Posts Tagged ‘Toronto Municipal Election’
Toronto’s Election Agenda Should Be Set By Torontonians
When I read that Dalton McGuinty had an opinion on what the ballot question should be in Toronto’s municipal election I was taken aback. It just seemed inappropriate that the Premier of Ontario would be advising residents what debate should determine the outcome of the race.
Watching the election unfold so far it seems clear there are going to be two camps, the folks who want to take drastic action to fundamentally alter how and what City Hall does and those who think tinkering is the way to go.
The province has used the 2010 municipal budget as an opportunity to use spending power to exert more control over the TTC. This is something Torontonians should approach with caution because it means local control will be shared with the province, likely through Metrolinx. This could create an even more unwieldy governance structure for the TTC.
The Premier’s suggestion that the Toronto Election is a good opportunity to discuss the idea of transit workers being declared an essential service was not only off base, but possibly a sign of what is to come with the permanent funding proposal from the Province, particularly in a race that sees the front runners running against City Hall, not for it.
With the significant decisions the next Council is going to have to make regarding Toronto’s future should be top of mind of all voters when they determine who to send to Council in the fall. I believe our next Mayor and members of Council need to focus the municipal/provincial relationship on building a sustainable and workable framework for Toronto to govern it’s affairs with the resources needed to meet the challenge. We need to make sure, whoever is elected doesn’t sell our city short in these negotiations and ensures the Premier understands providing adequate funding to the City of Toronto and the TTC isn’t optional, its necessary.
How about the province just fund a proportion of the TTC’s operating budget because it’s the right thing to do, and historically a role they played.
If there is to be a ballot question regarding anything to do with the Provincial government it should be, which candidate for Mayor best represents our City’s long term interests in negotiating a sustainable framework with the Ontario Government.
Comments OffAdam Giambrone Launch Video Demonstrates Power of Social Media
I’m not supporting any candidate for Mayor, but am watching the race with great interest as I am sure many others are as well.
Love him or hate him, or even his video for that matter, Giambrone’s campaign in my opinion has demonstrated the best understanding of social media of all major campaigns in the race so far. Sure the video content is doesn’t necessarily paint Giambrone looking mayoral but it has been seen by over 30,000 people in just over a day. Compare with George Smitherman’s official launch video on his youtube page with closer to 500 people, or Rocco Rossi’s Empire Club speech with around 400 viewers over a considerably longer period of time.
A lot of folks are debating the content, whether Giambrone struck the right cord or not, but this early in the game the ’say anything you want about me, but spell my name right’ approach to public relations applies. For a Mayor’s race getting out there and getting noticed is a good first start.
Even if you’re Rocco Rossi and you’re suggesting it is a stunt unworthy of a campaign that should be about policy, the cold hard reality that Giambrone’s team was able to make a video go viral and get their unedited message (regardless of content or quality) to a group that big that quickly AND get traditional media coverage of the whole thing should have you taking him more seriously than you did before.
If you’re George Smitherman – you need to be worried Giambrone will be able to excite the 30,000 or so folks who tuned in in the first 24 hours, because they are an audience you surely need to be able to reach out and win over as well if you’re to maintain a commanding lead.
Finally if you’re Joe Pantalone, your ability to be the main candidate for progressives and those on the left of the spectrum could prove to be a lot more difficult as the new media types that have tuned into watch are a constituency you need to reach if you’re to compete.
Giambrone’s video is certainly not a game changer and likely doesn’t put him any closer to sealing the deal, but it surely will create a good turn out for his launch, and allow him to connect better with individuals early, making it easier to get his message out, unfiltered to a larger audience than the other big name candidates in the race.
At the very least it makes the case for an exciting race to come.
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1 Comment »It’s Official – I’m a Candidate for Toronto City Council in Ward 43
Today at 9:08 am (yes the City of Toronto records the time of one’s candidacy to the minute), I had the high honour and privilege of guaranteeing Ward 43 residents have a choice in the coming municipal election this fall.
I responded to the calls from residents that began well over a year ago to consider making another run. Members of the community have been frustrated by the vacuum of leadership and lack of local representation at City Hall. We’re going to work together to change that this fall.
They’ve asked for a voice. They want someone who is going to listen, stand up, speak out and represent their views. Someone who will rise above the self interested nonsense, mediocrity so often found at City Hall hurting our city.
I’m give it my all to be that voice, to champion the will of my neighbours, and community and to carry our message forward. Those who know me know I work long and hard, and never give up on something I believe in. It is that passion and drive I will bring to this race, and to my term as Councillor should residents see fit to enlist me in their service. But it can’t happen alone. It’s going to take the financial support and volunteer time from others who believe in shaking things up at City Hall. We’ll have more on this coming out soon – but feel free to email me if you’d like to act now.
Laforet.ca will begin changing to reflect my new role as my community’s candidate for Council as more residents begin visiting to find out more about my plans.
I have to say as day one of this campaign ends, I am proud of the team that has come together so far, and look forward to swelling our ranks in the days and weeks ahead.
Our campaign can only be successful with the financial support of those who believe in what we’re trying to achieve.
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