Whitby 2014 Election

Due to me Scott Templeton Entering the 2014 Municipal Election Race for Whitby Centre Ward Councilor I will not be posting in the blog until after the election date of Oct 27 2014...

Thanks

Scott Templeton

Policy for Naming of Schools in the Durham District School Board

I was watching Whitby Council this evening as they wasted time on a Motion that should not of been a motion and that is the naming of a school in the Durham District School Board.

The Motion:

"Recommendation to the Durham District School Board to Name the New Brooklin High School after Steve Cosgrove, Local War Veteran

At the February 10, 2014 meeting of Council, Councillors Gleed and Coe gave notice of their motion with respect to naming the new Brooklin High School after War Verteran Steve Cosgrove."

 

Although it makes sense to name the school after the war vet … this did not need to be a motion as a letter by any individual could submit the name.

 

Members of council have been through this process before and have instructed staff to submit a name so it should never of been a motion.

Although I did laugh at Michael Emms attempt to amend the motion by adding lets name a street after the War Vet ... Pat Perkins did say it best  to this request as it will happen regardless in time..

To support Derek Gleed in his request I encourage people to submit to:

John Bowyer,
Whitby Schools/Safety and SecurityAdministrative Assistant:  Lori Clint
ph: 905-666-6373 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 905-666-6373 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting,  email

 

Here is the policy for naming a school…

 

7551 - Naming Of Schools - Appendix A - Policy

 

1.0 It is the responsibility of the Ad Hoc Committee to make a school name recommendation to a regular meeting of the Board.

2.0 Schools shall be named or re-named in accordance with the following guidelines, giving consideration to the numbering as being a guide to priority for the source names:

(a) After persons recognized as having made a significant contribution to our society in the region, province, or country. The school will not be named after a current employee of the Board, or a member of the Board, or a member of the immediate family of the foregoing.

(b) A historical name which once applied to the area in which the school is located.

(c) The name of the District which the school will serve.

(d) The name of the street on which the school is located.

In Whitby Politics’ the Shit always rises to the Top!

HI Everyone it's been awhile but this is definatly the news that was expected. In Whitby Politics' the shit always rises to the top an in this case after reading the TorStar Article I think you will agree the Shit comes with a name attached.

As you can see the Domains were registered to Michael Emm and even though you can't prove that he created the harmful content he should be held responsible as it would be he that would give access to someone to create. I think at this time the town has to look at their Code of Conduct procedure, oh wait they don't have one to follow. Other Towns and Cities have a Code of Conduct procedure in place and maybe it's time for one in Whitby especially following the 2010 election and the information that has come to light. I think you'll find out more about who were behind this shameful bashing as you know Michael Emm will not take the full blame and watch his Political Career Crumble. He will take people down with him as I pretty sure thats the type of person this artcle seems to support! It's time for our Mayor Pat Perkins to step up to the plate and ask for Michael Emm's Resignation!!!

Mayor Clears Air on Casino or wants you to Believe the reasons why!

Wow . don't believe it's been over 8 months since I last posted. I must be super busy or I was just waiting an letting the Mayor shot her self in the foot.

On May 24th a story in Whitby this Week -  http://www.durhamregion.com/news/article/1622438--whitby-mayor-clears-the-air-on-casino-decision appeared.

This story has to do with the reasons Pat Perkins pretty much directed Whitby Council to vote against a $750,000 winfall. I realize the word "directed" is not really a democracy but hey who said Whitby Council runs like a democracy.

Her reason's were based on the zoning for a new OLG Slots Facility. She mentioned talking to Mayor Steve Parish and how he was not interested in revenue sharing. If Whitby Happened to have the OLG Slots would Pat Perkin's be so fast to share Revenue that has a large impact on our town, No it would be a resounding "NO". 

What I find funny is how she said and these are her words as printed in the Paper, "We were looking for fairness; what they came back with was anything but. It was cutting out our neighbours in Pickering. We are the Zone, so Whitby in all good conscience could not do that to our neighbours."

I am not sure but I am pretty sure Pat Perkins should be doing what's best for Whitby and turning down a windfall of close to $750,000 is not doing the best for Whitby.

Also the last time I checked Mayor Ryan of Pickering is a pretty good mayor and I am sure does not need Pat Perkins in his corner fighting for him. If Mayor Ryan wanted a deal with Ajax he would have had a meeting in private for Pickering.

Bottom line I actually think Pat Perkins is starting to believe her own reasons for flushing money down the toilet ... Thank goodness Oct 2014 is just around the corner!!

Whitby is Loser with these bunch of Dimwits!!!!

Whitby is Loser with these bunch of Dimwits!!!!

I know I was dumbfounded by the way the vote happened at Whitby Council. Who would believe this Council to turn down a $750,000 dollar win fall which probably would have balanced the budget in the years to come. It would have had a great capital impact for roughly 20 years.

Voting against the offer from Ajax, which I thought was pretty generous offer, Ken Montague, Tracy Hanson, Lorne Coe, Michael Emm and Milk Carton Pat Perkins. Michael Emm I understand as he only supports losing money for the town of Whitby and basically doing what ever Pat Perkins tells him to!

Voting in favor of accepting a $750,000 dollar win fall for Whitby, and basically only having to vote to support this option were Don Mitchell, Joe Drumm and Liz Roy.

Just to show you I am not the only person disappointed in the decision of the Mayor and Company and their greediness to throw away a guaranteed Cash flow for nothing is ridiculous and makes no sense.

This is what happens when 45% vote gives us a Mayor that does not care about her constitutes and only her own agenda.

This smells of Performing Arts Centre all over it... Could there be ties that lead further up the latter... maybe Federally.. one never knows!!!!

Comments by Whitby Residents!!!

rfoster:

Casino Vote-whats next?

First of all, it won't be the Mayor doing any work. She will hire the best consultants that our money can buy and tell them this has to be done in a very short time frame so of course, money is no object.Our money is never a concern for Pat Perkins.It would appear that the Mayor is spending Town money like a drunken sailor:that is hard earned money in the bank by past administrations managed properly on behalf of the Town citizens.One big hurdle is how is the Mayor going to explain that the location for the Casino could be adjacent to the Abilities Centre.Sure wouldn't like to live in Whitby Shores if this is picked:what's that knock on the door?, its 3 am:why it a hooker wanting to use our washroom.Call the Mayor at home, not her problem, call the police.One just has to go up to Rama, its a 24 hour continuous coming and going of people, white limos, and problems.And to think, all this crap could have been avoided. The Mayor could have just accepted the $ 1 million per year. I think its time to call the Province and have them step in and take over the running of the Town.The Mayor and her past decisions have made Whitby a laughing stock. We are not being managed properly, the Staff is excellent, but they have to listen to what the Mayor says,their hands are tied.Its time for the Mayor to call it a day before she bankrupts the Town.

Whitby Mayor blows $1 million

For sure politics is in play here, at the expense of Whitby taxpayers.Councillors Coe, Emm,Hanson,(don't know about Montague) and our inept Mayor Perkins are all card carrying Conservatives. We must thank Councillors Roy, Drumm & Mitchell for putting the residents first in voting NO.Its a bloody shame the Conservative councillors put themselves at the front of the line in putting their careers first by possibly accepting future considerations from the Mayor so she can count on their votes. Is it legally possible that we can recall the Mayor. She has fumbled the ball from the start, our past Mayors must be shaking their heads that the Town has fallen in stature in only 6 years.Hard questions must be answered: is the Mayor up to the task;does she have a drinking problem;has she health problems that affect her job: she must have something going on as she sucks. Anyone who turns down $1 million annually needs an assessment.

Conorm:

What did you expect from this council?

The decision by Whitby council, minus Elizabeth Roy,Joe Drum and Don Mitchell, shows what a morally bankrupt bunch of of incompetents we have running the town. What's a million dollars right? The only way this council attracts new business is to steal it from your neighbours. Remember these folks at election time and hopefully our fine Mayor will be put out to pasture.

Rocky99:

Simply incredible?

Mr Parrish and Joe Drumm said it best... There is not a chance in hell the Liberals will turn there back on Ajax (Liberal MP Joe Dickson) , a community that has done a terrific job with the slots, and give it to a Community that has elected Conservative after Conservative. Like it or not this is very Political. WE should have taken the guaranteed 15% and run...Thanking Ajax Council every year at budget time. With the exception of Drumm, Roy and Mitchell....ITS CLEAR Whitby Council blew this big time and I hope you all remember this in 2014....It is because of decisions like this that make folks like me run......In the words of Lucille Ball....you councillors that voted for turning down this guaranteed $750, 000 to 1,000,000 a year have alot of splaining to do....We really need changes in town

Gambler777:

Whitby rejects offer.

Hopefully Whitby's greed comes back to bite them with no casino and no profits from Ajax.

macforjustice:

I smell something...

Looks like the Provincial MPP will have to use her muscle to rescue town council and the Chamber. Remember, as in life, it's who you hang with that gets you the job. History shows that some powers magically get Whitby what it wants!!

Sleadbetter:

Disappointing

Extremely. Councillor Joe Drumm was quite correct - a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. I and others tried to persuade council. It was evident that the jib was up even before the meeting started. Tracey Hansen said that it was a choice between capitalism and socialism - it wasn't - it was a choice between the people of Whitby and the ambitions of the majority of council. The people of Whitby lost. I want to commend Councillors Roy, Mitchell (although he was against reserving 20% for Social Service Agencies like the Distress Centre Durham, he and I will have words), and Drumm for standing up for what is right. Councillors Drumm and Roy were very passionate in the defence of the people of Whitby.

CNDGRL:

Pure Greed!

So disappointed in Whitby! Ajax took the risk, spent millions to upgrade the infrastructure as did the Picov family and now they are reaping the well deserved rewards. Ajax was more than generous to offer Whitby 15% for nothing and the greed of some Whitby Councillors & Mayor blinded them. Ajax is one of the top earners for OLG and has full support support from Council. Don't come back begging for 15% when it's all said and done Whitby. This silliness is one reason I moved out of Whitby!

I really can't say anymore that hasn't been said...

Let's see the Picov who own Picov downs and Ajax slots and supported Jim Flarhety to the tune of almost 100k over his Provincial and Federal election are being ambushed by Milk Carton Pat... I smell something and it's not the Mushroom farms from north Whitby, but the stench of Burning Money from the Town of Whitby..

90k wasted on a Study regarding the 1.1 million dollar losing venture in the so called Performing Arts Centre and now the Casino... It smells like this could lead to deeper waters in Toronto.. maybe that story will break soon as well!!!!

2014 is just around the Corner and its time to get rid of these money wasting, money burning Buffoons !!!

The Biggest Disappointment is Ken Montague and Tracy Hanson and of Course Michael Emm but we all expected him to follow Milk Carton Pat!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess this could put a damper on Lorne Coes Run For MAYOR in 2014 since he supported this Crap!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milk Carton Pat

Seems "Milk Carton" Pat is trying to hide the facts again according to Davina Jones our Political Watchdog! 

 "Council meeting Monday May 7…the part that people are talking about: the first unsettling thing I noted was that during a discussion on economic development, Councillor Drumm mentioned that 3600 jobs have been lost in Whitby and I felt that the Mayor’s response was extremely unprofessional. This was surprising to me because it seemed that everyone on the “TV stage” were on their best behaviour in front of the cameras. Councillor Drumm next raised the issue of the $94K (which we know was infrastructure money that was re-directed from much needed projects to the performing arts feasibility study), this was in September 2009. Councillor Drumm also mentioned another study for performing arts that was convened in 2010. Peter Lebel advised that the results of these studies will be available before the summer. Apparently the studies are going to pinpoint a site (whether taxpayers want it or not and can afford it or not doesn’t seem to be of concern). Then Councillor Drumm commended the Mayor for going to France to find economic opportunities, but mentioned that he was embarrassed that as Deputy Mayor he was not advised that the Mayor was leaving the country and that, Councillor Drumm was taken back when a member of the public approached him in a coffee shop asking why he wasn’t in France with the mayor. The Mayor, who doesn’t appear to want to answer some things, became openly hostile. She tried to turn it around by saying that Councillor Drumm didn’t have the courage to come to her when to me that was exactly what she had done to him by taking off the way she did. It was rather stunning to watch the mayor behave in what I felt was a very unprofessional manner. The lack of respect was surprising, especially when you consider that Councillor Drumm has been one of the best, most trustworthy, hard working and caring Councillors representing the taxpayers of Whitby admirably for over 35 years now. It just further goes to demonstrate what I have been telling everyone…TRANSPARENCY, MY FANNY!" 



 The above post is not necessarily the opinion of the Administrator of this site!  But damn close!!!!!

Vote just happened for step 1. Step 2 should be even easier than step 1 as now Regional Council has agreed with the people of Durham Region and thus all municipalities should follow their lead. It passed 24 - 2 ( two no shows ) and one of those no-shows was our Whitby Mayor Pat Perkins the people of Whitby need to ask their Mayor why she was not there to vote. The empty seat below belongs to Whitby Mayor Pat Perkins during the public deputations and of course before the vote. She magically appeared after the vote was recorded. Before:

Opps there she is of course the vote was already recorded before she took her seat!

This again is the easiest vote the Municipal Councillors should ever have to make as they have been told which way to vote.

Durham gets dirty in fight over top position

This is an article that needs sharing!!!!!

Durham gets dirty in fight over top position

March 16, 2012 00:03:00

Kate Allen
Staff Reporter

In a 2010 referendum, the good people of Durham voted overwhelming to directly elect their regional chair, rather than appoint the powerful position.

The story sounds straightforward, if not downright dull. Durham — the GTA region whose biggest city Jann Arden blew off as “the middle of nowhere” last Sunday — chose democracy, and now the process of change is chugging along.

Woo hoo.

But a faction of politicians from Durham’s north want to kill the proposal, and the fight is fracturing the region along its very own Mason-Dixon Line.

Four of the urban, densely-populated municipalities in the south — Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, and Clarington — support electing the regional chair. Ajax mayor Steve Parish has been the movement’s biggest advocate.

“It’s simply about democracy,” he says. “What those people who oppose direct election are doing is trying to change the channel, and put up what I say are bogus arguments to justify defying the will of the people.”

Politicians from Durham’s three rural, northern townships — Brock, Uxbridge, and Scugog — have said they won’t vote to carry out the referendum’s non-binding results. They believe it will weaken their communities’ voice.

“It’s unanimous. We’re against it,” says Brock mayor Terry Clayton.

And some paint the issue as a thinly disguised blood feud. In 1997, Parish ran against rival Roger Anderson to be mayor of Ajax, and won in a landslide.

A month later, Anderson was chosen as regional chair — essentially the mayor of mayors — and holds the job still.

“I think it’s been sour grapes ever since,” says Uxbridge regional councillor Jack Ballinger. Uxbridge mayor Gerri Lynn O’Connor has publicly described the direct-election issue as a “grudge” between Parish and Anderson.

Parish calls those claims ridiculous, and accuses those against direct-election of playing politics.

“It’s strictly a power play. There are certain councillors who feel that if the decision of who is regional chair is made by the people, and not them, they will lose power and influence.”

Durham has a “two-tier” government, as do many other Ontario regions. In a two-tier system, citizens of each municipality vote to elect a local council. Members of those councils — usually the mayor plus at least one other local councillor — then sit on a regional council, which attends to regionwide issues like transportation and police.

Some regions directly elect the chair of their regional council — Halton, Waterloo — and some don’t. In Peel, York, Niagara and Durham, the elected representatives on regional council vote for anyone who puts themselves forward for the position. (York has also considered moving to direct election.)

The job is profitable as well as powerful. Anderson, as Durham’s regional chair, collected a salary of $185,038 last year, while Parish earned $78,052 as mayor plus $48,984 for his seat on regional council, slightly less than most of Durham’s other mayors. Anderson did not return interview requests Friday.

Though the 2010 referendum results were clear — almost 80 per cent of Durham voters supported direct election — whether the change will eventually happen is not.

Switching to direct election will require a “triple majority.” A majority of regional council must vote in support of it, which will happen April 4, after a public forum. If it passes, a majority of all eight local councils must vote for it. Of the councils that do pass it, they must represent the majority of Durham’s constituents.

Durham’s three northern communities, which represent six seats of 20 on regional council, have already indicated they will not vote for direct election either on April 4 or if the matter comes back to local councils, though they will need help from a municipality in the south to kill it.

“I feel that with the changes, we would be swallowed up,” says Uxbridge’s Ballinger. His community, like Scugog and Brock, is sparsely populated. Any politician running for regional chair would naturally campaign on promises that benefit the vote-rich south, he believes.

“I know it sounds like the best, most democratic way to go about things, but when you think of the makeup of the region of Durham, it’s really not good news for the north,” agrees Bobbie Drew, regional councillor and deputy mayor of Scugog. Durham region covers four separate federal ridings, she points out. The idea of electing one person to represent all of it seems “a little bit ridiculous.”

Ajax, Pickering, Clarington, and Oshawa are likely to vote for the change, with Parish leading the charge. Parish recently apologized after the city of Ajax set up a website promoting direct election of the regional chair, www.accountabilitystartsatthetop.com, without making mention of Ajax’s involvement in the site or informing council first.

He is sorry for the perceived lack of transparency, but not the message. “We took it upon ourselves to do it as a public service,” he says.

Parish will not rule out the possibility of running for chair himself. “I haven’t made any plans for 2014,” he said. Anderson, the current chair, has not said whether he will run.

Whitby may be the kingmaker. Mayor Pat Perkins says she feels obligated to uphold the referendum results and will vote accordingly, but doesn’t believe it’s the right move.

“We owe the public a much better opportunity to be engaged and involved in a whole process, rather than just asking them one very curt question,” she says.

She believes some other councillors from Whitby, however, won’t vote in favour of the change.

“I wish this had been done in a much less contentious manner.”

My Comments:

I am glad the Pat Perkins feels obligated to uphold the Referendum as she included in her 2010 campaign to support the Direct election of Regional Chair as did Don Mitchell and Lorne Coe.

I will be sending to each member of Whitby Council the same question if they want to uphold the vast majority of voters and support the Direct Election of the Regional Chair or go against the Majority?

81.37 per cent of Whitby Voters were in favor ready the link the below to see how you municipality voted.


http://www.durham.ca/departments/clerk/election/QuestionElectionResultsOfficial.pdf

If she believes some other councillors from Whitby won't vote in favour of the change, can she name them? I think this would be fair as then public also has a chance to question them after all those that voted for the Direct election are among the vast majority that voted them in?

As for the curt question? The curt question seems pretty clear to me!Are you in favour of the Council of the Regional Municipality of Durham passing the necessary resolutions and by-laws to change the method of selecting its Chair from the appointment by the members of Regional Council to the election by general vote of all electors in the Region?


Proposed by-law:

http://www.durham.ca/departments/clerk/election/ProposedBy-law.pdf

Reports:

http://www.durham.ca/departments/clerk/election/2012-A-8.pdf

This has been in the makings for years and its time to put this baby to bed. Contact your Regional Councillors / Local Councillors and remind them that your voice was heard and recorded by the clear question on the election ballot in 2010 by the vast Majority and need this upheld and made into a by-law!

Whitby families on thin ice with rising costs of minor hockey

Hi Everyone,

Borrowing the headlines from Durhamregion.com (Story by Parvaneh Pessian). Is it just me or is this story an interesting one. Because last year was an election year the The Whitby Minor Hockey Association organization of more than 10,000 members, including 3,100 players and 6,000 parents, volunteers, referees and timekeepers thought they persuaded the Town to freeze ice and floor rental fees for the 2010 hockey season. When in reality it was an election year and if they raised the cost to the proposed 2.5-per cent fee increase it would have meant lost votes.

As I stated after the 2010 election the people of the Town of Whitby voted for TAX increases. Now there is a proposed increase in user fees before council again of 2.5 per cent to cover off additional costs to provide the operating and maintenance requirements of the facilities. Either way you cut it we the Tax payers will be on the hook to cover these costs. It's again spending more than what's in the trough. I'm all for everyone being able to put their children in hockey, but at what cost. The federal government allows for a Tax rebate on the fees paid for hockey and other related sports. So you will get some of your money back at the end of the tax year.

Here's a solution to the problem of higher fee increases to families and maybe Hockey associations across Canada can use this. The average fee for enrolment is close to 600 dollars per player so why not have 3 or 4 payment periods throughout the Hockey season that way a parent may be able to afford 4 payments instead of lump sum. You are always looking for ways to keep your costs down, you can also do a barter system where a Parent donates time to be a convener or volunteer somewhere else in the organization. By bartering the organization can put a price tag on what your volunteering for and at the same time they can cut costs. Therefor you eliminate some of the administration costs keeping the costs to parents down. This may or may not work but at least its something that could be investigated.

Isn't that why we elected these people for to look at solutions and offer advice. I know the price increase hasn't gone through yet, but it probably will as either a hockey parent will pay or all tax payers will.

If you have a solution that you think might help leviate the high costs for hockey send it to me and I will gladly post it. Idea's cost nothing to hear.

Thanks for your ears!

Scott Templeton

Well Time March's On

Hi all,

It's been over a month since the elections were held and it was a hard ball to swallow. The people of Whitby (ok only 47 percent) favored higher taxes, a possible Performing Arts Centre that will cost us tax payers close to one million dollars a year in losses and a decision which our current Mayor wants to get out of or it would have been a done deal already, which of course is the Cullen Park Sale.

We have three new faces on council; Tracy Hanson, Ken Montague and Michael Emm. I hope for the sake of us tax payers these three will vote down the proposed Money pit and spend our tax dollars wisely. We will be keeping a very close eye over these next four years.

Which brings me to my next point if we do the math correctly Pat Perkin’s only received 47 percent of the vote, which means 53 percent of Whitby disagreed with her position on most of her platform, which according to all the reporting in the Whitby Flyer Wrap was election signs being damaged. It is too bad the paper that people read locally isn’t really a local paper or maybe just maybe the real issues would have been on the front page. I’m just saying…

I look at things in a different view and usually from looking at the political games that get played from inside of the council. You hear rumors and that’s all it is unless you talk to the person the rumors are about and then you find out the real scoop. Politics’ is a very cruel game and many people have learnt this. This had to be one of the dirtiest elections I could think of and a lot of the horse bleep came from one camp and it wasn’t the camp I was working in. So if you ever happen to get close to these politicians, which is a good idea in my books, as the saying goes you keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer, but you will only hear things from these same politicians that they want you to hear.

So where am I going with all this, well follow along. You see at the federal level of the government you have an opposition party to question the direction of the controlling party. At the provincial level of government the same rule applies. Which brings us to the Municipal Level of Government where you get to see most of your hard earned tax dollars go to waste, why? Because we can only vote out a municipal government every four years. It doesn’t matter if they have done well or have failed us miserably you can’t vote them out until their four year term is up. Now for where I am going, what if these municipal politicians have to answer to the people, yes you and me the tax payers. We pay our taxes day after day, ok our Mayor doesn’t because she only rents, but most of us do. So what we need is an opposition party or voice that will question our councilors regularly on where our tax dollars are being spent. Issues such as the Performing Arts Centre, Cullen Park and even Whitby Hydro where there have been rumors of selling it off can remain in the forefront and we the people can have a say and let council know where we stand on these issues. Remember there are 53 percent of the Whitby Voters that did not vote for our current Mayor, as a matter of fact only one councilor got the support of more than 50 percent of the voters and that was Liz Roy. So that means we would have a very strong voice to speak with. So we officially become the voice party that should and will keep these councilors honest.

How do we do this well that’s a question everyone has to ask themselves, but what I am proposing is a Whitby Rate Payers Association that will be recognized by the Town. After all we have a right to know where the Money raised from the Mayors Gala (Right now it’s for the Performing Arts Centre that will cost us millions if build) is going to, as this is run by a committee of council and you have a right to see the detailed budgets. We also have a right to know how the money that is raised from the Mayors Golf Tourney is used. You have a right to know if there is a committee setup to decide what charities or organizations benefit from this or is this decision made only by the Mayor. I know it used to be a committee of three, but that was before Mayor Pat Perkins beat Marcel Brunelle in 2006 and things were changed. Did you know you could apply for these funds? These are just some of things that need to be looked at and questioned.

These were just some of things that have been on my mind and figured there are enough of us Tax payers out there that just don’t want to take it any longer and we must be heard, not every four years, but every council, operations and planning meeting. We have to band together and be noticed, the larger the group the more notice you get.

If you’re interested in becoming part of the Rate Payers Association or want to get more information please e-mail me at whitbyratepayers@rogers.com and I would be happy to take the time to hear your concerns and find out how we can all work together to make our taxes work for us!

So now that you heard from me, Good or bad I would love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading

Scott templeton

Whitby Election in full Swing

Well here we are at the beginning really of the Municipal elections in Whitby and things are moving full steam ahead. You have Three people Vying for the Mayor’s top job as the controller of our Tax dollar’s. What the residents of Whitby need to do is keep their eyes and ears open during the remaining time and listen to what each candidate stands for. The most important thing that each and every one of us can do on OCT 25th is VOTE. I have my preferred candidate, which is Rocky Varcoe, A wise businessman that knows how to be fiscally responsible through years of owning and operating businesses. The other two candidates together over the past 13 years are responsible for tax increases topping 65 percent. That is reason alone for me to Vote for Rocky. But I have to be honest I am working on his campaign because I do believe that a business approach is what Whitby needs at this time. I hear the other two candidates time after time saying you need political experience to learn how things are operated in the municipal chambers, well truth be told things have gotten worse, there is a division on council and unfortunately this hurts all Whitby. Lets see 13 years of running this town and around 45 years of experience as a politician between the two has brought us no new business to the area keeping us as the bedroom community we are. I for one would love the opportunity to WORK and PLAY in our community.

I look at Cullen Park as a good of example of waste and to be truthful my first opinion when the Town bought the land was one of this could be a good thing, but then we started seeing how much it cost to upkeep. I was involved in the meeting or discussions about what to do with Cullen Park at Hydenshore a couple years back and suggested selling it off or turning it into a tourist attraction or even going to UOIT and create a doctors college on the site. The doctors college on this site could work out great it would supply Whitby with the doctors it needs and would be a great start for an argument to help raise funds so we can get the Full service hospital we need.

You can see problems in the Town that don’t need to be there if people are allowed to do their jobs. I can tell you about a phone call I received because I wrote a letter to the editor regarding Builder Developer Donations from one of the two Experienced Candidates a few years ago questioning what I wrote after stating they did not read the article. Sounded like someone trying to intimidate rather than question the article. This is the same experienced candidate that refused to support the people of center ward regarding the public school closures in Central Whitby by not allowing representation to sit on the Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) that could have possibly saved the Schools.

Here’s the letter our mayor endorsed to be written back to the Durham District School Board and it was her decision and her decision alone.

Here’s the Links to support these statements above:

http://ddsb.durham.edu.on.ca/html/Accomodation_Plan_Construct_Updates/ARC_SW_Whitby_2009/Background_Information_Binder/17a%20Town%20of%20Whitby%20response.pdf

http://ddsb.durham.edu.on.ca/html/Accomodation_Plan_Construct_Updates/ARC_Whitby_2008/ARC_Information_Binder/Letter_to_Mayor_Perkins_4d.pdf


Truth be told these experienced candidates have done good in one way or another, it’s just that I have seen nothing but companies leaving, no new companies arriving, schools closing with no support.. We need someone with Vision to run this Town and that’s why I am Supporting Rocky Varcoe as the new CEO/Mayor of Whitby!

The most important thing for all of us to do is on OCT 25th is get out and VOTE as it is only you that can make the CHANGE Whitby needs!

I am pretty sure after I publish this I will be attacked on other websites, which aren’t worth the pixels that it takes to create what your reading, but I am just telling it like it is.

To be fair if you want something printed supporting the other two Mayoral candidates please submit it to me and I will post it. But Please include your name, as I hate anonymous letters, as anonymous letters or replies won’t be published.