BIG MEDIA AT FAULT FOR FRUSTRATING MAYORAL RACE
... and Poor Understanding of Local Ward Races
Eyeweekly.com just did a really interesting story on how the media has overlooked some good contenders for the Mayoral race, and shows how the media played kingmakers in raising fringe candidate Sarah Thomson's star: http://www.eyeweekly.com/city/mayoralrace2010/article/103423
Mayoral candidate HIMY SYED definitely deserves real consideration, not only for his intelligence and awareness of all things Toronto or for his prolific and insightful comments via social media like Twitter ( http://twitter.com/#!/HiMYSYeD ) , but also because he has a real, detailed platform and not just platitudes or attacks on other candidates. He is a serious candidate for what Toronto needs in my view and deserves a seat at the big folks table.
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With regard to local ward races, I am increasingly frustrated with how the media - even some of the more local community news outlets who should know better - ignore the full field of candidates or the issues raised, and desperately try to boil down complex situations and multiple choices to an arbitrary two person matchup. I speak not just of my own ward 18 - where Now Magazine tries to tell us that only Ana Bailao (Liberal) and Kevin Beaulieu (NDP) matter http://www.nowtoronto.com/guides/voteto/2010/story.cfm?content=176760 , but also of most of Toronto's 44 wards that I am trying to follow.
*Update: Here's an agreeing blogger http://oct25.ca/aobtd Another One Bites The Dust says 5 of 8 big time candidates chosen for us by the media have gone from the races.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
WARD 18 CANDIDATES DEBATE 7 NOTES
Meet the Candidates Forum for Residents of Doversquare Wed Oct 6
was held in the Salvation Army Building at 789 Dovercourt Road, organized by Gilleen W. and Chad. About thirty area residents came and heard brief introductions of 10 of the 12 candidates running for City Councillor in ward 18, and were able to ask some pointed questions. (Not attending were Mohammed Muhit and Joanna Teliatnik who were invited but declined). The ten candidates who did attend were:
1. What will be your approach to building consensus with the new mayor of the ciy and the rest of council to further your agenda during your term?
Ken Wood's answer: I would first find what the core values of each person was. For instance, here tonight I can say: Doug = eloquent and skilled; Nha = sincere; Kevin = affable; Hema = talented; Elmi=real; Frank = experienced; Ana = connected; Joe = honest; Kirk =intelligent and Ken ? = different. I would then work with them using their best skills and talents to advantage. As everyone else has said, you have to build relationships. And no doubt there will be a major change in the next council composition.
2. Community-driven programs in Dufferin Grove Park have been an example of how local residents can partner with municipal government. Would you like these kinds of initiatives to continue or even expand? Yes. Ken's answer was that often central bureaucracies try the one size fits all approach which is wrong for very local neighbourhood situations and can kill innovation. I would want to expand them and push for community-driven innovation.
3. Do you think that long term residents of Toronto should be able to vote in municipal elections?
I don't recall that we really got to this question as there was a jump to audience questions, but my response (Ken Wood) is that I am a little undecided. Being a citizen should mean something and voting rights should go with that - yet, it does take 3-5 years for new immigrants to get through the federal process (too long in my view), all the while they pay taxes and are affected by city decisions. Still struggling with this one, but still open-minded.
----
Other questions from the audience that often provided some heated exchanges between candidates were:
4. Seniors' issues: How will you respond to the needs of seniors, in things like affordable housing and other things you think need done to help seniors?
My response was to ask how many people over 60 were in the room (3) - which show that reaching out to seniors is the first priority. (Nha Le promised to spend $20,000 of his councillor salary tobuy a minivan to transport them to appointmenst and such - something that was raised as a concern). I also can identify with the mobility rerstrictions in our society like have to race the 'countdown clock'at intersections and the need for rest stops and benches. Many issues are tied in with seniors: hunger/food banks, affordable housing, high taxes, wheeltrans, pedestrian accidents, etc. and more must be done by the city to help our seniors.
5. Youth and Children: What programs do you think are needed in the community for our youth and children and what would you do to help in this area?
(Questioner was hoping answer would be more help tutoring our youth) Ken's answer was that there are a host of things needed, like childcare, after school programs, keeping pools open in the summer, having more sports activities, etc. I would talk to those passionate about youth to get ideas to expand programs. I commented one thing that helped were breakfast programs, but that it is shameful that we force so many to rely on food banks.
6. An audience member raised concerns about media reports that young volunteers for candidate Ana Bailao were caught breaking election law by erecting signs prior to the 12:01am Monday Oct 4 allowable time. She felt this was a poor example. Nha Le asked Ana how she could be Councillor if she cannot control her own people. Ana apologized and said it was over-exuberance by volunteers. (Note: It was candidate Kirk Russell who provided Toronto Elections and the media with documented photos that infractions were indeed done - no charges are laid as of yet)
7. An audience member tried to get Ana to say who she supports for mayor. She said she was undecided. Ken Wood pointed out that Ana was clearly a Liberal with deep ties to the party and enjoyed a significanty advantage of their paid volunteers and networks from outside the ward. No doubt she will be voting for Geeorge Smitherman whom many say has already endorsed Ana. An audience member also brought up that Ana's funding seems to have come from outside the ward mostly.
(Note: All candidates committed on air at the Sept 29 Rogers TV debate - The Local Campaign - with moderator Dale Goldhawk to publicly release their donor list one week before the election = October 18, 2010)
8. An audience member asked Hema Vyas to respond to claims that she actually does not live in this ward and was shopping around for a ward to run in. Hema replied she has an interest in this community of ward 18. Joe MacDonald pointed out that it was common knowledge that Hema chose our ward as second choice.
9. An audience member asked what candidates would do to get the Strip Clubs like the Lancaster shut down. This was the most emotional exchange of the night, with most candidates agreeing it was legal and not much could be done except to improve the area around it and get more foot traffic in the area. Some questioned why the head of the BIA in the area in fact owned and opereated the Strip Club. Another complained that the city's facade improvement meant $10,000 of taxpayers' money went into making the exterior of the strip club look better and why did the city give them the money. (He was not happy with Kevin Beaulieu's answer)
10. One gentleman asked why we leave a lot of social programs to charities to handle... Ken answered that it is supposed to be the job of governments to help build a better society and often they have ignored helping and left it up to charities (like food banks), who then go to donors asking what amounts to another voluntary tax. Cities need to do more
He also asked why we see so many big box stores and malls and Walmarts that drive out tradional small business like hardware stores, why does the city let this happen: Ken asnwered that change and development is inevitable. The trickis to plan for SMART development that meets local neighbourhood needs.
Thanks to Gilleen and Chad for contributing to our community by organizing this meeting.
---
NEXT (and probably last?) Candidates Debate will be:
* Thursday, October 14 6:30pm at 72 Perth just south of Bloor at The Church of the Firstborn, Coordinator contact email is: TOWARD18@yahoo.ca South Perth and Sterling Road Residents' Association
Also, the annual YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) gathering will be held Saturday, October 16 from 11-4pm at The Gladstone Hotel http://www.gladstonehotel.com/events/exhibitions/yimby
I hope we get a better turnout of voters on election day, OCTOBER 25... because...
was held in the Salvation Army Building at 789 Dovercourt Road, organized by Gilleen W. and Chad. About thirty area residents came and heard brief introductions of 10 of the 12 candidates running for City Councillor in ward 18, and were able to ask some pointed questions. (Not attending were Mohammed Muhit and Joanna Teliatnik who were invited but declined). The ten candidates who did attend were:
Doug Carroll, Nha Le, Kevin Beaulieu, Hema Vyas, Abdirazak Elmi, Frank de Jong, Ana Bailao, Ken Wood, Joe MacDonald and Kirk Russell.
Three prepared questions were asked and provided in advance to candidates:1. What will be your approach to building consensus with the new mayor of the ciy and the rest of council to further your agenda during your term?
Ken Wood's answer: I would first find what the core values of each person was. For instance, here tonight I can say: Doug = eloquent and skilled; Nha = sincere; Kevin = affable; Hema = talented; Elmi=real; Frank = experienced; Ana = connected; Joe = honest; Kirk =intelligent and Ken ? = different. I would then work with them using their best skills and talents to advantage. As everyone else has said, you have to build relationships. And no doubt there will be a major change in the next council composition.
2. Community-driven programs in Dufferin Grove Park have been an example of how local residents can partner with municipal government. Would you like these kinds of initiatives to continue or even expand? Yes. Ken's answer was that often central bureaucracies try the one size fits all approach which is wrong for very local neighbourhood situations and can kill innovation. I would want to expand them and push for community-driven innovation.
3. Do you think that long term residents of Toronto should be able to vote in municipal elections?
I don't recall that we really got to this question as there was a jump to audience questions, but my response (Ken Wood) is that I am a little undecided. Being a citizen should mean something and voting rights should go with that - yet, it does take 3-5 years for new immigrants to get through the federal process (too long in my view), all the while they pay taxes and are affected by city decisions. Still struggling with this one, but still open-minded.
----
Other questions from the audience that often provided some heated exchanges between candidates were:
4. Seniors' issues: How will you respond to the needs of seniors, in things like affordable housing and other things you think need done to help seniors?
My response was to ask how many people over 60 were in the room (3) - which show that reaching out to seniors is the first priority. (Nha Le promised to spend $20,000 of his councillor salary tobuy a minivan to transport them to appointmenst and such - something that was raised as a concern). I also can identify with the mobility rerstrictions in our society like have to race the 'countdown clock'at intersections and the need for rest stops and benches. Many issues are tied in with seniors: hunger/food banks, affordable housing, high taxes, wheeltrans, pedestrian accidents, etc. and more must be done by the city to help our seniors.
5. Youth and Children: What programs do you think are needed in the community for our youth and children and what would you do to help in this area?
(Questioner was hoping answer would be more help tutoring our youth) Ken's answer was that there are a host of things needed, like childcare, after school programs, keeping pools open in the summer, having more sports activities, etc. I would talk to those passionate about youth to get ideas to expand programs. I commented one thing that helped were breakfast programs, but that it is shameful that we force so many to rely on food banks.
6. An audience member raised concerns about media reports that young volunteers for candidate Ana Bailao were caught breaking election law by erecting signs prior to the 12:01am Monday Oct 4 allowable time. She felt this was a poor example. Nha Le asked Ana how she could be Councillor if she cannot control her own people. Ana apologized and said it was over-exuberance by volunteers. (Note: It was candidate Kirk Russell who provided Toronto Elections and the media with documented photos that infractions were indeed done - no charges are laid as of yet)
7. An audience member tried to get Ana to say who she supports for mayor. She said she was undecided. Ken Wood pointed out that Ana was clearly a Liberal with deep ties to the party and enjoyed a significanty advantage of their paid volunteers and networks from outside the ward. No doubt she will be voting for Geeorge Smitherman whom many say has already endorsed Ana. An audience member also brought up that Ana's funding seems to have come from outside the ward mostly.
(Note: All candidates committed on air at the Sept 29 Rogers TV debate - The Local Campaign - with moderator Dale Goldhawk to publicly release their donor list one week before the election = October 18, 2010)
8. An audience member asked Hema Vyas to respond to claims that she actually does not live in this ward and was shopping around for a ward to run in. Hema replied she has an interest in this community of ward 18. Joe MacDonald pointed out that it was common knowledge that Hema chose our ward as second choice.
9. An audience member asked what candidates would do to get the Strip Clubs like the Lancaster shut down. This was the most emotional exchange of the night, with most candidates agreeing it was legal and not much could be done except to improve the area around it and get more foot traffic in the area. Some questioned why the head of the BIA in the area in fact owned and opereated the Strip Club. Another complained that the city's facade improvement meant $10,000 of taxpayers' money went into making the exterior of the strip club look better and why did the city give them the money. (He was not happy with Kevin Beaulieu's answer)
10. One gentleman asked why we leave a lot of social programs to charities to handle... Ken answered that it is supposed to be the job of governments to help build a better society and often they have ignored helping and left it up to charities (like food banks), who then go to donors asking what amounts to another voluntary tax. Cities need to do more
He also asked why we see so many big box stores and malls and Walmarts that drive out tradional small business like hardware stores, why does the city let this happen: Ken asnwered that change and development is inevitable. The trickis to plan for SMART development that meets local neighbourhood needs.
Thanks to Gilleen and Chad for contributing to our community by organizing this meeting.
---
NEXT (and probably last?) Candidates Debate will be:
* Thursday, October 14 6:30pm at 72 Perth just south of Bloor at The Church of the Firstborn, Coordinator contact email is: TOWARD18@yahoo.ca South Perth and Sterling Road Residents' Association
Also, the annual YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) gathering will be held Saturday, October 16 from 11-4pm at The Gladstone Hotel http://www.gladstonehotel.com/events/exhibitions/yimby
I hope we get a better turnout of voters on election day, OCTOBER 25... because...
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
WEST TORONTO IS STILL ALIVE ?
BEING BLAMED FOR HOLDING UP THE TDSB BUDGET THOUGH... ?
As usual, here I am living across the street from West Toronto. I attended a Social Planning Conference a week or so back where I took On TDSB's Chris Spence for their negligence in letting residents know what was happening with the public facility (They hold public meetings, yet no one in my neighbourhood gets any notice before the meeting).
So... I am left to learn this from The Toronto Sun: http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/moira_macdonald/2010/10/05/15594486.html
"School Plans In Jeopardy As Trustees' Homework Not Finished" - Moira Macdonald
The 5 year plan approved June 23 was contingent on declaring 3 properties surplus.
West Toronto was expected to be one, but local outcry demanded that there be another public meeting...
Sun says "lefty-Maria Rodriguez" (true - she endorses Kevin Bealieu) got the decision to sell West Toronto (for expected $20 million) put off. That so-called public meeting was held in August - but now it's too close to the election so nothing is expected to happen until January.
"nobody wants to talk about selling or closing schools"...
Why not? Don't we have a right to know before some bureaucratic axe falls?
It looks like this is a good time to ask School Trustee candidates some tough questions !
We need answers from those Ward 9 trustees wanting our vote:
Andrew Waters.... email: andrewfortrustee@gmail.com
Maria Rodriguez... profile at: http://tinyurl.com/2cbjtgo website: http://www.mariarodrigues.ca/
Anil Gupta... email: ak9gupta@yahoo.com
Helder Gomes.. no email contact or website
John Costa ... profile at: http://tinyurl.com/24v9jqm website: http://tinyurl.com/2cbkqjn
... because...
As usual, here I am living across the street from West Toronto. I attended a Social Planning Conference a week or so back where I took On TDSB's Chris Spence for their negligence in letting residents know what was happening with the public facility (They hold public meetings, yet no one in my neighbourhood gets any notice before the meeting).
So... I am left to learn this from The Toronto Sun: http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/moira_macdonald/2010/10/05/15594486.html
"School Plans In Jeopardy As Trustees' Homework Not Finished" - Moira Macdonald
The 5 year plan approved June 23 was contingent on declaring 3 properties surplus.
West Toronto was expected to be one, but local outcry demanded that there be another public meeting...
Sun says "lefty-Maria Rodriguez" (true - she endorses Kevin Bealieu) got the decision to sell West Toronto (for expected $20 million) put off. That so-called public meeting was held in August - but now it's too close to the election so nothing is expected to happen until January.
"nobody wants to talk about selling or closing schools"...
Why not? Don't we have a right to know before some bureaucratic axe falls?
It looks like this is a good time to ask School Trustee candidates some tough questions !
We need answers from those Ward 9 trustees wanting our vote:
Andrew Waters.... email: andrewfortrustee@gmail.com
Maria Rodriguez... profile at: http://tinyurl.com/2cbjtgo website: http://www.mariarodrigues.ca/
Anil Gupta... email: ak9gupta@yahoo.com
Helder Gomes.. no email contact or website
John Costa ... profile at: http://tinyurl.com/24v9jqm website: http://tinyurl.com/2cbkqjn
... because...
Davenport Deserves Better
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
VOTE - SERIOUSLY - VOTE !
Will We See More Voters Actually Vote by October 25 ?
2006 Toronto City Election: Voter Turnout in Ward 18 Davenport = 35%
Number of elgible voters in Ward 18 Davenport = 26, 737 out of 45,620 population
----
2006 Election Results: SIX candidates running...
Adam Giambrone = 6,025 votes = elected by about 22% of elegible voters
- or another way to say it is that 78% of voters didn't want him or didn't care
Simon Wookey = 2,089 (running this year in ward 27, TO Centre-Rosedale)
Jim McMillen = 292
Lloyd Ferguson = 262
Nha Le = 252 (running again in ward 18)
Jim Rawling = 87
... 9,006 people voted = only a 35% turnout
----
2003 Election Results: SIX candidates running...
Adam Giambrone = 5,797 votes
Ana Bailao = 4,537 (running again in ward 18 in 2010)
Hotencio Fotopoulus = 387
Nha Le = 234
Cynamin Maxwell = 155
Anna Salaverry-Chuquihuara = 141
.... 11,250 people voted
---
It seems that since only HALF of our ward population can actually vote, and that LESS THAN HALF of those who can vote do vote, and that anyone can get elected with just about TWENTY PER CENT of the people voting for that person...... isn't there something wrong with our democracy?
-
I would advocate mandatory voting, but only if it allows a choice of 'NONE OF THE ABOVE' so we truly know the will of the people.
-
The Better Ballots group http://www.betterballots.to/ has been looking at ways to improve our democracy so that the public will is actually reflected in the people we elect. This group not only questions why a diverse city like Toronto is not reflected in those who sit in power at City Council, but also why we don't find better ways to elect our representatives.
-
RANKED BALLOTS ( or preferential voting) is something I believe in. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preferential_voting It essentially means picking your favourites by numbering all candidates 1,2,3,4, and so on. This avoids the 'first past the post' system of whoever gets the most votes in a race wins. Why is that unfair, you ask? Well if you have say - 12 - candidates running, some with similar platforms, 11 of them can split the vote letting the victors slip through, even though if asked voters will not want that dissimilar platform elected.
Until this is a reality, anyone who can get just 5,350 votes can win this election
-
Until that happens, Voters must ALWAYS VOTE SERIOUSLY !
Those that do not even vote can still be hurt by the person they let get elected by not voting
Those that do vote, must carefully compare the promises and platforms of all the candidates and choose the one that best represents what they want. Who is closest, in total, of the one you want to represent you?
===
PLEASE! VOTE CAREFULLY AND SERIOUSLY. EVERY VOTE COUNTS.
WE NEED BETTER VOTER TURNOUT ON OCTOBER 25 .... because ...
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER
Not our ward, but next door in Ward 19 they had some fireworks that prove debates aren't always boring: http://tinyurl.com/28yx2qa Example: Incumbent Chris Bolton got caught sending his campaign literature home with school children - bombshell dropped by Michael Sims. And just why is Mike Layton's signs including a vote for Chris Bolton too?
Monday, October 4, 2010
TRANSIT - TTC - THE SURVEY RESULTS
Public Transit Coalition - Municipal Election Survey
HIGHLIGHTS of Ken Wood's TAKE ON TRANSIT:
* BUILD TRANSIT CITY: time is short, no more debates This is a starting point.
* FREE PUBLIC TRANSIT. We need vision now for this to be a reality in 25 years,
* ESSENTIAL SERVICE is what Public Transit (TTC) should be. PUBLIC not private control.
* TTC Chair should be a separate, elected position requiring skills and experience going into the job, similar to how the USA elects judges and sheriffs. Reports to Mayor and City Council.
* BUILD SUBWAYS - a few kilometers a year, every year. 25 year ongoing planning.
* FAIR FUNDING: 20% City, 40% Provincial, 40% Federal. NO USER FEES. Makes environmental winners of us all. Lets get serious about our values and the future of our children.
... because...
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER
===============================================
Sunday, October 3, 2010
ELECTION SIGNS - Worth it or Not ?
TRUE OR FALSE 
DO THEY REALLY WORK ? 
(Not election signs, but infamously ignored)
(Not an election sign either, but it was ignored again!)
.... Then again, maybe the above really are UN-election signs ?
=================================================
This is the first sign any candidate who registers at city hall sees, almost as fast as the neutral elections people type it in and often before they ever consent to making their info/emails public....
So after former City Councillor Howard Moscoe and his wife gloria pocket the loot from the army of candidates.... City Hall changes the law which now says no election signs except for campaign offices until 12:01am Monday Octover 4, 2010. Anyone wishing to put up signs in public places must pay the city a little front money: $250 - which will be used to fine candidates who put signs in illegal places - or too early.
* Update: Toronto Sun reports in first 24 hours the city received 67 complaints for a variety of reasons. So far no fines have been levied. http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/10/05/15594846.html
*Update: Here's another news story on the E-SIGN BLIGHT http://spacingtoronto.ca/2010/10/09/election-public-space-invaders/-
DO THEY REALLY WORK ? 
(Not election signs, but infamously ignored)
(Not an election sign either, but it was ignored again!).... Then again, maybe the above really are UN-election signs ?
=================================================
This is the first sign any candidate who registers at city hall sees, almost as fast as the neutral elections people type it in and often before they ever consent to making their info/emails public....
So after former City Councillor Howard Moscoe and his wife gloria pocket the loot from the army of candidates.... City Hall changes the law which now says no election signs except for campaign offices until 12:01am Monday Octover 4, 2010. Anyone wishing to put up signs in public places must pay the city a little front money: $250 - which will be used to fine candidates who put signs in illegal places - or too early.--
Some Election Rules: Election signs shall not be illuminated or Attached to Trees.
Election signs are not permitted anywhere on public property other than on...lots of refer subsection this and that ... a whole bunch of picky rules that require tape measures to figure out... signs no larger than (1.2 square meters/12.92 square feet)... must have consent of owner or occupant... No signs within 15 meters of intersection...Take them down in time after election or you get fined. (Thursday Oct 28)
"For candidates, signs should come from engaging the public, getting their support for the candidates platform to improve the city, then the sign goes up indicating a solid voter".... NOT TRUE
...I have been witness to numerous election campaigns where the sign-planter talks to the voter in the language they know they do not speak, using gestures and saying words like 'MUST DO' 'CITY' 'GOVERNMENT' .. and so on, until frustration or confusion kicks in, the sign is planted and that's that. Who knows if the property owner will even vote.
--Most signs have a very simple format: 
Elect some guy/gal cause I saw his/her name somewhere.....
Let's go get a beer ....
Let's go get a beer ....
Standard Colour Choices:
- MR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY - TAX MAN (Drive a Rob FORD Lately?)
- LIBERAL RED , HAVE LOTS OF FRIENDS WHO KNOW HOW TO SPEND TOO
- PROGRESSIVE - Leaning Left- Maybe Falling out of the Boat- NDP
- ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY GROUP OF 'ECO-NUTS' = THE GREEN PARTY
From Calgary, one woman says: "I think the signs are important because I think for the people who aren't as informed it's what they will remember." Another woman: "If a candidate puts effort into their sign they will put effort into everything else." http://tinyurl.com/24reerp
---
http://tinyurl.com/25e8mdh York University Schulich School Of Business professor of marketing Alan Middleton says: "...elections signs do work... As people walk through a neighbourhood or drive through it, they see a lot of signs for that person. It begins to suggest 'oh, they're more popular than I thought so maybe I should take them seriously"
Melanie Dempsey, associate professor of marketing at Ryerson says signs can sway voters undecided... the size may indicate this is a person of quality.
========
"Experience tells us that there's no corelation between how many signs are up and how many votes you're going to get. I think that a sign on the lawn does not even necessarilymean that the occupoant of that home or residence is even going to support that candidate" Myer Siemiatycki, Ryerson University, an expert on municipal politics told CBC News at 6 TV report (aired Monday, Oct 4 http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/Local_News/Toronto/ID=1607221196)
----
* Update: It seems Ana Bailao is shown to be the only one flouting election laws and pushing the envelope. Many people on Twitter snapped photos of her team erecting signs as early as Sunday evening. Link to story below: http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/Local_News/Toronto/ID=1607221196
===
Some complaints too of people being awoken at 2am by hammers and drills putting up the really big signs (Rossi). Best tweet: "If the number of signs up indiciate who will be elected, ReMax will be our next Mayor"
===
Toronto Star article on campaign signs: http://www.thestar.com/news/article/869978--campaign-signs-invade-toronto "A recent poll showed 25 per cent of Torontonians are not following the election"... "At 12.01 am Monday the race for campaign space began, By the time you read this, the city's streetcorners, sidewalks and shop windows will likely be plastered in these annoying but necessary eyesores."
====
* Update: Toronto Sun reports in first 24 hours the city received 67 complaints for a variety of reasons. So far no fines have been levied. http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/10/05/15594846.html
*Update: Here's another news story on the E-SIGN BLIGHT http://spacingtoronto.ca/2010/10/09/election-public-space-invaders/-
Friday, October 1, 2010
YOU THE TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING FOR OUR CAMPAIGNS
CRAZY COSTS OF CAMPAIGNING
Did You Know:
Did You Know:
The maximum expense limit (*) for EACH of the TWELVE candidates for City Councillor in Ward 18 Davenport is $28,747.30 or $344,968 total, of which about 75% is rebated to campaign donors out of the city coffers = about $259,000.
(*) The expense limit is determined by so many cents per elgible voter in any ward.
That's a quarter of a million dollars - just for this ward.
Multiply that by 44 wards that exist across the city and that amounts to about $11 MILLION dollars. (yes I know not all wards have 12 candidates, but they could - and we are amongst the smaller of the wards)
Add in the $1.3 million that Mayoral candidates can each spend on their campaigns (there are FIVE so called frontrunners that are/were probably doing so: Ford, Smitherman, Pantalone, Rossi and Thomson who has dropped out, forgetting Mammoliti) and we can add $6.5 million to that, modifying to reflect that 75% gets rebated to donors: or roughly $4.9 million... be fair and round that down to $4 million taxpayer support for mayors... and forget the relatively small amounts that are donated to school trustees and still:
We could see in an election that the taxpayer essentially pays about $15 MILLION for people who run for election in the city.
I really wonder how many people realize that?
Is this perhaps the reason we see so many names registered for city elections? Why people who don't even live in our ward, and perhaps have no realistic prospect of winning essentially buy name recognition on the taxpayers' dime, so to speak?
Is this right and fair?
Perhaps it is simply the true cost of paying for the democratic process at the city level (this is my view).
The election process was changed for this election to prohibit obvious donations from corporations or trade unions. However, as I have noted before, it still allows the loophole of 'free' support by paid political party machine volunteers (who don't figure into the equal playing field of elections which is a great advantage), who are sent to help out their respective party favourite... in this ward? Ana Bailao - the Liberal Kevin Beaulieu - the NDP
(is it any wonder that the media jump to the conclusion that they are the only two front-runners worth reporting on, and why some people desperately want to label others as 'the fringe' to be ignored ?)
Just thought people should know.... because ...
DAVENPORT DESERVES BETTER
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