent ALL my constituents". The absolute worst thing Ana could do would be to cater to her big development dollar donors and/or her ethnic Portugese community.
REALITY:
* 75% of the ward is NOT Portugese. Our City Councillor must represent ALL of ward 18
* Everyone in the ward is concerned about getting the right kind of development, 100% of the ward wants in on community consultation and real input BEFORE things happen in the ward.
* There are several disparate lobby groups of special interests in the ward: cyclists, artists, BIA's, self-defined resident groups - and the as-always forgotten margianlized poor, homeless and hungry. Ward 18 is complex and will need a careful hand to achieve all the compromises necessary.
For those that came in as 'also-rans', the loss was likely expected, or should have been. Media defined the race as a two person, two party one the moment Kevin Beaulieu announced his intention to run on April 13, after his former boss Adam Giambrone had self-destructed in the mayoral race and finally decided not to run again in ward 18. So for the last 7 months the writing was on the wall for all to see.
Still, we should all ask what will become of the 'also-rans', 90% of whom made a serious try at campaigning. At the 8 meetups and debates, they all offered differing ideas to improve the ward as well as cemented the unifying theme of more and better community consultation. They exhibited their various skills and abilities, which would be a shame and loss to the ward if they all did not continue to contribute to improving the quality 0f life in the community.
Frank de Jong, the Green Party candidate will likely take a run again at the provincial MPP race expected in just under a year, so we can probably count on his staying involved.
Hema Vyas although living within walking distance of ward 18 constantly told us she cared for and was involved in the ward 18 community. She came with impressive cultural and non-profit credentials. Will we see her just as active post-election?
Joe MacDonald promised us he would not be a career politician and came with impressive academic and insider political experience. Hw will he stay involved in ward 18 life?
Kirk Russell stayed very much in the centre of discovering and bringing to light alleged and real infractions of electioneering by the two front-runners. He had some extremely detailed and well-researched ideas about traffic that bears further consideration by those now in power. How will he stay involved?
Nha Le, the perennial election campaigner and supporter of the big Liberal party machine is nothing if not persistent in trying to be involved in ward18 politics. Will he be of use to Ana as he has been to Tony Ruprecht? Is he just a Liberal hanger-on or will he contribte to ward 18?
Doug Carroll was an eloquent and ideas driven person, even if those ideas did not resonate within the ward. Will his interest in city governance continue and be listened to by Ana?
Ken Wood, Mohammed Muhit, Joanna Teliatnik and Abdirazak Elmi - how will they be involved in future ward 18 life, if at all? Time will tell.
I hope Ana Bailao continues to read my blog and considers seriously her promise of better and real community consultation. She has been quoted as saying "Now the work begins". If she doesn't govern well, the next election results could be very different, yet again.
In Ward 18 -
As with every election, no matter who wins, I always notice a bizarre feeling of "Is this real?" after the results are in. For those who lost - and expected to win - like Kevin Beaulieu, the shock and grief is understandable. For those who won, there is always the same degree of shock, just in a different direction.
Ana Bailao won big. She campaigned hard and long and had everything going for her. Despite that, the sneaky tricks, primarily by her campaign, stood out in the last week of the election. I have no doubt she exceeded maximum campaign limits (just by looking at the glossy literature that hit my mailbox all year). I have no doubt she had her election signs up (slightly) early. I have no doubt she engineered and authored supposedly neutral stories in the Portugese only media, and probably exceeded expense limits here too (you are supposed to claim for value of offered goods and services). But then, all those questionable tactics have always been the trademark of big Liberal party politics in Davenport, so were they Ana's doing or did it just come with the territory of her backers? It will be interesting to se if anything comes of these anti-democratic tactics through the normal channels of Toronto Election services.
Despite the tactics, Ana won big. Her shock is likely of the "Oh my God, I won! This is serious!" variety and I hope it sits with her throughout her time on council so that she is constantly thinking - "Now I have to live up to my promises and represent ALL my constituents". The absolute worst thing Ana could do would be to cater to her big development dollar donors and/or her ethnic Portugese community.
REALITY:
* 75% of the ward is NOT Portugese. Our City Councillor must represent ALL of ward 18
* Everyone in the ward is concerned about getting the right kind of development, 100% of the ward wants in on community consultation and real input BEFORE things happen in the ward.
* There are several disparate lobby groups of special interests in the ward: cyclists, artists, BIA's, self-defined resident groups - and the as-always forgotten margianlized poor, homeless and hungry. Ward 18 is complex and will need a careful hand to achieve all the compromises necessary.
For those that came in as 'also-rans', the loss was likely expected, or should have been. Media defined the race as a two person, two party one the moment Kevin Beaulieu announced his intention to run on April 13, after his former boss Adam Giambrone had self-destructed in the mayoral race and finally decided not to run again in ward 18. So for the last 7 months the writing was on the wall for all to see.
Still, we should all ask what will become of the 'also-rans', 90% of whom made a serious try at campaigning. At the 8 meetups and debates, they all offered differing ideas to improve the ward as well as cemented the unifying theme of more and better community consultation. They exhibited their various skills and abilities, which would be a shame and loss to the ward if they all did not continue to contribute to improving the quality 0f life in the community.
Frank de Jong, the Green Party candidate will likely take a run again at the provincial MPP race expected in just under a year, so we can probably count on his staying involved.
Hema Vyas although living within walking distance of ward 18 constantly told us she cared for and was involved in the ward 18 community. She came with impressive cultural and non-profit credentials. Will we see her just as active post-election?
Joe MacDonald promised us he would not be a career politician and came with impressive academic and insider political experience. Hw will he stay involved in ward 18 life?
Kirk Russell stayed very much in the centre of discovering and bringing to light alleged and real infractions of electioneering by the two front-runners. He had some extremely detailed and well-researched ideas about traffic that bears further consideration by those now in power. How will he stay involved?
Nha Le, the perennial election campaigner and supporter of the big Liberal party machine is nothing if not persistent in trying to be involved in ward18 politics. Will he be of use to Ana as he has been to Tony Ruprecht? Is he just a Liberal hanger-on or will he contribte to ward 18?
Doug Carroll was an eloquent and ideas driven person, even if those ideas did not resonate within the ward. Will his interest in city governance continue and be listened to by Ana?
Ken Wood, Mohammed Muhit, Joanna Teliatnik and Abdirazak Elmi - how will they be involved in future ward 18 life, if at all? Time will tell.
I hope Ana Bailao continues to read my blog and considers seriously her promise of better and real community consultation. She has been quoted as saying "Now the work begins". If she doesn't govern well, the next election results could be very different, yet again.
Remember: Davenport Deserves Better.... Will We Get It?
Saturday, October 23, 2010
LAST CHANCE WEEKEND - and My Predictions
DESPERATION DRIVES DESIRE in Ward 18
... or is it the other way around?
It's Saturday before the Monday vote, and I see signs of desperation in campaigns everywhere.
* An old guy by himself in a purple Smitherman T-Shirt exorting busy shoppers outside No-Frills at Dundas and Lansdowne to vote for George....
* The sudden appearance of 'Ford for Mayor' signs in bizarre locations, outside coin car wash at College/Lansdowne, on vacant offices ... along with home-made signs on hydro poles telling us "Ford is the Man"
* A sudden influx of "newsletters" and announcements of endorsements that appear at first glance to be delivered by The Star or The Villager
* Mailboxes jammed with flyers, cards and notices trying to be seen and read
* Call after call on my home phone as well as my cell phone telling me why I should vote for Joe MacDonald in ward 18 or for Kirk Russell in ward 18... or Smitherman... or - you get the picture.
* The sudden appearance of never before heard Twitter accounts telling us why Kevin Beaulieu or Ana Bailao or Hema Vyas are the greatest
* Tweet after tweet reminding everyone who endorsed whom in this elections (even if the endorsements came at the last minute or from predictably partisan sources like the Liberal Toronto Star or the NDP Spacing or Now sites)
* Candidates standing outside busy subway stations in the cold rain trying to buttonhole voters who rush by heads bowed, their body language saying 'leave me alone'
What a strange thing an election campaign is!
10 months for candidates to get out their platform, be seen and heard. Some 70 debates for the Mayors (with not much new said after the first one) and 8 opportunities for voters in ward 18 to get out and see candidates. I hesitate to call them 8 "debates" because the first 6 were really coming out parties where everyone was oh-so-Canadian and polite. It wasn't until the 7th gathering - the on air live Rogers TV debate, "The Local Campaign" where any fireworks ensued and any attempts were made by candidates to challenge competitors' platforms. The very last debate ended with a vitriolic attack and the words, "...You lying bitch!" after some equally testy moments.
Throughout this campaign, everything has been defined by the MEDIA, not the candidates or the voters' wants. Big news media from the beginning told us there were only a handful of people running for Mayor, and we all watched as they self-destructed or dropped out one by one due to poor polling - usually an indication no one is interested in them. Yet, big news media kept the field restricted as it shrank to what most Torontonians think are choices between disasterous, terrible and least worst.
------
PREDICTABLE PREDICTIONS ?
In the local ward 18 campaign, Ana Bailao bought the election from even before day one. She lined up all her Liberal ducks and donors, raised at least twice the maximum expense limit and proceeded to deluge ward 18 mailboxes with expensive and glitzy multi-colour flyers, brochures, cards and letters. Of all the candidates, she must have done at least 20 mailings per household, judging by the mailboxes at my place. Ana used her big red Liberal machine to its maximum capacity and had kids erecting election signs before the start date/time and made sure her campaign was seen everywhere by the important people. She used the Portugese ethnic card to maximum advantage (possibly even exceeding use of resources, a la Senso) and got everyone to buy in that Ana is the only community activist and city builder worth paying attention to. She is the Goliath in the ward, but it will come with a price when she is elected: favours requires payback. Developers are 'partying hardy'over her positioning and licking their lips in anticipation. If she doesn't win this, I'll be surprised.
The likely second runner-up, Kevin Beaulieu, never really let himself be known to those that didn't already know him. As the NDP 'medium-big' party machine choice, his campaign seems terribly tightly controlled by backroom politicos and co-campaign managers. getting (and proudly proclaiming) both Adam Giambrone and Mayor Miller endorsements likely will hurt more than help him in a divided ward with pockets of real hate-ons for the Miller-Giambrone twins. During the campaign, I've learned Kevin does have a solid grasp of details of how city hall works, and likely some creative ideas of his own, but alas - his soul belongs to the NDP as much as Ana's belongs to the Liberals. If Kevin wins this, I'll be (slightly) less worried for ward 18.
Who comes in third or 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th,11th, 12th (Ward 18 can never say they didn't have choices!) is a toss-up.
While Hema Vyas is liked and loved by the Maytree-cultural-diversity-fixer lobby, as an individual she has not yet stood up to challenges. In a Metro Morning radio interview she admitted to being scared of debates. Not bad in itself as all candidates who are human have a twinge of fear at being in the spotlight, but in my view she has not performed well in challenging situations. Having seen countless council debates, our political representative has to have the warrior beast in them to stand up for the ward and for their principles. She needs a lot of seasoning; a campaign is not just about reading a resume or a list of endorsements.
Frank de Jong is probably the most comfortable campaigner I have ever met. I suppose he should be given his 13 or so runs at office at all levels and his stint as President of the Green Party, but I got a really good sense of him as a person. He really is WYSIWYG : "What You See Is What You Get" - a genuine person comfortable in his own skin and happy with himself. Would he ever get elected, I'm pretty sure voters would re-elect him and be happy with his work. Why he can't break the ice is a puzzle to me.
Kirk Russell is an enigma to me. He seems the dark horse candidate in the race. A serious contender, he went all out with e-signs, campaign office and web presence and was smart enough to get himself a Portugese speaking campaign manager with a lot of street smarts. Yet, although he seems to have a major problem with Ana Bailao (youtube videos calling her a liar, always on the scene when Ana did something scandalous or bordering on it) - he appears to be a fellow Liberal in many aspects of his candidacy. Contrast this with his last minute support of Rob Ford for Mayor (huh ?) and I really wonder what his game plan was. A nice guy whom I admire, but still don't get. Ana Bailao is being mostly slagged for her ties to the development and construction industry - yet Kirk is IN that industry?
Joe MacDonald was a relative latecomer to the campaign and his beginning presence was only felt in the Big on Bloor Festival in the summer. Despite his many protestations that he is not a 'career politician' or part of the big NDP party machine, he is really exactly that. Just because the party chose to back Kevin rather than him doesn't negate that he was in the inner power circles of the Big Bob Rae NDP government. His self-proclaimed credentials tells us he was involved in many party campaigns. What he has contributed to this campaign most positively is an intelligent and experienced-backed knowledge of what it takes to be a political representative. He has honestly spoken about his views and challenged other candidates. What is unfortunate was his attacks on Hema Vyas for not living in the ward she wants to represent and questioning her motives for running in ward 18. It wasn't the challenge, which was fair, it was the way and tone in which he delivered it. He probably lost himself a lot of potential support there. His e-signs were very underplayed with muted purple on white but his website was professional and well done.
Doug Carroll is someone who was clear on the area of the campaign he wanted to contribute to: the process of government and city-building. He is an articulate man with a depth of understanding that at times was amazing. He didn't really campaign in the same way as the election-sign-proven-candidates above, didn't really have a website to speak of, or any campaign literature I saw - yet he still made a significant positive impact on the quality of debate.
NHA LE is persistent, I'll give him that, but not much else. He's run a few times before, getting about 250 votes and although he has real English language communication problems, he impressed me as sincere about his wants for ward 18. I just never got a good handle on what those were. That he lives outside the ward, is a card carying Liberal and proud to have been working and mentored by Tony Ruprecht, the do-nothing Liberal MPP for Davenport makes me automatically reject him. His recent promise to cut down trees on Lansdowne to beautify it was a killer too.
Abdirazak Elmi was about the strangest candidate I've ever run into. Opening his introduction at the last debate with "I have two wives...." says it all. Although I stress that he did at least try - he spent his own money on flyers and delivered them, he could never have won. He lives WAY outside the ward, only jumped in here because it was a non-incumbent ward and Mammoliti had dropped out of the mayor race and returned to the ward he was originally going to run in. He has zero understanding of what is going on in ward 18 and was constantly calling me to ask about how he should campaign. A nice guy, but very confused about elections here.
Joanna Teliatnik is perhaps the second strangest candidate I've run into. She joined at the last minute, lives way out at Kipling and 401 and - told me she was "trying to run a campaign under the radar" when I met her campaigning on my street. Over coffee I got the impression she was a career bureaucrat who wanted to change things, but didn't know how. Why she ran here, I'll never know.
Mohammed Muhit had better get last place in votes! He was absolutely invisible in the ward, although I discovered his email address and that he lived a few streets over from Joe MacDonald in the ward. Zero campaigning, no literature, no show at debates, no response to any news media enquiries. Why?
------
KEN WOOD - I'll leave it to others to describe or remember me in this election.
All I know is that when I first registered to run 20 minutes before we knew if Giambrone would run in the ward or for mayor, what I wanted was:
1. To See Adam Giambrone out of office (Thanks, Adam)
2. To have an impact on the issues and nature of the debate in the ward
3. To offer a real choice to voters of someone truly independent
4. To contribute to increasing voter response and turnout
5. To test myself to see if I could be more than what I was
-----
Whatever happens on Monday, I hope the results are conclusive and the winner remembers that:
... or is it the other way around?
It's Saturday before the Monday vote, and I see signs of desperation in campaigns everywhere.
* An old guy by himself in a purple Smitherman T-Shirt exorting busy shoppers outside No-Frills at Dundas and Lansdowne to vote for George....
* The sudden appearance of 'Ford for Mayor' signs in bizarre locations, outside coin car wash at College/Lansdowne, on vacant offices ... along with home-made signs on hydro poles telling us "Ford is the Man"
* A sudden influx of "newsletters" and announcements of endorsements that appear at first glance to be delivered by The Star or The Villager
* Mailboxes jammed with flyers, cards and notices trying to be seen and read
* Call after call on my home phone as well as my cell phone telling me why I should vote for Joe MacDonald in ward 18 or for Kirk Russell in ward 18... or Smitherman... or - you get the picture.
* The sudden appearance of never before heard Twitter accounts telling us why Kevin Beaulieu or Ana Bailao or Hema Vyas are the greatest
* Tweet after tweet reminding everyone who endorsed whom in this elections (even if the endorsements came at the last minute or from predictably partisan sources like the Liberal Toronto Star or the NDP Spacing or Now sites)
* Candidates standing outside busy subway stations in the cold rain trying to buttonhole voters who rush by heads bowed, their body language saying 'leave me alone'
What a strange thing an election campaign is!
10 months for candidates to get out their platform, be seen and heard. Some 70 debates for the Mayors (with not much new said after the first one) and 8 opportunities for voters in ward 18 to get out and see candidates. I hesitate to call them 8 "debates" because the first 6 were really coming out parties where everyone was oh-so-Canadian and polite. It wasn't until the 7th gathering - the on air live Rogers TV debate, "The Local Campaign" where any fireworks ensued and any attempts were made by candidates to challenge competitors' platforms. The very last debate ended with a vitriolic attack and the words, "...You lying bitch!" after some equally testy moments.
Throughout this campaign, everything has been defined by the MEDIA, not the candidates or the voters' wants. Big news media from the beginning told us there were only a handful of people running for Mayor, and we all watched as they self-destructed or dropped out one by one due to poor polling - usually an indication no one is interested in them. Yet, big news media kept the field restricted as it shrank to what most Torontonians think are choices between disasterous, terrible and least worst.
------
PREDICTABLE PREDICTIONS ?
In the local ward 18 campaign, Ana Bailao bought the election from even before day one. She lined up all her Liberal ducks and donors, raised at least twice the maximum expense limit and proceeded to deluge ward 18 mailboxes with expensive and glitzy multi-colour flyers, brochures, cards and letters. Of all the candidates, she must have done at least 20 mailings per household, judging by the mailboxes at my place. Ana used her big red Liberal machine to its maximum capacity and had kids erecting election signs before the start date/time and made sure her campaign was seen everywhere by the important people. She used the Portugese ethnic card to maximum advantage (possibly even exceeding use of resources, a la Senso) and got everyone to buy in that Ana is the only community activist and city builder worth paying attention to. She is the Goliath in the ward, but it will come with a price when she is elected: favours requires payback. Developers are 'partying hardy'over her positioning and licking their lips in anticipation. If she doesn't win this, I'll be surprised.
The likely second runner-up, Kevin Beaulieu, never really let himself be known to those that didn't already know him. As the NDP 'medium-big' party machine choice, his campaign seems terribly tightly controlled by backroom politicos and co-campaign managers. getting (and proudly proclaiming) both Adam Giambrone and Mayor Miller endorsements likely will hurt more than help him in a divided ward with pockets of real hate-ons for the Miller-Giambrone twins. During the campaign, I've learned Kevin does have a solid grasp of details of how city hall works, and likely some creative ideas of his own, but alas - his soul belongs to the NDP as much as Ana's belongs to the Liberals. If Kevin wins this, I'll be (slightly) less worried for ward 18.
Who comes in third or 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th,11th, 12th (Ward 18 can never say they didn't have choices!) is a toss-up.
While Hema Vyas is liked and loved by the Maytree-cultural-diversity-fixer lobby, as an individual she has not yet stood up to challenges. In a Metro Morning radio interview she admitted to being scared of debates. Not bad in itself as all candidates who are human have a twinge of fear at being in the spotlight, but in my view she has not performed well in challenging situations. Having seen countless council debates, our political representative has to have the warrior beast in them to stand up for the ward and for their principles. She needs a lot of seasoning; a campaign is not just about reading a resume or a list of endorsements.
Frank de Jong is probably the most comfortable campaigner I have ever met. I suppose he should be given his 13 or so runs at office at all levels and his stint as President of the Green Party, but I got a really good sense of him as a person. He really is WYSIWYG : "What You See Is What You Get" - a genuine person comfortable in his own skin and happy with himself. Would he ever get elected, I'm pretty sure voters would re-elect him and be happy with his work. Why he can't break the ice is a puzzle to me.
Kirk Russell is an enigma to me. He seems the dark horse candidate in the race. A serious contender, he went all out with e-signs, campaign office and web presence and was smart enough to get himself a Portugese speaking campaign manager with a lot of street smarts. Yet, although he seems to have a major problem with Ana Bailao (youtube videos calling her a liar, always on the scene when Ana did something scandalous or bordering on it) - he appears to be a fellow Liberal in many aspects of his candidacy. Contrast this with his last minute support of Rob Ford for Mayor (huh ?) and I really wonder what his game plan was. A nice guy whom I admire, but still don't get. Ana Bailao is being mostly slagged for her ties to the development and construction industry - yet Kirk is IN that industry?
Joe MacDonald was a relative latecomer to the campaign and his beginning presence was only felt in the Big on Bloor Festival in the summer. Despite his many protestations that he is not a 'career politician' or part of the big NDP party machine, he is really exactly that. Just because the party chose to back Kevin rather than him doesn't negate that he was in the inner power circles of the Big Bob Rae NDP government. His self-proclaimed credentials tells us he was involved in many party campaigns. What he has contributed to this campaign most positively is an intelligent and experienced-backed knowledge of what it takes to be a political representative. He has honestly spoken about his views and challenged other candidates. What is unfortunate was his attacks on Hema Vyas for not living in the ward she wants to represent and questioning her motives for running in ward 18. It wasn't the challenge, which was fair, it was the way and tone in which he delivered it. He probably lost himself a lot of potential support there. His e-signs were very underplayed with muted purple on white but his website was professional and well done.
Doug Carroll is someone who was clear on the area of the campaign he wanted to contribute to: the process of government and city-building. He is an articulate man with a depth of understanding that at times was amazing. He didn't really campaign in the same way as the election-sign-proven-candidates above, didn't really have a website to speak of, or any campaign literature I saw - yet he still made a significant positive impact on the quality of debate.
NHA LE is persistent, I'll give him that, but not much else. He's run a few times before, getting about 250 votes and although he has real English language communication problems, he impressed me as sincere about his wants for ward 18. I just never got a good handle on what those were. That he lives outside the ward, is a card carying Liberal and proud to have been working and mentored by Tony Ruprecht, the do-nothing Liberal MPP for Davenport makes me automatically reject him. His recent promise to cut down trees on Lansdowne to beautify it was a killer too.
Abdirazak Elmi was about the strangest candidate I've ever run into. Opening his introduction at the last debate with "I have two wives...." says it all. Although I stress that he did at least try - he spent his own money on flyers and delivered them, he could never have won. He lives WAY outside the ward, only jumped in here because it was a non-incumbent ward and Mammoliti had dropped out of the mayor race and returned to the ward he was originally going to run in. He has zero understanding of what is going on in ward 18 and was constantly calling me to ask about how he should campaign. A nice guy, but very confused about elections here.
Joanna Teliatnik is perhaps the second strangest candidate I've run into. She joined at the last minute, lives way out at Kipling and 401 and - told me she was "trying to run a campaign under the radar" when I met her campaigning on my street. Over coffee I got the impression she was a career bureaucrat who wanted to change things, but didn't know how. Why she ran here, I'll never know.
Mohammed Muhit had better get last place in votes! He was absolutely invisible in the ward, although I discovered his email address and that he lived a few streets over from Joe MacDonald in the ward. Zero campaigning, no literature, no show at debates, no response to any news media enquiries. Why?
------
KEN WOOD - I'll leave it to others to describe or remember me in this election.
All I know is that when I first registered to run 20 minutes before we knew if Giambrone would run in the ward or for mayor, what I wanted was:
1. To See Adam Giambrone out of office (Thanks, Adam)
2. To have an impact on the issues and nature of the debate in the ward
3. To offer a real choice to voters of someone truly independent
4. To contribute to increasing voter response and turnout
5. To test myself to see if I could be more than what I was
-----
Whatever happens on Monday, I hope the results are conclusive and the winner remembers that:
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER
Monday, October 18, 2010
WHO FUNDS WHO in Ward 18
DONOR LISTS PROMISED BY WARD18 CITY COUNCILLOR CANDIDATES - TIME'S UP !
Back on September 29, 2010 during a live TV debate broadcast by Rogers Cable 10, "The Local Campaign", a caller asked for candidates to reveal their donor lists one week before election day.
Although this was prompted by caller Scott Dobson's complaint that Liberal Ana Bailao's past donors raised questions (published on Junction Triangle residents' website: http://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/441#comment-2202 ) that Ms Bailao was indebted to the powerful construction industry lobby, primarily from outside the ward, the debate host, Dale Goldhawk extended the question to all the candidates. Unanimously, we all agreed to reveal our donor lists one week prior to election day.
Well... voting day is a week away now, so here is the information promised by your candidates:
Note: Final reports will show individual candidate filing fee of $100 each, not included below.
The Maximum Expense Limit for any candidate is
$ 28,747.30 for running in ward 18 (city bases on number of eligible voters x x cents)
-----------------
* KEN WOOD, residing at 355 Lansdowne Avenue in ward18: Dan McAran (Toronto); Sam Galati (Toronto); George Lee (Toronto); Linda Lamb (Ottawa - my sister) and Ken Wood (Toronto). As I said on in the debates, I am running a "Poor Person's Campaign" and do not have big party machine backing - or favours to repay. I am as independent as I can be. My money raised amounts to less than $1,000.
In addition, I promised to say who has my support for the mayoral race: I voted in the Advance Poll yesterday for: HIMY SYED - the why is explained in a previous post
* NHA LE, residing at 23 Sullivan Street in ward 20: Said at the last Oct 14 debate that he has accepted no monies from anyone else and is completely financing his campaign himself. No amounts divulged.
* ANA BAILAO, residing? at 9 Southview Avenue in ward 18 (parents' home?): posted on her website at 9pm Mon Oct 18: http://www.anabailao.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=97&Itemid=83 Home page has a clear button saying "Donor Disclosure" on main website. List shows name (no location) and amounts given. 35 people gave the maximum allowable $750 donation, 1= $650; 1 = $550; 32 = $500; 2= $350; 20= $300; 8= $250; 5 = $150; 18 = $100; 1 = $80; 1 = $75; 7 = $50; 1 = $40; 1 = $30; 4 = $25; 1 = $20.
TOTAL = $ 56,395 (feel free to check my figures on Ana's website)
* KEVIN BEAULIEU, residing at 593 Gladstone Avenue in ward18: Posted on his website at 9:40pm: http://kevinbeaulieu.ca/donate Click to see list of those who contributed $100 or more. No amounts divulged, but Kevin says the list of 98 people (no locations given) represents 92% of those who donated to the campaign. Message is that he also has another 8% who gave less than $100.
* DOUG CARROLL, residing at 46 Boustead Avenue in ward14 (very close): Sent email at 11:32am Oct 19 (one day late): " Hi folks. I have no campaign donors. My few expenses were paid out-of-pocket - about $250. I'll post details on my site later today" http://www.dougcarroll.ca/
? FRANK de JONG, residing at 23 St. Helen's Avenue in ward 18: Broken promise, no list of donors released.
? ABDIRAZAK ELMI, residing at 275 Shuter Street in ward28 (east of Yonge): Broken promise, no list of donors released.
* JOE MacDONALD, residing at 34 Pauline Avenue in ward18: Released list at 12:19pm Oct 19 (one day late): Link here http://joemacw18.ca/site/ Lists 46 people on main home page, including Howard Hampton. (no locations given) No amounts divulged.
* MOHAMMED MUHIT, residing at 667 Brock in ward 18: (note - was not at any debates and made no promise to reveal list of donors)
* KIRK RUSSELL, residing at 34 Edna in ward 14? (just other side of CN tracks): Posted on his website at 9:49pm: http://www.voteforkirk.ca/donors-kirk-russell-movement No amounts divulged, but shows a list of 28 donors (no locations given).
* JOANNA TELIATNIK, residing at 11 Michael Power Place in ward 5 (near Kipling and 401) - (note: was not at any debates and made no promise to reveal list of donors)
* HEMA VYAS, residing at 54 Alhambra in ward 14 (other side of Roncesvalles): Advised at 10:31pm she had posted on website since this afternoon: http://hemavyas.ca/donate.html Can click to see who has donated $100 or more to her campaign = 33 people (no locations given) and No Amounts Divulged.
--------------------
Wondering when, where and IF candidates will publish donor lists and keep their public promises..... It's good for Davenport voters to know who backs the candidates, because...
Back on September 29, 2010 during a live TV debate broadcast by Rogers Cable 10, "The Local Campaign", a caller asked for candidates to reveal their donor lists one week before election day.
Although this was prompted by caller Scott Dobson's complaint that Liberal Ana Bailao's past donors raised questions (published on Junction Triangle residents' website: http://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/441#comment-2202 ) that Ms Bailao was indebted to the powerful construction industry lobby, primarily from outside the ward, the debate host, Dale Goldhawk extended the question to all the candidates. Unanimously, we all agreed to reveal our donor lists one week prior to election day.
Well... voting day is a week away now, so here is the information promised by your candidates:
Note: Final reports will show individual candidate filing fee of $100 each, not included below.
The Maximum Expense Limit for any candidate is
$ 28,747.30 for running in ward 18 (city bases on number of eligible voters x x cents)
-----------------
* KEN WOOD, residing at 355 Lansdowne Avenue in ward18: Dan McAran (Toronto); Sam Galati (Toronto); George Lee (Toronto); Linda Lamb (Ottawa - my sister) and Ken Wood (Toronto). As I said on in the debates, I am running a "Poor Person's Campaign" and do not have big party machine backing - or favours to repay. I am as independent as I can be. My money raised amounts to less than $1,000.
In addition, I promised to say who has my support for the mayoral race: I voted in the Advance Poll yesterday for: HIMY SYED - the why is explained in a previous post
* NHA LE, residing at 23 Sullivan Street in ward 20: Said at the last Oct 14 debate that he has accepted no monies from anyone else and is completely financing his campaign himself. No amounts divulged.
* ANA BAILAO, residing? at 9 Southview Avenue in ward 18 (parents' home?): posted on her website at 9pm Mon Oct 18: http://www.anabailao.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=97&Itemid=83 Home page has a clear button saying "Donor Disclosure" on main website. List shows name (no location) and amounts given. 35 people gave the maximum allowable $750 donation, 1= $650; 1 = $550; 32 = $500; 2= $350; 20= $300; 8= $250; 5 = $150; 18 = $100; 1 = $80; 1 = $75; 7 = $50; 1 = $40; 1 = $30; 4 = $25; 1 = $20.
TOTAL = $ 56,395 (feel free to check my figures on Ana's website)
* KEVIN BEAULIEU, residing at 593 Gladstone Avenue in ward18: Posted on his website at 9:40pm: http://kevinbeaulieu.ca/donate Click to see list of those who contributed $100 or more. No amounts divulged, but Kevin says the list of 98 people (no locations given) represents 92% of those who donated to the campaign. Message is that he also has another 8% who gave less than $100.
* DOUG CARROLL, residing at 46 Boustead Avenue in ward14 (very close): Sent email at 11:32am Oct 19 (one day late): " Hi folks. I have no campaign donors. My few expenses were paid out-of-pocket - about $250. I'll post details on my site later today" http://www.dougcarroll.ca/
? FRANK de JONG, residing at 23 St. Helen's Avenue in ward 18: Broken promise, no list of donors released.
? ABDIRAZAK ELMI, residing at 275 Shuter Street in ward28 (east of Yonge): Broken promise, no list of donors released.
* JOE MacDONALD, residing at 34 Pauline Avenue in ward18: Released list at 12:19pm Oct 19 (one day late): Link here http://joemacw18.ca/site/ Lists 46 people on main home page, including Howard Hampton. (no locations given) No amounts divulged.
* MOHAMMED MUHIT, residing at 667 Brock in ward 18: (note - was not at any debates and made no promise to reveal list of donors)
* KIRK RUSSELL, residing at 34 Edna in ward 14? (just other side of CN tracks): Posted on his website at 9:49pm: http://www.voteforkirk.ca/donors-kirk-russell-movement No amounts divulged, but shows a list of 28 donors (no locations given).
* JOANNA TELIATNIK, residing at 11 Michael Power Place in ward 5 (near Kipling and 401) - (note: was not at any debates and made no promise to reveal list of donors)
* HEMA VYAS, residing at 54 Alhambra in ward 14 (other side of Roncesvalles): Advised at 10:31pm she had posted on website since this afternoon: http://hemavyas.ca/donate.html Can click to see who has donated $100 or more to her campaign = 33 people (no locations given) and No Amounts Divulged.
--------------------
Wondering when, where and IF candidates will publish donor lists and keep their public promises..... It's good for Davenport voters to know who backs the candidates, because...
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER
Friday, October 15, 2010
Endorsements Tell a Lot About the Candidates
The Company You Keep Betrays Your Character - And Your Allegiances
As the final post-debate days wind down to voting day on October 25, we see a flurry of endorsements and testimonials and recommendations to vote for this or that candidate from some well-connected politicians and lobby groups.
In my opinion, what is most telling is where a candidate's support comes from, and that the character of the person giving the support is inevitably tied in with the character of the person they praise. As well, the people who endorse you almost always come with a price: future loyalty should you win the seat.
Cases in point: The two media-chosen front-runners
Ana Bailao: Endorsed by = Cesar Palacio, ward 17 - who is a Liberal; Vic Dhillon, Brampton - who is a Liberal; Charles Sousa, Mississauga - who is a Liberal; Peter Fonseca, Mississauga - who is a Liberal; Mario Silva, her former boss when he was city councillor - whio is a Liberal; Frances Nunziata, ward 13 - who is the sister to former Liberal John Nunziata; Dyan Marie - who isn't sure which party she belongs to since she also endorsed Kevin Beaulieu (keeping her future art grant options open, I guess). Do you sense a trend here? Yet Ana refuses to say who she endorses for Mayor: Liberal George Smitherman, Conservative Rob Ford or NDP Joe Pantalone. Hard to believe, isn't it? *Update: Both George Smitherman and Ana are endorsed by The Toronto Star on October 18th. Oh yes, The Star is a Liberal paper
Kevin Beaulieu: Endorsed by - Adam Giambrone, David Miller, Gord Perks, Adam Vaughan, - all NDP or part of the left wing Miller voting block in the last council. At least Kevin is consistent - he states his support for NDP Mayor Joe Pantalone. Also strongly endorsed by NDP left-leaning NOW magazine.
From my perspective, there is no need to weigh the endorsements of either candidate. If either wins, they will come into office day one with baggage, and can be expected to toe the line voting with either of the party's preferences. Voters can choose from a Liberal ignoring the ward or an NDP ignoring the ward. Some choice.
OR - they can choose from anyone else who will not have the baggage coming into office, and maybe, just maybe - they won't ignore the ward.
I hope voters don't get sucked in by big party promises yet again, because....
As the final post-debate days wind down to voting day on October 25, we see a flurry of endorsements and testimonials and recommendations to vote for this or that candidate from some well-connected politicians and lobby groups.
In my opinion, what is most telling is where a candidate's support comes from, and that the character of the person giving the support is inevitably tied in with the character of the person they praise. As well, the people who endorse you almost always come with a price: future loyalty should you win the seat.
Cases in point: The two media-chosen front-runners
Ana Bailao: Endorsed by = Cesar Palacio, ward 17 - who is a Liberal; Vic Dhillon, Brampton - who is a Liberal; Charles Sousa, Mississauga - who is a Liberal; Peter Fonseca, Mississauga - who is a Liberal; Mario Silva, her former boss when he was city councillor - whio is a Liberal; Frances Nunziata, ward 13 - who is the sister to former Liberal John Nunziata; Dyan Marie - who isn't sure which party she belongs to since she also endorsed Kevin Beaulieu (keeping her future art grant options open, I guess). Do you sense a trend here? Yet Ana refuses to say who she endorses for Mayor: Liberal George Smitherman, Conservative Rob Ford or NDP Joe Pantalone. Hard to believe, isn't it? *Update: Both George Smitherman and Ana are endorsed by The Toronto Star on October 18th. Oh yes, The Star is a Liberal paper
Kevin Beaulieu: Endorsed by - Adam Giambrone, David Miller, Gord Perks, Adam Vaughan, - all NDP or part of the left wing Miller voting block in the last council. At least Kevin is consistent - he states his support for NDP Mayor Joe Pantalone. Also strongly endorsed by NDP left-leaning NOW magazine.
From my perspective, there is no need to weigh the endorsements of either candidate. If either wins, they will come into office day one with baggage, and can be expected to toe the line voting with either of the party's preferences. Voters can choose from a Liberal ignoring the ward or an NDP ignoring the ward. Some choice.
OR - they can choose from anyone else who will not have the baggage coming into office, and maybe, just maybe - they won't ignore the ward.
I hope voters don't get sucked in by big party promises yet again, because....
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Last Ward18 Debate and - Another Scandal ?
"Scandal to Handle" This Time Belongs to Kevin Beaulieu ?
Just got home from a spiritied, sometimes vicious debate and find this tidbit on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MTSG0pr0-g Titled Kevin Beaulieu Campaign: Caught Red-Handed shows 42 seconds of what looks like very young Kevin supporters getting caught taking other candidates literature as they drop their own?
Unverified - you be the judge. ( rbmorra on Twitter posted the link. )
It's got to be hard when the two media-chosen frontrunners have such (seemingly) immature youth doing their utmost to help their star win. (Ana was in trouble for her team getting caught putting up election signs too early). I guess hero/heroine worship can go too far...
----
72 Perth Church of the Firstborn Debate Held tonight
Too tired right now, will post more tomorrow..
*Update: Covered by Toronto Observer: http://www.torontoobserver.ca/2010/10/15/residents-demand-greater-attention-from-ward-18-candidates/ who seem to think only 4 candidates are running - there are 12. (sigh..)
10 Candidates who attended: Abdirazak Elmi; Ana Bailao; Doug Carroll; Frank de Jong; Hema Vyas; Joe MacDonald; Ken Wood; Kevin Beaulieu; Kirk Russell; Nha Le. (the way they were seated from left to right frfom audience perspective).
Missing and have not attended ANY of the 8 debates held:
Mohammed Muhit; Joanna Teliatnik.
From my recollection, here's the short and sweet:
35 or so audience, Most of the 12 candidates there, Detailed audience questions, several bouts of fireworks and passionate accusations and rebuttals, sometimes like a World Wrestling Matchup, a few choice swearwords, people really got to see their choices under fire (some more than others) - covered by various social media types...
ended with most making nice at Zocalos over a brew or coffee.
Surreal in a way but comforting to be reminded every one of the candidates are real people underneath with something to contribute... I'm hopeful for ward18's future with such substance....
*Update: Here's what did NOT happen at the debate.... (maybe we can all learn something from them)
Just got home from a spiritied, sometimes vicious debate and find this tidbit on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MTSG0pr0-g Titled Kevin Beaulieu Campaign: Caught Red-Handed shows 42 seconds of what looks like very young Kevin supporters getting caught taking other candidates literature as they drop their own?
Unverified - you be the judge. ( rbmorra on Twitter posted the link. )
It's got to be hard when the two media-chosen frontrunners have such (seemingly) immature youth doing their utmost to help their star win. (Ana was in trouble for her team getting caught putting up election signs too early). I guess hero/heroine worship can go too far...
----
72 Perth Church of the Firstborn Debate Held tonight
Too tired right now, will post more tomorrow..
*Update: Covered by Toronto Observer: http://www.torontoobserver.ca/2010/10/15/residents-demand-greater-attention-from-ward-18-candidates/ who seem to think only 4 candidates are running - there are 12. (sigh..)
10 Candidates who attended: Abdirazak Elmi; Ana Bailao; Doug Carroll; Frank de Jong; Hema Vyas; Joe MacDonald; Ken Wood; Kevin Beaulieu; Kirk Russell; Nha Le. (the way they were seated from left to right frfom audience perspective).
Missing and have not attended ANY of the 8 debates held:
Mohammed Muhit; Joanna Teliatnik.
From my recollection, here's the short and sweet:
35 or so audience, Most of the 12 candidates there, Detailed audience questions, several bouts of fireworks and passionate accusations and rebuttals, sometimes like a World Wrestling Matchup, a few choice swearwords, people really got to see their choices under fire (some more than others) - covered by various social media types...
ended with most making nice at Zocalos over a brew or coffee.
Surreal in a way but comforting to be reminded every one of the candidates are real people underneath with something to contribute... I'm hopeful for ward18's future with such substance....
*Update: Here's what did NOT happen at the debate.... (maybe we can all learn something from them)
Please vote for Me.......
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Does it Matter if a Candidate Lives in the Ward or Not?
Where Ward 18 City Councillor Candidates Live:
(I checked into their publicly available qualifying addresses on their registration forms at Toronto Elections. City Hall, shows date of registration)
Ana BAILAO = 9 Southview Avenue M6H 1T3 January 27, 2010
* YES lives in ward 18 near Dovercourt Park.
Kevin BEAULIEU = 593 Gladstone Avenue M6H 1T3 April 28, 2010
* YES lives in ward 18 just north of Gladstone Library
- Doug CARROLL = 46 Boustead Avenue M6R 1Y9 May 27, 2010
* NO lives in ward 14 High Park the other side of Roncesvalles
Frank de JONG = 210 St. Helens Avenue M6H 4A3 April 23, 2010
* YES lives in ward 18 near MacGregor Park
- Abdirazak ELMI = 275 Shuter Street M5T 1B8 July 14, 2010
* NO lives in ward 28 the other side of Moss Park east of Yonge, Jarvis
- Nha LE = 23 Sullivan Street M5T 1B8 January 5, 2010
* NO lives in ward 20 near Grange Park east of Spadina
Joe MacDONALD = 34 Pauline Avenue M6H 3M8 ?
* YES lives in ward 18 just northwest of Gladstone Library
Mohammed MUHIT = 667 Brock Avenue M6H 3P1 June 11, 2010
* YES lives in ward 18 just northwest of Gladstone Library (close to Joe)
Kirk RUSSELL = 433 Jarvis Street M4Y 2G9 ?
* YES lived in ward 27 near Allan Gardens, east of Yonge when papers filed, but now lives in ward18 on Edna (updated after talking to Kirk)
- Joanna TELIATNIK = 11 Michael Power Place M9A 5G3 ?
* NO lives in ward 5 near Kipling and the 401
- Hema VYAS = 54 Alhambra Avenue M6R 2S6 February 9, 2010
* NO lives in ward 14 High Park the other side of Roncesvalles
Ken WOOD = 355 Lansdowne Avenue M6H 3Y2 September 10, 2010
* Yes lives in ward 18 across from West Toronto at College & Lansdowne
-----
This interest was sparked by the National Post article by Peter Kuitenbrouwer of October 12th called " Representation From the Outside " http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/10/12/peter-kuitenbrouwer-representation-from-the-outside/ as wells as by residents and candidates wondering where other candidates actually live.
Of the 35 incumbent councillors seeking re-election, about ONE THIRD do not live in the wards they represent. People like: Gord Perks, Adam Vaughan, Cesar Palacio, Giorgio Mammoliti, Shelley Carroll and more.
Many voters are not aware that anyone can run in their wards, even if they don't live there.
(I checked into their publicly available qualifying addresses on their registration forms at Toronto Elections. City Hall, shows date of registration)
Ana BAILAO = 9 Southview Avenue M6H 1T3 January 27, 2010
* YES lives in ward 18 near Dovercourt Park.
Kevin BEAULIEU = 593 Gladstone Avenue M6H 1T3 April 28, 2010
* YES lives in ward 18 just north of Gladstone Library
- Doug CARROLL = 46 Boustead Avenue M6R 1Y9 May 27, 2010
* NO lives in ward 14 High Park the other side of Roncesvalles
Frank de JONG = 210 St. Helens Avenue M6H 4A3 April 23, 2010
* YES lives in ward 18 near MacGregor Park
- Abdirazak ELMI = 275 Shuter Street M5T 1B8 July 14, 2010
* NO lives in ward 28 the other side of Moss Park east of Yonge, Jarvis
- Nha LE = 23 Sullivan Street M5T 1B8 January 5, 2010
* NO lives in ward 20 near Grange Park east of Spadina
Joe MacDONALD = 34 Pauline Avenue M6H 3M8 ?
* YES lives in ward 18 just northwest of Gladstone Library
Mohammed MUHIT = 667 Brock Avenue M6H 3P1 June 11, 2010
* YES lives in ward 18 just northwest of Gladstone Library (close to Joe)
Kirk RUSSELL = 433 Jarvis Street M4Y 2G9 ?
* YES lived in ward 27 near Allan Gardens, east of Yonge when papers filed, but now lives in ward18 on Edna (updated after talking to Kirk)
- Joanna TELIATNIK = 11 Michael Power Place M9A 5G3 ?
* NO lives in ward 5 near Kipling and the 401
- Hema VYAS = 54 Alhambra Avenue M6R 2S6 February 9, 2010
* NO lives in ward 14 High Park the other side of Roncesvalles
Ken WOOD = 355 Lansdowne Avenue M6H 3Y2 September 10, 2010
* Yes lives in ward 18 across from West Toronto at College & Lansdowne
-----
This interest was sparked by the National Post article by Peter Kuitenbrouwer of October 12th called " Representation From the Outside " http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/10/12/peter-kuitenbrouwer-representation-from-the-outside/ as wells as by residents and candidates wondering where other candidates actually live.
Of the 35 incumbent councillors seeking re-election, about ONE THIRD do not live in the wards they represent. People like: Gord Perks, Adam Vaughan, Cesar Palacio, Giorgio Mammoliti, Shelley Carroll and more.
Many voters are not aware that anyone can run in their wards, even if they don't live there.
Rules do not require council candidates to live in Toronto, let alone their wards
---
One point of impact on this is our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which specifies MOBILITY rights: http://www.charterofrights.ca/en/15_00_01 which may be why election laws are the way they are...
---
Still would it be right to have a ward 18 City Councillor who lives in, say, Barrie ?
Is this something that needs to be changed? Or just something voters have a right to know?
I guess voters will be the judge of it all in the end. Information that is good to know because
---
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Election Signs Confusing?
ELECTION SIGNS - ANOTHER VIEWPOINT
Maybe because I, like most Torontonians, have suddenly seen so many big, small, coloured, creative and bland election signs of late - I've been thinking a lot about them.
In the Ward 19 debate I attended a while ago, one resident was really angry that Mike Layton (son of Jack in Ottawa) had on a corner of his sign: Re-Elect Chris Bolton School Trustee. His point was that people saying okay for a Layton sign were not asked about incumbent Chris Bolton (who was in some trouble of his own, having used school children to send campaign literature home).
The more I though about this the angrier I became. I think its because it is clearly underhanded and does not respect the right of voters to choose. Or - perhaps it is the sense of entitlement Mr Layton exercises even though he is not yet elected. Or both.
I also think of the little CBC Toronto news snippet done a week or so ago in which they talk about the sudden proliferation of signs, using ward 18 as an example. They spoke with Hema Vyas (who has a link on her website that seems dead now * ) who appeared proud of the fact her signs were out there, as well as Frank de Jong, who commented as a seasoned politician that in the home stretch it is an important sign to voters that a candidate has widespread support.
* Here is a better link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eE8cU0UnFI
The telling downside of this was that the CBC news reporter interviewed a woman who had a sign on her lawn and asked "Will you be voting for that person?" Her reply was, "I will vote, for sure not for him!" (no mention or view of which him it was.)
-----
Previous posts have dealt with whether election signs really work http://davenportdemocracy.blogspot.com/2010/10/election-signs.html ...
-----
But today I am wondering if they are sensible. Certainly there is the environmental arguments to consider... This Star story talks about an eco-conscious ward 16 Beaches candidate, Sheila Cary-Meagher, who goes to creative lengths to try to make e-signs useful after e-day: http://www.thestar.com/news/elections/article/874190--election-ephemera-candidate-attacks-himself
I've seen comments on a lot of sites where people suggest outright banning of election signs.
What are we saying as candidates to voters when we just put BIG NAMES on their lawn with nothing else, except perhaps a colour choice (Liberal RED, NDP Orange, Green - Green, Conservative - BLUE - except for some strange reason, NDPers Layton and Beaulieu?). Are we just thinking voters can be programmed if we just pound our names into their heads over and over and over and... you get the picture. Where is the respect for voters?
Some do have slogans, but pretty meaningless ones when you think of it:
Committed to Our Community (you'd better be if you want my vote)
Change for the Better (Rob Davis in Moscoe's old ward - prove it I say)
Works With Us, Works For Us (Isn't that a given for the job?)
and even my own, which is at least a hope: Davenport Deserves Better
There is not a lot of pertinent information given out on e-signs.
Maybe they should be banned - or at least better controlled.
We should also remember that with the city campaign contributions rebate program, 3 out of 4 signs you see for any candidate are likely paid for by taxpayers. Is it right that citizens should pay for candidates to get name recognition? Often a local candidate is just building recognition for another office at more senior levels. Or to get more business connections.
Thinking about it all confuses me. Are we confusingvoters too?
*Update: Here's a wonderful YouTube video that shows some greart post-election uses for all those election signs: http://tinyurl.com/2besre9 (My personal favourite is the frisbee)
Maybe because I, like most Torontonians, have suddenly seen so many big, small, coloured, creative and bland election signs of late - I've been thinking a lot about them.
In the Ward 19 debate I attended a while ago, one resident was really angry that Mike Layton (son of Jack in Ottawa) had on a corner of his sign: Re-Elect Chris Bolton School Trustee. His point was that people saying okay for a Layton sign were not asked about incumbent Chris Bolton (who was in some trouble of his own, having used school children to send campaign literature home).
The more I though about this the angrier I became. I think its because it is clearly underhanded and does not respect the right of voters to choose. Or - perhaps it is the sense of entitlement Mr Layton exercises even though he is not yet elected. Or both.
I also think of the little CBC Toronto news snippet done a week or so ago in which they talk about the sudden proliferation of signs, using ward 18 as an example. They spoke with Hema Vyas (who has a link on her website that seems dead now * ) who appeared proud of the fact her signs were out there, as well as Frank de Jong, who commented as a seasoned politician that in the home stretch it is an important sign to voters that a candidate has widespread support.
* Here is a better link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eE8cU0UnFI
The telling downside of this was that the CBC news reporter interviewed a woman who had a sign on her lawn and asked "Will you be voting for that person?" Her reply was, "I will vote, for sure not for him!" (no mention or view of which him it was.)
-----
Previous posts have dealt with whether election signs really work http://davenportdemocracy.blogspot.com/2010/10/election-signs.html ...
-----
But today I am wondering if they are sensible. Certainly there is the environmental arguments to consider... This Star story talks about an eco-conscious ward 16 Beaches candidate, Sheila Cary-Meagher, who goes to creative lengths to try to make e-signs useful after e-day: http://www.thestar.com/news/elections/article/874190--election-ephemera-candidate-attacks-himself
I've seen comments on a lot of sites where people suggest outright banning of election signs.
What are we saying as candidates to voters when we just put BIG NAMES on their lawn with nothing else, except perhaps a colour choice (Liberal RED, NDP Orange, Green - Green, Conservative - BLUE - except for some strange reason, NDPers Layton and Beaulieu?). Are we just thinking voters can be programmed if we just pound our names into their heads over and over and over and... you get the picture. Where is the respect for voters?
Some do have slogans, but pretty meaningless ones when you think of it:
Committed to Our Community (you'd better be if you want my vote)
Change for the Better (Rob Davis in Moscoe's old ward - prove it I say)
Works With Us, Works For Us (Isn't that a given for the job?)
and even my own, which is at least a hope: Davenport Deserves Better
There is not a lot of pertinent information given out on e-signs.
Maybe they should be banned - or at least better controlled.
We should also remember that with the city campaign contributions rebate program, 3 out of 4 signs you see for any candidate are likely paid for by taxpayers. Is it right that citizens should pay for candidates to get name recognition? Often a local candidate is just building recognition for another office at more senior levels. Or to get more business connections.
Thinking about it all confuses me. Are we confusingvoters too?
*Update: Here's a wonderful YouTube video that shows some greart post-election uses for all those election signs: http://tinyurl.com/2besre9 (My personal favourite is the frisbee)
Sunday, October 10, 2010
WARD 18 CANDIDATE ATTENTION GETTING BETTER
SEEMS BIG MEDIA IS WIDENING ITS SCOPE ON LOCAL RACE?
The Star today did a surprisingly fair and (almost) inclusive article on the happenings in our Ward 18 Davenport: " Good bye Giambrone, Hello Anyone But... ":
http://tinyurl.com/282huqk in which they pretty much tell us the core views of 7 of the 12 candidates who are running. Here's who they did cover with my biased perceptions:
Beaulieu, Kevin - Humble, hard-working city hall insider. NDP party affiliation. Sings the 'everything is fine, be happy song'. Last job? assistant to Adam Giambrone. Not sure where he lives now..? If age is important to you, The Star called around to get them. Beaulieu is 39.
Bailao, Ana - Portugese immigrant flogging her roots and early life in the community. Trying for a comeback after she lost the 2003 election to Giambrone. Lived elsewhere until just before she registered to run again in ward18 where her parents live. Liberal party affiliation: Sings the songs as directed. Last job? Banker I believe. Age = 34.
Vyas, Hema - Public servant, proud of being an 'independent ' with no official party allegiance - except to public bureaucracies I guess. Very much a newbie to running for office, frequently reads her resume when responding to any questions. Sings the Diversity Song and hopes ward18 will warm to her even though she lives elsewhere (ward13) and, as Joe Macdonald pointed out, ward18 is her second choice. Last job in non profit sector. Age = 37.
de Jong, Frank -Most experienced political campaigner of the bunch, was recently the President of the GREEN party. Lives in ward18 and is a likeable school teacher. Avid cyclist and environmentalist, proud of being a politician, he has run 13 times for all levels of government - unsuccessfully. Resilient and optimistic. Age = 54
Wood, Ken - The low-income guy on disability trying to give back to his community. Activist type who chained himself to a tree during the Lansdowne Narrowing to fight City Hall. (He won - trees are still there). Completely independent with no party affiliation (partisan parties aren't what they used to be; now they just want power at any cost). Not working now - but not by choice. Age = 61. (so, does that mean I am the senior lobby favourite as well as the low incomers friend? Age is silly - its experience and character that count, at any age)
Russell, Kirk - Despite the liberal-red colours of his campaign, claims to be an independent. Calls his candidacy 'The Kirk Russell Movement' - an arrogant or confident statement? Owns his own construction company and his background claim to fame is working with Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club. Looking for big Dundas West BIA support as he promises the businesses $ for the Giambrone-inspired parking fiasco. Age = 34.
MacDonald, Joe -Decades of political backroom experience helping the NDP party in a variety of roles (like senior advisor to cabinet ministers), also an advanced academic (working on a Ph.D. in political science at York University). Family man living in ward18.Says he is an independent now with no NDP support. Age = 56.
The other 4 NOT MENTIONED were:
Carroll, Doug -Software developer with a great interest in governance issues. Interested in process of city governments. NDP or independent? not sure. Age = 54.
Elmi, Abdirazak -Lives in ward 7 where he was going to run for Mammoliti's empty seat, jumped to ward18 when Mammoliti came back to run. Still not sure why he is running.
Nha, Le -Liberal party member, worked for Tony Ruprecht. Ran several times for city council in ward18 getting about 250 votes each time.
Muhit, Mohammed - no idea who this is. Not campaigning. No response to emails.
Teliatnik, Joanna - Her slogan is Back to Basics and told me although she is not a career politicians, she has trained many of them from working in bureaucracies. Running a quiet door knocking campaign and has not attended any of the debates so far.
For more detail on all the platforms, in their own words, see Inside Toronto community news: http://www.insidetorontovotes.ca/wards/bloor-west-parkdale/ward-18-davenport/
I think The Star could have at least mentioned the names, but I should be happy they've gone beyond the blind choice favourites of the B&B twins ( * ) - Kevin and Ana - who can only seem to spout platitudes and jump on neighbourhood issues after the bandwagon has already pulled out.
( * ) Be like Adam Giambrone, who ignored several sectors of the ward and was too busy fulfilling his own ambitions to pay attention to constituents, or, Be like Mario Silva (former do nothing ward councillor, now do-nothing federal Liberal MP), or Tony Ruprecht (current do-nothing provincial Liberal MPP) who only shows up for photo ops then disappears to Cuba most of the year. In either case, people schooled by buzzword politico-spin speeches with no real action.
Or maybe I should call them:
Kevin the Deflector - for ducking the mistakes made by Giambrone when he was an integral part of his office as Executive Assistant and was his former Campaign Manager, while at the same time trying to take credit for improvements or successes that were pretty much the result of others in the community. Same old, same old - NDP.
Ana the Opportunist - for popping up two elections later when Giambrone self-destructed and left an open incumbent seat and for only now being seen talking aboiutDundas West BIA parking issues and thge Lansdowne Narrowing fiascos. Same old, same old - Liberal.
Please voters, when you vote look behind the easy endorsements, the meaningless words, the party ties and elect someone of substance.... but in any case, please VOTE because
The Star today did a surprisingly fair and (almost) inclusive article on the happenings in our Ward 18 Davenport: " Good bye Giambrone, Hello Anyone But... ":
http://tinyurl.com/282huqk in which they pretty much tell us the core views of 7 of the 12 candidates who are running. Here's who they did cover with my biased perceptions:
Beaulieu, Kevin - Humble, hard-working city hall insider. NDP party affiliation. Sings the 'everything is fine, be happy song'. Last job? assistant to Adam Giambrone. Not sure where he lives now..? If age is important to you, The Star called around to get them. Beaulieu is 39.
Bailao, Ana - Portugese immigrant flogging her roots and early life in the community. Trying for a comeback after she lost the 2003 election to Giambrone. Lived elsewhere until just before she registered to run again in ward18 where her parents live. Liberal party affiliation: Sings the songs as directed. Last job? Banker I believe. Age = 34.
Vyas, Hema - Public servant, proud of being an 'independent ' with no official party allegiance - except to public bureaucracies I guess. Very much a newbie to running for office, frequently reads her resume when responding to any questions. Sings the Diversity Song and hopes ward18 will warm to her even though she lives elsewhere (ward13) and, as Joe Macdonald pointed out, ward18 is her second choice. Last job in non profit sector. Age = 37.
de Jong, Frank -Most experienced political campaigner of the bunch, was recently the President of the GREEN party. Lives in ward18 and is a likeable school teacher. Avid cyclist and environmentalist, proud of being a politician, he has run 13 times for all levels of government - unsuccessfully. Resilient and optimistic. Age = 54
Wood, Ken - The low-income guy on disability trying to give back to his community. Activist type who chained himself to a tree during the Lansdowne Narrowing to fight City Hall. (He won - trees are still there). Completely independent with no party affiliation (partisan parties aren't what they used to be; now they just want power at any cost). Not working now - but not by choice. Age = 61. (so, does that mean I am the senior lobby favourite as well as the low incomers friend? Age is silly - its experience and character that count, at any age)
Russell, Kirk - Despite the liberal-red colours of his campaign, claims to be an independent. Calls his candidacy 'The Kirk Russell Movement' - an arrogant or confident statement? Owns his own construction company and his background claim to fame is working with Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club. Looking for big Dundas West BIA support as he promises the businesses $ for the Giambrone-inspired parking fiasco. Age = 34.
MacDonald, Joe -Decades of political backroom experience helping the NDP party in a variety of roles (like senior advisor to cabinet ministers), also an advanced academic (working on a Ph.D. in political science at York University). Family man living in ward18.Says he is an independent now with no NDP support. Age = 56.
The other 4 NOT MENTIONED were:
Carroll, Doug -Software developer with a great interest in governance issues. Interested in process of city governments. NDP or independent? not sure. Age = 54.
Elmi, Abdirazak -Lives in ward 7 where he was going to run for Mammoliti's empty seat, jumped to ward18 when Mammoliti came back to run. Still not sure why he is running.
Nha, Le -Liberal party member, worked for Tony Ruprecht. Ran several times for city council in ward18 getting about 250 votes each time.
Muhit, Mohammed - no idea who this is. Not campaigning. No response to emails.
Teliatnik, Joanna - Her slogan is Back to Basics and told me although she is not a career politicians, she has trained many of them from working in bureaucracies. Running a quiet door knocking campaign and has not attended any of the debates so far.
For more detail on all the platforms, in their own words, see Inside Toronto community news: http://www.insidetorontovotes.ca/wards/bloor-west-parkdale/ward-18-davenport/
I think The Star could have at least mentioned the names, but I should be happy they've gone beyond the blind choice favourites of the B&B twins ( * ) - Kevin and Ana - who can only seem to spout platitudes and jump on neighbourhood issues after the bandwagon has already pulled out.
( * ) Be like Adam Giambrone, who ignored several sectors of the ward and was too busy fulfilling his own ambitions to pay attention to constituents, or, Be like Mario Silva (former do nothing ward councillor, now do-nothing federal Liberal MP), or Tony Ruprecht (current do-nothing provincial Liberal MPP) who only shows up for photo ops then disappears to Cuba most of the year. In either case, people schooled by buzzword politico-spin speeches with no real action.
Or maybe I should call them:
Kevin the Deflector - for ducking the mistakes made by Giambrone when he was an integral part of his office as Executive Assistant and was his former Campaign Manager, while at the same time trying to take credit for improvements or successes that were pretty much the result of others in the community. Same old, same old - NDP.
Ana the Opportunist - for popping up two elections later when Giambrone self-destructed and left an open incumbent seat and for only now being seen talking aboiutDundas West BIA parking issues and thge Lansdowne Narrowing fiascos. Same old, same old - Liberal.
Please voters, when you vote look behind the easy endorsements, the meaningless words, the party ties and elect someone of substance.... but in any case, please VOTE because
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER
Friday, October 8, 2010
GOOD CHOICES HIDDEN FROM VOTERS
BIG MEDIA AT FAULT FOR FRUSTRATING MAYORAL RACE
... and Poor Understanding of Local Ward Races
Eyeweekly.com just did a really interesting story on how the media has overlooked some good contenders for the Mayoral race, and shows how the media played kingmakers in raising fringe candidate Sarah Thomson's star: http://www.eyeweekly.com/city/mayoralrace2010/article/103423
Mayoral candidate HIMY SYED definitely deserves real consideration, not only for his intelligence and awareness of all things Toronto or for his prolific and insightful comments via social media like Twitter ( http://twitter.com/#!/HiMYSYeD ) , but also because he has a real, detailed platform and not just platitudes or attacks on other candidates. He is a serious candidate for what Toronto needs in my view and deserves a seat at the big folks table.
---
With regard to local ward races, I am increasingly frustrated with how the media - even some of the more local community news outlets who should know better - ignore the full field of candidates or the issues raised, and desperately try to boil down complex situations and multiple choices to an arbitrary two person matchup. I speak not just of my own ward 18 - where Now Magazine tries to tell us that only Ana Bailao (Liberal) and Kevin Beaulieu (NDP) matter http://www.nowtoronto.com/guides/voteto/2010/story.cfm?content=176760 , but also of most of Toronto's 44 wards that I am trying to follow.
*Update: Here's an agreeing blogger http://oct25.ca/aobtd Another One Bites The Dust says 5 of 8 big time candidates chosen for us by the media have gone from the races.
... and Poor Understanding of Local Ward Races
Eyeweekly.com just did a really interesting story on how the media has overlooked some good contenders for the Mayoral race, and shows how the media played kingmakers in raising fringe candidate Sarah Thomson's star: http://www.eyeweekly.com/city/mayoralrace2010/article/103423
Mayoral candidate HIMY SYED definitely deserves real consideration, not only for his intelligence and awareness of all things Toronto or for his prolific and insightful comments via social media like Twitter ( http://twitter.com/#!/HiMYSYeD ) , but also because he has a real, detailed platform and not just platitudes or attacks on other candidates. He is a serious candidate for what Toronto needs in my view and deserves a seat at the big folks table.
---
With regard to local ward races, I am increasingly frustrated with how the media - even some of the more local community news outlets who should know better - ignore the full field of candidates or the issues raised, and desperately try to boil down complex situations and multiple choices to an arbitrary two person matchup. I speak not just of my own ward 18 - where Now Magazine tries to tell us that only Ana Bailao (Liberal) and Kevin Beaulieu (NDP) matter http://www.nowtoronto.com/guides/voteto/2010/story.cfm?content=176760 , but also of most of Toronto's 44 wards that I am trying to follow.
*Update: Here's an agreeing blogger http://oct25.ca/aobtd Another One Bites The Dust says 5 of 8 big time candidates chosen for us by the media have gone from the races.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
WARD 18 CANDIDATES DEBATE 7 NOTES
Meet the Candidates Forum for Residents of Doversquare Wed Oct 6
was held in the Salvation Army Building at 789 Dovercourt Road, organized by Gilleen W. and Chad. About thirty area residents came and heard brief introductions of 10 of the 12 candidates running for City Councillor in ward 18, and were able to ask some pointed questions. (Not attending were Mohammed Muhit and Joanna Teliatnik who were invited but declined). The ten candidates who did attend were:
1. What will be your approach to building consensus with the new mayor of the ciy and the rest of council to further your agenda during your term?
Ken Wood's answer: I would first find what the core values of each person was. For instance, here tonight I can say: Doug = eloquent and skilled; Nha = sincere; Kevin = affable; Hema = talented; Elmi=real; Frank = experienced; Ana = connected; Joe = honest; Kirk =intelligent and Ken ? = different. I would then work with them using their best skills and talents to advantage. As everyone else has said, you have to build relationships. And no doubt there will be a major change in the next council composition.
2. Community-driven programs in Dufferin Grove Park have been an example of how local residents can partner with municipal government. Would you like these kinds of initiatives to continue or even expand? Yes. Ken's answer was that often central bureaucracies try the one size fits all approach which is wrong for very local neighbourhood situations and can kill innovation. I would want to expand them and push for community-driven innovation.
3. Do you think that long term residents of Toronto should be able to vote in municipal elections?
I don't recall that we really got to this question as there was a jump to audience questions, but my response (Ken Wood) is that I am a little undecided. Being a citizen should mean something and voting rights should go with that - yet, it does take 3-5 years for new immigrants to get through the federal process (too long in my view), all the while they pay taxes and are affected by city decisions. Still struggling with this one, but still open-minded.
----
Other questions from the audience that often provided some heated exchanges between candidates were:
4. Seniors' issues: How will you respond to the needs of seniors, in things like affordable housing and other things you think need done to help seniors?
My response was to ask how many people over 60 were in the room (3) - which show that reaching out to seniors is the first priority. (Nha Le promised to spend $20,000 of his councillor salary tobuy a minivan to transport them to appointmenst and such - something that was raised as a concern). I also can identify with the mobility rerstrictions in our society like have to race the 'countdown clock'at intersections and the need for rest stops and benches. Many issues are tied in with seniors: hunger/food banks, affordable housing, high taxes, wheeltrans, pedestrian accidents, etc. and more must be done by the city to help our seniors.
5. Youth and Children: What programs do you think are needed in the community for our youth and children and what would you do to help in this area?
(Questioner was hoping answer would be more help tutoring our youth) Ken's answer was that there are a host of things needed, like childcare, after school programs, keeping pools open in the summer, having more sports activities, etc. I would talk to those passionate about youth to get ideas to expand programs. I commented one thing that helped were breakfast programs, but that it is shameful that we force so many to rely on food banks.
6. An audience member raised concerns about media reports that young volunteers for candidate Ana Bailao were caught breaking election law by erecting signs prior to the 12:01am Monday Oct 4 allowable time. She felt this was a poor example. Nha Le asked Ana how she could be Councillor if she cannot control her own people. Ana apologized and said it was over-exuberance by volunteers. (Note: It was candidate Kirk Russell who provided Toronto Elections and the media with documented photos that infractions were indeed done - no charges are laid as of yet)
7. An audience member tried to get Ana to say who she supports for mayor. She said she was undecided. Ken Wood pointed out that Ana was clearly a Liberal with deep ties to the party and enjoyed a significanty advantage of their paid volunteers and networks from outside the ward. No doubt she will be voting for Geeorge Smitherman whom many say has already endorsed Ana. An audience member also brought up that Ana's funding seems to have come from outside the ward mostly.
(Note: All candidates committed on air at the Sept 29 Rogers TV debate - The Local Campaign - with moderator Dale Goldhawk to publicly release their donor list one week before the election = October 18, 2010)
8. An audience member asked Hema Vyas to respond to claims that she actually does not live in this ward and was shopping around for a ward to run in. Hema replied she has an interest in this community of ward 18. Joe MacDonald pointed out that it was common knowledge that Hema chose our ward as second choice.
9. An audience member asked what candidates would do to get the Strip Clubs like the Lancaster shut down. This was the most emotional exchange of the night, with most candidates agreeing it was legal and not much could be done except to improve the area around it and get more foot traffic in the area. Some questioned why the head of the BIA in the area in fact owned and opereated the Strip Club. Another complained that the city's facade improvement meant $10,000 of taxpayers' money went into making the exterior of the strip club look better and why did the city give them the money. (He was not happy with Kevin Beaulieu's answer)
10. One gentleman asked why we leave a lot of social programs to charities to handle... Ken answered that it is supposed to be the job of governments to help build a better society and often they have ignored helping and left it up to charities (like food banks), who then go to donors asking what amounts to another voluntary tax. Cities need to do more
He also asked why we see so many big box stores and malls and Walmarts that drive out tradional small business like hardware stores, why does the city let this happen: Ken asnwered that change and development is inevitable. The trickis to plan for SMART development that meets local neighbourhood needs.
Thanks to Gilleen and Chad for contributing to our community by organizing this meeting.
---
NEXT (and probably last?) Candidates Debate will be:
* Thursday, October 14 6:30pm at 72 Perth just south of Bloor at The Church of the Firstborn, Coordinator contact email is: TOWARD18@yahoo.ca South Perth and Sterling Road Residents' Association
Also, the annual YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) gathering will be held Saturday, October 16 from 11-4pm at The Gladstone Hotel http://www.gladstonehotel.com/events/exhibitions/yimby
I hope we get a better turnout of voters on election day, OCTOBER 25... because...
was held in the Salvation Army Building at 789 Dovercourt Road, organized by Gilleen W. and Chad. About thirty area residents came and heard brief introductions of 10 of the 12 candidates running for City Councillor in ward 18, and were able to ask some pointed questions. (Not attending were Mohammed Muhit and Joanna Teliatnik who were invited but declined). The ten candidates who did attend were:
Doug Carroll, Nha Le, Kevin Beaulieu, Hema Vyas, Abdirazak Elmi, Frank de Jong, Ana Bailao, Ken Wood, Joe MacDonald and Kirk Russell.
Three prepared questions were asked and provided in advance to candidates:1. What will be your approach to building consensus with the new mayor of the ciy and the rest of council to further your agenda during your term?
Ken Wood's answer: I would first find what the core values of each person was. For instance, here tonight I can say: Doug = eloquent and skilled; Nha = sincere; Kevin = affable; Hema = talented; Elmi=real; Frank = experienced; Ana = connected; Joe = honest; Kirk =intelligent and Ken ? = different. I would then work with them using their best skills and talents to advantage. As everyone else has said, you have to build relationships. And no doubt there will be a major change in the next council composition.
2. Community-driven programs in Dufferin Grove Park have been an example of how local residents can partner with municipal government. Would you like these kinds of initiatives to continue or even expand? Yes. Ken's answer was that often central bureaucracies try the one size fits all approach which is wrong for very local neighbourhood situations and can kill innovation. I would want to expand them and push for community-driven innovation.
3. Do you think that long term residents of Toronto should be able to vote in municipal elections?
I don't recall that we really got to this question as there was a jump to audience questions, but my response (Ken Wood) is that I am a little undecided. Being a citizen should mean something and voting rights should go with that - yet, it does take 3-5 years for new immigrants to get through the federal process (too long in my view), all the while they pay taxes and are affected by city decisions. Still struggling with this one, but still open-minded.
----
Other questions from the audience that often provided some heated exchanges between candidates were:
4. Seniors' issues: How will you respond to the needs of seniors, in things like affordable housing and other things you think need done to help seniors?
My response was to ask how many people over 60 were in the room (3) - which show that reaching out to seniors is the first priority. (Nha Le promised to spend $20,000 of his councillor salary tobuy a minivan to transport them to appointmenst and such - something that was raised as a concern). I also can identify with the mobility rerstrictions in our society like have to race the 'countdown clock'at intersections and the need for rest stops and benches. Many issues are tied in with seniors: hunger/food banks, affordable housing, high taxes, wheeltrans, pedestrian accidents, etc. and more must be done by the city to help our seniors.
5. Youth and Children: What programs do you think are needed in the community for our youth and children and what would you do to help in this area?
(Questioner was hoping answer would be more help tutoring our youth) Ken's answer was that there are a host of things needed, like childcare, after school programs, keeping pools open in the summer, having more sports activities, etc. I would talk to those passionate about youth to get ideas to expand programs. I commented one thing that helped were breakfast programs, but that it is shameful that we force so many to rely on food banks.
6. An audience member raised concerns about media reports that young volunteers for candidate Ana Bailao were caught breaking election law by erecting signs prior to the 12:01am Monday Oct 4 allowable time. She felt this was a poor example. Nha Le asked Ana how she could be Councillor if she cannot control her own people. Ana apologized and said it was over-exuberance by volunteers. (Note: It was candidate Kirk Russell who provided Toronto Elections and the media with documented photos that infractions were indeed done - no charges are laid as of yet)
7. An audience member tried to get Ana to say who she supports for mayor. She said she was undecided. Ken Wood pointed out that Ana was clearly a Liberal with deep ties to the party and enjoyed a significanty advantage of their paid volunteers and networks from outside the ward. No doubt she will be voting for Geeorge Smitherman whom many say has already endorsed Ana. An audience member also brought up that Ana's funding seems to have come from outside the ward mostly.
(Note: All candidates committed on air at the Sept 29 Rogers TV debate - The Local Campaign - with moderator Dale Goldhawk to publicly release their donor list one week before the election = October 18, 2010)
8. An audience member asked Hema Vyas to respond to claims that she actually does not live in this ward and was shopping around for a ward to run in. Hema replied she has an interest in this community of ward 18. Joe MacDonald pointed out that it was common knowledge that Hema chose our ward as second choice.
9. An audience member asked what candidates would do to get the Strip Clubs like the Lancaster shut down. This was the most emotional exchange of the night, with most candidates agreeing it was legal and not much could be done except to improve the area around it and get more foot traffic in the area. Some questioned why the head of the BIA in the area in fact owned and opereated the Strip Club. Another complained that the city's facade improvement meant $10,000 of taxpayers' money went into making the exterior of the strip club look better and why did the city give them the money. (He was not happy with Kevin Beaulieu's answer)
10. One gentleman asked why we leave a lot of social programs to charities to handle... Ken answered that it is supposed to be the job of governments to help build a better society and often they have ignored helping and left it up to charities (like food banks), who then go to donors asking what amounts to another voluntary tax. Cities need to do more
He also asked why we see so many big box stores and malls and Walmarts that drive out tradional small business like hardware stores, why does the city let this happen: Ken asnwered that change and development is inevitable. The trickis to plan for SMART development that meets local neighbourhood needs.
Thanks to Gilleen and Chad for contributing to our community by organizing this meeting.
---
NEXT (and probably last?) Candidates Debate will be:
* Thursday, October 14 6:30pm at 72 Perth just south of Bloor at The Church of the Firstborn, Coordinator contact email is: TOWARD18@yahoo.ca South Perth and Sterling Road Residents' Association
Also, the annual YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) gathering will be held Saturday, October 16 from 11-4pm at The Gladstone Hotel http://www.gladstonehotel.com/events/exhibitions/yimby
I hope we get a better turnout of voters on election day, OCTOBER 25... because...
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER
Friday, October 1, 2010
YOU THE TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING FOR OUR CAMPAIGNS
CRAZY COSTS OF CAMPAIGNING
Did You Know:
Did You Know:
The maximum expense limit (*) for EACH of the TWELVE candidates for City Councillor in Ward 18 Davenport is $28,747.30 or $344,968 total, of which about 75% is rebated to campaign donors out of the city coffers = about $259,000.
(*) The expense limit is determined by so many cents per elgible voter in any ward.
That's a quarter of a million dollars - just for this ward.
Multiply that by 44 wards that exist across the city and that amounts to about $11 MILLION dollars. (yes I know not all wards have 12 candidates, but they could - and we are amongst the smaller of the wards)
Add in the $1.3 million that Mayoral candidates can each spend on their campaigns (there are FIVE so called frontrunners that are/were probably doing so: Ford, Smitherman, Pantalone, Rossi and Thomson who has dropped out, forgetting Mammoliti) and we can add $6.5 million to that, modifying to reflect that 75% gets rebated to donors: or roughly $4.9 million... be fair and round that down to $4 million taxpayer support for mayors... and forget the relatively small amounts that are donated to school trustees and still:
We could see in an election that the taxpayer essentially pays about $15 MILLION for people who run for election in the city.
I really wonder how many people realize that?
Is this perhaps the reason we see so many names registered for city elections? Why people who don't even live in our ward, and perhaps have no realistic prospect of winning essentially buy name recognition on the taxpayers' dime, so to speak?
Is this right and fair?
Perhaps it is simply the true cost of paying for the democratic process at the city level (this is my view).
The election process was changed for this election to prohibit obvious donations from corporations or trade unions. However, as I have noted before, it still allows the loophole of 'free' support by paid political party machine volunteers (who don't figure into the equal playing field of elections which is a great advantage), who are sent to help out their respective party favourite... in this ward? Ana Bailao - the Liberal Kevin Beaulieu - the NDP
(is it any wonder that the media jump to the conclusion that they are the only two front-runners worth reporting on, and why some people desperately want to label others as 'the fringe' to be ignored ?)
Just thought people should know.... because ...
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
DEVELOPMENT in Ward 18
DEVELOPMENT - What does it really mean for residents?
Sitting in a Tim's coffee shop the other day, I got into a discussion of what the often mentioned topic of "Development" at debates really means, and how do we put it in words that really mean something to both voters who want to know what the real results will be and candidates who try to communicate platforms in a few punchy words that grab attention.
I realized many of us do not have the same understanding and it is one of those topics that sounds important and is a 'good' thing, but can be really messed up in practice.
So, being an internet type, I googled it:
Development: noun, 1. A significant event, occurence or change; 2. A fact, event or happening, especially one that changes a situation; 3. Act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining; 4. A process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage, especially to a more mature or advanced stage.
SUSTAINABLE Development: meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (In other words, don't screw up the future for our children)
While searching, I also came across this little tidbit from the last City Councillor election campaign from November 4, 2006 by Matthew Blackett of Spacing: http://spacing.ca/votes/2006/11/04/giambrone-attacked-in-poster-campaign/ It talks about Adam Giambrone's then campaign manager, Kevin Beaulieu responding to this poster from an irate business owner and shows how angry businesses can get at city interference...
Another candidate for councillor in this year's election, Ana Bailao, is the subject of some controversy as in the 2003 election, only 7 of her campaign donors lived in the ward and most of them from outside were in the construction and development industry( http://www.blogto.com/city/2010/08/drinks_with_the_candidates_for_ward_18/ )
All of this begs the question:
Just what do candidates mean when they talk of development ?
Since I can only speak for myself, here is what I mean:
* Development WILL happen. It is a given. Change is what we do in our lives and in city building.
* Whether it is GOOD development or BAD development can only be decided upon by the people who have to live with that change. No expert planner, bureaucrat, politician or self-styled visionary can accurately decide what is good for others. People with lived experience outside our neighbourhoods cannot possibly know what is needed or wanted, and often can do more damage than good. This is why it is essential that early consultation happen - residents and business owners are told what is possibly going to happen, and then are given an opportunity to have significant input.
* This means the process must always include people in the area affected by the change.
In my view the kinds of development needed in ward 18 includes:
1. Maximizing the use of dormant lands and properties, like this one: 
1006 College at Havelock
Abandoned since before 2003 -Yet we still have affordable housing issues and homelessness?
There are many more examples. Empty lots, land being slowwwwwly reclaimed from toxic conditions.
2. Small Business Renewal: There are sections within the ward that have been neglected for far too long. Some areas have BIA's that represent members well and are heard, others have sometimes been ignored (eg. Dundas BIA and parking). Some areas like right along College from the Dundas crossoverto Dufferin are in shoddy shape (no BIA there). We still see too many emty storefronts and they can't all be art galleries. People live in the area and need restaurants, support services and supply stores. That there are a lot of thrift stores and pawn shops speaks to the degree of low incomers and poverty in the area. Yet I worry about poor planning around GENTRIFICATION... another set of definitions:
to GENTRIFY - means making a neighbourhood conform to middle class aspirations; usually increases income for developers while decreasing family, culture and evicting low income groups; it raises the status of some at the expense of others; often starts with artists, ends with speculating developers.
3. We need to CONTROL development: This is the job of city and neighbourhood builders, which includes key roles of elected City Councillors and the Mayor. But these roles must only be the facilitators. Decisions on development directions must come from residents and business owners in the area. City bureaucrats whould contribute to the process, but not in any way direct or lead it.
These are my thoughts on DEVELOPMENT... something we should all be involved in because...
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER !
Thursday, September 23, 2010
It's the ARTS stupid!
When Artists Attack ...
I knew this was coming. A year and a half ago I was at City Hall making a deputation about animal/pet bylaws with about 100+ other people making deputations. At least 90 per cent of the deputants were a well-organized city-wide lobby group demanding that the city fund the arts with substantial grants.
My plea was for the city to reconsider its tax grab of demanding licences for cats, since my analysis based on city information showed that the taxes raised would just about cover the cost of bylaw officers enforcing the licencing bylaw, with no money actually going to help the terrible ongoing stray/abandoned pet overpopulation crisis. Essentially, the city was raising money to build a bigger bureaucracy. I can recall being frustrated with city resistance to dropping a tax grab and suggested the city not hire more pet cops and 'give the money to the starving artists instead' since at least it would do some real good. (applause and laughter)
http://artsvotetoronto.ca/report-card/ surveyed all candidates for election with a heavily biased survey that seemed somewhat extortionary to me. "I am an Artist. I Vote" is the slogan. It was clear that the arts community would brook no disagreement that the arts demand more funding and fashioned individual questions in such a way that anyone who wanted to be in power better say the right things - or else.
And so the tweets and announcements begin with acquiescing candidates toeing the line...
"Thrilled to receive 4/4 stars from ArtsVote #ward18 benefits from large community of working artists" - Kevin Beaulieu (NDP Executive Assistant to incumbent Adam Giambrone - endorsed by community activist/artist Dyan Marie, incumbent councillors Adam Giambrone, Gord Perks, Adam Vaughan)
Also getting 4 stars were:
My score? Not surprisingly: ONE star - which I hasten to point out is because the individual questions were pretty much all or nothing answers.
I am still not convinced (but willing to be) that taxpayer money en masse to artists helps anyone except the artists themseves. I admit to being not as informed as I'd like on this issue, as I am in favour of meaningful community grants to local groups that demonstrably improve the quality of life in our ward. A previous idea I posted about the use of councillor office budgets (current status: councillors can give taxpayer money to vote-friendly groups as they choose):
* Lets transfer money from Councillor office budgets to a city run local grants budget that everyone can apply to. It could be a simple lottery or a well thought out procedure where points are used to award grants where neighbourhoods would see the most 'bang for the buck' and would be fair to everyone.
Another site where the Arts debate is being held: http://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/441#comment-2362
MAYORAL ARTS DEBATE will be held Wednesday, September 29 from 6-9pm at the Art Gallery of Ontario Baillie Court 317 Dundas Street West. Moderator: John Tory with the "Major Mayoral Candidates"... congratulations to the organizers for trying to include one of the other 36 candidates! Over 4,000 people voted and (so far *) chose Keith Cole over James di Fiore and HiMY SYeD.
* Note: Highlighting the questionable veracity of online polling, the ArtsVote site says there was some funny business going on with the survey responses so a second round of voting will happen on Friday September 24 from 4-8pm.
Sadly, I regret not being able to attend this as Rogers Cable 10 has scheduled their live ward candidates debate for us that same time. One question I hope gets asked is this:
I knew this was coming. A year and a half ago I was at City Hall making a deputation about animal/pet bylaws with about 100+ other people making deputations. At least 90 per cent of the deputants were a well-organized city-wide lobby group demanding that the city fund the arts with substantial grants.
My plea was for the city to reconsider its tax grab of demanding licences for cats, since my analysis based on city information showed that the taxes raised would just about cover the cost of bylaw officers enforcing the licencing bylaw, with no money actually going to help the terrible ongoing stray/abandoned pet overpopulation crisis. Essentially, the city was raising money to build a bigger bureaucracy. I can recall being frustrated with city resistance to dropping a tax grab and suggested the city not hire more pet cops and 'give the money to the starving artists instead' since at least it would do some real good. (applause and laughter)
http://artsvotetoronto.ca/report-card/ surveyed all candidates for election with a heavily biased survey that seemed somewhat extortionary to me. "I am an Artist. I Vote" is the slogan. It was clear that the arts community would brook no disagreement that the arts demand more funding and fashioned individual questions in such a way that anyone who wanted to be in power better say the right things - or else.
And so the tweets and announcements begin with acquiescing candidates toeing the line...
"Thrilled to receive 4/4 stars from ArtsVote #ward18 benefits from large community of working artists" - Kevin Beaulieu (NDP Executive Assistant to incumbent Adam Giambrone - endorsed by community activist/artist Dyan Marie, incumbent councillors Adam Giambrone, Gord Perks, Adam Vaughan)
Also getting 4 stars were:
- Ana Bailao (Liberal/Mario Silva's former Executive Assistant)
- Hema Vyas (self-proclaimed independent and Culturelink guru)
- Frank de Jong (Green Party environmentalist)
Not completing the survey for ward 18 were: Doug Carroll, Abdirazak Elmi, Nha Le, Joe MacDonald, Mohammed Muhit, Kirk Russell, Joanna Telitniak.
Perhaps I should have done the 'smart political game thing' and said what voters wanted to hear or just not even responded to the survey (as it seems most candidates chose). But I have a different standard: I believe in answering all surveys and questions, taking the risk that honesty is what voters really want to hear. I've long been tired of hearing spin-doctored politically correct vagueness from politicians, and vow that I won't do that.My score? Not surprisingly: ONE star - which I hasten to point out is because the individual questions were pretty much all or nothing answers.
I am still not convinced (but willing to be) that taxpayer money en masse to artists helps anyone except the artists themseves. I admit to being not as informed as I'd like on this issue, as I am in favour of meaningful community grants to local groups that demonstrably improve the quality of life in our ward. A previous idea I posted about the use of councillor office budgets (current status: councillors can give taxpayer money to vote-friendly groups as they choose):
* Lets transfer money from Councillor office budgets to a city run local grants budget that everyone can apply to. It could be a simple lottery or a well thought out procedure where points are used to award grants where neighbourhoods would see the most 'bang for the buck' and would be fair to everyone.
Another site where the Arts debate is being held: http://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/441#comment-2362
MAYORAL ARTS DEBATE will be held Wednesday, September 29 from 6-9pm at the Art Gallery of Ontario Baillie Court 317 Dundas Street West. Moderator: John Tory with the "Major Mayoral Candidates"... congratulations to the organizers for trying to include one of the other 36 candidates! Over 4,000 people voted and (so far *) chose Keith Cole over James di Fiore and HiMY SYeD.
* Note: Highlighting the questionable veracity of online polling, the ArtsVote site says there was some funny business going on with the survey responses so a second round of voting will happen on Friday September 24 from 4-8pm.
Sadly, I regret not being able to attend this as Rogers Cable 10 has scheduled their live ward candidates debate for us that same time. One question I hope gets asked is this:
How do you see the arts contributing to real solutions for poverty-hunger-homelessness in our city, and please refrain from telling us how this helps the 'starving artists' ?
* Update: Ontario provincial government coughs up additional $27 million over next 3 years to non-profit groups as operating funds... http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/09/24/ontario-arts-funding.html
Interesting reader comments on this.... with hydro going up why spend $ on arts...why should govts be allowed to spend $ on charities - if art is not good enough to support itself why is my money being taken to do so...why are arts more important than helping low income people or seniors...this is the type of investment you don't get a return on..."sugar coated welfare for artists" - you can see the anger out there. Arts lobby need to answer these questions.
Friday, September 17, 2010
MAYOR Miller INTERFERES IN LOCAL DEMOCRACY
Mayor Miller Campaigns for NDP Kevin Beaulieu in Ward 18 Davenport
I just returned from Dufferin subway station where Mayor David Miller took it upon himself to blatantly sell incumbent NDPer Adam Giambrone's former Executive Assistant (and also an NDPer endorsed as well by others of the leftist persuasion on city council), Kevin Beaulieu, as THE choice for voters here.
You might say, "What's wrong with that? A citizen can endorse anyone he pleases" ... as Mr. Miller said to me.
Three things:
I just returned from Dufferin subway station where Mayor David Miller took it upon himself to blatantly sell incumbent NDPer Adam Giambrone's former Executive Assistant (and also an NDPer endorsed as well by others of the leftist persuasion on city council), Kevin Beaulieu, as THE choice for voters here.
You might say, "What's wrong with that? A citizen can endorse anyone he pleases" ... as Mr. Miller said to me.
Three things:
1. Yes, that's true, but Mayor Miller IS THE MAYOR and not an ordinary citizen, at least for a while. He doesn't even know who is running in the ward (there are 12). He told me he didn't know I was running. I asked him not for an endorsement but if he would contribute to my campaign.... He said he'd look into my platform. I take strong exception to an outsider telling us who to vote for, especially someone with the weight of the Mayor's office. This is a LOCAL race, not the Mayoral race. David had his chance for that.
2. I witnessed David hopping on and off TTC buses waving Beaulieu's campaign literature greeting the 'folks' as MAYOR and telling them to vote Kevin, all the while waving campaign literature. This is expressly against Toronto Transit Commission Bylaw 1, subsection 3.16: No person shall a) display, offer, distribute or place handbills, signs or notices or any form of written or printed matter on or in TTC property without authorization. This is also a contravention of city election laws and I shall be filing a formal complaint.
3. Mayor Miller's judgement in backing Adam Giambrone, as well as Adam Giambrone's judgement while in office - and his continuing the legacy of "passing the torch" to his endorsed candidate Kevin speaks volumes. We had a 'tin ear' councillor who was selectively deaf to local issues. How do we know we're not getting another? Especially since Kevin was inexplicably quiet and let David take all the heat for his interfence in the local ward race.
... * side note: Mr Miller spoke to me telling me how rude it was "to interfere in someone else's campaign" ... I responded by reminding him that he didn't much appreciate the provincial government getting involved in the city election a while back. How is this different? Power from on high exerting muscle in a local race?
I want to be very clear here. I am not attacking Kevin (except perhaps for his silence and strange behaviour: his signs are in blue and white, traditional conservative/Rob Ford colours, yet he is as orange NDP as they come)... I resent power brokers like Miller interfering in local democracy. Frankly, I don't care who voters choose, as long as they know there are 12 people running and that they can make their own mind up. Respect the voters, sir and BUTT OUT !
* Update: CBC late night TV news had a short clip - me shouting "Who the hell do you think you are throwing your weight around here!" (there was much more substance not covered, but I guess TV goes for the drama, as always). Wonder why CBC neglected to identify me as a candidate - or do they have a bias?
Also interviewed much later from the safety of her campaign office * on Dundas West, candidate Ana Bailao says: "There's a LOT of people not happy with what's happened here over the last seven years. So with those people it certainly won't help him"... CBC called Ana Kevin's "main rival".... Thanks CBC for trashing the TEN others also running and making up the minds of ward 18 voters! ( * I saw Ana there but she ran away as soon as there was any confrontation. Was she just hoping to be seen with the Mayor too? Is this what we can expect at city council if she gets elected ? )
CBC news says Ana "doesn't mind him calling in a little extra support" referring to Miller using his office to promote Kevin.... ummm.... Ana? You think it is okay for power brokers from outside our ward to tell our residents what to do? Is it because you have the same complications with your support? I really want to know.
We don't need advice from you, Mr. Miller.... because:
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER !
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Learning a Lesson
Attacks and Counter-Attacks
There is an interesting back and forth commentary going on that is something every candidate and voter should pay attention to in ward 18. It involves showing raw and unedited just how what kind of person a candidate is and what it's like to run as a candidate for political office.
That person in this case is me.
The location of this commentary is at two sites in particular:
The lesson I learned - and probably will keep learning - is that I can no longer respond like a 'normal person'., at least while running for political office or holding it. I cannot look at what I say as affecting only me and the person I say it to. I cannot assume what occurs will only have consequences to that limited transaction, but may affect many others. I must channel my response in a fashion that neither ignores the situation before me, nor inflames it with unintended consequences. This is a lesson, incidentally, that I see even politicians with many years' experience still struggling with. All you have to do is watch any city council session!
Another lesson: Just by running as an idependent does not give you any 'get out of jail free' card. Just because you don't belong to a label of NDP, Liberal, Conservative, Green or whatever... this doesn't mean you have don't some base set of ideologies and a clear set of beliefs and values. The positives of independents is that they are not overtly beholden to any organization that could demand they put the needs of the label before the needs of the voters. Independents don't have to rise and vote yes or no as a 'Miller-left' group or 'Ford-Minnan-Wong' group at council.
Yet, independents - just as much as party-labelled councillors, must still be a voice for ALL the constituents. Whoever is elected must represent EVERYONE, whether they voted for them or not.
ELECTION LAWS - What Candidates Can and Cannot Do
Election Signs - always contentious in every election I have ever seen. Some try to post where they are not allowed (public property, on trees, etc), some try to post too early (July 27 okay for campaign office, Oct 4 for elsewhere). Some wards and elections have seen signs vandalized or stolen. Some believe the number of signs erected equals support for that candidate (even when many will erect a sign because they are being polite, still aren't sure if they will vote - or even if they WILL vote). On election day, many try to sneak them as close or onto election polling stations as they can. Name recognition and colour code recognition counts.
They are costly. First candidates have to pay the city a $250 deposit (where fine money will come from first, kind of like the now illegal landlord's 'damage deposit'). Then you have the cost of getting them done....
* Side story here: The moment I registered, I was flooded with emails from Councillor Howard Moscoe or his wife? Gloria to buy signs from them. I'm pretty sure this happened even when only the city had my private information. Aside from obvious conflict of interest and questions about privacy of data I give the city, I was suprised to be so inundated. For lowest price weatherboard signs at a minimum 500 quantity order = $2.08 for 2 colour, $3.03 each for 3 colour. Hmmmm.... around a $1,500 commitment including taxes and stuff...No wonder some candidates choose only 2 colour, like Kevin Beaulieu's BLUE/WHITE combination (? Hey. I thought ORANGE was for NDP? Then again, maybe jumping on a conservative Ford-like colour is good strategy).
I've already seen people on twitter complaining about election signs. Guess it will continue until everyone knows and abides by the rules.
FYI If you have a complaint about election signs, you can register it with the city by calling 311 or by emailing them at: 311@toronto.ca They need complainant's name and contact, candidate sign name, location, details, etc or they will ignore complaints.
There is an interesting back and forth commentary going on that is something every candidate and voter should pay attention to in ward 18. It involves showing raw and unedited just how what kind of person a candidate is and what it's like to run as a candidate for political office.
That person in this case is me.
The location of this commentary is at two sites in particular:
- Spacing Toronto : http://spacingtoronto.ca/2010/09/14/tuesdays-headlines-166/#comment-483716
- Junction Triangle : http://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/441?page=1#comment-1931
The lesson I learned - and probably will keep learning - is that I can no longer respond like a 'normal person'., at least while running for political office or holding it. I cannot look at what I say as affecting only me and the person I say it to. I cannot assume what occurs will only have consequences to that limited transaction, but may affect many others. I must channel my response in a fashion that neither ignores the situation before me, nor inflames it with unintended consequences. This is a lesson, incidentally, that I see even politicians with many years' experience still struggling with. All you have to do is watch any city council session!
Another lesson: Just by running as an idependent does not give you any 'get out of jail free' card. Just because you don't belong to a label of NDP, Liberal, Conservative, Green or whatever... this doesn't mean you have don't some base set of ideologies and a clear set of beliefs and values. The positives of independents is that they are not overtly beholden to any organization that could demand they put the needs of the label before the needs of the voters. Independents don't have to rise and vote yes or no as a 'Miller-left' group or 'Ford-Minnan-Wong' group at council.
Yet, independents - just as much as party-labelled councillors, must still be a voice for ALL the constituents. Whoever is elected must represent EVERYONE, whether they voted for them or not.
ELECTION LAWS - What Candidates Can and Cannot Do
Election Signs - always contentious in every election I have ever seen. Some try to post where they are not allowed (public property, on trees, etc), some try to post too early (July 27 okay for campaign office, Oct 4 for elsewhere). Some wards and elections have seen signs vandalized or stolen. Some believe the number of signs erected equals support for that candidate (even when many will erect a sign because they are being polite, still aren't sure if they will vote - or even if they WILL vote). On election day, many try to sneak them as close or onto election polling stations as they can. Name recognition and colour code recognition counts.
They are costly. First candidates have to pay the city a $250 deposit (where fine money will come from first, kind of like the now illegal landlord's 'damage deposit'). Then you have the cost of getting them done....
* Side story here: The moment I registered, I was flooded with emails from Councillor Howard Moscoe or his wife? Gloria to buy signs from them. I'm pretty sure this happened even when only the city had my private information. Aside from obvious conflict of interest and questions about privacy of data I give the city, I was suprised to be so inundated. For lowest price weatherboard signs at a minimum 500 quantity order = $2.08 for 2 colour, $3.03 each for 3 colour. Hmmmm.... around a $1,500 commitment including taxes and stuff...No wonder some candidates choose only 2 colour, like Kevin Beaulieu's BLUE/WHITE combination (? Hey. I thought ORANGE was for NDP? Then again, maybe jumping on a conservative Ford-like colour is good strategy).
I've already seen people on twitter complaining about election signs. Guess it will continue until everyone knows and abides by the rules.
FYI If you have a complaint about election signs, you can register it with the city by calling 311 or by emailing them at: 311@toronto.ca They need complainant's name and contact, candidate sign name, location, details, etc or they will ignore complaints.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Ward 18 Candidates
WARD 18 CANDIDATES - your choices on October 25:
First posted this blog September 10 now with just 44 days to the end of election campaigns for the TWELVE City Councillor candidates for ward 18 in Davenport. Election signs can go up Monday, Oct 4 and Advance Voting starts Oct 5. Voting day is Monday, October 25
In the last two elections, voters had a choice of SIX candidates.
This year, they have a choice of TWELVE.
Flashback to 2006 election, the top issues were:
1. Crime/safety 2. More green space 3. Improve local business
Turnout was only 23 per cent in the 2003 election and Adam Giambrone (NDP) won taking over from Mario Silva, and was re-elected in 2006 (voter turnout was 35%). CBC news take on the last (2006) election: http://www.cbc.ca/toronto/features/torontovotes2006/wards/18.html
( Green Party) http://www.votefrankdejong.ca/kdejong.ca/ He has campaigned for both federal and provincial office several times. An interview can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/29pel2d A 12 year resident of the ward, Frank has a lot of ideas and issues he wished to bring forward: "Complete Streets", cycling advocate, environmentalist, support for the arts, smart planning on gentrification "people centered development", tax land not buildings, banning handguns, closing strip joints, electrification of trains, ending religious school system funding (merge school boards), change voting system to a ranking system of candidates, anti-poverty advocate, getting rid of the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board). Email: fdejong@sympatico.ca
5. Kevin Beaulieu
(NDP, former executive assistant to current ward 18 city councillor, Adam Giambrone) http://kevinbeaulieu.ca/evinbeaulieu.ca/ At 39 years old, Kevin hails from southern Ontario and has lived in the ward almost 10 years. Torontoist interview can be seen here: http://tinyurl.com/2az67du Kevin feels that people in the ward are pretty happy and optimistic with the way things have been going. A strong Transit City supporter, he has worked closely with artist Dyan Marie's "DigIn' (Dupont to Bloor area) group and is a big arts supporter. Advocates "Complete Streets", cycling, voting for non-citizen residents, electric trains, and believes his insider work within city hall gives him an edge. Kevin says he is a "consensus builder". Current councillor Adam Giambrone has officially endorsed Kevin to succeed him. Email: info@kevinbeaulieu.ca Also endorsing Kevin are Mayor David Miller, incumbent councillors Paula Fletcher, Maria Augimeri, Gord Perks, Joe Mihevc, Janet Davis and Shelley Carol (all leftist Miller supporters), plus a bevy of artists like Dyan Marie - and - incumbent school trustee Maria Rodrigues
( NDP ?) http://www.dougcarroll.ca/ "Take Back Your City" Doug is a software developer who is concerned about poor city services and believes there is a need to enhance citizen control to permit governing our city better. Email: ward18@dougcarroll.ca 
(NDP - Joe clarifies: "although I have been a New Democrat all my life and have been a campaign manager, organizer and political staff, I'm no longer a member and certainly don't have "party support".) http://joemacw18.ca/ "Standing Up For You and Your Family" A cycling advocate and ward resident just north of Bloor Street, Joe says we need to accept change is inevitable but we must involve residents first. Joe says we need to: 1. Build trust, build community; 2. Extend vote to permanent residents (not-yet-citizens); 3. Environment (greening the city); 4. Better parks and public spaces; 5. Better transit ("Transit City"); 6. Safe, clean streets (graffitti eradication); 7. Electrification of the Unions Station to Pearson Airport rail link. Email: info@joemacw18.ca
11. Joanna Teliatnik
- Inside Toronto gives her platform: http://tinyurl.com/27ar3zr Email: teliatnikward18@gmail.com "Get Back to Basics" Worked in the High Arctic for a couple of decades for various governments, attended Alexander Muir, Gladstone and Parkdale Collegiate. Joanna has not attended any of the many ward18 debates yet, but has been canvassing door to door. Her literature says: 20 years' experience in various levels of government; her priorities are accountability and clear communication.
City resource for those wanting to organize debates: http://www.toronto.ca/civic-engagement/learning-material/ward-all-candidate-meetings.htm
First posted this blog September 10 now with just 44 days to the end of election campaigns for the TWELVE City Councillor candidates for ward 18 in Davenport. Election signs can go up Monday, Oct 4 and Advance Voting starts Oct 5. Voting day is Monday, October 25
In the last two elections, voters had a choice of SIX candidates.
This year, they have a choice of TWELVE.
Flashback to 2006 election, the top issues were:
1. Crime/safety 2. More green space 3. Improve local business
Turnout was only 23 per cent in the 2003 election and Adam Giambrone (NDP) won taking over from Mario Silva, and was re-elected in 2006 (voter turnout was 35%). CBC news take on the last (2006) election: http://www.cbc.ca/toronto/features/torontovotes2006/wards/18.html
This year's candidates listed in order of date they registered to run:
1. Nha Le
(Liberal, has run twice before, last 2006 election = 251 votes, 5th place, about 2% of vote) "Don't look to the past, look to the future". Le wants to see more sports activities for youth in the ward. Le was born in Vietnam and moved to Canada in 1983. He served as an advisor to Liberal MPP Tony Ruprecht after his second failed run at city council. An interview can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/2boapnn email: ltn58@hotmail.com Nha is proud to be a Liberal.
2. Ana Bailao
3. Hema Vyas
(independent) http://hemavyas.ca/ Hema has an impressive resume of activity in the non-profit sector, with such groups as The June Caldwood Centre for Women and Families, Culturelink, Unicef and is currently a public servant program evaluator with the provincial Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Hema is a long time west end Toronto resident (*Update: Hema actually lives next door in Ward 13 High Park, and was taken to task for shopping around for a ward to run in by Joe MacDonald. Is ward 18 Hema's second choice?) She has endorsements from the Maytree foundation that seeks to increase diversity on city council. Torontoist interview here: http://tinyurl.com/33fkc2v Hema is concerned about affordability, employment and community engagement. Rumour says Hema shopped around for a ward to run in before deciding on ward18? Email: hema@hemavyas.ca Campaign office: 1007 Bloor Street West (Westmoreland)
(independent) http://hemavyas.ca/ Hema has an impressive resume of activity in the non-profit sector, with such groups as The June Caldwood Centre for Women and Families, Culturelink, Unicef and is currently a public servant program evaluator with the provincial Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Hema is a long time west end Toronto resident (*Update: Hema actually lives next door in Ward 13 High Park, and was taken to task for shopping around for a ward to run in by Joe MacDonald. Is ward 18 Hema's second choice?) She has endorsements from the Maytree foundation that seeks to increase diversity on city council. Torontoist interview here: http://tinyurl.com/33fkc2v Hema is concerned about affordability, employment and community engagement. Rumour says Hema shopped around for a ward to run in before deciding on ward18? Email: hema@hemavyas.ca Campaign office: 1007 Bloor Street West (Westmoreland) 4. Frank de Jong
( Green Party) http://www.votefrankdejong.ca/kdejong.ca/ He has campaigned for both federal and provincial office several times. An interview can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/29pel2d A 12 year resident of the ward, Frank has a lot of ideas and issues he wished to bring forward: "Complete Streets", cycling advocate, environmentalist, support for the arts, smart planning on gentrification "people centered development", tax land not buildings, banning handguns, closing strip joints, electrification of trains, ending religious school system funding (merge school boards), change voting system to a ranking system of candidates, anti-poverty advocate, getting rid of the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board). Email: fdejong@sympatico.ca 5. Kevin Beaulieu
(NDP, former executive assistant to current ward 18 city councillor, Adam Giambrone) http://kevinbeaulieu.ca/evinbeaulieu.ca/ At 39 years old, Kevin hails from southern Ontario and has lived in the ward almost 10 years. Torontoist interview can be seen here: http://tinyurl.com/2az67du Kevin feels that people in the ward are pretty happy and optimistic with the way things have been going. A strong Transit City supporter, he has worked closely with artist Dyan Marie's "DigIn' (Dupont to Bloor area) group and is a big arts supporter. Advocates "Complete Streets", cycling, voting for non-citizen residents, electric trains, and believes his insider work within city hall gives him an edge. Kevin says he is a "consensus builder". Current councillor Adam Giambrone has officially endorsed Kevin to succeed him. Email: info@kevinbeaulieu.ca Also endorsing Kevin are Mayor David Miller, incumbent councillors Paula Fletcher, Maria Augimeri, Gord Perks, Joe Mihevc, Janet Davis and Shelley Carol (all leftist Miller supporters), plus a bevy of artists like Dyan Marie - and - incumbent school trustee Maria Rodrigues6. Kirk Russell
(Independent ?) http://www.voteforkirk.ca/ The "Kirk Russell Movement" (as he says on his web page) is all about change. He has lived in Davenport for about 7 years, and is the manager/owner of a booming construction company. Kirk's top three priorities are "Traffic, Transit and Taxes". He promises to restore parking for the Dundas West BIA and to involve artists in area development. He is on record saying he would recind the Lansdowne Avenue narrowing project that so angered residents in that area. Email: info@voteforkirk.ca * Update: Bloordale interview here http://tinyurl.com/24dpv42 Kirk says he is an independent, promises money to Dundas Westr BIA for lost income due to city actions
(Independent ?) http://www.voteforkirk.ca/ The "Kirk Russell Movement" (as he says on his web page) is all about change. He has lived in Davenport for about 7 years, and is the manager/owner of a booming construction company. Kirk's top three priorities are "Traffic, Transit and Taxes". He promises to restore parking for the Dundas West BIA and to involve artists in area development. He is on record saying he would recind the Lansdowne Avenue narrowing project that so angered residents in that area. Email: info@voteforkirk.ca * Update: Bloordale interview here http://tinyurl.com/24dpv42 Kirk says he is an independent, promises money to Dundas Westr BIA for lost income due to city actions7. Doug Carroll
( NDP ?) http://www.dougcarroll.ca/ "Take Back Your City" Doug is a software developer who is concerned about poor city services and believes there is a need to enhance citizen control to permit governing our city better. Email: ward18@dougcarroll.ca 8. Joe MacDonald
(NDP - Joe clarifies: "although I have been a New Democrat all my life and have been a campaign manager, organizer and political staff, I'm no longer a member and certainly don't have "party support".) http://joemacw18.ca/ "Standing Up For You and Your Family" A cycling advocate and ward resident just north of Bloor Street, Joe says we need to accept change is inevitable but we must involve residents first. Joe says we need to: 1. Build trust, build community; 2. Extend vote to permanent residents (not-yet-citizens); 3. Environment (greening the city); 4. Better parks and public spaces; 5. Better transit ("Transit City"); 6. Safe, clean streets (graffitti eradication); 7. Electrification of the Unions Station to Pearson Airport rail link. Email: info@joemacw18.ca 9. Mohammed Muhit no photo or website available yet Email: muhit69@yahoo.ca ? Mohammed has not attended any ofthe many ward 18 debates.
10. Abdirazak Elmi
(Independent) no website available yet - A member of the Somali community, Elmi has worked for Hertz, Holiday Inn and Etobicoke General Hospital. (does not live in ward 18) In mid July, Elmi withdrew from running for city councillor in Giogio Mammoliti's York West ward 7 and registered in ward 18. Update: Just got Elmi's flyer in the mail. Why does it have the Olympic Rings on it and "Toronto Panamerican Games 2015" ? Email: abdirazakelmi@gmail.com *Update: Elmi's concerns revolve around concerns about homelessness as he was once homeless himself. Elmi has been contacting me (Ken Wood) for help and advice all during this campaign.
(Independent) no website available yet - A member of the Somali community, Elmi has worked for Hertz, Holiday Inn and Etobicoke General Hospital. (does not live in ward 18) In mid July, Elmi withdrew from running for city councillor in Giogio Mammoliti's York West ward 7 and registered in ward 18. Update: Just got Elmi's flyer in the mail. Why does it have the Olympic Rings on it and "Toronto Panamerican Games 2015" ? Email: abdirazakelmi@gmail.com *Update: Elmi's concerns revolve around concerns about homelessness as he was once homeless himself. Elmi has been contacting me (Ken Wood) for help and advice all during this campaign.11. Joanna Teliatnik
- Inside Toronto gives her platform: http://tinyurl.com/27ar3zr Email: teliatnikward18@gmail.com "Get Back to Basics" Worked in the High Arctic for a couple of decades for various governments, attended Alexander Muir, Gladstone and Parkdale Collegiate. Joanna has not attended any of the many ward18 debates yet, but has been canvassing door to door. Her literature says: 20 years' experience in various levels of government; her priorities are accountability and clear communication.Website: http://teliatnikward18.blogspot.com/
12. KEN WOOD "The Tree Guy" He Stood Up for a Tree, He'll Stand Up For You
Me! The website I have is this one you are looking at. I had withdrawn from the race July 21st for financial reasons: basically, I am running a "Poor Man's Campaign" as I am on low income. I have thought over dropping out of the race, found the scarce money I need and know that I have a lot to add to the campaign. I am doing this to make a positive contribution to my community. Let the race begin - for real ! My top issues are:
Me! The website I have is this one you are looking at. I had withdrawn from the race July 21st for financial reasons: basically, I am running a "Poor Man's Campaign" as I am on low income. I have thought over dropping out of the race, found the scarce money I need and know that I have a lot to add to the campaign. I am doing this to make a positive contribution to my community. Let the race begin - for real ! My top issues are:- Respect for Residents: More consultation. A City Councillor needs to do things WITH us not TO us
- Taxes and Budgets: We need to be smarter and more open at planning as a city.
- Democracy: More choice and fairness in how we elect representatives. Term limits.
- Better Quality of Life: More green spoaces, better parks like Dufferin Grove, Accessible low cost transit, Bike Lanes, Respect for pedestrians, Cleaner air, Electric not diesel trains, Protect housing for families and tenants, Safer more secure communities, Better animal control and pet bylaws
- Poverty-Hunger-Homelessness: Too many of our neighbours are suffering. Many working, but still poor. Food banks overwhelmed. Still too many without a home.
Other candidates who had registered then withdrew:
Jack Triolo
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Links to other sites discussing Ward 18:
http://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/719 May 19 first debate notes
Now Magazine: says "a dog's breakfast" in ward 18? http://www.nowtoronto.com/guides/voteto/2010/story.cfm?content=176552
CBC News on 2006: http://www.cbc.ca/toronto/features/torontovotes2006/wards/18.html
InsideTorontoVotes (local community news): http://www.insidetorontovotes.ca/wards/bloor-west-parkdale/ward-18-davenport/
News Articles About Ward 18 Race:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/08/18/councillor-assistants-election481.html - Councillor Assistants Line Up to Replace Their Bosses
http://tinyurl.com/27zlpqj Globe and Mail Aug31
http://tinyurl.com/2g544xn BlogTO Drinks with the candidates
http://tinyurl.com/2ffdkyk Inside Toronto backgrounder
http://tinyurl.com/2g544xn BlogTO Drinks with the candidates
http://tinyurl.com/2ffdkyk Inside Toronto backgrounder
List of Public Debates and Meetings:
1. May 18 - Casa de Madeira, 1621 Dupont
2. June 23 - St. Anne's Parish Hall, 615 Dufferin st.
3. Aug. 26 - Boo Radley's, 1482 Dupont St. (one on one, drinks)
Sept. 9, Thursday 5pm (meet n' greet), 6pm (Questions) MAYORAL DEBATE at Gladstone Hotel 1214 Queen Street West. Will be streamed online, Moderators Marcus Gee (Globe and Mail), Rick Spence (Financial Post) and Julie King (CanadaOne.com). Discussion centers on entrepreneurship, small business. Link: http://westqueenwest.ca/event/toronto-mayoral-candidates-small-business-town-hall-gladstone-hotel Attending: Ford, Pantalone, Rossi, Smitherman, Thomson (why no fringe candidates?).
SEPTEMBER 10, FRIDAY, 9am-2pm : Last chance for people to register or withdraw as a candidate in city elections.... REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED.
Sept. 13, Monday: Dovercourt Baptist Church Auditorium, 1140 Bloor Street West 11am-1pm TOVotes - Guaranteed Change at City Hall event http://tinyurl.com/25sxxrg This will be the largest single gathering of "Unincumbent" candidates running for city hall. (There are over 200 cxhallenger candidates running in Toronto's 44 wards). A media event, this also includes introduction to three new social media web 2.0 tools to help unincumbents even the odds when campaigning against sitting councillors. Organized by HiMYSYed, who is running for mayor and is a frequent social media commentator.
Sept. 13, Monday: Queen/Dovercourt Theatre Active18 "Smackdown" 6-8pm http://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/835 Question: Why did Active 18 initially invite only some of the candidates and why did they schedule this for the same day and time as the Mayoral Debate (which had been setup long before?). Just plain silly. This group seems? mostly concerned about 48 Abell, development, planning and seems? to be populated by architects and developers? Don't know, but want to. Attended the event but told by organizers I would not be allowed to participate. CLOSED INVITES DEBATE
*Update* Sept 11: Active 18 has decided to invite only 7 select candidates to speak: Ana Bailao, Kevin Beaulieu, Doug Carroll, Frank de Jong, Nha Le, Joe MacDonald and Hema Vyas. As of close of registration, there are 12 candidates running. I see this as disrespect for voters who deserve to hear from all their choices available. Seems like a private party.
Sept. 13, Monday: 90 Croatia * Mayoral Debate: 6:30-9pm Host: Jack Fava, Moderator: Sue-Ann Levy; 5 Candidates: Rob Ford, Joe Pantalone, Rocco Rossi, George Smitherman, Sarah Thomson http://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/836 Note: Moderator Sue-Ann Levy's TOP 10 issues she posted in her Toronto Sun column in early January ( http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/sueann_levy/2010/01/10/12408776-sun.html ) were: Money, Back to Basics, Transit, War on Cars, Garbage, Cleaning up the city, Making the city more business friendly, managing city hall, tackling aggressive panhandlers and graffitti, homeless money pit. It will be interesting to see if this influences her moderator role!
September 27, 6:30pm St. Anthony's Catholic School 130 Shanly Avenue The Concerned Parents of Ward 18 public All Candidates' Debate. Plans for structured 3 question debate. *Update: Debate flopped. Only 3 audience members showed up
Sept. 29, Wednesday at 8:00pm Rogers Cable 10 will air live debate with ward 18 city councillor candidates. http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=12&rid=16&sid=3614 You can email host Dale Goldhawk with candidate questions or phone during the TV program.
-- there may be more debates and events planned as things evolve --
City resource for those wanting to organize debates: http://www.toronto.ca/civic-engagement/learning-material/ward-all-candidate-meetings.htm
Toronto City Main Elections Information: http://www.toronto.ca/elections/
Please look into all candidates' platforms and make an informed choice.... because
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER
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