Donald Barber's Campaign Diary Sept. 28 / 2000 Oct. 11 / 2000 1). I have heard that the City of Mississauga is spending ten's of thousands of dollars a month on cel-phones and I would like a better idea what the amount is. The Mayor said the City manager would be "glad" to provide the figures. Oct. 19, nothing from him, maybe he is not so glad after all? 2). I put the questions to her, will she under go a full medical exam so the voters of Mississauga can be assured that she is fit for another 3 years. A reasonable request as she is asking us to invest in her, we should know if she can really do the job, at 79+ years old. Her answer was to laugh, she was amused by me, this time. 3). I noted that there was a memo put out by City Hall directing City staff not to give me information and direct all questions to the City's FOI coordinator. This way it costs $5 each question, one question at a time and 30 days. She screws me around as the Mayor has directed her to do so. Carmen jumps in and says she has seen copy of a response to a letter I wrote asking for a copy. Oct. 19, nothing from the City manager. 4). I noted a letter to John Lohuis, Director of Recreation and Parks, that he has refused to answer, calling it an FOI request in spite of the fact it clearly says it was not. That in this letter signed by three people, questions were asked, one of which was, is it not reasonable for City staff to identify themselves when asked. The Mayor said it naturally would be for all staff to identify themselves and the policy to so. It is hope John Lohuis will answer the rest of the questions to him, as it would be professional to do so but personally I think he is help cover up wrong doing by staff. After all why would he not answer that simple question? 5). VANDALISM AND VIOLENCE IN CITY FACILITIES - I noted this new policy creates a new legal system, turns City staff into cops and public had next to no input. Hazel the public expressed no concerns, if you have some put them in writing and someone look at them etc. etc. Hazel is refusing to deal with the issue so she mindlessly repeats process. I note the the public is not aware of policy so they have no chance to form an opinion. Hazel says "they (the City) follow democracy faithfully", in a pigs eye! But hay, people believe her, just because she said it. I suggest they publish this policy in the Mississauga News. Let the public know about this policy and tell them what it means. One key stone of democracy is to let people know what is going on so they can form opinions to input into the process but this Council will not practice that part of the faith. I also add that I can't understand how she can say sport groups support this policy as they would not be able to play their sports if the rules were enforced! Then Hazel tries to change the subject and says I should talk to them. I note the Council was not made aware of all the procedures involved in this policy or the cost to fairly enforce it. Hazel says it is up to the City manager to decide if it get printed - I remind her that Council can direct him to so. Interesting how she can forget how things work and suggest you undertake a course of action unlikely to produce results. Then she tries again to weasel out of it by saying they can't afford to print all the by-laws and policies they pass. I note it need only be a summary of this one. Roy Willis is next up. He wondered about Hazel not being able to attend all the debated and why. Hazel carries on about how the trip was scheduled 6 months ago (the election was known about 3 years ago) and how she is off to promote Mississauga, in other parts of the world. A shame she can't stay home and promote democracy faithfully, like it mattered to her. Then to show she doesn't care about what the great and powerful Hazel McCallion says, she says that in then past, even when she was acclaimed she attended all the debates. Oct. 12 / 2000 Oct. 13 / 2000 Roy Willis put his name in for Ward 5 Councillor about 4:20 Len Wasylyk pulls his name from running for Ward 1 Councillor and jumps into the Ward 7 Councillor race. Len what are you thinking? I suggested they give him a blood test before accepting his nomination form. By pulling his name out of the Ward 1 race he has given it to Carmen Corbasson, after what she had done to our community she should never get acclaimed! I believe no candidate should be acclaimed, there still be a vote yes or no to their election. The reason is, there should be a record of the publics' support or lack of it, that some politicians are so abusive that they can beat people down into a hopeless mass and they feel powerless to even run a candidate. It is human nature. Also Canadians are more likely to vote some out of office, then into office. Media - A letter I wrote about how C. Corbasson was leading ratepayers along was printed. Oct. 14 / 2000 The Lorrie Mitoff Trail Naming Ceremony - The Mayor Hazel McCallion and Ward 3 Councillor, Maja Prentice were both out campaigning for votes. Presenting themselves to the public as "good politicians" worth re-electing and it was well used by them for a photo opportune. If they wanted to keep the event non-political they should have scheduled it for either well before the election or after it. I handed out my flyers to the 200 or so people there most received them, no problem. The police showed up to add their special presence to the event, as they stood behind City politicians. Did they feel threatened by the crowd? I heard both Hazel McCallion and Maja Prentice say how hard Lorrie worked for the community, they applauded his stick-to-it-ness and never say die. That there should be more people like him who stand up for the community. As well as his grand speaking skills, often quoting poetry and prose. What they say about a person in death but don't care to display during life. Yes, Lorrie did more then his fair share for the community and Lorrie was not a well man. In fact I would say that he knew that the stress and strain of dealing with uncaring politicians and bureaucrats lowered his quality of life, shortened his life and still he marched on. The day before Lorrie was taken for that last time to the hospital, he was out at an all candidates meeting, put on by the Rockwood Homeowners' Association, making sure it was a success. I attended and he didn't look well at all. But such was his passion for the traditions of democracy and fair play. So when I hear a couple of politicians from City Hall express what sounded like a sense of loss over the passing of such a great man, I can't help but remember how they treated him in life and the degree to which they actually worked with him. I remember how Mississauga City Hall was such a challenge for both him and the community to work with. And of course the political promises made before the election, are so often forgotten after the election. From the Rockwood Homeowners' Association web-site CITY OF MISSISSAUGA ABANDONS RESIDENTS... Oddly, the Mayor said that she put her arm around Lorrie and a week later, he died, interesting she would want to share that with us. When I was talking to a member of the Mitoff family, Maja came up and talked right over me and about how wonderful the Mayor was, as she never engages in personal attacks. Oh really? Lets not forget that is a politician talking about a politician, a politician whose good will Maja needs. Hazel is famous for her personal attacks, like the letters she sends out to the community bad mouthing people or casting doubt on them. None the less, the naming of the path (a ribbon of dead asphalt), after a man who fought for trees, forests (like the one behind his home), and all things living - who believed there was no finer poem then a tree, is in my opinion less then fitting. Especially given the fact this path was existing, so it cost the City next to nothing for this memorial. They just had to but some signs up. The community wanted the park, named after Mr. Mitoff. I say the City should have reached into its bag containing 100's of millions of dollars, called up the developer who owns the land behind Lorrie's home and buy a piece of that land for a new park, of the forest Lorrie Mitoff saved! Make it special! But hay, that is just me talking. Some people told me that my flyers were "inappropriate", for the days event or "this was Lorrie's day". Not unexpected as there are Hazel supporters are in every crowd. Secondly, how do you truly honor the memory of a man who fought City Hall and Canadian government in general? Do you, as it was suggested, stand around and applaud the very politicians that made his life so difficult (during a election no less)? Do you speak highly about what wonderful politicians we have, that after a community hero is gone, they can present a bargain basement memorial? I know the wording of my flyer is strong but it is more true then not. I hope to awake people to consider the facts the (as Lorrie called the Mississauga News ), "The Missing News" is not providing real story about our politicians. That it is up to special persons in the community to do that work. I am not looking for any support, I am looking for the support of people who can think for themselves and stand up to the abuse the City politicians dish out (but can't take). Why? There are too many people whose hearts are in the right place but have no back bone. Whatever Hazel tells them they believe they believe. If there is a disagreement between the Mayor and anyone else, they are too afraid not to believe the Mayor. Persons who run away as soon as the Mayor waves her bony finger at them and tells them to leave. A few good men and women to carry the cause to victory, is all it takes. I would like to go on the record, thanking Mr. Mitoff for coming out to the start up meetings for the Cawthra Ratepayers' and Residents' Association, his help was much valued. Media - a letter by Andrew Ganguly, about the myth our Mayor tells Mississaugans "we have lower taxes (in Mississauga)." Oct. 17 / 2000 Credit Valley Meadows Residents' Association - Ward 6 - a candidates meeting was held. This group is so irresponsible to its membership and supportive of a the Mayor that I was not invited or notified of this meeting. When I talk about underhanded, win at any cost politics and screw the public, in favor of the "CLIQUE" (the in group), in Mississauga, this group will be noted. Image that what kind of people they are to deprive the membership of their right to know the candidates and issues are in a democratic election. I wonder what motivated them to strip the residents of that area of their right to know. One thing for sure, it was not a desire to up hold the Canadian democratic principals that this country is founded on. I talk about how fascist Mississauga is becoming, one of the definitions of fascism is keeping people out of the political process and controlling their choices (by with holding the facts). Erindale Woodlands Community Association - spoke to the president. I am told that there will be no debate as there is no hall in walking distance and can't afford the effort to coordinate a debate. That they will only be putting out a newsletter about what the candidates for Councillor are saying. As they see the actions of the Councillor as more important then the Mayor, the Mayor candidates will not be asked to submit material! Can you believe this? We heard about how popular Mayor Hazel McCallion is and how she even invented sliced bread, then suddenly Mississaugas' Ratepayers decide the Mayors office is not worth listening to? Not even to hear Hazel carry on with her world famous feel good about Mississauga as she is doing such a good job speeches. Maybe one group but some many? Would this have anything to do with the fact the Mayor has known for months that she was going to be grilled for her unlawful activity and abusive methods during this election? After all I would never accuse Hazel of fighting fair. Think about it, a Ratepayers group saying they feel no need to heard from those running for the Mayor's office, which would include me. That they get better service from the Ward Councillor. Does this mean that it is understood that Hazel is not the lady of action she use to be? I talk to people across the City and everyone says talk or write to Hazel for results. Do the Ratepayers now know this is no more? What happened to "the peoples Mayor"? Why doesn't the Mayor want to get out to present her self and her platform to the public? No strength? Or maybe I would be there? Is that the reason? Hazel McCallion hides from the one person who can't be bought off and who will present the details of how she acts a Mayor, that would shatter the illusion. The illusion of a Mayor for the people that was never really true and very much out of date. Oct. 18 / 2000 The use of the word "affiliated" is all important, as a "affiliated" group can't be, according to the City of Mississauga, "Groups whose primary purpose, goals and objectives are in opposition to, or in conflict with, the goals and objectives of the City of Mississauga as disclosed and demonstrated by its decisions, actions, plans, by-laws, policies, programs, or otherwise, are not eligible for assistance under this program." As the whole nature of a Ratepayer is to have a better idea how their tax dollars should be spent, oppose and generally changing government plans, how can any Ratepayers group qualify under those City rules. It can't. The reason why is that Ratepayers groups are not listed as "affiliated" groups by the City, they are listed in the City's Volunteer Group Register. In fact the policy clearly states that Ratepayers groups are included only in the Volunteer Group Register. Just think of it as a political intelligence test, believe Hazel or the City and you are as dumb as a stump. Another thing the City is doing, is to get its Ratepayers groups to become nonpolitical. That is right, a group dealing with the government and politicians, for the benefit of the community is not to be political (?). This is the kind of brain dead reasoning that is suppose to be acceptable in the culture of the BIG SISTER DICTATORSHIP. What City Hall and its policians means is that they will put people into the executives of ratepayers groups (very easy to do as most people don't want to do an work for the group), mislead the group to change its constitution to be some how nonpolitical. Leaving the group with little choice but to serve the City, as to disagree is to come political. Any way - She doesn't care that it would be open to all members of the public, the only one in Ward 1 or that Margaret Marland M.P.P. recognized our Ratepayers group and attended the last all candidates debate. The Mayor does not like the fact I called the City's new VANDALISM AND VIOLENCE policy fascist. For some reason she thinks, I was referring to her personally, maybe it is her Freudian slip showing? Fascist is properly speaking a group effort and many at City Hall share the responsibility for what is going on. Maybe there are other things going on and we don't know the whole of why Hazel would be upset? Personally I think Hazel is hides from the public like the guilty do, a shamed to be questioned about what is has done and to avoid all responsibilities for what has happened. She has not the strength to enter the lions den and face what she has created. Oct. 26 / 2000 SAINTS MARTHA AND MARY PARISH HALL 1870 BURNHAMTHORPE ROAD EAST (2 LIGHTS EAST OF DIXIE ROAD - AT PONYTRAIL) The Presidents of The Fleetwood and Rockwood Homeowners' and Burnhamdale Ratepayers' Associations, representing residents of Mississauga's most easterly neighborhoods in the area of Ward Three between Dixie Road and the Etobicoke border, are pleased to announce that they will again be hosting an All Candidates' Meeting during this fall's municipal elections. Three years ago, these same organizations hosted what many believe was the most successful public forum of this type held during that year's elections. Apparently, this was the only fully open public meeting in the entire City of Mississauga wherein electors enjoyed an opportunity to both meet with and direct their questions to absolutely every single candidate found on their election day ballots! ALL CITY-WIDE MAYORALTY CANDIDATES PLUS EVERY LOCAL COUNCIL AND SCHOOL TRUSTEE CANDIDATE FOR BOTH BOARDS! It is anticipated that this year's meeting will be just as well attended by the candidates and there are strong indications that community attendance may well exceed the more than 300 local residents who took part in 1997! PLEASE NOTE: THE FORMAT FOR THE EVENING AND RULES OF DEBATE WILL BE FURNISHED PROMPTLY TO ALL CANDIDATES INDICATING THEIR INTENTION TO ATTEND. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO INDICATE YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THIS INVITATION OR TO EXPRESS REGRETS - PLEASE RESPOND A.S.A.P. TO: GORD MACLEAN OF THE ROCKWOOD HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION AT ***************** OR gmaclean@netcom.ca . Nov. 6 / 2000 Monday, November 6, 2000 - Start: 7:00 pm At St Timothy School, right in the South West corner of the Queensway and Cliff Rd. Please call (905) ****-******* or email ward7@billmunden.com to find out more. Nov. 7, 7:00 pm Nov. 10 / 2000 |
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