Jimbits
New Member
It looks like Filion will be running again:
http://app.toronto.ca/vote2010/findByName.do?lastName=all
http://app.toronto.ca/vote2010/findByName.do?lastName=all
It looks like Filion will be running again:
http://app.toronto.ca/vote2010/findByName.do?lastName=all
I am very very happy that Ootes is going.
The Star is reporting that Jane Pitfield wants to worm her way back into council via Ootes' ward.
I think the term 'worm' should be reserved for a member of Council who is kicked off City Council for a serious offense (i.e. had a gun in their office), charged, and then tried to get their job back.
Well, said serious offense could just as well be old-fashioned political corruption--consider somebody like Mario Gentile.
Though I don't think this is the kind of "worm" metaphor intended in Pitfield's case...
I've read a comment, on The Star website I think, that a councillor can back out of the run for mayor and revert back to running for council instead. It also hinted this has happened frequently in Toronto election history.
If it is true, for someone to do that is simply a coward. Mayoral candidates should always ride their election campaigns to the end.
Apparently some people think worming your way into something is sinister. Who knew?
I've read a comment, on The Star website I think, that a councillor can back out of the run for mayor and revert back to running for council instead. It also hinted this has happened frequently in Toronto election history.
Is this true? At what date would someone like Pantalone or Mammoliti have to make a final decision about what to run for?
Perhaps it's just a matter of withdrawing from the mayors race and signing up to run for council under the normal deadlines?
It was my comment, and I posted the theory on-line at various newspaper websites. I called it the "Mammolit Ruse" and it goes like this:
1. An incumbent Councillor (say George Mammoliti) runs for Mayor, without a chance for success, sets up a campaign account and takes in contributions.
2. Most (if not all) expenses are directed to the incumbent Councillor's Ward in the form of posters, flyers, signs, etc.
3. Sometime before the September 10, 2010 deadline (probably in the summer after signs are allowed to be erected), the Mayoral candidate "changes his mind", de-registers as a Mayoral candidate (full refund) and then registers as a candidate for Councillor.
4. The Mayoral campaign account is closed (all spent) and a new "Councillor" account starts. The candidate then asks THE SAME CONTRIBUTORS to help him with the Councillor campaign. A contributor could potentially give a maximum of $750 to BOTH campaigns.
5. The Councillor candidate then floods the Ward with posters, flyers, signs, etc. The old Mayoral signs, posters and flyers are not taken back (even if they could be).
6. The City of Toronto refunds 75% of contributions to both campaigns after the election.
7. The candidate stays within the limits of election contributions and expenses, while enjoying significantly more funds for campaign purposes. It is all above board and legal (a so-called loophole in the Municipal Elections Act).
Ethical?...perhaps not.
If a person is a candidate for more than one office, a contributor’s total contributions to him or her in respect of all the offices shall not exceed $750. 1996, c. 32, Sched., s. 71 (2).