Decision Pending

Some people think I should be a candidate for the Office of Mayor.

If I were twenty years younger, I would do it without a second thought. I registered as a candidate for Mayor in 2006 and changed my mind. I switched to Council and was re-elected.

There is a strong impetus for change in the town.

In terms of knowledge and experience, I would certainly qualify. But the job requires more.

An election calls for a huge outlay in finances. Don't have that.

If you believe in something, you should be able to do what it takes.

I've never had the chutzpa to ask for money to fulfil what I think is essentially a personal ambition.

The campaign and the office both call for tremendous physical stamina.

Last term, there were derogatory comments about the Mayor spending all his time cutting ribbons and getting his picture in the paper.

You have to be Mayor, to understand what it means to people to have you in attendance on important occasions. It's part of the job and much appreciated.

Having the Mayor wearing the Chain of Office, cutting a ribbon for a new business venture is like a talisman. So much is at stake. The Mayor brings good vibes and much-needed attention.

A fiftieth wedding anniversary or a hundredth birthday or school graduation ceremonies call for similar ceremonial.

While they have nothing to do with the business of the municipality. They have everything to do with community.

People want the Mayor to be there. The symbol matters..

From an intellectual level, the ideal combination for a candidate is sound knowledge of the job and endless energy. Manners and style are valuable assets in the town's chief official.

A town does have character and personality.It's chief elected officer has a large role to play in its projection.

A significant aspect of elective politics which should never be underestimated, is intuition.

The vibe that passes between candidate and voter. It's real. It's powerful.

More than anyone , I have drawn attention to the shortcomings of the current administration on a steady and consistent basis. It was always a risk. Candidates are generally wise to let somebody else do the dirty work.

I think the strongest critic should be the challenger. the obvious reaction in any contest is;

" If you think things are so bad, tell us what you would do differently ?"

or

"Choose your weapons. Be prepared to die."

Figuratively that's what happens.. Only one can win .

I'm not afraid of that. I've done it before. Being publicly rejected hurts.

It is very personal for the recipient. But it's not lethal.

Our situation is serious. We've been taking in water for four years.Any progress seen has happened in spite of the Mormac crew not as a result.

Principles and precedents that normally guide a municipality forward are literally in tatters.

All this Queen's horses and men tore it apart, they can't be the ones to put it back together again..

Change is desperately needed.

The ideal candidate for the office is a person of vigour, style, personality, proven experience and accomplishment.

Well of course that's me. But some qualities I have more than others. I believe in conserving my energy. That could be a problem.

I have encouraged Geoff Dawe to be a candidate .

I worked with him on the library board for seven years. He is intelligent, conscientious, successful in private business . He is responding to the call. He has many supporters and financing for a robust campaign.All he needs to do now is persuade Aurora's voters, he is the best alternative.

He has one substantial obstacle. He has never served on Council . Aurora has never elected a person to the Chief Magistrate's chair without experience on Council. In all our history, we have been a very practical Presbyterian town. It has stood us in good stead.

On the other hand, we did elect one who held office for several years, with neither interest or ability to learn anything from experience, with catastrophic consequences .

Actually, the election was a fluke. The person elected , did not have support from the town's majority.

Candidate registration closes on September 10th.

I am on guard. Hoping for a positive community response to Mr. Dawe's candidacy.

My commitment is to the town's re-building and well-being in the next four years.

There is currently and has been throughout this term, a crisis of confidence which has spread far beyond the town hall.

Resources need to go where resources can bring the best result.

AURORA DESERVES THE BEST.