Politics - Candidates for Richmond Hill
With only 10 days before the election, the time to make a decision is getting closer than the shave to be offered by a Norelco.I had some political discussions with my coworkers at work today and I am still undecided. I know I really want to punish the Liberals for the scandals, but then again, Gomery did exonerate Martin and the other members of parliament still in government. Anyway I thought, why don't I learn more about the political candidates running in my riding, Richmond Hill? And then I thought, wow that's a GREAT idea, not as amazing as our esteemed "Hey guys... I've got a craaaazzzzy idea!" Canadian Attack Beaver, but still, pretty greatish.
I present to you, the candidates for Richmond Hill:
Ok, so we have Joe Di Paola running for the Conservatives. He has not been an MP before, but he has had solid experience in public service - serving as a city council member of Richmond Hill for the last 9 years. His website says that he has been attending lots of committees and helping to organize lots of community events. Great stuff. As you can see, he still serves now, and has written some articles speaking out on community issues. This one shows some no-nonsense common sense thinking. I think as an individual, Joe looks viable.
Moving right one head, we have Bryon Wilfert, the incumbent candidate running for the Liberals. I looked at his website, and I was really disappointed. Here I had received this promotional brochure in my doorway that professed he has a "personal record of achievement and contribution to the record levels of growth and prosperity", and there was nothing to show for it on his website.
At least this is what I saw when I went to his website:
Now I don't know about you, but that didn't strike me as terribly informative. I was pretty disappointed really. In fact, although I'm upset at the scandals, I still figure that the individual candidate can outweigh the party. So I sent him this email:
Hello Mr. Bryon Wilfert,
I have watched the election debates and I am still undecided on my vote for the upcoming election. I am positively dismayed with the scandals and waste of my hard earned wages. I feel that the only accountability a government has is to its voters, and the only opportunity to punish a misbehaving government is during an election. Unfortunately if the party whose platform you agree with is the same party that misbehaved, you have a dilemma.
In order to better educate myself on my choices, I looked at your website (bryonwilfert.ca), but I could not find any information about your positions, opinions, actions, or otherwise.
Your promotional brochure boasts that you have an impressive "personal record of achievement and contribution to the record levels of growth and prosperity".
I would like to know what bills you have introduced, or other motions which concretely illustrate your recent achievements.
Thank you for your time, I appreciate your public service.
Regards,
Warren Rockman
Resident of Richmond Hill
Now I don't know if I should really expect a personal reply, but I did hope to get some answers to help me make an informed decision.
So let's move on to the next head, Wess Dowsett, the candidate running for the NDP in Richmond Hill. I read Wess's personal bio, and he sounds like he has done a lot of interesting jobs. Volunteer mine rescue, underground firefighter, owner of a pet supply store, owner of a restaurant, working in various capacities for unions... etc. I think that he definitely has the real world experience to know the plight of Canada's blue-collar workers and small business owners. I appreciate how he points out the following on his website:
Now more than ever, since the amendment of the Canada Elections Act, every vote counts in a very real way. Canadian political parties are no longer allowed to raise money from corporations or unions. To make up for this loss of revenue, each party will be given $1.25 for each vote they receive. Each vote will help the NDP promote progressive issues that are important to Canadians.
Looking at his website and the NDP website, one thing nagged at me. It was slightly odd to keep reading "Something something quote here" Layton said, "something something something else." all the time. They keep quoting Jack Layton (who I cannot think would be related to the infamous "Bob Layton" of Global TV in Edmonton - a very right leaning guy) in that odd odd way. Jack Layton does kick ass, I agree, but he can't be the party all by himself. I would prefer if they talked about the platform of the NDP, not necessarily the word of Jack Layton.
Ok, nitpicking. Sorry. Anyway, I wasn't satified with Wess's website. It doesn't really say where he stands on anything, so I assume he only has the NDP line to lay out there.
Next we have Tim Rudkins from the Green Party of Canada. He has an interesting bio as well. He graduated with an MBA and then went to Africa (Botswana) for 10 years to work with small businesses there. Then on to the Netherlands to start an IT company, and then finally back to Canada to become a project management trainer and consultant. He has been a member of the Green Party for 4 years (although on the Green Party's website, it says he has been a member for only 2) etc but his website doesn't say too much about his stand on much of anything really. Yes he is interested in social justice... but what does it mean to him? What is he excited about changing? That is what I'd like to know.
So of the four, I have to say that Joe's website had the most information, and the best illustration of a potential candidate.
Still unsatisfied I googled more and then found ANOTHER website for Bryon. This one actually has more information. It seems he gets to travel to a lot of asian countries and attended lots of things... Now to his credit, his website has a lot of useful information for his constituents. In fact I was impressed because earlier last month, I received an educational pamphlet from him explaining the parliamentary system of government. That was part of the kick that got me intrigued in this whole political thing.
Well we'll see if he replies to my email. I think I may just go vote tomorrow.
I'm interested in hearing about the candidates in your ridings. Please do yourself a favour and do a little research. Then share.
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EDIT: I wish I knew why Tim Rudkins decided we needed to see his mouth in super high resolution. This photo is the one shown on his website:
---------EDIT 2: I found this great link off of the CBC (thanks Lorenzo Oznerol) which informs you on your local candidates and provides a forum for the discourse of local issues. Find your riding and see what your fellow consituents are saying.
This post in particular gave me pause for thought after I had originally thought Joe was a decent candidate:
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Edit 3: I found this website mentioned on the CBC, democraticSPACE, which claims to be able to predict the results of elections in your riding (based on last year's results I assume) and also claims to be able to identify ridings where "strategic voting" could be effective. According to their analysis of my riding the Liberal candidate is the sure winner. We'll see I guess - on the 23rd. Remember to vote!
posted by Blight @ 1:40 AM
Incredible.
Di Paola's still taking paychecks from the town while on an undeclared leave of absence.
He's missed most of his committee meetings since the spring and his attendence record for council is nil since novemeber. His inflated sense of entitlement also includes well publicized extravagent spending habits at the expense of Richmond Hill tax payers!
This candidate clearly reveals that CPC posturing on accountability and transparency is without substance and is motivated by political convenience.
Furthermore - and this is a bit scary- his campaign material says that "he doesn't care about jurisdiction," and will "fight for more frequent GO trains"!! Doesn't care about jurisdiction? Who says s**t like that?
He also says he'll appropriate the observatory and convert it into a grand national central park! I'm sure that UofT will be happy to just hand over their astrolab to Joey.
Funnier yet is his objection to urban sprawl whilst his family are the developers that created it!!! Done making money and destroying the local environment?