MISSISSAUGA MUNICIPAL (UNOFFICIAL) CAMPAIGN updates

[The Mississauga Muse]

Re: WARD 5 MEET-and-GREET Mississauga ELECTION update

Believe it or not I went to the Ward 5 Meet-and-Greet. Yep, that's all it was. Hazel McCallion didn't even show up and no surprise there.

Ward 5's favourite Daughter-Incumbent is none other than Eve Adams of the

Mississauga mayor slams Eve Adams
Toronto Star, Canada - Oct 25, 2006
Councillor Eve Adams violated the city's conflict-of-interest policy by ordering two employees to work on her re-election campaign, an internal investigation ...

fame.

The article goes on to say:

The denial drew the ire of McCallion, who yesterday released city manager Janice Baker's findings and memos from an employee alleging that Adams had ordered her to lie to her superiors to cover up what had happened.

"By denying it, (Adams is) calling the city manager a liar and her staff liars. It's really bad," McCallion said, citing "a file half-an-inch thick of emails from her, directing staff."

which neatly explains why The Hazel wasn't meetin'-and-greetin' alongside Eve Adams!

Happened to surf over to John Stewart's BLOG (The Mississauga News) and found the following commentary from someone else with something to say about the Ward 5 Meet-and-Greet.

THE SILENT ALL-CANDIDATE-MEET AT MALTON'S WESTWOOD MALL

The all candidate meet at Malton's Westwood Mall was something unique in this election. It was "staged" by the outgoing councillor Eve Adams and her campaign team. Eve Adams was successful in persuading the Westwood Mall management to "avoid the debate" where she was expected to be bombarded with the issue of her "violation of city's conflict-of-interest policy" as published in the local media.

After eliminating the debate part, the "all candidate meet" yesterday evening looked like a "All Candidates Small-Vending Tables" where the candidates were instructed to remain at their tables (a table and two chairs provided at a pre-assigned location in the mall) and only meet/campaign those customers/public approaching their table. Interestingly the Eve Adam's team got a place at the main high-visibility entrance of the mall, the rest were pushed in between the candy/toys vending tables.

There was one resident distributing a flyer with the photocopy of the Toronto Star article dated Oct 25, "Councillor broke rules: Probe", and asking to "Stop Eve.!….Stop Corruption.!". Seeing public coming straight to her with these flyer in hand, Eve Adams immediately got the security guard to throw the flyer distributor out.

It was the most "silent" of All-Candidate-Meets. Eve Adams bought the show! Yet the great democracy watch-dog Mr. Donald Barber was hard-selling (at his vending table next to Eve) how he has conspired with God to call Hazel back!

-Anthony McJackson

Steve Largy --one of Ms. Adams challengers, tried to talk me up but I told him that I live in Ward 11. He said, "Surely you have friends who live in Ward 5."

I assured him I didn't and served up, "All Was Lost" -- It's impossible to fight the evil empire.!

Now get this. Mr. Largy smiled --a genuine and caring smile, and then said, "We can make it less evil..."

It was like being assured "We can make Death less Fatal". I quickly thanked him and left.

Interesting McJackson writing:

There was one resident distributing a flyer with the photocopy of the Toronto Star article dated Oct 25, "Councillor broke rules: Probe", and asking to "Stop Eve.!….Stop Corruption.!". Seeing public coming straight to her with these flyer in hand, Eve Adams immediately got the security guard to throw the flyer distributor out.

I was photographing Adams (shot off two pics) and then she raised her hand against her face to signal that I stop. You know, palm up/fingers spread wide --like she was an Enron Exec? (No, I didn't get a picture of her hand going up.)

As I mentioned to Future Mayor previously, I shoot lots of pics to ensure that I have one or two flattering photos of a person to post to the Net. I delete the bad stuff. As a photographer, I owe my fellow humans at least that much. Plus it's only FAIR.

So. Because Ms. Eve (hand up) Adams provided me with only two photos from which to choose?

Photo One:

And my FAVOURITE:

Camera stats tell me I stayed no more than 15 minutes. The whole thing was pathetic-dreary and a mega-sham. If anyone can think of how this election "event" could have been any more contemptuous of Ward 5 residents, I 'd sure like to know how.

BLEAAAAAAAAHHHH

Jumped in the car thinking for once, I'd be able to get home early from one of these political "Ritualized Dramas of Mutual Pretense",

Nope.

Signed,
The (I can't WAIT until Ward 3 chimes in!) Mississauga Muse

 

[Observer Walt]

Re: Miss. election

Muse: You're more fun to read than John Stewart! Hope to meet you Monday night (I gather you're coming to the Ward 3 meeting, which you may find tepid by comparison).

 

[The Mississauga Muse]

Re: Miss. election

Re: Miss. election
Observer Walt wrote:

Muse: You're more fun to read than John Stewart!

I find it odd you saying that, Observer. As I'd mentioned earlier, like John Stewart, I'm just reporting. The difference is our focus.

Stewart (talk about a Mississauga treasure) focusses on issues. And he's able to provide his Blog readers with decades of Mississauga insight.

Me, in a parallel universe, I research animal behaviour so it was natural for me to focus on Mississauga NON-issues. Yes, non-issues.

Don Barber getting turfed and Open Public Question Period flushed on June 7, 2006 was the catalyst for me to attend meetings (council, general, etc). I've had the opportunity to view a videotape of that event.

The rhetorical Missisauga-Fabric ripped a hypocritical chasmic hole between Perception and Reality that June 7th morning.

As a Neil Young song goes, "Comes a time"...

I've attended about a half dozen of each (General/Council) so far but the similarity between what I normally study and Council was as immediately apparent as it was striking.

Sitting/listening up in the council chamber, I was observing "creatures"

and:

in their natural habitat.

Think about it, Observer Walt, I'm merely reporting and yet you say it's "fun to read".

Do you understand now why I find Mississauga Council all so enthralling? (There's zero irony in my use of "enthralling" BTW)

Forget Seinfeld. Corner Gas. The purest riveting entertainment is Mississauga Council every Wednesday at 9:00 am! And I'm not just talking councillors. Often the best show comes from the commissioners or other Staff.

And oh my, it gets better, Observer --and you've already hinted at it in a previous message.

Going back to animal behaviour...

It's often difficult to reintroduce/relocate an animal into the wild because it will have to establish its new territory within the existing territorial "infrastructure" of the creatures already there.

So, post-election, two new councillors will be added to existing councillors (Newby introduction will prove interesting to observe even if Mississauga votes ALL Incumbents back in).

These council-creatures have an existing pecking order and territory. Now they will have two new creatures sniffin' at the trees and spraying bushes.

And yes, it gets even better. You pointed this out yourself.

Should be some interesting times ahead at Peel Regional council. The Province didn't give Hazel what she really wanted (out of Peel, with Miss. becoming a freestanding city). She got the next best thing, two more people at Regional Council.

drrrrrrRRRRRRAAAAAAAMAAAA!

I will attend Regional meetings too if I can stand it. For certain I'm going to the first post-election one where everyone will smile and play forced-nice.

I mean think about it. Sitting at Peel Council will be a Mississauga that not only wants OUT but was unsuccessful in its bid to BE OUT. It'll be like observing an acutely-dysfunctional family --doing, I'm not sure what.

Observing Mississauga Council/Staff within the context of those Peel Region Ritualized Dramas of Mutual Pretense will also be quite something. Like observing home-frogs in a slightly bigger, more crowded pond.

Last, you wrote:

Hope to meet you Monday night (I gather you're coming to the Ward 3 meeting, which you may find tepid by comparison).

Oh, I'll be there, Observer Walt.

Get this. When I heard about a Ward 3 meeting, believe it or not, even after reading most of mississauga.ca and agendas and minutes, I couldn't recall who the Ward 3 councillor was.

When I did find out, I couldn't remember a single thing she ever said at council or anything.

I submit that this Incumbent, by gliding so skillfully under the radar that's under the radar, is a Novermber 13th shoe-in.

I'm prepared to ride a Twoonie on that Certainty.

Signed,
The Mississauga Muse

 

[The Mississauga Muse]

Re: WELL WELL WELL TAKE A LOOK AT THIS!

Dear Mississaugans,

In a previous message, I noticed that when I posted images of council from the mississauga.ca website, I'd get this:

NO IMAGE!

And no image for the Mayor McCallion or any of the Mississauga councillors! I had to find an alternate URL.

But here's the neat part!

I asked myself, are images blocked just on mississauga.ca or does Brampton also have image blocking.

Nope. Check this out.

Hazel McCallion from mississauga.ca

NO IMAGE!

Mayor Fennell from brampton.ca

OOOOOOoooo....

Let's try:

Mississauga Councillor Ward 1 from mississauga.ca

NO IMAGE!

Brampton Councillor Ward 1 from brampton.ca

Let's try Ward 3 for both sites

The Under the Radar Ward 3 at mississauga.ca

NO IMAGE!

and now Brampton Councillor Ward 3 from brampton.ca

One more test... councillor with the highest number.

Mississauga Councillor Ward 9 from mississauga.ca

NO IMAGE!

and now Brampton Councillor Ward 10 from brampton.ca

And THAT, Boys and Girls is why I say the citizens of Brampton have a CITY government and Mississaugans have a CORPORATION.

eh, one more just for the heck.

Mississauga City Hall from mississauga.ca website.

Mississauga image blocking even extends to buildings! :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin

NO IMAGE!

Brampton City Hall from brampton.ca website.

No, I got to find out... one more. City of Toronto.

Toronto Mayor from toronto.ca website.

And Toronto City Hall from the toronto.ca website???....

How come Brampton and Toronto both get CITY governments and WE DON'T?

Kinda puts the mississauga.ca claim in the document, "A vision for Mississauga’s future" into new light.

This part:

Mississauga will be governed in an open and responsive manner

8.2 To encourage information sharing with, and input from, the public.

• Enhance information sharing with the public through the media and the development of streamlined information access system(s) at Civic Centre and other City facilities.

Got to wonder at this point.

Is Mississauga the ONLY shadowysecretive municipality in Ontario who has designed a shadowysecretive website that blocks all images?


Ya think?

See what I mean by how fascinating it is to study Mississauga municipal governance???

Bet citizens can easily cut-and-paste text at mississaugaca either. But I'll leave that for another time.

Signed,
The (And yes, "shadowysecretive" is indeed one word) Mississauga Muse

 

[The Mississauga Muse]

Why it's so difficult to beat Incumbents

This is coming to you straight from my brain's Well-duuuuuhhh Department.

I'm ashamed to admit that it took me this long --just one week before voting to have The Reason. I finally, now, understand why it's so difficult for challengers to beat Incumbents in municipal elections.

Sure, I read the articles in online local papers from all over Ontario regarding the overwhelming advantages that Incumbents have.

Some of these include:

1. Name recognition
2. Voter apathy (make that "coma")
3. "War chest" donations from corporations/developers
4. Voter apathy (their voices don't matter)
5. City's P.R. Department working on their behalf
6. Voter apathy (let's stick with the devil we know)
7. City's sign by-laws severely restricting sign use/placement
8. Voter apathy (the City will do what it wants anyway)
9. Provincial legislation limits challenger access to information
10. Voter apathy (I don't know who to vote for)
11. City's collusion that limits challenger access to information
12. Voter apathy (All politicians are the same)
13. Incumbent access to media through existing City structures
14. Voter apathy (QUICK! Tell me who to put an X beside)
15. Voter apathy (The BumBureacraps run everything anyway)

All valid points and I'm sure we can think of more.

But here's the thing.

Let's say every eligible voter in Mississauga finally woke up and decided to actually pay attention. Like as much focussed attention as they would to following a Leaf game or a particularly riveting episode of Deal or No Deal --that kind of attention.

And you stripped away ALL Mississauga Incumbent advantages.

You can give each challenger a million dollars upfront with no sign restrictions etc etc etc. In fact, you can restrict what Incumbents can do to just ward debates. It wouldn't matter --shouldn't matter.

Because there's a better way to decide how to vote --with NO (legitimate )WHINING at the end by sour-grape-sucking challengers to boot.

Easy to do. How?

A televised BEHIND-THE-CURTAIN ALL CANDIDATE'S DEBATE for each ward. Exactly like the one just held in Ward 7 --except each candidate sits unseen behind a black curtain.

Each "curtain" gives a 4-minute speech. After all speeches, the "curtains" are asked questions from the audience (from people other than what appear to me at least to be Incumbent plants)

Each "curtain" is then allowed one minute to sum up.

And that's IT.

Like, I said, I only figured it out this weekend after watching the Rogers 10 Mayoralty debate with Barber (A), Willis (B), McCallion (C).

Here's the point.

Give Mississauga citizens a copy of that Mayor-tape but only the audio --kill the visual and afterwards have them to vote for Candidate A, B or C.

Mississaugans would vote OVERWHELMINGLY for Mayor C.

Same with the Ward 7 debate last Wednesday. (Arora, Iannicca, Lakhani and McNeil) have people view a televised version of that but --all four behind black curtains. Vote just on the strength of their ideas.

In Ward 7, Candidate B would win over-whelmingly.

The point I've learned is even if you wiped clear all Incumbent advantages, Incumbents speak head, shoulders and trunk above challengers.

Incumbents are SPECIFIC when debating. That's what it all comes down to.

Listening to debates and Rogers candidate clips, I'm struck with the realization that it's easy to pick out the Incumbent clips --Incumbents are SPECIFIC.

Go over to Rogers and see what I mean. Listening to challengers' tapes is like listening to your neighbour gripe about all that's wrong with Mississauga and how he'd fix things.

Question. Would you vote for your neighbour?

Seriously. Would you?

Accusations that Incumbents avoid issues are essentially bogus. Should there ever be a municipal election where votes really do come down to issues/debates, Incumbents would win anyway.

And forever it will remain so --until a Mississauga ward can cough up a challenger who can be specific.

John Stewart helped me to understand this when he wrote:

The challengers landed some body blows (especially on the sorry state of the four corners and Cooksville in general) but when it came to content, Iannicca excelled, as the incumbent obviously should.

CONTENT.
SPECIFIC.

That's the Incumbent "advantage".


Signed,
The (Yes, I know that for ten months I've dumped on Incumbents and have now changed my mind --so shoot me) Mississauga Muse

 

[The Mississauga Muse]

MISSISSAUGA Election night coverage Press Release

Attention News/Assignment Editors:
Election Night - Mississauga Municipal Election Results

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 6 /CNW/ - The media are invited to the Mississauga Civic Centre on municipal election night where up-to-the-minute election results will be broadcast live in the Great Hall following the close of the polls.

Election Results Evening:

Monday, November 13, 2006
8 to 10 p.m.
The Great Hall
Mississauga Civic Centre
300 City Centre Drive
(immediately west of Square One Shopping Centre)


Election results will also be posted on the City's website at
www.mississaugavotes.ca and continuously updated as results are received and recorded.

Mississauga is Canada's sixth largest city with a population of more than... ya da ya da ya da


For further information: Media Contact: Laurel Schut,
Public Affairs Consultant, Communications,
City of Mississauga, Tel: (905) 615-3200, ext.5832,
E-mail: laurel.schut@mississauga.ca


I emailed Laurel Schut today about whether the public can also show up and got this chirpy reply:

Absolutely! Members of the public if they choose to do so, are welcome to come by the Civic Centre and watch the Election results live on the large screen.

Cheers,
Laurel Schut

Public Affairs Consultant

 

[spmarshall]

Re: MISSISSAUGA Election night coverage Press Release

Oh boy! Excitement!

And the results for the mayoral race...zzzzzzz.

Only some of the ward races will have any excitement.

 

[cdl42]

Re: MISSISSAUGA Election night coverage Press Release

Can't forget the media coverage from the last election...

(Paraphrasing)

Newsroom: "And now lets check in with our reporters at campaign headquarters across the GTA"
Reporter 1: "The party is only getting started here at Miller HQ, the new mayor-elect is expected to give a speech shortly and the atmosphere is celebratory"
Reporter 2: "Here at the Jackobeck offices the party is going strong. Results were no surprise, but people are determined to make the best of it and have a good time"
Reporter 3: "Here in Brampton the music is pumping and should continue into the night"
Reporter 4: "Uhh... here at the McCallion HQ everyone's gone home already..." (*scenes of an empty room with people sweeping up in the background*)

 

[The Mississauga Muse]

Re: WARD 5 MEET-and-GREET Mississauga ELECTION update

sp: You are absolutely right about Dundas and Hurontario. A few years ago when a "park" was created there, I had some hopes. They certainly haven't been realized. The corner is a disgrace and speaks poorly for the City.

For anyone interested, there's now a thread on CITY PHOTOS called, "MISSISSAUGA --HURONTARIO/DUNDAS VIRTUAL DESIGN CHALLENGE" that includes photos of that "park" taken Monday, November 6th.

Also. Taking a look around, the #1 thing I couldn't help wondering about is why aren't several receptacles available for stubbing out cigarettes. Or you think people wouldn't use them?

Signed,
The Mississauga Muse

 

[The Mississauga Muse]

Re: WARD 3 Almost-All Candidates Meeting

Observer Walt wrote:

Muse: ...Hope to meet you Monday night (I gather you're coming to the Ward 3 meeting, which you may find tepid by comparison).

I was there, Monday. Were you the really nice-looking gentleman who smiled at me at the end on the way out? Or didn't you show up?

Just went to the Mississauga News and John Stewart has yet again made my Ward 3 report easy.

THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS
Resident takes issue at candidates meeting

The Councillor-Incumbent Maja Prentice and challenger Peter Ferriera exchange pleasantries.

John Stewart
Nov 7, 2006

Nobody was going to deny Walter Beznowski his say Monday night at the all-candidates' meeting sponsored by the Rockwood Homeowners' Association and held at Sts. Martha and Mary School.

The 81-year-old resident commandeered the microphone shortly after public question period began and demanded to know when Mississauga will do something to prevent him from becoming a prisoner in his own home every winter.

"I want to talk about the shovelling of snow onto my driveway," said Beznowski, who lives alone on Garnetwood Chase. His wife died a dozen years ago. "This is wrong. When all the snow lands on my driveway, I am locked in. I have health problems. I have to take five needles a day.

"This stinks," continued the war veteran, who has had heart surgery. "There is technology so that the driveway does not have to be blocked."

Beznowski's animated presentation drew applause from about 100 people in attendance.

Complaints about windrows from snow plows filling the ends of driveways have prompted the City of Mississauga to review the issue several times.

Mississauga tried to get a pilot program on windrow clearance going in Rockwood a few years ago, but there wasn't enough interest to even launch a trial, said incumbent Ward 3 Councillor Maja Prentice.

The cost would have been $50-$75 per driveway, but the City couldn't find contractors who were interested.

I really love this pic of Hazel McCallion.

Mayor Hazel McCallion said a city-wide clearing program would have cost $3.5 million, the equivalent of a 2 per cent tax hike, when the municipality looked at it a few years ago. It can't be done in some areas with small lots where driveways are too close together, she said.

Condominium and apartment owners don't want to subsidize a service for single-family homeowners that they pay for themselves via maintenance fees.

"It's going to be very costly and the service is not that satisfactory," McCallion said.

Ward 3 Council candidate Peter Ferreira would refer the issue to a seniors' advisory panel he plans to set up if elected.

Council candidate Jason Roti would try to arrange a program so high school students can dig out driveways to satisfy their community service hours.

The three candidates for councillor --left to right: Incumbent Councillor Maja Prentice, Peter Ferreira and Jason Roti.

Mississauga could use some of the $600 million it has in reserves to subsidize the program, mayoralty candidate Roy Willis argued.

"The mayor likes to get other people to do things for free so the City doesn't have to pay for it," noted mayoralty challenger Don Barber. He said the municipality should invest in the devices to clear windrows instead of, "cutting corners on snow removal.

If you're wondering why I can't show you any pics of Walter Beznowski, it's because my camera was busy taking video.

Walter Beznowski gave a genuine speech that night --and I'm sure that he spoke for a lot of seniors.

LAST. In John Stewart's recent Blog entry, "Say Cheese" (Yes, "Say Cheese") he writes:

Prentice has two photos that include McCallion on her brochure, both at community events in the ward, which is perfectly kosher. She got the mayor’s permission for those. Which is interesting in light of the mayor’s earlier statement that, “I do not endorse the use of my photo in election campaign material produced by candidates.â€

Ferreira says he has no problems with the mayor and realizes that she, “has a thing about protecting any member of her team†from being knocked off council.

Protecting her people all right --and check out the actual seating that night.

I put in a "break" because the two school trustee-candidates didn't show for this. Their no-show left this seating arrangement --and it's not alphabetical order. I know why Barber isn't beside McCallion.

But someone explain left-to-right Prentice, Ferreira and Roti --other than the Councillor Incumbent gets to be beside the Mayor Incumbent and the Outsiders are all --on the Outside.

Signed,
The (I voted yesterday at Corporation Hall) Mississauga Muse

 

[vistaway]

Re: WARD 3 Almost-All Candidates Meeting

The Mississauga News just published their endorsements (no real surprises):

THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS
Our election choices for City Council

The Mississauga News
Nov 8, 2006

As voters head to the polls Monday, they'll be accepting a responsibility that shouldn't rest too lightly on their shoulders -- the future of our city.

Unfortunately, instead of just weighing the merits of individual candidates running for office within their ward, evaluating their skills, experience and service to the community, residents will have to spend some time digging through the mounds of muck slung during this election.

This campaign, arguably the ugliest in the city's history, has been riddled with accusations, dirty tricks, alleged crimes and name-calling.

Following a trend that's become more prevalent at the provincial and federal levels in recent years, an alarming number of candidates have resorted to the kind of dirty politics that's more typical of our neighbours to the south and in countries across the pond.

More headlines have been devoted to the alleged wrongdoings of candidates and those who have worked on their campaigns than to the issues and challenges our city is facing.

A record number of individuals have tossed their hats into the ring for this contest, some eminently qualified, others inexperienced, but eager to serve, and some whose raison d'etre seems mired in hatred, revenge or greed.

That said, of the approximately 140 individuals who entered this race, the vast majority are well-intentioned folks who love this city and are interested only in representing their neighbours and working for the common good of the community.

That's the pool of talent from which we've drawn the council candidates we endorse below.

Ward 1

In Ward 1, the area in the city's extreme southeast corner, incumbent Carmen Corbasson has worked hard on behalf of her constituents, not only during this election campaign, but during the course of her tenure at City Hall.

Empathetic, honest and reliable, Corbasson demonstrates a strong affinity with voters in her constituency and enjoys a healthy relationship with ratepayers' associations and business people within her community. She has earned the trust of those she represents and clearly deserves their support again this time around.

Ward 2

In Ward 2, newcomer Brian Hurley seems to have some good ideas, but there's little in his record of community service or his plans that should oust incumbent Pat Mullin.

Mullin has an enviable record of working on behalf of residents in her ward. She's smart, well-informed and well-versed on issues in her constituency, the City and the Region, a palatable combination. She deserves another term in office.

Ward 3

In Ward 3, the only real contender incumbent Maja Prentice faces is Peter Ferreira, currently Chair of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. However, Ferreira's abysmal handling of finances at the Board, which resulted in the Ministry of Education sending in a "supervisor" to help trustees deal with an overwhelming deficit, would appear to make him a misfit on a City Council that prides itself on fiscal management.

Prentice, on the other hand, has a strong record at City Hall to her credit. She has a clear, reasonable and financially viable platform that's based on experience and a well-founded knowledge of city issues. She has our vote.

Ward 4

In Ward 4, the majority of those seeking seats on council appear misinformed about the duties, responsibilities and capabilities of councillors, in particular, and municipalities, in general. However well-meaning, they lack a basic understanding of municipal roles.

Incumbent Frank Dale is the exception. His 18-year tenure on City Council has served him and his constituents well. He's well-informed and in touch with his residents, as evidenced by the consistently high percentage of votes he has amassed in every election.

While Dale's interests extend beyond the borders of his ward -- his record on City and Peel Region-wide issues is impressive -- his constituents have fared well under his representation. Seniors, youth and families have more facilities at their disposal at the end of his term than they did at the beginning. They can expect more of the same if they return him to office.

Ward 5

Since the days when the late Frank McKechnie held office in Ward 5, residents in that part of the city have been drastically underserved. First, they suffered through the embarrassment of being represented by Cliff Gyles, a convicted criminal. Then, along came Eve Adams.

Scandal has tugged at Adams' coattails since her first foray into municipal politics. During her first run at office, her brother and husband were charged with removing other candidates' election signs from residents' yards. This time around, Adams' own staff at City Hall, who have since been re-assigned away from her office, claimed they were forced to work on her campaign. They also allege she threatened them and coerced residents into accepting her election signs.

Clearly, Adams does not deserve another term at City Hall. Clearly, the residents of Ward 5 deserve better.

Ward 5 residents, however, have some good news: Legitimate alternatives to Adams are also running in this race. Sydney Weir, a long time community activist and volunteer, is thoughtful, responsive to the needs of the community and understands the unique needs of Ward 5 residents.

Sam Hanna, a foreign-trained engineer and successful entrepreneur, has a proven track record of financial and business acumen. He has a handle on the issues in Ward 5 and some practical ideas on how to solve them. He'd fit in well with a council that prides itself on financial propriety.

Either would be worthy additions to council.

Ward 6

The Ward 6 council candidates are perhaps the most diverse of all the ridings. From a 26-year-old political neophyte to one of the most recognizable politicians in North America, the race has been one of the more interesting in this campaign.

Still, the race really comes down to two feasible candidates -- Carolyn Parrish and Ron Starr. Parrish, perhaps most infamous for a television show stunt that angered an entire nation, is a seasoned politician with a reputation for hard work and a big mouth.

Savvy and knowledgeable about the issues, she has a penchant for speaking from the heart without filtering her sentiments through her brain. She has close ties -- too close -- with one cultural segment of the community, perhaps at the risk of alienating others. Still, voters can be sure she'll fight on their behalf at City Hall. There's no doubt she'd shake up council.

Starr is a successful businessman who sat on City Council in the early days after amalgamation. He has an impressive history of community involvement and political appointments, and strong ties to the "old guard" in the city.

Starr is conversant with the issues and has the wherewithal to deal with them. If you like the status quo, he is your man.

Ward 7

In Ward 7, where threats of lawsuits are as abundant as campaign promises, none of the three contenders to incumbent Nando Iannicca has the experience or insight to oust the long time councillor

A self-proclaimed philosopher whose interests are more aligned at the national level, an adversary who appears primarily interested in character assassination and a wide-eyed neophyte with little understanding of the boundaries of municipal politics are Iannicca's running mates: None has what it takes to sit on a council the size of Mississauga's.

That said, Iannicca needs to grow a thicker skin and stop threatening legal action every time somebody says or does something he doesn't like. Still, he's the only viable candidate in the ward.

Ward 8

In Ward 8, all of the candidates have a reasonable grasp of the issues facing the ward and the city. Thomas Holowczak, is the only one of the three challenging incumbent Katie Mahoney who has any feasible plans to address the issues.

Despite his platform, however, he's unlikely to knock off Mahoney, who has a strong history of community involvement, a wealth of knowledge about the ward and its needs and a proven track record. Her history, along with that of the council on which she's served, warrant her return for another term.

Ward 9

In Ward 9, incumbent Pat Saito, arguably the strongest representative on council, is in a race with, arguably, the strongest contender in this municipal election.

Saito has an impressive record of grass roots representation. She's responsive to the needs of her constituents, unafraid to take an unpopular stand and is considered a hard worker. She might not be the most popular councillor in the minds of staff, but she does right by the residents of Ward 9.

Challenger Bill McBain is a legitimate contender with an impressive background in politics at the national and provincial levels. It's a shame he doesn't live in Ward 5, where residents desperately need intelligent, ethical leadership.

The residents of Ward 9 are lucky to have two such strong candidates. Saito's record speaks for itself, while McBain's credentials are impeccable. Saito has done nothing to deserve being dismissed from council, however, so unless voters are desperate for a change, she's a good choice.

Ward 10

The cast of thousands (23, actually) running in the new Ward 10 has muddied the waters for voters who know little about most of the candidates.

While only one, public school board trustee Sue McFadden, has any real experience as an elected official, a couple, such as Elias Hazineh, have considerable understanding of backroom politics.

A few among the 23 who have tossed their hats into the Ward 10 ring stand out, McFadden and Hazineh among them. Other notables include Streetsville resident Craig Lawrence, Patrick Mendes and John Briers.

Mud slinging is no stranger to Ward 10 and voters who have followed recent headlines in The Mississauga News know where some of the muck has stuck.

In this election, our money is on McFadden, with Lawrence as a possibility.

Ward 11

In Ward 11, the city's other recently-created ward, three are chasing the council seat. Of those, George Carlson, currently the incumbent Ward 6 councillor, stands head and shoulders above the competition. He's a grass roots councillor with strong ties to the community and a solid track record. He's a good bet for another term.

Mayor

Finally, the mayoralty race, if it can be termed as such, is notable only for the endurance of each of the candidates. Mayor Hazel McCallion's two contenders, Donald Barber and Roy Willis, have had their names on ballots around the city for two decades, with no success between them.

While Barber and Willis, regardless of their motives or skill sets, should be commended for ensuring at least a pretense of a race at the mayoralty level, neither has what it takes to be mayor.

However, both have the courage, at least, to challenge the most beloved mayor in, perhaps, the nation's history, something several other would-be challengers to McCallion's throne clearly lack. At least three potential mayoralty candidates who have been whispering their aspirations to succeed McCallion seem content to wait until the city's well-preserved leader either steps aside or bids adieu to this world.

When that time comes, voters must ask themselves if that is the kind of leadership they'll settle for when McCallion finally vacates her seat.

McCallion is clearly the leader this city stills needs.

 

[spmarshall]

Re: WARD 3 Almost-All Candidates Meeting

Incumbancy forever (Adams excepted) in the snoozefest that is Mississauga!

 

[Observer Walt]

Re: Miss. election

sp: The Miss. News has tended to endorse incumbents in the past, unless they mess up badly as Eve Adams has. I think it reflects their editorial view (mainly valid IMO) that things in the City are generally good, or at least as good as can be expected. Like the City itself they tend to put a high value on fiscal responsibility (evident in their editorial today).

The interesting race, in the midst of the "snoozefest", will be in Ward 6, where there is no incumbent and two high-profile people are duking it out. It's been a hot race. Watch this one on election night, it will probably be the only real source of any drama.


Muse: I was at the meeting on Mon. night but didn't get to meet you. I saw you in the front row taking pictures; I was two rows behind you and more to the right. After the meeting I got engaged in a conversation with someone and I guess you slipped away during that time. Wasn't me who smiled at you, sorry.

A small quibble: the two persons who were missing at the head table were "fringe" council candidates, not school board. The school board candidates were not invited to speak, although a couple of them were hanging out in the lobby giving out their literature.

I don't know if there were any particular reasons for the seating arrangement, other than, as you noted, the desirability of keeping Barber and McCallion apart from each other.


Future Mayor: Apparently you had better watch what you say around Nando, if you don't want to get sued! :rolleyes

 

[ahrvojic]

Re: Miss. election

Future Mayor: Apparently you had better watch what you say around Nando, if you don't want to get sued!

Hah! I live in Ward 7--can I just vote for FutureMayor without voting for anyone else?

 

[Observer Walt]

Re: Miss. election

^ You can if you are a Catholic school supporter.