BEDBUGS and other issues

Election Issues Under The Radar
- But Shouldn't Be

*** BEDBUGS !

Toronto Public Health responded to more than 1,500 complaints about bedbug problems in 2009. There have been 1,076 complaints already this year.

(what Toronto is doing about it so far: http://www.toronto.ca/health/bedbugs/torontobedbugproject.htm )

A national problem, according to MPP Mike Colle, Toronto is seeing the biggest resurgence of the problem of all jurisdictions. * CP24/Canadian Press story - http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100911/100911_bed_bugs/20100911/?hub=CP24Home

Authorities at many levels claim they are not a public health issue and don't have to be reported as such, yet the scope of the problem and its effects are not tracked or scientifically known in Canada. There is a US based website http://bedbugregistry.com that tries to track this across North America, but it isn't verifiable.

The effects of bedbugs can be terribly debilitating, disturbing sleep and causing great stress and anxiety, and they can be expensive to get rid of. Anyone can get them and it is not a matter of poor hygiene or social class, or whether you are a home or a business.

MPP Mike Colle is organizing a "BedBug Summit" for September 29 at the Ontario Legislature. In Ward 17, Daveport (north of ward18), new city council candidate, Jonah Schein, is running and sent this letter to The Star: http://tinyurl.com/22mekb7

This should be an election issue discussed by every city council candidate, including the Mayors.
Note: Swedish researchers think they have found a solution - see main article CP24.

Editorial Cartoon by Patrick Corrigan, The Star Sept 12: http://www.thestar.com/opinion

*** UNEMPLOYMENT - On the rise in Toronto

8.8% is the latest unemployment rate in Ontario. Some say in Toronto it is over 9%. I have also heard Youth Unemployment is nearly double that.

While our economy has done better than mosts and our banks are considered stable, forces outside our borders still can and will affect us. The U.S. economy is sputtering.

We see stories everywhere about how we've lost manufacturing and industrial jobs (really true in ward 18), and that the future is in the information knowledge worker field. Yet many of our residents work in low paid, insecure jobs. Many of our skilled tradespeople depend on continuing booming construction hopes - but how long can that last with the city worried about its finances?

Yet education levels in ward 18 are low compared to the rest of the city and kids now in the school systems are not doing as well as expected, despite our 'Education Premier', Dalton McGuinty.

How will we ensure good quality jobs for the future?

Mayoral candidate George Smitherman promises to create 7500 jobs for youth, but admits that will require higher property taxes on businesses - already taxed fairly high.

Preliminary List of Issues

Setting the Agenda 2010 http://settingtheagenda2010.com/about/

In November, 2009 a forward looking city councillor, Joe Mihevc (ward 21 St Paul's: http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/mihevc1.htm ) created a website inviting people to determine the policy issues Torontonians care about - moving from the 'who' to the 'what' as he put it.

A lot of interesting debate, suggestion and ideas germinated there. I encourage people to look at the individual inputs, some of which are my own and helped me think about what might be done better in our city.

The list started with broad categories, some then broken down into sub-topics:

* Accessibility
* Anti-Poverty Strategy
* Arts and Culture
* Community Services and Engagement (including day care, libraries, seniors services, parks, forestry,recreation, etc)
* Cycling Infrastructure
* Democratic Reform and Civic Engagement
* Economics and Finances
* Green Infrastructure
* Hard Infrastructure (including streets, water and waste water, sidewalks, green infrastructure)
* Jobs
* Parking (including paid on street, permit and residential off street)
* Party Systems at City Hall
* Planning and Development
* Public Health
* Public Spaces, Clean and Beautiful Cities and Urban Design
* Seniors' Issues
* Taxes
* Transit Future
* Youth Issues

It seemed that political personality was taken out of the discussion and pure ideas and concerns were explored.

Community Consultation Still Sucks in Ward 18

West Toronto closing holds a public meeting but no one is told ?

I live right across the street from West Toronto, have been to other meetings in which I dutifully filled out forms with my contact information, emails, etc. requesting to be kept apprised and notified of developments, yet I hear about a so-called "public meeting" a day after it occurred via someone else's 'tweets'? (Ana Bailao "Public Meeting about the future of West Toronto Collegiate Aug31" As usual, no notice in my mailbox (or any of my neighbours). This is how citizens feel disenfrachised and fed up with politicians who cannot communicate and show respect!

*Update* Email from Maria Rodrigues, our school trustee: She claims 8000 notices were distributed. There are briefing notes forthcoming. Staff recommendations are to sell to a co-terminus board and to move the West Education offices - something Maria said she did not support. Maria proposes a third option: to make West Toronto a "Program of Choice" school, along with adult continuing education and as a community hub for sports and other programs.
This all goes to the Board on NOVEMBER 10, 2010 at 5050 Yonge Street. Anyone who has questions or input can contact Maria at: Maria.Rodrigues@tdsb.on.ca


Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club Scandal Brewing ?

They (Who? the board alone?) have reversed their decision to open a facility at 45 Ernest Avenue. This comes after a long term lease expired at 21 Randolph, and after much community protest and promises of support by current city councillor Adam Giambrone (which included his executive assistant and 'heir-apparent' candidate, Kevin Beaulieu.)

A lot of anger and frustration is being vented on the Junction Triangle website: http://www.junctiontriangle.ca/ eg. "Kids Don't Matter?"

This while feel good news is being touted about successful fundraising? http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/869546--boys-and-girls-club-to-expand-after-raising-1-5-million

It's confusing to figure out just what's happened and who is at fault and the rumour mills are working overtime. From what I can tell, there is city (taxpayer) money in the project (at the very least loan guarantees), the local community there has strongly spoken out and asked for city councillor help, and those associated with Giambrone are scrambling to deflect criticism. There appears to be confusion and poor communication by the 16 member board of this (it seems) private organization? Why isn't this listed as a registered non-profit on the Canada Revenue website? Lots of questions here....

Their websites: http://www.dovercourtkids.com/junction-index.html
http://www.dovercourtkids.com/

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 !