"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Saturday 20 September 2014

Anything can happen in politics

In this election, it seems every day presents something new.

Normally candidates  put their heads down and get on with the  campaigns. Usually involving personal contact with as many voters as possible. Generally meaning door knocking and handing out leaflets. It's a daunting task.

A Mayoralty contest can include mighty whacks at each other depending  on personalities. Or cunning schemes with external forces designed to manipulate the outcome.

All is fair in love and war.

Before I go further I want to say I think Chris Emmanuel is a loss to Newmarket Council and residents of his ward. He made the right decision in not asking voters to overlook a serious error in
judgement but still it's unfortunate his years of experience and commitment  are lost to the community.

Anyone can fall short in personal judgement. Not everyone demonstrates the best interests of the community at heart.

The Mayoralty contest in Toronto has been a lifeless affair without Rob Ford. There's still  time for Doug to infuse life into it but he can't do it without an element of sadness. and grief.

We shall see the measure of a  man

Twenty- eight candidates for  Aurora Council is an unwieldy number.It breaks the record and
produces a few other weird but not wonderful effects  as well

All Candidates are invited to a meeting organized by Sport  Aurora.

Instructions for participation have been forwarded.

Sounds rather more like a session of  the mediaeval Grand Inquisition .

Candidates  are requested  to submit a two page  "synopsis" of their campaign platform as it relates to sports and parks and recreation programs  by Oct 3rd . In time for it to be published and circulated in hard copy  to twenty-seven sports organization members of  Sport Aurora?

The  format does not allow candidates to speak unless spoken to.

A question addressed to a specific candidate will be responded by two candidates opposed to the answer.

Panel questions will be  interrupted by questions from the floor.

When questions are exhausted or 9p.m. arrives, candidates will be allowed to mingle with the audience  and "invited" media.

Sport Aurora's address is Aurora Town Hall. It helps with applications for grants from Trillium. A recent grant of $75,000. was obtained.

The magazine is regularly published with a healthy financial balance of commercial  advertising.

There are no premises. No rent or taxes to pay. Nature  of  the organization  appears to be neither fish
nor  fowl nor good red herring.Intent to influence the outcome of the election is  more than clear.

But there's  nothing wrong with that. I will go and I will write a two page "synopsis"

I will share it on the blog.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

During the run-up to the last election, there was an opportunity for each candidate to speak very briefly on sport-related matters. The # of candidates makes that seem impossible this year. Maybe some will not be present ?

Anonymous said...

I have question, please
Some in Newmarket appear to be expecting Lois Brown to endorse a candidate.
Is that usual ?
Is that wise ?
If in Newmarket, why not in Aurora ?
Sorry, the questions morphed.

Anonymous said...


While I can appreciate the interest on the part of many people, I think this is a non essential question to put before the 28 candidates.

There are many far more pressing matters affecting the town, including the many other services being provided such as roads, water and sewage, police and fire, and the town's ability to pay for these while keeping taxes at a realistic and reasonable level.

There are a number of "plans" on the drawing board and some approved and several items on peoples' wish lists. When and how are these going to get dealt with? They involve several Millions of dollars.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps someone will ask why team baseball has been banned from the Town Park as " disruptive ". The world does not spin on more soccer fields.

Anonymous said...

Hard copy to 27 members ?
The Paperless Society and Environmentalists' Dream
NOT

Anonymous said...


In my business travels that have taken me to 31 countries, I have had the opportunity to meet and get to know two men and one woman who designed and built bridges. Their professional training involved civil engineering, structural engineering and architecture; all of them had studied all three, with the appropriate letters following their names.

We appear to have a candidate for council who repeatedly and annoyingly makes the statement that he is a "bridge builder."

If he is, then he should proudly display the letters following his name that indicate his profession.

Otherwise his constant claim is just so much hot air.

Anonymous said...


September 20, 2014

Washington (AP)

"New York City will be full of planet-saving pomp this coming week, but short on action to rescue the world.

More than 120 world leaders convene Tuesday for a U.N. summit aimed at galvanizing political will for a new global climate treaty by the end of 2015."

Our candidates for council only number 28, but I don't think that they will be able to rescue us from ourselves.

Anonymous said...

16:38-Provincial endorsement? You really need to ask that question?

Anonymous said...

13:08
T'wasn't me. Someone who lives in Newmarket asked it elsewhere. I just passed it along as it was weird and politics can be weird.