Let the suck ups rally around the flag

Mammoliti joins the Ford camp
My favourite Mr Charisma does a 180 and bows down before El Ford.  How long before other councillors jump on the bandwagon and start singing the gravy-train tune?

Will the former City of York finally become fertile ground for political freshmen?

York candidates debate in Jane-Falstaff
I'm surprised the media isn't focusing on the longevity of Councillors from the former City of York who are still on council.  There are a handful who have been around since the '80s!  What with the anti-incumbent backlash being encouraged by the media you would think that Councillors in this area à la Augimeri, Saundercook and Di Giorgio.  And yet there has been barely any media mention of any of the elections in these Wards.  Can they really be that safe?

Well at least now a debate in Ward 12 gets some media attention.  Di Giorgio has been a waste of space on council for the last 10 years and it would be a shame to see him there for another four.  I hope one of the candidates profiled in the article actually unseat him this year.  We'll see!

Ward 9: Taking on Councillor Augimeri

Councillor Maria Augimeri has been in City politics since the early '80s when she was elected as a school trustee.  In 1985 she was elected as Councillor for the former City of North York.

Ward 9 made the news after the blast at Sunrise Propane at 54 Murray Rd.  The explosion claimed two casualties: Sunrise employee Parminder Singh Saini and firefighter Bob Leek.  A particular outburst at the president of a local ratepayers' association, Tony Di Santo, during a press conference after the explosion cemented the image for some residents of their representative as uncaring.  The Councillor once again recently made headlines when she said that suburban residents of Toronto were on a learning curve vis-à-vis 'progressive' downtown politics.   Will her eternal presence in local politics and her foot-in-mouth lead voters to kick her out this coming election?

Councillor Augimeri was absent during the vote on Councillor pay raises for 2010, voted in favour of having taxpayers cover Sandra Bussin's legal costs, voted for the Jarvis St bike lanes, and voted in favour
of the pro-union deal ending the garbage strike.

The incumbent will be taking on 4 other candidates: Gianfrenco Amendola, Wilson Basantes, Gus Cusimano, Stefano Picone.

Mr Cusimano took the opportunity to answer my questions.  He is a long-standing business owner and has been involved with community organizations.

1. Why are you running to become City Councillor of Ward 4?  

I was asked by the residents of Ward 9 to bring proper representation to the Ward in addressing people’s needs, put a stop to wasteful spending and to put an end to the arrogant attitude of City Hall

2. What makes you stand out among the other candidates?  

I have experience in running and owing a local business for over 30 years.  I also have experience in community organizations having been a past President of Villa Colombo, on the Board of the Italian Canadian Benevolent Corporation as well as several committees of the Toronto Real Estate Board over the years.  I am a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Commerce Degree.  In my career I’ve been an advocate and know how to build consensus between stakeholders.   


3. Councillor Augimeri recently got a "foot in mouth" moment.  Do you think suburbanites are on a 'learning curve' when compared to people downtown?

I think that comment is ridiculous and again, is another example of the arrogance that long serving politicians have at City Hall and hence another reason for change.  No we are just as intelligent as anyone else in the City.  


4. How do you think Augimeri handled the aftermath of the Sunrise Propane explosion in 2008?  Do you believe she followed through effectively with those affected over the past two years?

She divided the community by having a second meeting away from ground zero.  Regardless of who she keeps trying to shift the blame to, the fact is she was the Councillor and I believe had a duty to protect the neighborhood from this hazard.   Obviously she should have done whatever possible to make the site safe.    I understand the people affected have been left to deal with their insurance companies on their own.  Also, I believe that she abused her power by having passed at City Hall a motion to circumvent election laws  purely for self promotion. 

5. Tell me about the biggest challenge of running against a well-established incumbent.  

 

The spending of the incumbent’s office expense budget to self promote herself leaves any new candidate at a huge disadvantage.  In a fair and equal democracy this would not be the case.  They also have access to the prior election voters list to campaign, again in order to be fair any voters list should be made available.

6. What are the greatest issues facing Toronto as a whole?  

 

Wasteful spending is the biggest issue facing Toronto.  

 

Thanks Gus and good luck on October 25th! 

You can find more on Gus Cusimano at http://www.guscusimano.com/#about

  

Debate in Ward 42 coming up

Number of debates slated for Ward 42 candidates

Candidates for Councillor will be duking it out this Wednesday September 15th at Burrow's Hall Community Centre from 6:30-9:30 PM.  Come and watch the candidates take on incumbent Raymond Cho and each other.

Ward 9: Taking on Councillor Augimeri

Coming Monday evening!

Ward 13: Taking on Councillor Saundercook (redux)

Councillor Bill Saundercook has been in City politics since 1985 when he was elected to the Council of the former City of York.  Although he was defeated in the 2000 election, Mr Saundercook successfully won election to the amalgamated city in 2000 taking the seat in Ward 13, Parkdale-Highpark.

Absent any major issues or controversies in Ward 13, the battle in this ward may be an uphill battle against a well-established candidate like Saundercook.  There is however the case of day nurseries being banned in High Park after Councillor Saundercook's request to Council.  Will this moratorium bring out the stroller moms to the polls to kick out the incumbent?

He voted in favour of a raise for 2010, in favour of taxpayers covering Sandra Bussin's legal costs, abstained from the vote on the Jarvis St bike lanes and for the pro-union deal ending the garbage strike in 2009.

Councillor Saundercook will be facing off against four other candidates: Sarah Doucette, Nick Pavlov, Jackelyn Van Altenberg and Redmond Weissenberger.

Mr Weissenberger took the opportunity to answer to my questions.  He is an industrial designer living in Ward 13 with his young family.
 

1.  Why are you running to become City Councillor of Ward 13?

I believe that Toronto, and the residents of Ward 13 deserve better than the council that we have. My initial reason for running was frustration with the delivery of city services and non-responsiveness from the incumbent to the needs of the community.

2.  What makes you stand out among the other candidates?

I am running on a campaign of change. The incumbent, a career civil servant, has been in city politics for 25 years and represents the old guard at City Hall. He has consistently voted in favour of tax increases and in favour of the failed policies resulting in a bloated debt and inefficient city government. Sarah Doucette represents the NDP vote, which in no way is a move in the right direction. I am not affiliated with any political party and am running on the platform of (1) responsiveness; (2) fiscal responsibility; and (3) more value for money from city government.

 

3. Councillor Saundercook has been around for 25 years.  Absent any major controversy why not vote for him in for another four years?

I disagree with the premise of the question: There has been major controversy. After residents suffered through a summer of pain with a garbage strike, they reasonably expected the deal with the unions would have been responsible. Instead, we gave away yet another 6% increase in salaries to the union, and they got to keep their controversial bankable sick days which is unknown in the private sector. 21 city councillors voted for this garbage deal, and 17 voted against it. Saundercook voted in favour of the deal, and he has to take responsibility for it.

Moreover, there is a general perception in the community that change is needed, and a city councillor needs to be elected who actually responds to residents. His website laid dormant for years (until the election, of course), his newsletters were few and far between (until the election), and the message I am getting on the doorsteps in the community is that “Saundercook doesn’t care”. 

4. Do you agree with Councillor Saundercook’s reasoning for the daycare moratorium on High Park Ave?

No, I do not. We need more daycare in this ward, not less. But beyond that, the handling of this issue demonstrates exactly the problem with the city. Staff were looking at this for a year and they couldn’t come up with a recommendation? They need another year to figure out the issue? Why does City Council find that level of service acceptable? Saundercook just shrugs and says “Well, the union employees need more time, too bad for kids in the ward.” This would never be acceptable to me as city councillor. Finally, Saundercook has done nothing whatsoever to address the pressing need for quality daycare in our Ward, and across the city.

  

 

5.  Tell me about the biggest challenge of running against a well-established incumbent.

Incumbents have resources and nothing but time on their hands to campaign, which is a huge advantage. On the other hand, Saundercook in this election has a lot to answer for, and that may well be his biggest challenge.

6.  What are the greatest issues facing Toronto as a whole?

(a) Toronto’s finances are a mess. Its $3 billion debt and $400 million structural deficit, incurred as a result of the type of failed policies advanced by the Saundercook-Miller regime, are crippling the city. We have to get spending under control, and never ending tax increases of the type imposed by Saundercook and supported by the NDP, are not the answer. (b) Toronto is on the right track in so many ways in urban development, but this is in spite of city council, not because of it. Toronto needs intelligent decisions to be made at city hall, as opposed to the usual knee-jerk sign off on anything that has a big price ticket. (3) Toronto needs more value for money in terms of service delivery.

Thanks and good luck on October 25th!

You can find more on Mr Weissenberger at http://www.voteredmond.ca/index.html

Ward 12: Taking on Councillor Di Giorgio (Redux)

Councillor Di Giorgio has been Councillor for Ward 12, York South-Weston, since the post-amalgamaton election in 2000. He's been in City politics since 1985 when he was elected as Councillor in the former City of York.

Ward 12, like Ward 11 faces some transportation issues pertaining to the Eglinton LRT as well as some issues of violence.  TAVIS (Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy) made an appearance in 2009 in the Eglinton-Keele corridor.  Although the program was successful TAVIS has picked up and left for other areas of the City, leaving citizens worried that violence may return.  There is also the question of the rec centre that has been promised for years and has yet to break ground.  Given the breadth of issues in the area, the incumbent holds a low media profile.  25 years in City politics and yet Councillor Di Giorgio rarely gets mentioned in the media other than visits to strip clubs with fellow colleagues.
 

Councillor Di Giorgio voted in favour of a pay raise in 2010, voted in favour of having tax payers cover Sandra Bussin's legal costs, for the Jarvis St bike lanes, and voted in favour of the pro-union deal ending the garbage strike.


Ward 12 is a heated race with seven candidates running against the incumbent: Angelo Bellavia, Nick Dominelli, Vilma Filici, Richard Gosling, Joe Renda, and Steve Tasses.

So far I've received 3 replies, however, so far candidate Steve Tasses is the only to have provided the answers to the questions I sent out.  Mr Tasses is a business owner and former chairman of the Eglinton Hill Business Improvement Area (BIA).

1. Why are you running to become City Councillor of Ward 12?

I am running for City Councillor of Ward 12 because I care about the area. I grew up here and own a business here, “Variety and Video” at the corner of Keele and Eglinton. I am a strong community leader and I founded the Eglinton Hill BIA.

I know the meaning of hard work and I want to work hard for you as your City Councillor.

2. What makes you stand out among the other candidates?

I am passionate about the community. People know me simply as “Steve” the guy from Variety and Video. People who live in the West End know and trust that I can help them in any way that I can.

To have built that trust between constituents and I was not an overnight thing. I had to build and earn that trust and I am definitely taking that with me when I get into City Hall. 

3. Frank Di Giorgio has been around for a long while in city politics. Why is now the time to replace him?

Frank Di Giorgio has lost his drive. He has been in office too long and has lost touch with his constituents. He doesn’t understand what the people and community need in order to thrive in the West End. 

4. Despite his longevity, Councillor Di Giorgio is rather elusive in terms of media coverage? Is that a good or bad thing for Ward 12?

I think that hiding from the media is a bad thing. He is not doing anything “positive” for Ward 12 so why would he want the attention? He is invisible to me, the constituents and the community. Why would you still want someone like that to represent you?

5. Tell me about the biggest challenge of running against a well-established incumbent?

The biggest challenge of running against a well – established incumbent is name recognition. Even though, Mr. Di Giorgio hasn’t done anything positive for the community in years, the name rings a bell to 90% of the constituents. That has been the biggest challenge so far.

It is extremely critical that I can build strong name recognition among the constituents during my campaign. 

6. What are the greatest issues facing Toronto as a whole?

The greatest issues facing Toronto as a whole are lack of leadership and one person running the city is a bad idea.

Toronto is a big and diverse city for one person to run.

Furthermore, our public transit is outdated. 

 Thanks and good luck on October 25th!

You can find Steve Tasses at http://www.stevetasses.ca/

Nick Dominelli got back to me with some of his answers.

1. Why are you running to become City Councillor of Ward 12?

There are three main reasons that I am running for City Councillor:

1.     To reunite our community - Having grown up in Ward 12, I remember when it was a great place to grow up and live in, and I want to make it great once again. I want to represent our ‘community’, which not just a ‘ward’. Our community, this community, is about neighbours and neighbourhoods working together, undivided, to renew our neglected ward and make it a better place for all of our residents. Together, united, we are stronger and it will let our voice be heard.

2.     To protect our residents’ best interest – We are forcing seniors out of their homes. Those at City Hall need to understand that seniors are on fixed pensions that increase by mere pennies a year, but their property taxes keep going up. Our seniors are paying high taxes that they simply cannot afford, and our small business owners have also been burdened with an unfair tax system. In fact, all of our residents could benefit from fairly distributed tax dollars, which could be used to improve our entire community. I want to help the people in our community. I want to work on beatifying our green-spaces and parks, enhance our existing community centres while making sure that the new community centre gets built on time. I want to work on revitalizing our neighbourhood with an effective and efficient transit expansion plan, and create jobs through the proper development of the under-utilized industrial lands in our ward. I want to make a difference.

3.     To ensure that Toronto exists beyond the downtown core - Our community’s needs are as important as any other ward in this City, and it’s time that we had someone that fought for what we deserve. Our community pays their fair share of taxes, but City Hall hasn’t provided us with our fair share of the available programs and services. City Hall has primarily focused on improving the downtown core, and has neglected it’s suburban wards. It’s time this community got what it deserves from City Hall, and I will champion the needs of our Ward. It’s time for change. 

2. What makes you stand out among the other candidates?

I am the only candidate in this ward that has over twenty years of combined municipal and private sector experience. For over a decade, I worked for three different City Councillors and the City of Toronto Economic Development Office. I understand the importance of building relationships with other levels of government, and senior bureaucrats in the City. My experience at City Hall, coupled with the ten years of private sector experience gives me the business acumen to understand the need to balance and properly manage budgets. This combination separates me from the other candidates for the job. Most importantly, I have the fullest understanding of the challenges facing our community, and the track record of building consensus while successfully navigating the government landscape.   

3. Frank Di Giorgio has been around for a long while in city politics. Why is now the time to replace him?

Our community has been on the decline over the past 10 years since Frank Di Giorgio has been at the helm. Services have been cut, crime has increased, jobs have been lost, but our taxes keep going up. This community is in need of a new Councillor with vision, passion and the ability to affect positive change. When compared to other wards in the City, our community has seen more than it's share of cuts in services and spending. Now is the time for strong leadership. We need someone that can ensure that our ward gets our fair share of the services and programs that other communities take for granted.  I am the only qualified candidate who can impact positive change.  We cannot allow our ward to decline for another fours years. It’s time for change. 

4. Despite his longevity, Councillor Di Giorgio is rather elusive in terms of media coverage. Is that a good or bad thing for Ward 12?

Councillor Di Giorgio has been eluding the media, but the real problem is that Frank hasn’t done the work necessary to highlight our ward or affect positive change. The overall lack of media coverage is absolutely a bad thing for our ward, because it’s an indicator of the lack of direction and leadership being provided by our current representative. Frank hasn’t produced anything notable for our ward, nor has he introduced any policies or plans that would help improve our City. 

5. Tell me about the biggest challenge of running against a well-established incumbent.

The system that we have in place creates an uneven playing field for challengers.  Incumbents can reach more voters in a traditional sense, because they use their City Hall office and staff budgets for campaign purposes. They also have there voter lists in place, ties to the community leaders through their jobs, and already have many of the expensive existing campaign material , like signage, already purchased. Challengers need to be creative and resourceful in order to counter any advantages that the incumbent may have.  This creativity and resourcefulness that will enable me to get elected, will also be a part of the qualities that allow me to change the direction of our community. 

6. What are the greatest issues facing Toronto as a whole?

Firstly, City Hall needs to understand that rising budgets are our biggest threat. These increases are not just an indication of rising costs or wasteful spending, but also indicative of a flawed process. I’m not suggesting that we should not be spending money, but rather, we need to implement smarter planning and smarter spending. Once we have achieved a more efficient system, we can start increasing services and addressing the obstacles facing the City of Toronto as a whole. Secondly, City Hall needs to address the needs that affect us all. We need to look at transit as a part of an overall and effective transportation plan, create jobs and provide economic revitalization, as well as become a leader in green city initiatives. Ultimately, it’s time we become a government that is proactive instead of reactive. It’s time we stop talking about being a world class city, and instead create the foundation needed to make this a reality. We need to embrace new ideas instead of continuing to do the same old policies that haven't worked for Toronto in the past. It’s time for change.

Thanks and good luck on October 25!

Joe Renda didn't answer the questions but asked that you visit his site to get a glimpse into his policies.  You can find him at http://joerendaforcitycouncillorward12.blogspot.com/ 

. 

Ward 11: Taking on Councillor Nunziata (redux)

Councillor Frances Nunziata has been running Ward 11(York South-Weston) for 3 terms under the amalgamated City.  Prior to amalgamation she was Mayor of the City of York for a year and served four terms as Councillor in the former city.  There have been rumours that Councillor Nunziata would play a big role in a Rob Ford administration if he were elected as Mayor and she as Councillor.

Transportation and safety issues are predominant in the Ward.  The Eglinton LRT is currently up in the air given some mayoral candidates' opposition to the project.  Furthermore, talk of a Pearson-Union diesel rail link has raised the ire of local residents who want the tracks to be electrified.  High profile shootings in the past few years have also led to the area being dubbed 'murder capital of Canada.'  After years of being promised a community centre, residents of the area are still waiting.  It's just another example of the lack of services in the area.   

Nunziata voted against pay raises in 2010, voted in favour of the City covering Sandra Bussin's legal costs, voted in favour of the Jarvis St bike lanes, and voted against the pro-union deal to end the garbage strike in July 2009.

She will be running against 3 other candidates this coming October 25th: Abdi Hashised, Leo Marshall & Fulvio Sansone.

Mr Hashised took the opportunity to respond to some of my questions.  He is the Executive Director of the Jane Alliance Neighbourhood Services.

1.Why are you running to become City Councillor of Ward 11?

I am running because I believe that I can contribute to the well being of our city. I have lived in this multi-cultural Ward for about 20 years and have raised and continue to raise my children. I know the Ward very well as I have served on numerous voluntary and non-profit organizations both as a volunteer and also as an Executive Director. During the 20 years I have resided in the Ward, the demographic makeup of the Ward as well as its economic stand has changed. The Ward is home now to many residents from diverse backgrounds, but it also contains large pockets of poverty. I would to be the voice of the residents of the Ward in City Council and address their concerns, such as transportation, economic development and jobs, and advocate for the youth and the growing population of seniors in the Ward. The incumbent Council member has been in City Hall for many years and has become complacent. That is why I want to run.

2. What makes you stand out among the other candidates?

I have experience delivering services directly to the citizens of the Ward and as such I know better than most about the needs of the community. As an Executive Director of Jane/Alliance Neighborhood Services, I have delivered employment services, initiated Seniors day Program, helped immigrants in the Ward with settlement issues. I have participated in many community consultation meetings, including the Eglington/LRT and Union to Pearson International Airport link Consultations

3. There are rumors that Councillor Nunziata would play a significant role in a Rob Ford administrations were she and he to be elected. Would such a scenario benefit Ward 11?

If there is a quid pro quo between Mr. Ford and Ms. Nunziata, it would be troubling. In other words, it turns out that they would be campaigning for each other on the basis of an agreement for a future position for Councilor Nunziata, it would be very unfair for the other candidates in the Ward and also it would be bad for democracy.

4. Two major transportation projects are underway that will affect your Ward: the Eglinton LRT and theUnion to Pearson International Airport link. Do you support these projects and do you think they will benefit the residents of Ward 11?

I would support them if they are done in the right way. And the right way for the Ward is if the projects contribute to the economic vitality of the residents of the Ward. It will also assist many residents of the Ward who are economically not well off as they can easily travel within the city.

5. Tell me about the biggest challenge of running against a well-established incumbent.

Running against an incumbent can be seen as either a formidable challenge but also as a great opportunity. The incumbent may have better financial resources and name recognition. On the other hand, there is anger on the part of voters and that anger is directed against the incumbents. The city is in a mess and many people, rightly or wrongly blame the mess on the incumbents. As I visit voters in their homes, I can detect a certain amount of anger at the incumbents.

6. What are the greatest issues facing Toronto as a whole?

1.Public Transportation and traffic congestion.

2. Poverty, homelessness and affordable housing for the working poor.

3. Government funding. The Province should be taking its share of funding because Toronto can not continue to Tax in order to maintain services.

Thanks and good luck on October 25th! 

You can find more about Mr Hashised at http://www.abdihashised.com/Issue.html

Ward 4: Taking on Councillor Lindsay Luby

Councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby has been running Ward 4 (Etobicoke-Centre) for four terms now.  She is probably most known in the City for being the lone con on Miller's executive committee.  She jumped ship from the committee in the fall of 2009 stating that she felt 'marginalized' in the inner circle.

She voted to give herself a pay raise in 2010, voted in favour of the City paying for Sandra Bussin's legal costs, voted against the Jarvis bike lanes, and abstained on the pro-union deal to end the garbage strike.  She supported reducing the Councillor expense account to $30,000.

On October 25th, she'll be taking on John Campbell and Daniel Bertolini.

John Campbell is a former TDSB Trustee and Chair.  He is running because he feels that Etobicoke does not have a strong enough voice on Council. I asked Mr Campbell to answer some questions so that readers could get to know him better and his quest to unseat Lindsay Luby.

1. Why are you running to become City Councillor of Ward 4?  

City hall needs smart, energetic people with fresh perspectives and new ideas who are not afraid to challenge the status quo and who are interested in taking on the city's budget problems. I can fill that role. Over the past 40 days, I have met hundreds of people at the doorstep who feel that their constituent matters have not been handled in a prompt, respectful manner. That's not proper, and it is not good public service. City Hall needs new leadership and I want to be a part of a new wave of councillors who can work to improve our city. 

2. What makes you stand out among the other candidates?  

I was Chair of the Toronto District School Board for two years and I know how to work co-operatively with staff, aim for and achieve balanced budgets, manage union contracts and negotiations, build strong media relationships, and build consensus with colleagues.  The TDSB is the largest school board in Canada with a budget in excess of $2.6 billion and when I was Chair, a lot of important work got underway and was accomplished.

3. Councillor Lindsay Luby has been around for four terms. How many terms are too many? 

 
Certainly EIGHT terms is about four terms too many.  

4. What is your take on Councillor Luby quitting the Executive Committee as soon as Miller announced he was not running for a 3rd term? Was it opportunistic or merely an “opportunity” as she said?  

When canvassing, many local area residents tell me that Gloria 'looks after Gloria'. There is an integrity issue with that decision to bolt. As soon as Miller was a lame duck, Gloria had no more use for him.   
   

5. Tell me about the biggest challenge of running against a well-established incumbent.  

Councillor Luby is the consummate self-promoter. Her 'summer newsletter which is a tabloid boasting of her work, just arrived on Etobicoke Centre doorsteps within two months of the election -- paid for by the taxpayers. This is another integrity issue. Name recognition -- and not her mediocre record - is the biggest obstacle.  

6. What are the greatest issues facing Toronto as a whole?  

Transit, traffic, managing population growth, budget and taxes.  

Thanks John and good luck on October 25th! 

Ward 3: Taking on Councillor Holyday

Councillor Doug Holyday has been Councillor for Ward 3 (Etobicoke Centre) since 2000.  He also served as the last Mayor in the former City of Etobicoke.  In fact, he's been in City politics throughout the 90s as one of the staunchest conservative voices.
 
With a large senior population and an even greater middle-aged population, candidates will certainly have to address the issues of these age groups.  One of the major bones of contention surrounds lands owned by the TDSB known to residents as Heathercrest Park.  Having offered the land to the City and the TCSB and been rejected, the land has been put to sale to private developers.  Given that the area has been zoned as green space by the City's Official Plan, having it rezoned would have to go through Council, which may save the land in the end.  Another issue surrounds the Bloor West bike lanes which have been deferred as per Councillor Holyday's request.

Councillor Holyday voted against a pay raise in 2010, against covering Sandra Bussin's legal costs, against the Jarvis St bike lanes, and voted in favour of the pro-union deal to end the garbage strike.

Councillor Holyday is running against 3 other candidates this election season: Rogers Deschenes, Peter Kudryk and Ross Vaughan.

Mr Vaughan took the opportunity to respond to some of my questions.  He is a business owner, actively engaged in the community and was a former PC candidate in the 2000 election.

1.      Why are you running to become City Councillor of Ward 3?

Its time for Ward 3 to have a Councillor with clearly defined goals, not one who just rails against the status quo. Holyday has had 30 years to demonstrate leadership on council. He isn’t even mentioned as a possibility for Toronto Mayor!

2.    What makes you stand out among the other candidates?

My record of public service for Ward 3 and Toronto.

3.    Doug Holyday seems to share the same political leanings as Rob Ford. What role do you think Councillor Holyday would play in a Ford administration if both were to elected?

Holyday has had 4 months to publicly announce his support for Ford, he hasn’t done so.  Why should he get, or residents expect him to claim a role?

4.    Should Bloor Street West get bike lanes? If so how would you work to satisfy opponents of the project? If not, what do you suggest for keep your constituents who cycle safe?

Not now.  Its pointless to put bike lanes anywhere there’s no viable plan to connect them to other lanes.  A 30 pound bike loses a dispute with a 3000 pound car.  Making bikes more visible with day and night lights would help but cyclists have to follow the rules of the road. Licensing and safety courses should be mandatory.

5.      Tell me about the biggest challenge of running against a well-established incumbent.

Name recognition and apathy of voters to look at what candidates have to offer. Its not enough to be responsive to constituent queries.  A Councillor can claim to be very attentive to constituents but his job is to help manage the whole city not just his ward.

6.    What are the greatest issues facing Toronto as a whole?

Transportation (Gridlock) is number 1.  Over-Taxation is number 2.  Contracting out some services, getting costs under control and bringing in a balanced budget will be a start to solving the largest issues. Beyond that Council needs to engage ordinary citizens by whatever means are possible. The silent Majority has to speak up and Council has to listen… and act.

Thank you and good luck on October 25th!

You can find more on Mr Vaughan at http://rossvaughan.com/

Battle of the Boardwalk catches another wave in Ward 32

City's controversial lease deal heats up
Another Councillor Candidate has taken the battle to the Boardwalk Cafe owned by T(h)uggs Inc.  Candidate Martin Gladstone held a press conference at the contentious cafe to discuss the questionable East Beaches restaurant deal when he was confronted by the owner George Foulidis.  Will Mr Gladstone be the victim of a lawsuit like fellow candidate Bruce Baker?  Foulidis should get Bussin to do the suing. After all taxpayers are on the hook for Councillors' legal costs.

As for candidates in other wards.  Here's some advice: find a controversy relating to your incumbent, hold a press conference at the site and you'll get the media coverage you desire.  It's worked for two candidates in Ward 32 and it worked for Rob Davis in Ward 15.

The natural shift

A shift to the right

If City Council does shift to the right, then liberals have only themselves to blame for supporting a profligate bunch who spent in every direction trying to make the City worldclass as the foundations of the city were crumbling.

Democractic governments tend to shift between left and right as people get the base of one gets tired and divided while the other is renewed through anger and frustration.  We are at such a moment.

Come October 25th, the left in this city will have to look at itself and rebuild its image.  Liberals don't seem to have gotten the message yet.  But maybe a swift kick out of office will awaken their senses.

Ward 19 gets a little D-list celebrity left vs right slug-fest

The battle to replace Joe Pantalone's now-vacant seat for Ward 19 has become a local semi-celebrity smackdown.


On the left we have son of the redeemer of the porn-stache and federal NDP leader Jack Layton: Mike Layton

Mike Layton: photo: Ossington Village

On the right we have local CTV reporter and survivor Karlene Nation.   She decided to sign up on the last day and will be taking a 2 month leave of absence in order to campaign.

Karlene Nation - photo: UofT - Mississauga

Sure, there are 6 other candidates (including a former sportscaster, Sean McCormick).  But who cares!  They don't stand a chance against the name recognition of Trintiy-Spadina Ward 19's two D-listers duking it out good vs evil, left vs right style.

Interviews with candidates coming on Monday

Thank you to the candidates who responded to my requests for interviews.  On Monday I'll be presenting profiles on Ross Vaughan & John Campbell in Ward 4, Gus Cusimano in Ward 9, Abdi Hashised in Ward 11,  Joe Renda and Steve Tasses in Ward 12 (12's Nick Dominelli is supposed to give me a response next week).

7 out of 12 isn't bad.  I'm glad you've taken an opportunity to gain some exposure and I hope that my profiles will help you make a case for winning on October 25th.  To those who didn't respond, it's a shame you didn't take the opportunity to get some free coverage.  Either way I wish all candidates the best in unseating long-serving deadbeats.

And of course some councillor candidates were there

On the Ward 12 Candidate side, a handful of the area candidates were in attendance.  Sadly, I could not meet directly with any of them for fear of blowing my cover.  Joe Renda for Ward 12 was there bright and early holding a placard outside the school and handing out flyers.  An army of purple t-shirt-clad volunteers for Steve Tasses showed up.  The purple t-shirts matched George Smitherman's though, which made it seem like Gorgeous George had a bunch of supporters in the crowd.  Mr Tasses actually got up to ask a question to the candidates about making sure youth don't get shot.  He was also handing out business cards.  I noticed that Nick Dominelli and Vilma Filici were present though they didn't seem to be distributing literature.    And of course, Councillors for Ward 11 and 12, Frances Nuziata and Frank Di Giorgio were there respectively.

My apologies if I missed any of the candidates.  Please alert me if you were in fact there!

My first mayoral debate and the winner is...

No one.

I was invited by a friend to attend the York Memorial's mayoral candidate debate tonight and I was glad to finally get a take on our mayoral candidates in the flesh.  My first impressions were of the purely superficial nature: George Smitherman is as 'real' as Jiffy spread and seemed to have only gay male volunteers with him, Sarah Thomson is adorable and the best dressed of the set, Rossi is a lot taller than I imagined and Pantalone is pure cute.  I was loving his green tie.  I didn't see Achampong until he was on stage.  And Ford, well let's just say he seemed like he had trouble standing up.  He looked uncomfortable and annoyed.

Now on to the debate.  From neighbourhood revival to transit, none of the candidates seemed to break new ground or offered any new proposals on the table.  In fact, aside from Pantalone and Achampong it got difficult at some times to differentiate the other candidates' policies.  Smitherman tried to score points with the locals by repeatedly bringing up local bones of contention like the Eglinton rapid transit and Eastman-Kodak site re-development.  Ford, Rossi and Thomson worked their business credentials.  Pantalone stood up for public service (rightly so!).  Achampong actually told it straight in the style of a candidate who doesn't stand a chance.  It was refreshing.  He is young and bright, but just doesn't seem to have a clear vision to run in this election.

Granted the clearest vision out of the MSM candidates we've been offered comes from Rob Ford: "Stop the gravy train."  I have to say that he is sounding like a broken record, although one at a party where the people are too drunk to notice.  He's got nothing to offer to us aside from cutting, cutting, cutting and subways for Scarborough.  He seems more fit for the mold of a small town mayor than a big city one.  Maybe that's why so many people like him, they forget that Toronto is not only the largest city in Canada but one of the largest in North America.

Suffice it to say that I will be voting for neither Ford nor Pantalone.  The latter was part of an administration spending like a drunken sailor and Ford is, well, a drunken sailor (sorry I had to go there!).  Both seem to be genuinely good guys.  I just don't trust them with the keys to the city and to be the head of a dysfunctional body like City Council.

So that leaves Rossi and Thomson.  I think Rossi is the most stately and probably most intelligent of the bunch.  I just feel his campaign is delving into "schtick" politics of populism.  Thomson has a lot to learn which unfortunately will go against her.  I do however think she has a lot of good ideas ( many of which she hinted had been taken by other candidates over the course of the race).  I'm not sure she could put Council in its place, but could certainly work with it to deliver results.  Either way, I'm even less excited about our candidate slate than I was prior to the debate.

The sad thing is if you don't believe in Ford then there's no one to believe in.  The Etobicoke councillor seems to be the Model T-party, mass-produced conservative (some) Torontonians have been waiting for.  Would change by any other name sound so sweet?  My answer is an unequivocal YES!

"War on ..." may be overplayed but people still love the tune

For those who want to end the War on Cars may I suggest that it get re-labeled the War to End the War on Cars?  Granted I think those who drive coined the War on Cars, but that confuses people.  Is the War on Cars good?  Aren't things labeled the "War on something or other" meant to be good for us? 
So re-claim your war drivers with the WWI-evoking "The War to End the War on Cars!"

And so the scrapping mayoral candidates want to scrap this and that and that and this

Now that Rob Ford has gotten the lead, other MSM mayoral candidates are jumping over each other at the chance to 'scrap' projects of the Miller administration.  Sure there's a lot that should be scrapped, but it'd be nice to get insight into what these politicians have to offer us other than scrapping taxes, Trans City, bike lanes, streetscars, half of Council, 'wasteful' projects, etc.  The only tangible thing all our candidates seem to be offering is new subway lines.  Wait a minute don't those cost a parking lot stacked with $100 bills? 

Change is good. But change for the sake of change and looking like the next guy but not the last guy is plain wrong.

I can't say it enough: pay attention to the policies of those you vote for.  Don't vote for a fad candidate who'll start digging holes all over the city that'll get filled up in the next four years.

Final nominating day fast approaching.

Some races are beginning to look crowded (Wards 7, 10, 12, 14, 18, 19, 26, 27, 32, 35, 36, 42) but nominations will only end on Friday.

Will these hot races split the vote between the new faces, leaving the incumbent with just enough votes to get elected?  Or will strong challengers emerge to make these two-way or three-way races?

Future deadbeat in the making?

Election races always bring out some colourful characters.  I find Mr Sellors' comments on the linked Sun article rather despicable, Smitherman's brother backs Ford for mayor:


"I bet Arthur [Smitherman] doesn't take it up the bum like George does.

Chris Sellors Ward 22, September 8th 2010, 12:41am"

 
Bigoted comments such as these by people hoping to be a public official are unacceptable, especially in a city as diverse as Toronto. 

So Mr Sellors, consider yourself a deadbeat before even being elected.

Let the campaign begin.

Well with the post-Labour Day return to non-summer normalcy, our upcoming municipal election is kicking it into high gear.

Here's to another 45 days of an epic battle of wits and the banal!

Tina's four days of rest in an undisclosed location...

Okay so I have an affinity for poutine and well-dressed youngsters who spend more time on their fashion than on working.

Anyways, election-related news seems to have slowed to a crawl during this weekend.  This coincides nicely with me not being in town so I'll be taking a long weekend break from the blog.

I'll be back in full fierce mode on Tuesday.  The election is fast upon us.  Rest well and help get the takedown going.

Happy Labour Day weekend!

Online voting? The quick way to dump deadbeats?

Rocco Rossi got the media listening again with yet another announcement of his 3Rs for Electoral reform and improvement: making voting easier by introducing internet voting.  He also suggested term limits for Councillors of 12 years.

Given that Rossi has risen in the polls with this democrackiness obviously Torontonians like the sound of R-squared's 3Rs.  How about some policy beyond pools and polls Mr R?

What's your take on the Rossi democracy pool party? 

The Bussin Cavalry comes to Ward 32 Councillor's rescue

Boardwalk Cafe owner suing Ward 32 council candidate

Well this seems like a nicely timed diversion on the part of a Bussin ally.  Long-time critic of the City's sole source deal with Tuggs Inc for the East Beaches restaurant Bruce Baker is being sued by George Foulidis the owner of Tuggs.  Regardless of whether the report by Deputy Manager Sue Cork paints a rosier picture of the 20 year deal that was struck, the process by which Tuggs Inc was awarded the contract was flawed.  Foulidis has donated money to Bussin in the past.  Bussin goes to bat for the Foulidises and 'Mom and Pop' get another 20 year monopoly on prime real estate.

Please show your support to Candidate Baker as Bussin allies try to derail his campaign.

Another almost 700 jobs leaving the City

Cargill cuts nearly 700 jobs

Cargill Ltd will be cutting almost 700 jobs at its meatpacking factory in Etobicoke. The company is offering to transfer those workers affected to other parts of Ontario and the GTA.  One thing's for sure: these jobs won't be coming back to Toronto.

And so the inexorable death of manufacturing in the City continues.  With it residents' living standards will continue to slide.Are green jobs and lower taxes all our politicians have to offer as hope for our working class citizens?

Moscoe: “I think city councillor is the most interesting, exciting, wonderful job in the world. You can say outrageous things, people write them down and print them in the newspapers, and then the television stations chase you.”

Howard Moscoe: a retrospective of antics
In honour of the departure of our longest-serving Councillor I give you this link of  some of Mr Moscoe's antics.   The tone of the article may be a little more positive than we'd probably like, but put in the spin cycle and see how it comes out.

I think the above quote however does point to the fame, money and media-hungry spirit of our City politicians.  Perhaps Mr Moscoe came to forget that he had been elected to represent his constituents and not auditioning for Last Comic Standing c 2003.