Pick a Peck of Mayors

Which Mayor Candidate Shall I Choose ?

Those in the know say that we voters pay little attention to city elections until after Labour Day (Sept 4). I say we never really know just who these Mayoral hopefuls really are and what they will do to our city until the last 8 weeks of the (way too long) 10 month campaigning.

Only now can we begin to piece together what their election platforms are and be able to see the differences in our choices. (Toronto Observer is trying to give all profiles here: http://www.torontoobserver.ca/toronto-votes-for-mayor/ ) . There are 41 candidates, including 5 the media dubiously calls 'front-runners' and a lot of interesting 'so-called fringe' candidates. There have been a LOT of soft debates that few of the public have paid attention to. Voter apathy? In 2006, voter turnout was only 39 per cent across the city...

Here's what I have have gleaned from the Mayor campaigns so far (and will update as I can):

(* Listing in the order they actually registered to run for Mayor;... 'so-called front-runners' in red)

1. Achampong, Rocco (Jan 4): Website: http://www.roccoformayor.com/
(Video interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui36Utya52A )
CP24 info: http://tinyurl.com/2amokck
A lawyer and former President University of Toronto Students

2. Campbell, Douglas (Jan 5): BlogTO: http://tinyurl.com/2cxvol2Cp24 info: http://tinyurl.com/26de443 Old school left wing activist from the thirties. Came in sixth in 2006 election with 4,183 votes (out of 584,484 votes cast for Mayor = 0.7%)3. Hossein, Monowar (Jan 4): http://www.eyeweekly.com/article/80997
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100602/100531_mayoral_monowar/20100602/?hub=CP24Weather Ran for TDSB school trustee in 200, for mayor in 2003 and again in 2066, where he got 2,726 votes or 0.5% of vote. Concerned about food and housing issues. 4.. Letonja, John (Jan 4): http://supermagnetics.com/
"The new Mayor has to have balls." 5. Rossi, Rocco (Jan 4): http://roccorossi.com/ http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100531/100531_mayoral_rocco2/20100531/?hub=CP24Weather Corporate executive, major Liberal Party fundraiser for Michael Ignatieff. 6. State, Mark (Jan 4): http://mark-state.wetpaint.com/ http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100602/100531_mayoral_mark/20100603/?hub=CP24Weather Political writer of essays on Remedial City Politics. Came in dead last in a field of 38 candidates in 2006 mayor race with just 194 votes, or 0.3%. 7. Thomson, Sarah (Jan 4): http://www.sarahthomson.ca/
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100531/100531_mayoral_sarah2/20100531/?hub=CP24Weather Business entrepreneur, owner of Women's Post.8. Ghazi, Abdullah-Baquie (Jan 5): http://kscheuer.wordpress.com/2010/01/19/baquie-ghazi-for-toronto-mayor/
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100601/100531_mayoral_baquic/20100603/?hub=CP24Weather Full of many ideas, including lower taxes and TTC fares. 9. Magee, Colin (Jan 6): http://twitter.com/MageeForMayor
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100608/100531_mayoral_colin/20100608/?hub=CP24Weather Build subways, bike lanes, more events on the islands.

10. Andrews, Don (Jan 8): http://www.natparty.com/DA4mayor.htm
(anti-Rob Ford, sings on his web site) Founder of National Party and was once jailed under hate laws in the seventies. Incendiary rhetoric.
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100601/100531_mayoral_andrews/20100602/?hub=CP24Weather 11. Smitherman, George (Jan 8): http://www.georgesmitherman.ca/
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100531/100531_mayoral_george/20100531/?hub=CP24Weather Former provincial Liberal Party cabinet Minister of Health
...WITHDREW: Yeung, Sonny (Jan 8): http://www.sonnyyeung.com/
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100608/100531_mayoral_sonny/20100608/?hub=CP24Weather Last ran in 2003 in Ward 41 and came second with 25% of vote. Has a Masters of Commerce degree, lives in Scarborough. - Withdrew on Sept 10, last day

12. Pampena, Joseph (Jan 13): http://jpformayor.blogspot.com/
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100601/100531_mayoral_pampena/20100608/?hub=CP24Weather
13. Pantalone, Joe (Jan 13): http://www.mayorjoe.ca/
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100602/100531_mayoral_joe/20100602/?hub=CP24Weather Joe on video helping Toronto set Twist Dance Record July 25, 2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0XelmlQZuw On city council since 1980, recently was Deputy Mayor, longtime NDP Party and pro-Miller supporter. Defends need for streetcars, Transit City 14. Babula, George (Jan 15): Parkdale Party ? http://openfile.ca/toronto-file/fringe-george-babula-brings-slice-parkdale-mayors-race

http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100601/100531_mayoral_bambola/20100602/?hub=CP24Weather 15. Gomberg, Howard (Jan 15): http://gombergformayor.blogspot.com/
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100608/100531_mayoral_howard/20100608/?hub=CP24Weather 16. Firth, Selwyn (Jan 29): http://selwynformayor.com/
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100608/100531_mayoral_firth/20100608/?hub=CP24Weather
17. Cole, Keith (Feb 16): http://keithcole.ca/
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100602/100531_mayoral_keith/20100602/?hub=CP24Weather

18. Castillo, Jaimie (Feb 23): http://www.caldecast.com/
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100602/100531_mayoral_jamie/20100602/?hub=CP24Weather Came in fifth in 2006 mayor election with 5,215 votes (out of 584,484 votes, or just under one per cent) Born in Peru, promotes multiculturalism issues.

19. Ford, Rob (Mar 15): http://www.robfordformayor.ca/
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100531/100531_mayoral_rob/20100531/?hub=CP24Weather Has been on city council for 10 years, lots of controversy, most often votes no to motions, wants to "Stop the Gravy Train at CityHall". A Mike Harris clone

20. Wadhwa, Ratan (Apr 6): http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100602/100531_mayoral_ratan/20100608/?hub=CP24Weather Actor and Charlie Chaplin impersonator, he ran for mayor in 2003 and again in 2006 and got 696 votes or 0.1%. Called for legalizing prostitution and cannibis, free condoms and viagra, and creation of a red lightdistrict.
21. Clarke, Kevin (Apr 30): ? withdrew Mar31 then re-registered ? http://toobusylivinglife.blogspot.com/2006_11_01_archive.html "A homeless man with a penchant for public outburts" http://www.blogto.com/city/2010/04/torontos_fringe_mayoral_candidates/ Ran for mayor in 2006 and got 2,081 votes or 0.4%, coming in twelfth place.
22. Cottle, Charlene (May 20): http://www.mayoroftoronto.com/pages/1920/mayor-of-toronto-elections.htm

23. Syed, Himy (May 25): Was registered to run for city councillor in ward 19 but withdrew May 25 http://www.ibiketo.ca/blog/2010/08/31/mayoral-candidate-himy-syed-share-vision-2020-bikecity-bike-joint-sept-1 (Video interview: http://toronto.mediacoop.ca/video/interview-himy-syed/4279 ) On twitter: http://twitter.com/himysyed http://www.flickr.com/people/photopia/

24. Steinberger, Timor (June 3): http://afuitbs.wordpress.com/2010/06/25/ On Twitter: http://twitter.com/Steinberger4TO

25. Vallance, David (June 10): http://www.themarknews.com/authors/1016-david-vallance
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100831/20100831-mayoral-vallance/20100831/?hub=CP24Weather Ran for mayor in 2007 and got 486 votes (0.1%). Retired financial planner who formed the Bloor-Annex BIA in 1996. Concerned about taxes

26. Flie, Michael (June 30): http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Flie-for-Mayor/129703023737061 http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100831/20100831-mayoral-flie/20100831/?hub=CP24Weather

27. Walker, Daniel Rev. (July 6): http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=133417870022417gid=133417870022417
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100831/20100831-mayoral-walker/20100831/?hub=CP24Weather

28. Ball, Christopher (July 9): http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100831/20100831-mayoral-ball/20100831/?hub=CP24Weather

29. Taylor, Phil (July 12): http://philtaylorformayor.com/
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100831/20100831-mayoral-taylor/20100831/?hub=CP24Weather
30. Dewitt, Lee (July 14): http://leeformayor.webs.com/apps/profile/62561644/
http://christiangovernment.ca/?tag=dewitt-lee

http://www.abettertoronto.ca/http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100831/20100831-mayoral-lee/20100831/?hub=CP24Weather

31. McMillan, Jim (July 19): Last ran for city councillor in ward 18 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_McMillan http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100831/20100831-mayoral-jim-mcmillan/20100831/?hub=CP24Weather 32. Di Fiore, James (Aug 10): http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/296606 http://www.eyeweekly.com/city/scrollingeye/article/17739
Charged under Elections Act ? 33. Goodhead, Barry (Aug 13): http://goodheadformayor.blogspot.com/
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/BarryGoodhead

34. Derome, Gerald (Aug 25): http://wapedia.mobi/en/Duri_Naimji
(Video interview: http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/23875--unusual-candidates-vie-for-mayor-s-chair)
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/KingGDerome Ran for mayor in 2006, getting 578 votes or 0.1% Self-described "Global Social Engineer" concerned about sharing of economic welth with the poor.


35. Epstein, David (Aug 25):Website: http://www.epsteinformayor.com/

36. Macklin, Carmen (Aug 25):

37. Sarma, Vijay (Sept 2): Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMswustumkgv=lMswustumkgv=lMswustumkg
http://whatyouwanttobelievein.com/5001.html 38. Alexander, Michael (Sept 9): A filmmaker whose political hero is Pierre Trudeau, Came in 4th in the 2006 mayoral race (after Miller, Pitfield, LeDrew) with 5,247 votes, or just under 1% of the 584,484 votes cast.

39. Brausewetter. Michael (Sept 9):

40. Tang, Weizhen (Sept 9): ? The Chinese Warren Buffet ?http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/inside-city-hall/dear-white-nights-you-have-24-hours-to-register-for-mayor/article1701339/ Alleged fraud artist running for mayor: http://tinyurl.com/2fdffq8

41. Diane Devenyi (Sept 10): The vitual mayor ? Email: diane@thevirtualmayor.com http://www.dianetorontomayor.ca/
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... Meanwhile, back in Mississauga, HAZEL McCALLION
is going for term TWELVE ! ... at 89 years old http://tinyurl.com/2f2bled

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

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
(Liberal, former executive assistant to Mario Silva, who was ward 18 city councillor from 1994-2003) http://www.anabailao.ca/ She last ran in 2003 = 4,537 votes and came second to Adam Giambrone, losing by 1,260 votes. Rumour has it she supported Adam in 2006? Exceptionally strong Liberal party ties, most of her "volunteer" staff sport the classic red jackets, hats, etc.. Torontoist interview can be found here http://tinyurl.com/27naz6k Born in Portugal, claims to be a longtime resident of Davenport?, Ana is very pro-development. Some recent controversy says she has been getting lots of support from outside the ward (Junction Triangle site posting : "Bailao: Past Donors Raise Questions For Me" by Scott Dobson http://tinyurl.com/25lzage claims Ana spent over $70,000 on her 2003 campaign versus Adam's $42,000 (Note: New campaign laws put ceilings on this year's campaign, about $30,000.) Ana wants ward 18 to be the "safest, greenest and cleanest". She says we need to keep our artists and need affordable housing. Email: ana.bailao@anabailao.ca Campaign Office: 1486 Dundas Street West (at Dufferin) Expect strong support from Dundas West BIA who was very upset with Giambrone taking away their parking. *Update: Ana got in hot water for putting up election signs before the allowable time (12:01am Oct 4) and official complaint was filed by Kirk Russell.

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)

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 Rodrigues

6. 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

7. 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.

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 YouMe! 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/441?page=1#comment-1931

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

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

Ken Wood Withdrew From City Councillor Elections

Time to Face Realities

For reasons primarily financial but also practical, today I withdrew from the election campaign for City Councillor.

There are still 11 candidates in the race.

Who is Ken Wood?

Interview with Jordan Maxwell of the.bloordale.press

http://thebloordalepress.wordpress.com/politics/who-is-ken-wood/

This was a mostly accurate interview (although I don't remember being so eloquent) and I appreciated the opportunity to explain my position on the issues as I see them.

However, I found it quite limiting in the respect that all media I have met always seem to want to boil down a complexity of issues into a minimum of - at most - three simple responses. Life and politics is more complicated than that.

The interviewer missed a lot of discussion I had about my concerns over the recent G20 and the fundamental denial of civil liberties that occurred, for instance. I repeatedly emphasized that all candidates for political office at any level should be questioned about their position on the G20 and how it was handled.

But all in all, it was a fair interview.

I invite voters to look at the interviews with the other candidates as well and come to an informed decision when they vote. Even if you don't agree with everything your best choice candidate says - at least VOTE ! because....

DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER !

CALL FOR PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO THE G20 in Toronto

There is a Facebook page called Canadians Demanding a Public Inquiry Into Toronto G20 that I encourage people to check out: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=135629036463012

When there are almost 50,000 people demanding answers about how authorities handled the G20 in Toronto (June 25-28) and serious questions about infringements of constitutional charter rights by police.... When there are frequent protests drawing several hundreds and sometimes thousands of people to protest on our streets... When there is a media story every day about new revelations of distressing incidents from the G20...

There is an obvious need for a full public inquiry. I believe it should at a minium be a full public inquiry at the Toronto municipal government level, preferably at the provincial legislature level and most appropriately at the federal parliamentary level, since it involves numerous alleged infractions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

For those that were not there and might doubt the need, please check out the many videos and photos taken on those days that reveal almost a contempt for charter rights by some police. Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjVtsuoPlzk Just one of many on the internet, this shows a police officer at the 3 min 50 sec mark saying "This isn't Canada anymore" to someone really very far away from security fencing, The officer refused him the right to walk the streets unless he consented to illegal search and identified himself - both actions not required by law, even during the G20.

I hope other candidates for political office will raise the G20 issue during the campaign and clearly state their positions on it. We should demnd no less, because...

DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER !

WHY POLICE CHIEF BLAIR MUST RESIGN

Police Admit Deliberately Misleading Public On Expanded Security Fence Law

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/police-admit-deliberately-misleading-public-on-expanded-security-fence-law/article1622864/?cmpid=rss1

Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair admits he willingly misinterpreted the so-called 'secret law' that was passed by the Ontario Liberal government cabinet to suit his own ends.

In doing so, in my view, he committed a knowingly willful act against civil liberties and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (*) and at the very least, brought disgrace upon himself and the entire Toronto Police Services he is charged to represent and administer. Chief Blair must resign or be forced from office by the Toronto Police Services Board.

The lawful rights of every citizen were taken away during the G20, as not only people near the security perimeter fence but also anywhere in Toronto were told they must show identification and submit to searches or be arrested. Indeed, there are numerous cases where arrests occurred and people were unlawfully detained by police. In many case, they were released without charge. Nonetheless, citizens had their civil liberty - guaranteed under constitutional law - taken away on the whim of a single man it seems.

No doubt the fallout from this will continue for days, weeks and months as the wrongly detained and arrested make their way through our slow court justice system, perhaps even to the Supreme Court. Many in authority will have much to answer for at all levels of government.

But until then, Chief Blair must resign or be removed from office. NOW !

(Sadly, Chief Blair has been an otherwise decent and effective police chief, and perhaps he is the 'scaepgoat' for the Ontario provincial government who seems to be running or cover from widespread public criticism)

( * ) Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:

Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:

freedom of conscience and religion;

freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;

freedom of peaceful assembly; and

freedom of association

LEGAL RIGHTS:

• Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure
• Everyone has the right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned.

http://www.efc.ca/pages/law/charter/charter.sect.html

G20 Protests June 25-27, 2010

HOW THE G20 WAS HANDLED SHOULD BE AN ELECTION ISSUE

Three days of massive protests in Toronto, most peaceful, but marred by the actions of a relatively very few vandals and some questionable police tactics have highlighted Toronto in a way that probably everyone can agree was disturbing at the least. How things were handled should be a major election issue as it speaks to the very foundations of civil liberties and democracy in our city.

I personally attended a protest march on Friday June 25 because I believed the ONE BILLION DOLLAR cost of security was of an obscene order of magnitude, particulary given that we have pressing social problems of poverty, hunger and homelessness in our city and country. At the same time, we should all be wondering why the last summit in the USA cost $18 million (51 times less) in comparison. Did it really have to cost this much and was it worth it?http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100626/100626_cost_g20/20100626/?hub=CP24Home

Friday's demonstrations were peaceful and relatively uneventful, except for what appears to have been a denial of rights to the deaf man arrested for not hearing police orders http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/g8-g20/toronto/deaf-man-arrested-in-g20-protest-gets-bail/article1619559/ Police presence was massive, but restrained and orderly.

Saturday I did not attend protests, but had the opportunity to follow all of the actions via numerous blogs and live-feeds from both mainstream media and the wealth of citizen on the scene reporting. (the new 'social media' is amazing!) The actions of the small group of "Black Bloc" (self-professed anarchists who seem to hate any form of social order) hijacked the messages of the tens of thousands of protesters. Violence sells - "If It Bleeds It Leads" - and what most in our city, country and even internationally thought was 'Toronto is Burning' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32OW6cu4Ypk (Russia Today). Numerous downtown businesses were trashed, yet police did not respond to stop it, preferring instead to prevent protesters from getting to THE FENCE. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontog20summit/article/825908--fortress-toronto-secrets-of-the-fence It seemed police tactics were to allow collateral damage to Toronto's streets to ensure the security zone around the dignitaries was protected at all costs. Incumbent City Councillor Adam Vaughan expected this http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/g8-g20/news/torontonians-try-to-make-sense-of-g20-vandalism/article1620860/

Sunday, police changed tactics, becoming much more aggressive at boxing in protesters and initiating arrests and violence. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontog20summit/article/829581--police-tactics-too-tough-or-too-soft Peaceful, lawful protesters, passersby, tourists, media were forced into the net by herding police in riot gear. Tally? Over 600 arrests, much more than the infamous 1999 "Battle of Seattle" protests against the World Trade Organization (WTO). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Organization_Ministerial_Conference_of_1999_protest_activity Sunday in Toronto saw violence against citizens by police in contrast to violence against property by criminals on Saturday.

The conclusion? Well, Prime Minister Stephen Harper in an "I told you so" moment suggested that the violence justified the controversial (one billion dollars) cost of the G20: "I think it goes a long way to explaining why we have the kind of security costs around these summits that we do" http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hNkQwBas7Slcts-cUOIAJhnP9HdwD9GJVAD00 Yet, the truth is these summits could be held anywhere at temendously lower cost than a city like Toronto.

And just where are our local city politicians on the G20 issues and what's happened to our city?

• Mayor Miller blames the few thugs that caused all this
• Adam Giambrone to his credit seems to have worked hard to keep the TTC running
• Most mayoral candidates have blamed the criminals for all the violence
• Many incumbent councillors, like Shelley Carroll, seemed to ignore and laugh at the situation (she tweeted: "Protest can't stop consumerism at Yonge and Bloor, Off to Queen and Beav to watch Ghana Game!" at the same time violence was erupting on the streets)
• Following tweets of candidates for various levels of office, they pretty much all semed to be very far from the action doing social events. (Later many would condemn actions they never saw in person and only heard about from news reports)
• Most notable, Himy Syed, once candidate for city councillor ward 19 now running for mayor, was at the heart of the action Sunday night at Queen and Spadina to experience first hand questionable police tactics http://twitter.com/himysyed

I have to wonder if there will be any real inquiry into what befell our city this past weekend, whether we'll really know whether laws were followed and rights respected by both protesters and police, and whether candidates for political office will even see this as an issue before October elections. In my view, the G20 and how it was handled in Toronto deserves an inquiry and close scrutiny, with a view to ensuring Toronto never again gets such a black eye.

It should be an election issue discussed by all candidates.

*** UPDATE *** Any businesses who suffered damage can apply to the federal government for compensation according to this: http://g20.gc.ca/payments-on-an-ex-gratia-basis/