It’s unfortunate that you consider my comments, opinions, and advice to be disrespectful. It appears I’ve hit a nerve with you on this subject and I’m completely fine with that. Debating the issues and sharing our thoughts and opinions (regardless of whether you agree or disagree) is what makes these elections interesting.

I follow these elections closely and the only candidates who’ve knocked on my door was our current Minister of Finance in the Federal government and Rene Sotens who was running for the Conservative Party a long time ago. Aside from those 2 individuals, nobody has ever stopped by my house from the municipal level.

The only time I recall election signs appearing on the main streets of Ajax was when a Dutch gentleman (can’t remember his name) was running against Parish. That was at least 10 years ago or more. In recent years I have not seen any lawn signs or received any brochures in the mail. Many of my friends who live in the various wards observed the same thing. I don’t doubt that some of the current candidates are door knocking but as I’ve said many times before. They need to do more to get heard. I hope these debates that are being scheduled at the area schools will at least give people an idea of who these people really are and what they stand for.

I have no desire to throw my hat into the ring. I have a job that I enjoy and it pays good money. Perhaps I’ll consider running when I’m in a position to do. Right now I’m happy being an observer.

Admin: I have seen signs, lots of them for every single election. I remember wondering who the heck Joanne Dies was the first time she ran against Randy Low , also wondering who he was.
This is an interesting election as I am more like a regular citizen this time because I am not closely linked with anyone running, current or a challenger. But I will say most of the challengers, the serious ones at least, are working to get their names out.
Municipal candidates come from established networks of voluteering in the community, running a business in the community , lived here a long time. That is about it. Without the benefit of the party system it is harder to get known outside of your established networks.
Kip was the person you are referring to, I think he still lives in Ajax and I sent him a note through facebook but he did not respond. I don’t know anything else about him.
It is the citizens responsibility to be informed about municipal candidates , they can’t knock on every door so you have to go to the debate , you have to email them your questions if you want or pick up the phone and call them.
People have to get off their duffs and get to the polls, I read a guest post on Rocco Rossi’s (Toronto Mayor Candidate) about the youth vote and reaching them via social media, she said that the campaign has to come to them in the comfort of their office etc. BUT the voting does not come directly to you . You have to go to the polls and as I have learned in the past , candidates have to get the voters out. You could be told at the door you have their support but it is worth nothing if they don’t make the effort to get to the poll.
You live in Ward 4 Lisa Patel ran before so you must have noticed her signs around. Ward 2 was always covered in Joe Dickson signs, sometimes whether you asked for the sign or not and if you asked for Joe’s sometimes you ended up with Scott’s. That happend to us once , I did not know Scott at the time.

A lot of our elected officials (at all levels) attend various ceremonies and ribbon cuttings regardless of whether or not they support it. They might put on a smile and say a few nice words. Perhaps they truly support these causes but how do we really know?. Quite often it’s a good opportunity for them to have their pictures taken and show the community that “they care”. Take for example volunteer work. I remember from past elections that candidates always brag about all the volunteer work they’ve done in the communuity. Personally, I don’t care whether a candidate has done volunteer work or attended any of these ceremonies. I’m more concerned about knowing their qualifications and whether or not they have what it takes to be in government.

I don’t think Northern Durham is being treated poorly. Big cities will always get more money for services since that’s where the majority of people live. The Region has a duty to provide northern residents with garbage pickup, snow clearing, and salting just like they do down here.

Now that I think about it, you are right .

Maybe you haven’t been paying attention enough but in EVERY election all candidates traditionally go door to door and put up election signs. I know. I’ve done it and I’ve seen my competitors (even incumbents) do it too. While I agree that this entire council (save MAYBE one member) needs to be changed, I think you’re doing a real disservice to the process and showing all candidates a lot of disrespect for their efforts (whether you like them or you don’t).

You do come out here to this blog a lot and seem to care and seem to want to be active and that’s a good thing. However, actions speak louder than words and for someone as attentive as you are, you may want to consider throwing your hat into the ring so you can get a sense of just how much work it really is.

Don’t stand behind Karem or the excuse that you just won’t win. Show some courage of conviction and put your name in. Do the fund raising to bankroll it just like everyone else who runs does. Seven years ago 4 sitting members of council lost in one on one races.

I fully support having a directly elected Regional Chair and look forward to the discussion on the options for making that election process fair to all of Durham.

That means also that we all have the right to say that he’s wrong. It is a two-way street. And by opening up debate on issues such as this we have an opportunity to educate.

Creating an inclusive society means finding ways to include everyone, identify the barriers that prevent people (whatever their circumstances and/or background) from fully participating in society. Then the task is to identify programs, services and community organizations and partners that can help us break down those barriers.

I was at the Pride Flag raising ceremonies at both Pickering City Hall and Ajax Town Hall and it was great to see the spirit of community that was present.

admin: I felt it important to alert to the embarassment factor if people just decided to vote for anyone but the sitting councillor.

The role of the Regional Chair is to do what’s best for the Region of Durham, not what’s best for a single municipality. I think if we move to direct election we will begin to see party politics and whoever is elected Regional Chair will be accused of supporting his/her home municipality.

I commend John Mutton and his efforts but at the same time I think Roger has done a hell of a job as Regional Chair. He has had to deal with a number of controversial issues and has never backed down from anyone.

But back to the post, it makes a clear point, will the north get left behind if we go to Direct Election?

That is why I posted the comment, I want to hear people’s comments on it, it is a difficult decision. I drove all the way up on Lakeridge Road to Beaverton , less traffic then #12, this Region is huge! It is a big responsibility to look after everyone. They have less transit to no transit , is a good salted road in the winter a tradeoff ? We would be fools to think the south does not subsidise the North but we have farmers up there growing our food. There needs to be an open debate on how direct election will affect the North and service delivery to them.

Rob

admin: he has the right to say it and I have the right to think he is an ……

Look at the Toronto mayoral candidates. One of them has received some heat for discussing immigration and yet he’s still high in the polls.

admin: It is the context of comments and the way some of them come off. I would be offended if I heard him say them in person. If he made those comments while being a councillor, it would embarrass me