ACM

the all candidate meeting report:

In a small and hot room the candidates sweated it out. I was there and recorded things the way I saw it! Each candidate had three minutes for a speech and then seven minutes for questions. Most did not get asked enough questions to use the full seven minutes.

It is always the little things that get politicians in trouble, this time the hot topics were the suggestions that we mail out questionnaires in PUC envelopes the cost of stamps was questioned, as was the cleanliness of public washrooms in Victoria Park. .

Nobody appeared to be a clear cut winner, Gail Deveau improved in her presentation and killed the conflict of issue dead. John FLoyd came across as a performer who knows the pulse of the electorate. Bill MacDonald did little to dispel the perception of a "sleepy guy". In the big race Joan C had the disadvantage of speaking first so she did not have the opportunity to rebut the issues raised by Peter D. But I did wonder if both candidates had been on the same council for the past three years!

All in all a very well run meeting and organisors should be credited for giving the voters another forum for the candidates, take it from me ladies the competition should be ticked: you did a good job.

Mayor Chalovich Delanty

Defended her administration well "I have earned the qualities of leadership" and "My job is not yet done"
Questions about the lack of public swimming opportunities allowed her to defend the partnership with the Y but she did not convince her questioner that subsidies are freely available for the less affluent
An amalgamation question gave her the opportunity to boast about her position on "West Northumberland", "I spoke strongly in favour of it but was ignored" She missed an opportunity to acknowledge a problem with communication amongst her council when she replied that "We sit down and develop workplans"...how dynamic!
Joan did not use all of her seven minutes Speaking too fast to be really effective this guy used up his three minutes, "The main issue is Economic development and jobs" but no specifics mentioned ending with the statement "We must do something" wow! In answer to a lady, who has a Delanty sign on her lawn, he said that he agrees that we must have more recognition of citizens who sit on volunteer boards and committees. This questioner had an unfortunate situation with a suggestion that never made it out of committee two years ago. Peter agreed, "I was disappointed we didn't deal with it two years ago." If you thought it was good idea Peter why didn't you chase it through like a bulldog? You had two years! A bit of a slip up when he stated "We haven't attracted 1 new industry in 10 years from outside of the area" that is code for "we did manage to get 90 jobs but they came from Cambellford but that doesn't count" But I digress, where did the National Fasteners Company (the new company in the Gaines building) come from?, Weston Bakeries 1993, Somerville Packaging 1992?

Deputy Mayor Spooner Duda

A virtuoso performance as usual. Proudly proclaiming how he has made made money for the town by commercialising the parks department. However he got bogged down when he was asked about the public washrooms in Vic Park. When the lady with the Delanty sign on her lawn asked him if he was going to put a concrete slab anywhere else in town, a reference to the proposed concrete pad in Rotary Park, he replied "Lot's of people spoke to me. Madam I didn't hear from you! Demonstrating his complete mastery of his responsibility he easily dealt with a critical question about hockey rink scheduling and earned applause for it. Never turned up so we still don't know what he wants to do. He is causing Spooner to spend a lot of money.

Council Deveau "I've lived here 40 years and there's no better way to give back"
Gail explained her perceived conflict of interest situation by explaining that she has been told by a lawyer that she doesn't have one. Good now we should hear no more about that. She got a round of applause for it
Starting of the discussion about the trailer park she replied to the questioner "There is strong scuttlebutt that people want to get rid of the TP". "No, I like it!" Did not use all her question time.

Grundy In a speech that hit all the issues but few specific solutions were offered "I am a team player with 100% commitment. Marg wants the Parks and Rec portfolio. Didn't use all her question time.

Heipel Again hit all the usual stuff in the thre minutes "Tourism is important" and "We need something going on each weekend" Also wants Parks and Rec.

Jackson Speaking too fast she explained "I truly believe I can represent you well on council" and tells all her accomplishments and finished on time with" We must plan for 20 years" She wants the Community Services portfolio.

McCahon Appeared to speak without notes from where I was sitting. "Our strengths are our people" and he stated he wants more people to live downtown." We can't minimize the importance of our downtown" He wants Planning or Economic Development. In the question period he got the train whistle question (the only one) by demonstrating a thorough knowledge of the problem he got some applause when he suggested sound barriers be erected.

Floyd For his three minutes he used two minutes explaining his past experiences on council. "I have an ability to enhance our quality of life" and "We need to build bridges with our neighbours", "We have to cut taxes and enhance services" got some mild applause when he ran out of time and quipped "Hey, I'm just starting to get warmed up." In all his answers to various questions he skated specifics but it went down well.

MacDonald This segment was the most active. Half the people wanted to make him accountable and the others were sceptical about his past performance. Anyway this guy opened up with a three minute recitation of the housekeeping efforts he has been involved in. It was like he read the agendas of the meetings he has had to attend. He should have done that to disprove the observation that he sleeps a lot! "I feel we have been pretty active"

McCaughey Standing behind a podium as tall as him he proceeded to recite his long list of achievements. "A good councillor listens". Declined to say which portfolio he wants "I want to be picked by the others based on my abilities" He also got the wackiest question "Why don't we have a roundabout at Burnham and Elgin" Amid laughter he replied "A lot of people don't like roundabouts"

Mitchell MacDonald Standing in front of the podium and glancing at 3/5 flashcards she used her professional training to an advantage. But, she ran into an audience that was getting bored and irritable. She was challenged in a couple of statements, by a an older citizen who appeared to be bothered by any suggestion that taxes may go up, to cost her proposals. "I challenge you to name a service that is not working!", "Er, Um, I said enhance services, marketing doesn't cost much". Then up popped the older guy. Her suggestion that her municipal world is larger than ours (she wants to think regionally which upset the real cobourgers.

Roberge This fellow warmed up a hot audience with a humorous list of personal stats (if I wanted to know how tall and heavy he is I would look at his drivers license). However how hard he tried he obviously didn't make an impression or he was good enough to explain everything the audience wanted to know in three minutes because he suffered the grossest insult any candidate can get in a open meeting .. he was only asked one question; he wants the economic development portfolio.

Williams Opening with an testimonial to his faith (he must have been watching Stock on 100 Huntley St.) "I have a faith in a loving God and have to put my faith to action!" This wily veteran played to the crowd but displayed his usual liberal tendencies of giving the crowd what they wanted to hear but covering his backside with weasel words, for example when asked about Walmart he said (listen carefully), "I enjoy shopping in Walmart, with proper planning I would support it!."

Back to the diary
Back to the main page

Mayor	Chalovich	Delanty
	Defended her administration well "I have earned the qualities of leadership" and "My job is not yet done" Questions about the lack of public swimming opportunities allowed her to defend the partnership with the Y but she did not convince her questioner that subsidies are freely available for the less affluent An amalgamation question gave her the opportunity to boast about her position on "West Northumberland", "I spoke strongly in favour of it but was ignored" She missed an opportunity to acknowledge a problem with communication amongst her council when she replied that "We sit down and develop workplans"...how dynamic! Joan did not use all of her seven minutes	Speaking too fast to be really effective this guy used up his three minutes, "The main issue is Economic development and jobs" but no specifics mentioned ending with the statement "We must do something" wow! In answer to a lady, who has a Delanty sign on her lawn, he said that he agrees that we must have more recognition of citizens who sit on volunteer boards and committees. This questioner had an unfortunate situation with a suggestion that never made it out of committee two years ago. Peter agreed, "I was disappointed we didn't deal with it two years ago." If you thought it was good idea Peter why didn't you chase it through like a bulldog? You had two years! A bit of a slip up when he stated "We haven't attracted 1 new industry in 10 years from outside of the area" that is code for "we did manage to get 90 jobs but they came from Cambellford but that doesn't count" But I digress, where did the National Fasteners Company (the new company in the Gaines building) come from?, Weston Bakeries 1993, Somerville Packaging 1992?
Deputy Mayor	Spooner	Duda
	A virtuoso performance as usual. Proudly proclaiming how he has made made money for the town by commercialising the parks department. However he got bogged down when he was asked about the public washrooms in Vic Park. When the lady with the Delanty sign on her lawn asked him if he was going to put a concrete slab anywhere else in town, a reference to the proposed concrete pad in Rotary Park, he replied "Lot's of people spoke to me. Madam I didn't hear from you! Demonstrating his complete mastery of his responsibility he easily dealt with a critical question about hockey rink scheduling and earned applause for it.	Never turned up so we still don't know what he wants to do. He is causing Spooner to spend a lot of money.
Council	Deveau	"I've lived here 40 years and there's no better way to give back" Gail explained her perceived conflict of interest situation by explaining that she has been told by a lawyer that she doesn't have one. Good now we should hear no more about that. She got a round of applause for it Starting of the discussion about the trailer park she replied to the questioner "There is strong scuttlebutt that people want to get rid of the TP". "No, I like it!" Did not use all her question time.
	Grundy	In a speech that hit all the issues but few specific solutions were offered "I am a team player with 100% commitment. Marg wants the Parks and Rec portfolio. Didn't use all her question time.
	Heipel	Again hit all the usual stuff in the thre minutes "Tourism is important" and "We need something going on each weekend" Also wants Parks and Rec.
	Jackson	Speaking too fast she explained "I truly believe I can represent you well on council" and tells all her accomplishments and finished on time with" We must plan for 20 years" She wants the Community Services portfolio.
	McCahon	Appeared to speak without notes from where I was sitting. "Our strengths are our people" and he stated he wants more people to live downtown." We can't minimize the importance of our downtown" He wants Planning or Economic Development. In the question period he got the train whistle question (the only one) by demonstrating a thorough knowledge of the problem he got some applause when he suggested sound barriers be erected.
	Floyd	For his three minutes he used two minutes explaining his past experiences on council. "I have an ability to enhance our quality of life" and "We need to build bridges with our neighbours", "We have to cut taxes and enhance services" got some mild applause when he ran out of time and quipped "Hey, I'm just starting to get warmed up." In all his answers to various questions he skated specifics but it went down well.
	MacDonald	This segment was the most active. Half the people wanted to make him accountable and the others were sceptical about his past performance. Anyway this guy opened up with a three minute recitation of the housekeeping efforts he has been involved in. It was like he read the agendas of the meetings he has had to attend. He should have done that to disprove the observation that he sleeps a lot! "I feel we have been pretty active"
	McCaughey	Standing behind a podium as tall as him he proceeded to recite his long list of achievements. "A good councillor listens". Declined to say which portfolio he wants "I want to be picked by the others based on my abilities" He also got the wackiest question "Why don't we have a roundabout at Burnham and Elgin" Amid laughter he replied "A lot of people don't like roundabouts"
	Mitchell MacDonald	Standing in front of the podium and glancing at 3/5 flashcards she used her professional training to an advantage. But, she ran into an audience that was getting bored and irritable. She was challenged in a couple of statements, by a an older citizen who appeared to be bothered by any suggestion that taxes may go up, to cost her proposals. "I challenge you to name a service that is not working!", "Er, Um, I said enhance services, marketing doesn't cost much". Then up popped the older guy. Her suggestion that her municipal world is larger than ours (she wants to think regionally which upset the real cobourgers.
	Roberge	This fellow warmed up a hot audience with a humorous list of personal stats (if I wanted to know how tall and heavy he is I would look at his drivers license). However how hard he tried he obviously didn't make an impression or he was good enough to explain everything the audience wanted to know in three minutes because he suffered the grossest insult any candidate can get in a open meeting .. he was only asked one question; he wants the economic development portfolio.
	Williams	Opening with an testimonial to his faith (he must have been watching Stock on 100 Huntley St.) "I have a faith in a loving God and have to put my faith to action!" This wily veteran played to the crowd but displayed his usual liberal tendencies of giving the crowd what they wanted to hear but covering his backside with weasel words, for example when asked about Walmart he said (listen carefully), "I enjoy shopping in Walmart, with proper planning I would support it!."