2014 Election - What are you looking for

A couple of people have suggested that the recent votes on the Deerhurst project will have an impact on the next election. I don’t tend to believe that but it has got me to thinking about the jockeying we will see over the next few months as we head into year three of this four year council term.

Mayor Ford reacts to Pen Lake decision

Some jockeying has already taken place. On Tuesday Scott & Fran switched positions on the Planning & Planning Advisory Committees. Scott becomes the Chair & Fran the Vice-chair. Clearly this is to put Scott in a key position in TOP review. I’m not sure the folks on Golf Course Road will be so happy with this. I also note that Kate Austin has taken a leave of absence from the advisory committee for a year. Will they give someone a wink, wink to apply for the opening? We know it won’t be anyone from the ‘sustainability/Green Leaf’ camp. Would it be a conflict with Cogeco to ask Jonathan?

There also seems to be some concern about attendance records. I don’t necessarily have a feel for this but I did note two (against doctors orders) efforts to get to the council table. The first was Johnny D who made sure he was there for an important vote within a week or so of major heart surgery. The more recent example was Tim W who broke out of house arrest within a week of his third neck surgery. Maybe the spring in the bobble mechanism is beginning to get tightened. Mayoral qualities will show through for anyone prepared to draw the line in the sand.

What qualities do you look for?

You may remember the last election when Claude did a phone poll of the elect-ability of the potential candidates and based on that he decided to run. I have heard through the grapevine some of the results beyond Hugh & Claude and they would indicate that some people are living with mayoral delusions. One of our current councillors was preferred for mayor by under 10% of those polled.

What qualities do you look for in a Mayor? Who do you see showing those qualities? What issues/decisions do you see as being watershed for the next election. Will the Deerhurst/ Golf Course Road decisions affect your vote? The forum is open but please no name calling. I don’t need any visitors in the night.

Tomorrow night at 8:00 watch for a discussion "Should Fran Retire?"