By Staff
July 24th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The number of candidates running in wards 1 and 2 is impressive.
Both are wards where the incumbent has either announced retirement or has plans to go on to bigger and better things.
As a Standing Committee chair, Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven is as good as it gets. Handling delegations and accepting the ideas of other people – not as good. But he won elections.
Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven has opted for retirement and, as of today, there are ten people wanting his job. Jason Boelhouwer, Vince Fiorito, Kelvin Galbraith, Arlene Iantomasi, Kevin Lee, Garry Milne, Tayler Morin, René Papin, Marty Staz and Judy Worsley
Marianne Meed Ward is looking for an upgrade from Councillor to Mayor.
In Ward 2, incumbent Marianne Med Ward has declared herself a candidate for the Office of Mayor. Seven people are taking a run at the seat: Kimberly Calderbank, David Cherry, Michael Jones, Lisa Kearns, Gerard Shkuda, Roland Tanner and Walter Wiebe
There are several candidates that will get votes from family and close friends and that will be about it.
A number of people have suggested that with a high number of candidates it is anyone’s race to win – which is why we have elections.
Candidates have to get out and convince people that they are the best choice and can best represent the citizens.
Burlingtonians are much more primed for change this election. One can expect higher voter turnout.
Engaged Citizens of Burlington (ECoB) has taken on the task of holding debates in all six wards as well as a debate for the Mayoral candidates. The Canadian Federation of University Women are collaborating with ECoB on that event.
Dates and times are being worked out, several of the events will take place in local schools.
For those who have looked at the list of candidates and wonder if they have even a hope – the time to drop out is this Friday, July 27 at 2 pm.
Some might remain in the race just to see their name on a ballot.
The Gazette expect to interview all the candidates.
Some interesting comments concerning the number of candidates running. There are some valid points but it is a democratic system which may be flawed in the method of arriving at a winner. If compared to other systems, in 2016 the Republican nomination had 11 people participate in at least 2 debates and another 5 were involved in at least 1 National debate. The one nobody said would win, did. The 1960 Democratic had 7 people run including JFK. So to just assess the number of people running would be an injustice to democracy. I could argue why everyone should run, I could easily debate why they aren’t the proper person to win. At least we are not like England where a Darth Vadar knock off “Lord Bucket Head” took part in a debate with Theresa May, she went on to lead the U.K. It’s up to the people to learn the candidates and for us the candidates to meet the people. Perhaps we need a system that has more debates and interaction between candidates, I am not sold on the idea that the best door knocker and twitterer wins.
Where else can you get a full time contract job for 4 years with full benefits and possible pension,on zero experience, paying in excess of $100k a year where the only per-requisite is that you be at least 18 years old. Not a bad gig.
I suppose the good news is that there is an abundance of choice, and that the Gazette is providing a forum through which electors can get a chance to know and understand the candidates’ policies and platforms. (Kudos by the way to the Gazette!). The bad news is….here we go again vote-splitting, a practice that traditionally favours incumbents.
I was on the websites of several Ward 1 and 2 candidates today…those that at least have them. Truly, the time for some serious soul-searching is upon us. If a candidate right now: (a) hasn’t been a regular attendee or participant at previous Council meetings; (b) hasn’t got $10K to invest in mounting a credible campaign; (c) doesn’t have a campaign team in place of at least 20-30 people; (d) hasn’t been out door-knocking; (e) doesn’t have a set of clearly identified and articulated policies; (f) isn’t prepared to invest the time and effort in campaigning; and (g) doesn’t have an updated website….one has to wonder why they are in the race.
I get that people feel the need to serve, but truly, there are many ways to serve besides running for office. This election what we need isn’t more choices, but rather, better and clearer ones.
Excellent comments Stephen. Slow or no starters at this point in time are not going to get many votes. I recommend they assess the cost, effort and chance of winning and remove their name now if they have no chance.
As Stephen says, there are many better ways to serve your City, especially right now. Everyone should check out your Ward candidates, choose the one you would like to see on Council and volunteer on her/his campaign to help with them get elected. Same with the Mayor’s race.
You serve your City and democracy by encouraging all you meet to vote in October. This is probably the most important election thus far this century for Burlington. Please help out and make your vote count.
Looking forward to the debate and great meeting people on the street