Decisions, Decisions, Decisions :
Following all the various news reports closely, I have come to the inescapable conclusion that the biggest problem in running as a candidate for political office is CHOOSING which issues to focus on. It must be the same for any councillor, and even more so after he or she is in office.
We live in a very big city (By 2011, Toronto will see a popultion of 2.6 million people, with the GTA as a whole hitting 6.26 million ! Source: Statistics Canada as reported here: http://torontoist.com/2009/03/futurist_toronto_in_2010.php ).
Demographics tells us that your typical Caucasian (me) will be a minority very soon., but that just means that Toronto is very comple and that we are all different in some way. We have over 180 languages served by Toronto's new 311 service ( http://www.toronto.ca/311/languages.htm ).
After all, the city's motto is "DIVERSITY OUR STRENGTH". Diversity means we each have identifiable differences in our backgrounds (examples: ethnicity, culture, language) and in our lifestyles (examples: financial status, sexual orientation, beliefs). We are a people of differences and varieties.
Yet, we have a common value in that we have agreed to treat people equitably based on "race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, disability, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, same sex partnership, age, marital status, family status, immigrant status, receipt of public assistance, political affiliation, religious affiliation, level of literacy, language and/or socio-economic status." (Adopted by Toronto City Council April 2003) This reflects much of what is in our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982).
This all explains and emphasizes the importance of CHOICE in deciding which issues need to be focussed on. No one person can be everything to all people. Beware the politicians who promise to do everything you want might be a good thing for voters to keep in mind when choosing where their vote goes.
I am reminded of what a poet and musician, Gil Scott-Herron, once said:
"Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something"
This is precisely why our Toronto City Councillors have to be prepared to work with, consult with and engage their constituents. If we want to have a better city for all, we must all contribute in whatever way we can.
In formulating my platform, I resolve to give priority to the issues that most affect my neighbours and my community. Yes, there will be issues that have city-wide significance (such as Transit City) and I will have to take a position on those, but my firm belief is that a city councillor, with the structure we have in place right now, needs to listen to his or her own ward first. We cannot allow our local representative to forget who he or she represents, because...
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER !
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Last Minute Budget Fix for City Hall
Last Minute Santa Claus Moment ? : Funny how all those bureaucrats and politicians at city hall had us fearing the 4% property tax increase plus big user fees a week ago. Now they 'suddenly' find an extra $100 million surplus ! (that makes it $350 million total surplus... most of it comes from reassessed properties and better than expected investments...the lottery maybe?). Wow.... and ... they have already allocated it: Now the property tax increase is only 2.9%. User registration fee for recreation programs is only $25. Public libraries can now be open on Sundays. Police are still getting only a 4% increase (although they wanted $4 million more), while city councillor budgets are cut by 5% (or $2,655) which still makes them over $50,000 (plus their $100,000 salaries, which they did not cut). Arts groups will see an increase in grants. Student nutrition programs will continue. Daycare funding will continue. The final vote on the budget is April 16.
So all is well? This is like some late night television infomercial: "And if you buy this...., wait! We'll throw in more good news. Buy this now!"
After Councillor Paula Fletcher's tirade attacking a person making a budget deputation last week, and now with poor budget management, can we trust what we are being sold? I guess we will find out.... after the election.
This is not a professional, transparent, open and accountable way to run a city.
What I would like to see is a formal, legislated, properly and comprehensively audited "STATE OF THE CITY" address by our Mayor every Spring. No more backroom meetings with information known by a few in the inner circle. No more playing games. We need to know where we stand, what the good news and the bad news is. We deserve that kind of respect.
So all is well? This is like some late night television infomercial: "And if you buy this...., wait! We'll throw in more good news. Buy this now!"
After Councillor Paula Fletcher's tirade attacking a person making a budget deputation last week, and now with poor budget management, can we trust what we are being sold? I guess we will find out.... after the election.
This is not a professional, transparent, open and accountable way to run a city.
What I would like to see is a formal, legislated, properly and comprehensively audited "STATE OF THE CITY" address by our Mayor every Spring. No more backroom meetings with information known by a few in the inner circle. No more playing games. We need to know where we stand, what the good news and the bad news is. We deserve that kind of respect.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
How To Be A Candidate 101
Want To Run For Councillor, Mayor, School Trustee?
On Monday, March 8, I attended the first of three sessions run by the city's neutral Toronto Elections group ( http://www.toronto.ca/elections/ ) that tells prospective political candidates or their workers what is allowed or not allowed when you run for political office in Toronto. There will be another session mid summer and one at the end of the election. I saw about 50 people there and it seems this election the city expects a lot more candidates for all the various races.
Since this is the first time I've run for political office (at least since my university days), I am suprised at how easy they make it and all the supports provided.
For instance, if you want to run for Mayor (27 people do so far; Adam Giambrone officially withdrew just yesterday), all you have to do is pay $200. For any one of the 44 city councillor wards, you pay $100 (there are currently 5 people running in our ward; So far, Adam Giambrone is not one of us). For any one of the school trustee wards, the fee is $100.
No matter what campaign you run, you are on the hook to maintain accurate records such as receipts for fundraising, etc. It is serious business with lots of penalties for not complying.
There is even an 'Electronic Financial Filing System (EFFS)' that the city provides for candidates to use! Candidates must provide recipts for all donations to their campaigns and this makes it so easy.
Something many Torontonians probably do not know is that there is a CONTRIBUTION REBATE PROGRAM (for council candidates only) whereby about 75% of the money you donate to a candidate's campaign would be refunded by the city in September, 2011. Surprisingly to me, it's not something that comes back from doing your federal income tax, but rather out of a little known city budget (estimated to be about $3.2 million right now).
So the city seems to be doing everything they can to encourage political participation. Great!
One change this year from previous elections is that donations from unions are not permitted. * Last year public filings show that Adam Giambrone got significant contributions from several unions, (eg Transit union, CUPE, etc). Now financial support will have to come from 'ordinary people'. The maximum donation per individual is $750.
* Note: One loophole is that people who work for political parties or unions can still be paid by their respective groups and then work as free labour on political campaigns. This is how parties like the Liberals or NDP make themselves such a big factor in municipal politics, even though we are not supposed to be seeing party politics at city hall.
People can also donate goods or services to campaigns, but even this has to be tracked and valued too. It is all very transparent and accountable.
So how much will it cost top run a significant campaign? About $30,000 ! Yikes!
The elections people have a formula that is based on 85 cents per eligible elector in any ward. Most wards have about 50,000 people (not all are eligible voters). In Ward 18 last election, sadly only 9,006 people actually voted = a 35% turnout, even though there were a LOT more eligible voters.
The actual LIMIT that any councillor candidate can run in our ward 18 is dependent on updated voters lists that will be issued September 1, 2010. Candidates are not allowed to put up lawn signs until September 30th. The election (voting day) is October 25, 2010 and signs need to be down October 28th.
As of today, the candidates for City Councillor in ward 18 Davenport are:
On Monday, March 8, I attended the first of three sessions run by the city's neutral Toronto Elections group ( http://www.toronto.ca/elections/ ) that tells prospective political candidates or their workers what is allowed or not allowed when you run for political office in Toronto. There will be another session mid summer and one at the end of the election. I saw about 50 people there and it seems this election the city expects a lot more candidates for all the various races.
Since this is the first time I've run for political office (at least since my university days), I am suprised at how easy they make it and all the supports provided.
For instance, if you want to run for Mayor (27 people do so far; Adam Giambrone officially withdrew just yesterday), all you have to do is pay $200. For any one of the 44 city councillor wards, you pay $100 (there are currently 5 people running in our ward; So far, Adam Giambrone is not one of us). For any one of the school trustee wards, the fee is $100.
No matter what campaign you run, you are on the hook to maintain accurate records such as receipts for fundraising, etc. It is serious business with lots of penalties for not complying.
There is even an 'Electronic Financial Filing System (EFFS)' that the city provides for candidates to use! Candidates must provide recipts for all donations to their campaigns and this makes it so easy.
Something many Torontonians probably do not know is that there is a CONTRIBUTION REBATE PROGRAM (for council candidates only) whereby about 75% of the money you donate to a candidate's campaign would be refunded by the city in September, 2011. Surprisingly to me, it's not something that comes back from doing your federal income tax, but rather out of a little known city budget (estimated to be about $3.2 million right now).
So the city seems to be doing everything they can to encourage political participation. Great!
One change this year from previous elections is that donations from unions are not permitted. * Last year public filings show that Adam Giambrone got significant contributions from several unions, (eg Transit union, CUPE, etc). Now financial support will have to come from 'ordinary people'. The maximum donation per individual is $750.
* Note: One loophole is that people who work for political parties or unions can still be paid by their respective groups and then work as free labour on political campaigns. This is how parties like the Liberals or NDP make themselves such a big factor in municipal politics, even though we are not supposed to be seeing party politics at city hall.
People can also donate goods or services to campaigns, but even this has to be tracked and valued too. It is all very transparent and accountable.
So how much will it cost top run a significant campaign? About $30,000 ! Yikes!
The elections people have a formula that is based on 85 cents per eligible elector in any ward. Most wards have about 50,000 people (not all are eligible voters). In Ward 18 last election, sadly only 9,006 people actually voted = a 35% turnout, even though there were a LOT more eligible voters.
The actual LIMIT that any councillor candidate can run in our ward 18 is dependent on updated voters lists that will be issued September 1, 2010. Candidates are not allowed to put up lawn signs until September 30th. The election (voting day) is October 25, 2010 and signs need to be down October 28th.
As of today, the candidates for City Councillor in ward 18 Davenport are:
- KEN WOOD (me)
- Ana Bailao
- Nha Le
- Jack Triolo
- Hema Vyas
So, please participate in the political process at the level of government that will be the one that affects your quality of life most directly: municipal city government. Informed candidates and involved voters will ensure we get the government we deserve. Donate, help out the campaign, get to know your candidates.
I am asking for YOUR VOTE and YOUR HELP because...
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER !
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Big Surprise by Mayor Miller (city budget)
Big Whoop-Dee-Do! Miller played the media and all of us by saying a 'big announcement' for 9:30 am and 'park your satellite trucks early'. Frenzied speculation about is Miller going to run for Mayor now? Is he going to resign now and hand over the reins to Joe Pantalone? Did he get a job at the United Nations?
Nope. He announces we now have a $100 million surplus in the budget and we can reduce the expected property taxes from 4% to 2.9% and they can do a better job with a two year operating budget. The media is upset at having been taken in, expecting some kind of monumental news.
Radio commentators are speculating that Miller is trying to promote Shelley Carroll for a mayor run by saying we suddenly have a great budget. Maybe.
What strikes me as plainy scary is that after doom and gloom they 'suddenly' find so much extra money. To find a four times better surplus just now seems to be proof of poor budget money management. Where else could they have saved?
Nope. He announces we now have a $100 million surplus in the budget and we can reduce the expected property taxes from 4% to 2.9% and they can do a better job with a two year operating budget. The media is upset at having been taken in, expecting some kind of monumental news.
Radio commentators are speculating that Miller is trying to promote Shelley Carroll for a mayor run by saying we suddenly have a great budget. Maybe.
What strikes me as plainy scary is that after doom and gloom they 'suddenly' find so much extra money. To find a four times better surplus just now seems to be proof of poor budget money management. Where else could they have saved?
Provincial Budget and TTC Troubles
No Vision by the Province : Well, the Liberal McGuinty government trotted out yet another ho-hum budget on Monday that doesn't seem to have much to offer in the way of hope or address the many problems facing us. Our 'Education Premier' of course put in some stuff for that sector, like a plan to increase foreign students (they charge high tuition for that) and lots of promises to make university education more attainable. However, students are disappointed nothing was done to reduce ever increasing high tuition fees. They have a point. The budget was vague on how any more provincial funding of universities and colleges would happen, if at all. Money is a big barrier to getting an education. One weird and potentially costly promise is to try to reduce health care costs by making hospitals compete more against each other for financing. How hospitals get tax money is a terribly complex system and to change it may well mean another e-health fiasco (you can thank George Smitherman for wasting billions of dollars there).
Other than a few bits and pieces, the province continues to ignore: poverty, homelessness, social programs, the deficit, high taxes, and on and on. Mayor Miller tried to say it was good for transit and supporting cities, but that seems wishful thinking to me.
More TTC Scandals : Thanks to The Star, we know that a senior bureaucrat (John Rusio) at the TTC was funnelling $50,000 to his friend/girlfriend? for work that probably didn't need doing (amateur photography). He has been fired and an 'investigation' launched - only after he was outted by the media. What other wastes of tax money is happening there?
The new 'blue ribbon' customer service advisory panel is in trouble before it starts. A York University self-professed poverty student and activist, Krisna Saravanamuttu, is being seen as an unacceptable candidate because of anti-semetic comments and activities ( http://www.cjc.ca/2010/03/08/jewish-group-questions-ttc-advisory-panel-choice-confrontation-incoming-york-student-president-sanctioned/ ).
Other than a few bits and pieces, the province continues to ignore: poverty, homelessness, social programs, the deficit, high taxes, and on and on. Mayor Miller tried to say it was good for transit and supporting cities, but that seems wishful thinking to me.
More TTC Scandals : Thanks to The Star, we know that a senior bureaucrat (John Rusio) at the TTC was funnelling $50,000 to his friend/girlfriend? for work that probably didn't need doing (amateur photography). He has been fired and an 'investigation' launched - only after he was outted by the media. What other wastes of tax money is happening there?
The new 'blue ribbon' customer service advisory panel is in trouble before it starts. A York University self-professed poverty student and activist, Krisna Saravanamuttu, is being seen as an unacceptable candidate because of anti-semetic comments and activities ( http://www.cjc.ca/2010/03/08/jewish-group-questions-ttc-advisory-panel-choice-confrontation-incoming-york-student-president-sanctioned/ ).
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Your City, My City - Toronto Star
Congratulations to the Toronto Star for trying to reach out and involve people in upcoming municipal elections. http://www.thestar.com/YourCityMyCity
They are trying to kick-start debate by having bloggers, columnists and commentators speak to issues relating to our city. It is worth following. Here are some examples:
Why Youth Doesn't Vote : In the last city election (2006), city wide turnout was a mere 39.3% (It was only 35% in Davenport). Anita Li says it is not because youth don't care, but rather: A: They are cynical of politicians who don't follow through on promises and B: There is not easy access to interesting and relevant election information.
*Update article in The Star: http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/863162--the-39-per-cent-problem
My opinion is that this is naive and a false argument. We are stuck with the system we have right now (though it could benefit from some significant changes):
"No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time" - Sir Winston Churchill, British politician in a 1947 speech.
Information about the election is available. It is and will be in our major newspapers, on radio call in shows, on television stories as well as online. I believe there will be more information available this election than ever before. The one sticking point - and this affects Davenport - is that it will be almost entirely in English, where less than 40% of people say their mother tongue is English. What about the 25% who speak Portugese? Or the other languages in the ward: Spanish, Chinese, Italian, Vietnamese, French, Punjabi, etc ?
There really is an issue in how we can talk to and more importantly, hear from, our citizens in this ward. I am STRONGLY in favour of more and better consulatation on issues that affect us.
Money Shouldn't Be Everything : Rahul Bhardwaj makes an appeal to not have a negative, everything that is 'bad' about our city campaign that focuses only on money issues, "whether it be municipal finance, spending, taxes or public wages". He says that if we want to have a great city, it takes vision and innovation.
I agree, but only to a certain extent. City government should be all about improving the quality of life for its residents, not just about bigger budgets and growth. There has to be a vision of something greater: where we want to be in 5, 10, 20 years. What we do should reflect our values. However, poor handling of finances and adding burdens of taxes (whether that be in the form of 'user fees' or property taxes) does affect quality of life. The city has to be smarter about where and how money is spent.
The Star's Christopher Hume, a very experienced regular commentator on urban issues and architecture, also did an interesting story about how "Toronto's 'little' details (are) a big deal for residents": http://www.thestar.com/yourcitymycity/article/776192--hume-toronto-s-little-details-a-big-deal-for-residents
He talks about many things I firmly believe in: that we citizens care about it being safe to cross the street, that our snow has been cleared and garbage picked up, that there is somewhere to walk the dog or a bench to sit on. We care about the TTC and whether we can get from point A to point B comfortably and consistently. I think we are willing to pay for that, IF WE GET THE SERVICE !
Make 'Em Work For Your Vote! : Dan Bordonali makes a plea for citizens to not just go for name recognition (Adam Giambrone?), but rather make the effort to conduct the pitch for your vote into a job interview. You are the boss. Ask candidates tough questions, find out if you want them to work for you. It takes work on your part, but it is what will make for a better city.
I agree completely.
They are trying to kick-start debate by having bloggers, columnists and commentators speak to issues relating to our city. It is worth following. Here are some examples:
Why Youth Doesn't Vote : In the last city election (2006), city wide turnout was a mere 39.3% (It was only 35% in Davenport). Anita Li says it is not because youth don't care, but rather: A: They are cynical of politicians who don't follow through on promises and B: There is not easy access to interesting and relevant election information.
*Update article in The Star: http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/863162--the-39-per-cent-problem
My opinion is that this is naive and a false argument. We are stuck with the system we have right now (though it could benefit from some significant changes):
"No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time" - Sir Winston Churchill, British politician in a 1947 speech.
Information about the election is available. It is and will be in our major newspapers, on radio call in shows, on television stories as well as online. I believe there will be more information available this election than ever before. The one sticking point - and this affects Davenport - is that it will be almost entirely in English, where less than 40% of people say their mother tongue is English. What about the 25% who speak Portugese? Or the other languages in the ward: Spanish, Chinese, Italian, Vietnamese, French, Punjabi, etc ?
There really is an issue in how we can talk to and more importantly, hear from, our citizens in this ward. I am STRONGLY in favour of more and better consulatation on issues that affect us.
Money Shouldn't Be Everything : Rahul Bhardwaj makes an appeal to not have a negative, everything that is 'bad' about our city campaign that focuses only on money issues, "whether it be municipal finance, spending, taxes or public wages". He says that if we want to have a great city, it takes vision and innovation.
I agree, but only to a certain extent. City government should be all about improving the quality of life for its residents, not just about bigger budgets and growth. There has to be a vision of something greater: where we want to be in 5, 10, 20 years. What we do should reflect our values. However, poor handling of finances and adding burdens of taxes (whether that be in the form of 'user fees' or property taxes) does affect quality of life. The city has to be smarter about where and how money is spent.
The Star's Christopher Hume, a very experienced regular commentator on urban issues and architecture, also did an interesting story about how "Toronto's 'little' details (are) a big deal for residents": http://www.thestar.com/yourcitymycity/article/776192--hume-toronto-s-little-details-a-big-deal-for-residents
He talks about many things I firmly believe in: that we citizens care about it being safe to cross the street, that our snow has been cleared and garbage picked up, that there is somewhere to walk the dog or a bench to sit on. We care about the TTC and whether we can get from point A to point B comfortably and consistently. I think we are willing to pay for that, IF WE GET THE SERVICE !
Make 'Em Work For Your Vote! : Dan Bordonali makes a plea for citizens to not just go for name recognition (Adam Giambrone?), but rather make the effort to conduct the pitch for your vote into a job interview. You are the boss. Ask candidates tough questions, find out if you want them to work for you. It takes work on your part, but it is what will make for a better city.
I agree completely.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Budgets, Budgets, Budgets
The Toronto City $9.28 Billion Budget proposals have been presented. Public input has been invited - although certain councillors like Paula Fletcher do not seem to like this: http://www.torontosun.com/comment/editorial/2010/03/02/13088556.html ... doesn't this just show how bad things are at city hall, the sense of entitlement? I saw Ms Fletcher live and she really abused a citizen who had input. It is okay to disagree, but to shout him down like he was on trial is so wrong! Where is the respect for citizens?
The city budget will be finalized and voted upon April 15-16, so any citizen can contact their councillors and make their opinion known. The details on the budget can be found on the city website here: http://www.toronto.ca/city_budget/index.htm
Right now I am online watching the live presentation of the $280 Billion federal budget that tells us we now have a $54 Billion deficit and noticing that the Conservative MP's are trying to implement a somewhat tough budget to eventually get back to balanced budgets. They are cutting back on foreign aid and arts.
One thing I like is that they are freezing the growth of bureaucracy and may? freeze MP salaries to show leadership. It would be nice if the city followed this example!
What I don't like is that our federal government is completely ignoring poverty, housing, the environment, transit and pretty much any social programs. Why was it okay to generate a gigantic deficit to bail out banks and big corporations, but wrong to generate a relatively much smaller deficit to help real people? I guess this is where I can say I am most definitely NOT a right wing conservative! (were I ever to join any party, which I doubt).
Next up will be the provincial government budget which will be coming up since they prorogued today (Lik calling it hitting 'reset' on your computer). In that one, we will likely not see any money for the TTC and little help for our city, since the province is crying poor too. Although, to be fair, they did help out a lot with that in the last budget. We shall see if Toronto's chronic shortfalls will be rectified (like the downloading of social assistance, which was wrong when Mike Harris did it and is still wrong).
So... we still see a 4% property tax increase and a wide variety of increased user fees. The biggest chunk of the budget is the TTC, which will see another increase... does the money spent on the TTC reflect better service? I think all Toronto's citizens will vote on that come October!
The city budget will be finalized and voted upon April 15-16, so any citizen can contact their councillors and make their opinion known. The details on the budget can be found on the city website here: http://www.toronto.ca/city_budget/index.htm
Right now I am online watching the live presentation of the $280 Billion federal budget that tells us we now have a $54 Billion deficit and noticing that the Conservative MP's are trying to implement a somewhat tough budget to eventually get back to balanced budgets. They are cutting back on foreign aid and arts.
One thing I like is that they are freezing the growth of bureaucracy and may? freeze MP salaries to show leadership. It would be nice if the city followed this example!
What I don't like is that our federal government is completely ignoring poverty, housing, the environment, transit and pretty much any social programs. Why was it okay to generate a gigantic deficit to bail out banks and big corporations, but wrong to generate a relatively much smaller deficit to help real people? I guess this is where I can say I am most definitely NOT a right wing conservative! (were I ever to join any party, which I doubt).
Next up will be the provincial government budget which will be coming up since they prorogued today (Lik calling it hitting 'reset' on your computer). In that one, we will likely not see any money for the TTC and little help for our city, since the province is crying poor too. Although, to be fair, they did help out a lot with that in the last budget. We shall see if Toronto's chronic shortfalls will be rectified (like the downloading of social assistance, which was wrong when Mike Harris did it and is still wrong).
So... we still see a 4% property tax increase and a wide variety of increased user fees. The biggest chunk of the budget is the TTC, which will see another increase... does the money spent on the TTC reflect better service? I think all Toronto's citizens will vote on that come October!
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