A Brief by Doug Draper, Niagara At Large
There is now only one week to go before eligible voters across the Niagara, Ontario region go to the polls this coming Monday, October 27th to choose who will lead us at the municipal level for the next four years.
And, I would urgently submit, the stakes could not be hire. Public transit, smarter, more affordable urban growth versus the 20th century contagion of low-density sprawl, drawing more jobs and young people to want to live and work here, conserving what is left of our watersheds and natural environments, the cost of policing and health and seniors care – the list goes on and on.
These are all issues our municipal politicians at the local and regional levels play an important role in addressing for our present and future, and that is why it is so important that you, who can vote, get totally engaged in who is running and in choosing people who will serve on our municipal councils who will fight for the health and welfare of a region that has suffered, among other things, one of the highest unemployment rates in all of Ontario and Canada.
I know that we can no longer count on the local mainstream media to do the kind of in-depth coverage it once at least tried to do to inform on the issues at stakes, the candidates and where they stand on this issue. So more of the onus is on you to call these candidates or question them when they come to your door or make appearances at all candidate debates.
Do it and remember that every vote – if it an informed one – counts immensely. Don’t be one of those who don’t vote, then complain about how your municipal tax dollars are being spent later.
And for all of you younger people out there, who have not had the greatest record of going to the polls in significant numbers, remember that when it comes to jobs, a decent transit system and other issues that are important to you, it is your future. So vote.
(Niagara At Large invites you to share your views on this post below just so long as you also share your real name with your comment.)
Niagara At Large 
Not just the farcical story of the election in Toronto, but here too in Niagara we have candidates who offer so little. Several of them cite ‘no experience in either politics or any community volunteering, yet want to run for office “to make a difference”. Say what?! Or those that vote to “change the system”. Better yet, those that offer freezing taxes — the taxes which pay for our infrastructure, our Emergency services, our potholed repair, replacing trees, etc and so on. No taxes=No services. I love the bafflegab too —‘looking for efficiencies’ –huh? That means cutting staff, at the least. I have always held my nose and voted and will do so again. Thanks Doug.
Some good news: Not just Toronto, but here in Niagara the advance vote is way up in numbers than ever before. Doesn’t seem people are as complacent as they once were. Let’s hope.
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I wonder how much and by whom the Molinero Group was paid to decide at this time to initiate a lawsuit against the Town of Fort Erie and 4 Councillors! The Molinero Group caused the Town to undertake “builder’s expenses”. A timeline to have a minimum number of units sold was agreed to by both the Town and the Group. The minimum number of units was not sold by the fixed deadline _ as a result the Town exercised its right to cancel the project.
Perhaps the residents of the Town of Fort Erie should send a message to the Molinero Group and its buddies _ re-elect the Four Councillors who listened to the residents of the Town of Fort Erie
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I don’t really know facts about the other Municipalities BUT it truly seems that the organizational aspect of this election in Welland is mired in collusion and a stink of corruption. It is too bad the Ombudsman cannot investigate
this arena …..especially here in Welland.
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I agree with Bill something is fishy here
suspicious I am that Molinaro would launch this BS at this time its all part of the election strategy. and why has not the judge come forward with the verdict on the road allowances at Bay Beach It has been months since the hearing Could it be part of the election game also ……….
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A correction, Bill. It was actually the Molinaro Group that cancelled the contract, because their sales were slower than they wanted them to be by that date. The Molinaro Group had put that clause in the contract (back when the deal was struck–in 2009, I think) for their own benefit so that they (the Molinaro Group) would be free to back out of the deal any time before that date risk-free if things were going poorly for them. The Molinaro Group could have continued the contract past that date but chose not to assume the financial risk they would have incurred after that date. And now they’re suing the Town for ten million dollars for frustrating them. Go figure.
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Four Councillors voted against granting an extension of the deadline. As far as I am concerned, this is the reason the Group wants to interfere with the election.
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The Molinaro Group does not have a leg to stand on, this is just a way for them to inject themselves into a political situation, , election time, they have just burnt their bridges in our Town, and other Municipalities will be very wary of these pikers.They were the ones that wrote up their own contract, so they couldn’t sell the required number of units, tough, that’s life.! now get lost. ASAP.
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Let me be clear. I agree with Bill too. And Paul. And George.
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Certain politicians who I know that are reading this forum, know your voters. Know your community. We are a very different community than we were even four years ago. We won’t put up with talks of zero increases, which only means cuts in services … before saying this zero increase nonsense, tell us what services you intend to cut and for whom? For those that don’t think transit is an important economic growth generator and accessibility tool in one’s community, I invite all of those candidates to get out of their cars, leave them at home and do everything you normally do each day without a vehicle … use cabs, buses, a driver service, etc. Don’t get free rides from friends and family, assume you have none … try to go about your normal days’ business, which may be dropping kids off and picking them up, purchasing and taking home groceries for your family, taking in a movie, visiting a client or associate in another part of the region, and then attending a meeting … all without a car. If you can do it, I will personally nominate you for the Nobel Prize. If not, stop expecting others to curtail their lifestyles including excluding themselves from almost all possible job opportunities by not being able to drive or have a car. Zero tax increase … I have zero tolerance for politicians with double speak.
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