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Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears – NOT

27 August 2010 5 Comments

I took a lot of flack yesterday from the Alta Vista Community Association for my post Es Tu Peter? It is their opinion that I unfairly tied Councillor Peter Hume to a controversy with which he had nothing to do. It is my take, however, that even if Councillor Hume didn’t directly take part in the decision to move the AGM to after the election, he certainly knew about it as he is copied on many emails I have seen.

But here is the point that seem to be lost on some people: An opportunity for challengers to an incumbent to speak to a group of civic minded constituents has been cancelled for whatever the reason. This hurts the challengers far more than it hurts the high profile incumbent. Remember, an incumbent can call a city sponsored meeting for a myriad of reasons and get residents (voters) to attend. This is not the case for challengers. Challengers must rely on third party organizations such as community centres or associations to sponsor an event. So the less events there are, the harder it is for challengers to make their stances known.

And this brings me to another point. Many community centres, community houses and senior residences choose to stay out of elections because of the costs in terms of resources and money. Yet, if an incumbent wants to hold an event such as a taxpayer funded strawberry & tea social for seniors or a condominium summer barbecue sponsored by a third party these are organized by city staff. These events are also not counted as electioneering events and challengers can be barred from attending. I wrote about this happening at the Denburry Condominium last month (The shenanigans by Councillor Maria McRae start again in River Ward).

Maybe the city needs to look into a policy that evens the playing field between incumbents and challengers. Maybe it should be a requirement that any community centre or any public facility that hosts a City of Ottawa event be required to hold a candidates information meeting during the election period, the cost paid for by the city. If the city can pay for a strawberry social, why can’t this be justified as well?

So you see, the issue is not about Peter Hume but the process from which he benefits by shutting out the voices of the challengers. A solution to resolve this should be debated. And maybe my oblique reference to Brutus and stabbing was a little over the top but something is silenced when candidates can’t speak to voters.

5 Comments »

Bob B said:

On the same subject, the River Ward councillor is planning a BBQ for the residents of Banff-Ledbury, the question comes to my mind is if
she will be offended and try to prevent the other 3 candidates from attending the BBQ at a public playground ??

# 27 August 2010 at 10:13 am

pat said:

Yes I very much agree with this as new challenger trying to get to know the people where they wish to run in the election it never falls the councellors already there will do anything to keep that person out of all just like the strawberry social in river ward or any other events that the councellor has done this has been going on since the first time the councellor has ran for office. What you see is not always what is really happening take a very close look and ask questions before you vote stop it know as to later.

# 27 August 2010 at 10:21 am

pat said:

Answer to Bob B question you can bet she will stop the 3 candidates from attending the BBQ at the Banaff-Ledbury park.She never stops usually sends her officed staff to have them leave or a person at the BBQ to do her dirty work for her. It has happened before and will keep happening that’s our councellor.

# 27 August 2010 at 10:29 am

Access granted said:

Blake,

If the 3 candidates want to attend the BBQ, put them in touch with me. (I think you can ID me through this post). I will make sure that they have access to the gounds and the people.

# 27 August 2010 at 11:51 am

Elizabeth said:

There is also a huge Community Event (Festival) that is being run by the City on Saturday, Sept. 4 at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre from 10am to 4pm with a youth dance from 6:30 to 8:00pm.
This is being done on the long weekend instead of the traditional Saturday after Labour Day.
Could this be because, and correct me if I am wrong, City Councillors are not to use City funds after the 10th of September. If the Community Event were to take place as it has every other year, then the Councillor would not be in charge as she is now.
As everyone knows, the COMMUNITY FESTIVAL used to be run by the Hunt Club Riverside Recreation Association with NO City funding.
Councillor McRae is expected to say a few opening remarks at 11:00am.
As this is a PUBLIC Community Event with a bbq, stage shows, games for children, youth dance, etc., I am sure that all candidates running for election in River Ward would be welcome.

# 30 August 2010 at 1:08 pm