POVERTY: AN ELECTION ISSUE PRIORITY !

KEN WOOD CALLS ON ALL WARD 18 CANDIDATES TO SIGN THE POVERTY PLEDGE

The Toronto Working Group on Poverty sent out an email call to all candidates in all wards to show their commitment to make a serious effort to address the alarming increase of poverty in our city. Backgrounders on poverty can be dound at the Social Planning Toronto website: http://socialplanningtoronto.org/ and details on the pledge can be found by emailing: mmicallef@socialplanningtoronto.org if you did not receive it.

Some facts:

• Toronto is the second largest city in Canada in terms of economic productivity and growth
• ONE in FOUR = 25% of Toronto residents live in poverty (StatsCan LICO)
• Poverty rates are especially high for: recent immigrants (46%); aboriginal people (37%); single mothers (37%); people of colour (33%) and seniors (21%). Poverty in family groups is 21% in Toronto, the second highest in Canada.
• The gap between rich and poor is growing. Average incomes are dropping. cost of living, rents, food, etc is rising. You can see that everywhere.
• Poverty leads to poor health, social exclusion, suicides

I also know from personal experience that non-profit charity food banks are struggling terribly. Demand is skyrocketing and donations are dropping as more and more of us face financial stresses. We have hungry people everywhere - they are just invisible except in the lineups at local food banks all over the city. This is a key indicator of poverty. Check out information at The Daily Bread Food Bank: http://www.dailybread.ca/home/index.cfm

We need to be talking about poverty NOW. If we don't address the issues facing our neighbours, our friends and families - what is government good for? City building and city administration is NOT just about taxes and dollars.... it is about caring for fellow human beings.

We all need to stand up and speak out on this issue.... because:

DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER !

* Update: "Food Drive in Davenport" story Inside Toronto http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/876229--food-drive-in-davenport

* Update: Hamilton is doing what Toronto should: http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/262315--putting-poverty-on-the-agenda

MAYOR RACE OFF THE RAILS ?

WHAT's WRONG WITH THE MAYORAL RACE ?
"... anger is a very bad emotion to build a city on" (David Crombie, former Toronto Mayor)

WANTED: A LEADER WITH VISION WE CAN TRUST

50 Mayoral Debates so Far? 40 to go? So far we have: angry voters plus 'front-runner' candidates jumping on bandwagons to be popular at all costs (It's time to stop bashing the city, look ahead and be positive says a Maytree opinion piece: http://maytree.com/speeches/the-problem-with-campaigning-against-cities.html )

Former mayors discuss quality of debate, in Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/city-votes/the-campaigns-biggest-loser-so-far-toronto-itself/article1712036/ ) audio and print

I hear from so many people that they are still undecided or wish their were better candidates running for Mayor. I would bet that 90% of voters don't realize there are 41 choices for Mayor, some of them with great ideas (HiMY SYeD is one). However our mainstream media have hammered over and over that we Torontonians have only 5 choices.

As voters, we all really need to seek out information on our own to find the hidden gems of policies and ideas, and question both candidates and our media about them.

WANT TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE NEW?

There is a mayoral debate happening September 29th. You can go to ArtsVote at http://artsvotetoronto.ca/ to vote for a new voice at thise mayoral debates.

Some of MY (Ken Wood's) thoughts on Mayoral leadership and vision issues for our city:

1. Amalgamation hurt our neighbourhoods - but we are stuck with it now. It has NOT saved us money, as promised by Mike Harris. We need to find a way to regain our local neighbourhood identities and control. (I am intrigued by mayoral candidate Himy Syed's idea of having 4 deputy mayors responsible for ensuring we pay more attention to regions). The needs of the suburbs are not the same needs as downtown, for example. There is a constant push-pull on councillors to think city-wide and to think local. One novel suggestion I have made is that the TTC Chair be a separate elected position, requiring the unique transit skills set to pay full attention to this major portfolio.
2. Cutting council size from 44 to 22 is a mistake. Right now each councillor is responsible for about 50,000 people. That is a lot, especially considering the level of detailed issues that is handled at city level. It is often said that the level of government that most directly affects our lives is local government.
3. Diversity Needs Attention! "Diversity is Our Strength" is Toronto's motto. Politicians talk the talk on diversity, but as a city we do not walk the walk. It is not just a matter that there are not more faces of colour/culture on city council, it is that the big city is not reaching our very diverse population. There are about 180 languages spoken in Toronto, yet the city (except for the great 311 initiative) does a poor job of reaching out to its citizens whose first language is not English. We first need to find better ways to communicate TO and hear FROM our neighbours who are new immigrants. Equally important is finding ways to INVOLVE new immigrants and our diverse population - and I am talking about involvement in power structures, not just acknowledging their cultures.
4. Poverty/Homelessness/Hunger: We still see these social ills everywhere, and although there has been some progress, we should not sit on our laurels and assume enough has been done. Where is the leadership (or attention!) on this ! ... Note: I regret having missed a mayoral debate on this "Building a Fairer Toronto for All" at Innis town hall Sept 15, reported in the Toronto Observer: http://www.torontoobserver.ca/2010/09/15/mayoral-debate-addresses-torontos-reputation-for-fairness/ It is clear to me the current crop of 5 media-chosen contenders haven't a clue here. I guess it takes the lived experience of poverty to realize this. I can be the "Poor People's Councillor" but where is the "Poor People's Mayor" ?
5. Turf Wars: There is an enormous disconnect between School Boards and City Council. Lots of PUBLIC resouces available (like schools, land) but due to archaic constitutional issues there is a separation of powers between education and municipal government. It is not good enough for mayoral leaders (or councillors) to duck the issue as "oh that's provincial". Anything can be changed, given political will. There is only one taxpayer - school land, facilities belong to all of us. Let's use them wisely.

One former mayor said (paraphrasing):

Elections are about CHARACTER.

How can we know we can trust that person with the keys to the shop?

We really all do need to do our homework on finding out who has the character to lead... because:

DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER !

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:

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 !

Dundas West BIA and Parking Issue

PARKING ON DUNDAS WEST - LANSDOWNE NARROWING
This is How a Councillor You Elect Can Hurt You

I walked the Dundas West parts of ward 18 today and saw again what Adam Giambrone's TTC ambitions have done to local constituents. Through an appalling lack of consultation (like Lansdowne Avenue narrowing), he forced through changes that hurt residents and businesses.

Most of us know - or should - that parking was removed in both instances. On Lansdowne - it was in the name of "traffic calming" - never realized. On Dundas West , it was to speed up transit TTC and reduce gridlock. The result there is plain to see: during rush hours, gridlock no savings in time; off peak hours, close calls for pedestrians avoiding speeding cars and TTC...

* side note: Anyone notice yet how many pedestrian close calls and accidents we have because of TTC related incidents?

Another real cost has been to the businesses along the Dundas West BIA. What was touted as a 'pilot project' no one wanted became permanent. Businesses suffered - and are STILL suffering. I spoke with business owners and staff who said the effect of taking away parking ranged from 'I lost my house' to 'it bites'.

PARKING ON DUNDAS WEST was a big issue at the start of this campaign and before, and will continue to be a hot issue button right up to and after election day (Oct 25). Inside Toronto community news agrees: http://www.insidetorontovotes.ca/wards/bloor-west-parkdale/ward-18-davenport/

Mayoral candidate George Smitherman today promises to compensate businesses for construction delays http://tinyurl.com/2evxf2u (refers to the Roncessvalles mess, St Clair TTC?) ... yet that does not go far enough. If the city through lack of consultation and proper planning neglects to take into account the impact on businesses, they should be on the hook for losses they cause. Wonder if Smitherman or any candidates will go that far?

It is certainly something that needs much more consultation, no matter what!

My take on this? What do we do?

1. Plain and simple: The city MUST compensate business owners for loss of business for the period past. No ifs, ands or buts
2. The TTC Chair should be an elected and SEPARATE position from local councillor. It is to me an obvious conflict of interest when one person looks after city-wide transitr issues and (supposedly) his local ward issues. Advantages, besides what I just said? Getting a transit-savvy set of skills going into the job and enhancing city-wide transit as an important vision (most of our city budget).
3. Remedy the parking situation in Dundas West with city Green P parking lot (probably a structure too). Roads are for moving, yet we need compromise.

*** Update: September 20th Ana Bailao announce she is making parking a campaign issue. (Kind of late isn't it?)

And, as always, as most of us candidates are saying: CONSULTATION...CONSULTATION...CONSULTATION !

because..... Davenport Deserves Better

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:

• 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

What it shows is how a voter and a candidate interact when there is such fundamental difference in political views. It shows how running for political office means candidates not only put out for all to see their views, ideas and concerns - but also their flaws, weaknesses and strengths. It shows how this world of online anonymity can mean anyone can take pot shots at people without fearing consequences. It shows how real, gut-level reactions can get you in trouble or 'score you points'.

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.

Conflicting Debates: Local and Mayoral

Why Can't I Be In Two Places At Once ?

Active18 set a so-called "All Candidates Debate" for today Sept 13 Monday 6-8pm ... so-called as they preferred to only allow 8 of the 12 duly registered candidates to actually debate at Queen West and Dovercourt. I was told I could ask my 'questions' .. at the end of the debate. Seeing that I was shut out, I decided to go to the Mayoral Debate instead (probably the right decision). Hope there will be a story so I can learn what residents' concerns were...
*** UPDATE: Toronto Observer covered it - http://www.torontoobserver.ca/2010/09/14/curbing-rowdy-revellers-in-ward-18-hot-topic-at-candidates-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-13265
and NOW makes their bioased slant on it: http://www.nowtoronto.com/guides/voteto/2010/story.cfm?content=176760

Mayoral Debate set for today Sept 13 Monday 6:30pm-9:00pm at 90 Croatia (near Dufferin Mall). There was a crowd of about 200 ... 100 if you took out the candidates' cheerleaders. Surprising of the 'usual suspects' of five media-labelled frontrunners, George Smitherman did not appear and was represented by an empty chair. The other, of course, were:
Rob Ford, Joe Pantalone, Sarah Thomson and Rocco Rossi. The moderator was the unbiased (sorry, didn't see that) Sue Ann Levy from The Toronto Sun.

Organizers point out that debate in honour of former City TV reporter Tara Weber who left Toronto for the friendlier wheelchair accessible city of Calgary See: http://tinyurl.com/2fa2ffj

Nothing we haven't heard before in the candidates' introductory speeches, except Rocco Rossi went out of his way to compliment Sue Ann Levy for being "the official opposition" for city council. A dig at Rob Ford ?

Some (FINALLY !) new questions were asked:

* BEDBUGS : Mary Milne of Bread and Bricks Davenport West Social Justice Group asked what they will do about this growing city wide problem. I heard...Pantalone: would ask for provincial help; Thomson: Will do something, suggests non profits better at helping, blames TCHC for not being diligent; Rossi: Quick to blame Ford, Pantalone for not already having done something; Ford: TCHC should have put out private tender to get fixed, if left up to tenants they won't do it. Really got the sense none knew what they were talking about, especially as they all tried to duck the question by saying it wasn't a health risk - though Ford said he'd leave it up to Dr. McKeown, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health. Disappointing deflections from all.

* ELECTRIC TRAINS : Mike Sullivan, National Spokesperson for the Clean Train Coalition, stated that the public has made it abundantly clear that they demand electric trains along the Georgetown corridor for both GO Transit and the Air Rail link, asked how candidates would work to make that a reality. I heard... Thomson: is a centrist and thinks it important to build good relations at provincial and federal level, said being heard in the Provincial elections is what people should do; Rossi: ? Talked about the need to remove politicians from TTC operations and put in a skills based board (did he hear the question?); Ford: All in favour of electric but wants to know the cost first, not clear what it would be (followed by attacks from others that he should know already?); Pantalone: Pointed out Metrolinx is not TTC and is not elected or accountable and this is wrong, said we should never sacrifice public health for public dollars; Thomson: Chastized Rossi for not knowing clean electric trains is not the TTC, yet went on to talk about fare systems on the TTC ? (Presto vs open fare)... followed by more sniping at each other. Not a clear answer here either.

* AFFORDABLE HOUSING : Chrissy D., and Marcelo Castro of Davenport Perth Neighbourhood Centre asked if candidates would increase targets for more affordable housing and would advocate for more federal funding. .. I heard...Pantalone: praised Streets to Homes program (then bashed about shelter costs by Ford); Ford: There is housing on the market looking for tenants right now, why do we need shelters, help people find housing in the market. Thomson: Concerned about creating pockets of poverty, her solution is a portable rent subsidy, not so dissimilar to Ford; Rossi: not sure what he answered as I got a call I had to take. Got the impression no clear answers here either.

* ? Boys and Girls Club Dovercourt was to ask a planned questions but no one there to ask it... moving on...

SUE ANN LEVY exercised her status as (ubiased) moderator to bring up one of her long time pet peeves: Who will ban aggressive panhandling and clean up the streets?
I heard... Rossi: supports ban; Ford: Supports ban, make addicts go to rehab, get meds for mental illness, make them get a job; Pantalone: Praised Streets to Homes program again, pointed out that Supreme Court says its not illegal to ask people for money; Thomson: Talked about couch surfing when young, then because she was attacked by aggressive panhandler at 25 she supports ban. Except for Pantalone, not much compassion to be had here.

Audience questions:

1. (Me) I expressed my disdain for mayoral candidates who spend a lot of time trying to tear each other down, and asked why any of the other mayoral candidates aren't at debates with their ideas, especially since we've heard the same things over and over from the 'front 5'.
Ford: says he is open to it, will write letter to agree, pointed out the one debate with Rocco Achampong was a good one; Pantalone: dismissed the idea saying there are 41 candidates running, would take too long; Thomson: says she is for inclusion, would agree, pointed out HiMY SYeD perhaps should be invited; Rossi: SPoke of how polls decide on the froint runners (I couldn't resist saying 'Polls are not Votes'. On rebuttals, Ford mused that perhaps groups of debates could be arranged to hear from other mayoral candidates.

2. CLOSING SCHOOLS, USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES: Theme of question was that since schools are public taxpayer funded, why can't hey be turned over to local communit for other public purposes - mentioned West Toronto and Kent. All candidates took great pains to point out that this was a provincial responsibility and that it was in the purview of SChool Trustees and the Province. Pantalone: Went further to say that perhaps schools should be transferred to cities at discounts instead of the current must be at market value.

3. There were other questions, but sometimes difficult to hear all answers because of microphones cutting in and out. To be fair I didn't get a complete sense of all candidates replies so I won't post just some.

4. Wheelchair Accesibility: Candidates were asked to commit to making Toronto more wheelchair accesible and all said Yes.

5. CYCLING, BIKE LANES: To great applause in this cycling friendly ward, candidates were asked what they were going to do to make more complete bike access, particularly protected from cars and vice versa.... I heard...Ford: What the local people want they get, can see that downtowners want lanes, but noy in the suburbs; Pantalone: praised bike lanes initiatives, University, Jarvis (for which he got attacked on disputed costs by others), spoke of BIXI initiative; Thomson: need a balance where it makes sense, spoke of "complete streets"; Rossi: I was getting a little fatigued herte so don't know if I got this right... he went on about building a tunnel to complete the Spadina Expressway ?

Think I'll stop now as I'm getting punchy about remembering who said what. No doubt mainstream media will report. Good night.

PS: I saw Kirk Russell, also a candidate for ward18 at this debate. He felt strongly we should all see what the mayoral candidates are up to, and regretted that Active18 scheduled their debate at the same time. I agree.

Photo from the Big on Bloor Festival, Rocco Rossi, Himy Syed and Ken Wood
discussing issues of poverty in ward 18:

Here is an Inside Toronto community news story on this debate: http://tinyurl.com/26gpo7u

and here is local Dufferin Grove/CELOS story: http://www.celos.ca/wiki/wiki.php?n=MunicipalElection2010.Ward18MayoralDebate

Un-Incumbents Gather

Underdog Candidates Cheer Each Other On

So says The Star: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/elections/article/860542--underdog-candidates-cheer-each-other-on?bn=1 about the event organized by Mayoral candidate HiMY SYeD at the Dovercourt Baptist Church on Dufferin and Bloor Street West today.

Held from 11am to 1pm, it was admittedly a little hard to attend for all those candidates running in wards in which there was no incumbent councillor running, but it was timely for the media who were able to get their stories at a good time.

At official close of nominations Friday, Sept 10, 2:00pm: There are 41 candidates running for Mayor and 279 candidates for City Councillor across Toronto's 44 wards. According to political watcher and ideas promoter, Dave Meslin, there are 8 wards with no incumbents.
http://meslin.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/snapshot_2010/#more-996

Whatever the result of this October 25th vote, THERE WILL BE CHANGE at City Hall of an unprecedented fashion.

Not only did I get to meet some candidates from other areas of my city (like Bruce Baker running in Ward 32 Beaches-East York and 22 year old William Molls running in Ward 22 St. Paul's) as well as chatting with fellow competitors for ward 18 (Ana Bailao and Hema Vyas), I was able to learn about some great social networking tools that will help my neighbours and I know who stands for what in this election (see below for links).

Thanks to HiMY SYeD, who has a Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=152305034793814 , for his civic-mindedness in providing a great forum for those of us who dare to challenge and advocate change at City Hall.

Social Networking Resources:

TORONTOPEDIA : http://www.torontopedia.ca/ Learn about your city, get answers

WIKIPEDIA: Toronto City Council Election, 2010 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_city_council_election,_2010 Ward races