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