Recount results

I just wanted to post a short note regarding the recount for Ward 5 Area Councillor.

The recount was conducted at Town Hall on Friday November the 12th.  There was a brief summary of the process prior to the recount so all candidates and their scrutineers knew what to expect.  Basically all the sealed ballot boxes were opened and all the ballots were put back through the same tabulators as on election day.

It was a long process (almost 4 hours) and in end the results did not change.  The only difference was that my total increased by one vote.  All the candidates congratulated me which I was very grateful to receive.  Again, I would like to thank Kevin, Luciano, Trudy and Andrei for giving of themselves in the name of public service.

I look forward to working with Council and staff for the betterment of our community.  I think it is important to keep residents up to date with what is happening in their community and hope to use some forum to do so, be it this blog or some other format.

I want to thank everyone who supported myself in various ways throughout this entire process.  I really learned through this campaign that many hands make light(er!) work and that help is essential in such an endeavour.  With the race being as close as it was, I appreciate and realize that each and every form of assistance was critical to the success of my campaign efforts.

Thanks once again.

Recount

I just wanted to post a short blog regarding the status of the election particularly as it relates to Ward 5 Area Councillor.  As most of you know, there has been a request for a recount.  As close as the race was (9 votes separating myself from Kevin Junor) it was reasonable to assume that there would be a request to recount the votes.

The recount will occur this Friday November the 12th at 1 pm.  I trust the system and technology used will reproduce the same results as they did on election day.  I will be present to bear witness to the process.

It has been a little odd participating in various ways as the Councillor Elect while having the possibility of the results being overturned present at the same time.  That being said, I did not want to pass up on the opportunity of getting myself more engaged and informed.

I will make a post after the results are made available.

I have found this blog as a means of sharing with others and keeping people up to date very effective and if the results stand, I hope to utilize some means to communicate with the public to share information, increase awareness and keep current and up to date.

 

Oct. 26th

Election day has come and gone and I could not be happier with the results.  For me, this election and most importantly its impact on our community has never been about me.  It has always been getting a Council that will be committed to the community at large.  When this is the focus I believe we all reap the benefits.

There is a very strong collective will in our community and it spoke last night.

My race (Ward 5 Area Councillor) was so very close.  At this point I am the winner by 9 votes.  The result is unofficial.  I know that I entered into this process for the right reason – simply to serve and represent the strong will that this community has.  It is something that unites us and if I had the slightest doubt that I stood with the majority I would never have run.  It is the assurance that I do stand with the majority that makes this right for me.  I want to give a big heartfelt thank you to everyone that supported me by casting a vote for me.  If my win stands, I pledge to honour your support by serving our community with integrity, always reflecting the common will of our town.

I want to congratulate all the winners of the various races in Caledon.  The results give me the confidence that our community is in good hands.

To those that have not been successful, I want to thank you for putting yourself out there and working hard.  Now that I know a little about what goes into the process and you are to all be congratulated for taking the time and effort out of your personal lives in the name of public service.

Oct. 20 – 24

On Wednesday I visited the seniors at the Vera Davis Center on Allan Drive.  I must say this was the first time there and it is very nice facility and the staff are very friendly and helpful.  The residents were enjoying Octoberfest and allowed me to briefly share with them.  I imagine many of them are long time residents who have helped shape this community.

On the North Hill that I visited the streets of Humber Lea Rd., Sherin Ct., Birchview Cr., and Forest Ct.  One thing I have discovered (particularly in the more established neighbourhoods) is that there is always a good mix with respect to the number of years our residents have lived here.  I think this in part is what encourages the existing character of Bolton to expand throughout the population.

I finished off over the weekend meeting people on the streets of Haines, Norton, Downey, Lydia, Leavens, Ellwood, Mellow, Allan, Bellair, Newlove and Glenwood.  This too is a nice mature neighbourhood.  As usual, I found most that I spoke with expressing their wishes to maintain Bolton as a smaller town be they 40 year residents or new additions to our community.  It is always good to hear the stories from Bolton 20, 30, 40 or more years ago.  Knowing that there are countless residents that have lived here for so long to me means that there is something about this community worth staying for.  As a relative “newbie” I can attest that there is definitely something worth moving here for.  Bolton’s ability to satisfy both groups is part of what makes Bolton unique.

For the streets where I did not get to personally visit, I apologize but logistically I could not visit every street.  My flyer at least did reach every home and I took advantage of every opportunity within my budget to share about myself and what I stand for with the community.

Tomorrow is election day.  Please take the time to get out and cast your vote for those that you would like to represent you.  Almost without exception I have experienced that our residents are very endeared and attached to our community.  The very least we can do in return is to participate in the process that will determine in whose hands the care of our community will be left.

homes visited – 406 total – 3,235

Kinsmen debate

As was expected the Kinsmen debate was very well attended with many standing around the perimeter of the room to participate in the event.  This shows that our community is concerned about our Town and realize that an election is a key opportunity to have a positive impact.  Thank you to everyone who attended.  For those that did not attend you can watch it online at www.whereitsattv.ca. I’m not sure how long it will be streaming.  Thank you to Where it’s at Productions ( a local Bolton business) for serving the community.

I was quite nervous but felt that my 3 min. speech went well.  I write and speak from the heart.   I don’t sugar coat, using popular catch phrases and I don’t promise grandiose things which I know will not be realized.  What I can say is that everything I stated as to why I got involved in this process and how I feel about my community and my vision for our Town is absolute fact.  What I can guarantee is that if elected, I will do all that is within my power to SERVE in the fashion I spoke about, PROTECTING our community as I mentioned, and commiting to IMPROVING our community infrastructure.

It’s getting down to the wire and there won’t be many more posts to make, so I’d like to take advantage of this one to urge everyone to get themselves informed.  Check out all the candidate’s web sites or blogs, view the debate online, call or e-mail them.  Also, check your local papers and magazines – many have graciously offered an opportunity for each candidate to share their platform free of charge.  Urge your friends and neighbours to do the same.  You know how you feel about this community – Find the candidate that best reflects your wishes and give that candidate your support.

Kinsmen debate tonight

Tonight (Tue. Oct. 19th) from 6:30-10pm the Kinsmen will host an all candidates debate which will be held at the Albion Bolton Community Center.

I hope there is a great turnout.  We need to engage ourselves in the issues our community faces.  Personally, I feel that at this point in time Caledon stands at a crossroad.  What road we take from here will strongly impact the community we realize down the road.  I have been clear on the path I would like our community to take and I am strongly convinced I stand with the majority.  I would never have taken on this endeavour if I believed this not to be the case.  That being said, conviction must be followed by action.  Whichever perspective you may have, please participate in the process.  If you have not already determined whom you would like to represent you, I encourage you to attend tonight’s meeting to assist in formulating your opinion.

Door knocking (Oct. 8-18)

Over the past ten days I have been on our North Hill.  I started out by visiting Egan Cr., Guardhouse Dr., McCabe Cr., Kingsgate Pl., Goodfellow Cr., Mount Hope Rd., Ewart St., Forest Gate Ave., and Knoll Haven Cir.  This is a very nice part of Bolton with the majority being larger homes on larger lots in a more mature area.  The last 3 streets I mentioned are much newer and more densely populated.  As much as one would expect that there would be a distinct difference in the residents between the “older” community and the “newer” community, there wasn’t.  This is very pleasant and reassuring to experience.  To me it means that our newer residents are making what the existing population values here and making it a part of who they are and what they value.

Next, I went immediately west and visited Kingsview Dr., Alderbrook Pl., Bridlefield Cr., Taylorwood Ave., Thornbury Rd., Strattonvale Ct., Vantagebrook Ct., Foxchase Dr., and Foxbury Pl.  Predominantly these are homes in a more established neighbourhood also.  There are some newer homes that have been added within the last 13 or so years also.  There is a couple of townhouse complexes which round out the housing mix. As my experience anywhere else in Bolton, people were friendly and happy to speak with me.  Looking through my notes not only here but throughout town, I have had the issue of transit come up.  People are indicating that there is a need to connect our immediate community and also a means of connecting to the city of Toronto (mostly the need is due to children attending university or college in the city).  No one wished to have a full scale transit system, but rather a smaller scale service which meets the local need here.  I think it would be nice to connect Bolton with the other towns, villages and hamlets in Caledon too.

Most recently, I travelled south to visit more of Kingsview, Whitehead Cr., Marple Cr., and Wright Cr.  I had help with the streets of Longwood Dr., Hersey Cr., Dingle Ct., and Grace Ct. for which I was very thankful for.  Of the 3 areas this was the most mature area.  The large trees in full autumn colour was very nice.  It is always a pleasant surprise when a door is opened and someone you know opens the door (whom you didn’t know lived there).  I have met local business owners, acquaintances, and even fellow firefighters.  Again, I received great positive feedback independent of whether they were 35 year or 3 year residents.

Homes visited – 961  Total – 2,829.