Saturday, October 18, 2014

9 DAYS - HALLOWEEN COMES EARLY

Freddy Kreuger's got nothing on the behind the scene manipulators in this election.  The attempt to scare the hell out of voters in this year's municipal election is backfiring. Ward 3 Councillor Bob Steckley, Ward 4 Councillor John Hill; Ward 5 Councillor Don Lubberts and Ward 6 Councillor Paul Collard were elected in 2010 by healthy margins. The mayor, who is not seeking re-election, won his second term by a mere five votes.  There are people who are very worried that the three seeking re-election and Bob Steckley who is running for Regional Council will be elected as their support is as strong as it ever.

First: The Compliance Audits of 2010 were the first attempt to discredit the newly elected councillors.  Cost the taxpayers $110,000. Results: a few minor mistakes.

Second: the Conflict of Interest lawsuit against The Four, is a hit piece, designed to inflict maximum damage to the reputations of The Four who are seeking office in this election. It was started at the suggestion of the mayor-by-five-votes and filed by a former councillor who lost his election in a landslide. 

Third:  the latest lawsuit is full of hot air and hubris.  The timing is calculated to scare voters into thinking that The Four councillors are the cause of a $10 million lawsuit.  Truth is that anyone can file a lawsuit; anyone can withdraw a lawsuit after its purpose has been served; and anyone can have a lawsuit dismissed for lack of evidence.  The Molinaros have deep pockets. They can file a lawsuit any time they want, against anyone they want.  They also have to be able to prove in court that they are worthy of a settlement. 

Four: Stephen Passero, the favoured mayoral candidate of the old guard is losing ground as his misrepresentations and lack of real experience become known.  Who wants as their leader a man who has no business; has ruined just about every cause he has been involved in; is working full time at getting elected; and is favoured by the very people who  are really holding this town back.

Five:  this campaign has become a nightmare.  Instead of discussion about issues and remedies, it has been a prolonged attack on the integrity of four duly-elected representatives of the people.  

They're trying to make voters believe they made a huge mistake not voting for the old guard's candidates in 2010. They are trying to say that the voters in 2010 were stupid and easily swayed.  They are trying to say: trust us, we promise to play nice if you elect us. They are trying to make voters understand that they know what is best for the people, but their real goal is to continue to dine at the public trough.


They are trying to scare you to vote for "their" candidates. 

Do not allow yourself to be frightened into voting against your best interests.

Update: I received the following email from Ward 1 Candidate George McDermott:

Dear Sharon

  Once again you have decided to spread mistruths with my name attached .You claimed that I was handing out some sort of leaflet to do with the most recent law suit between the Molinaros the four councillors and the Town.This is just not true period. I was handing out my campaign leaflet truth be told and there was 400 or 500 witnesses to what I was handing out.I would like you to retract those comments publicly in your blog today.

George P McDermott

Editor's Note:  Perhaps you were handing out campaign information only, but you were observed informing people of the lawsuit along with Chris Knutt and Patty Jo Carver to further your own candidacy.  It was an unseemly display of the kind of politics that has been the norm in this town since 2010. Own it, George.  (I will correct the copy.)

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