Ward 30 candidates on development

Toronto-Centre hopefuls weight in
Balancing development with protection of neighbourhoods
Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier Oct. 14)

How will you protect the local character of neighbourhoods while balancing the need for revitalization and development in Ward 30?

Liz West is running in Ward 30. Photo courtesy of Liz West.

Councillor Paula Fletcher is seeking re-election. Town Crier file photo.

Liz West‘s answer: It’s not enough to fight against development and just say no. Defeating a residential and commercial project on Eastern (Avenue) only to have it replaced with car dealerships as of right while pretending to protect the film studios, did not serve the community well. I believe Ward 30 residents need to understand fully the choices they face so that they can make informed decisions on what is best for the community. I plan to lead those discussions, especially around the developments proposed for the Pan Am games, continued candidate West. These games provide an opportunity to clean up the contaminated Port Lands while creating a balanced development of recreational, reside ntial and commercial spaces that can be showcased to the world.

Paula Fletcher‘s answer: As the current councillor I worked with the community to stop the Big Box on Eastern Avenue. The film industry did not want it as it would jeopardize the future of film; the neighbourhood not want seven million car trips annually through neighbourhood streets and all of the small, family owned businesses on Queen Street, from Leslieville to the Beach, did not want to have their sector decimated.

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Andrew James bows out of Ward 30

Candidate James endorses competitor Liz West
They hope it’ll be easier to topple incumbent Fletcher
Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier Oct. 15)

 

Andrew James bows out of Ward 30 race to support candidate Liz West.

 

Ward 30 candidate Andrew James announced today he’s stepping out of the race to throw his support behind competitor Liz West.
“Ours was a campaign of ideas and change but over the past few days it became clear that I wasn’t going to be successful in my bid to unseat (incumbent) Paula Fletcher,” said James at a news conference at the Cinespace Studios. “With Liz West I saw the opportunity to have our shared ideas move forward and to bring a new voice to city hall.”

Mark Dewdney Ward 30 candidate

Candidate Dewdney wants constituents to access him 24/7
Interaction with residents key to being a good Toronto-Danforth rep
By Kris Scheuer
(Written April 8 for Town Crier.)

Ward 30 candidate Mark Dewdney. Photo courtesy of Mark Dewdney.

Mark Dewdney promises to be accessible to constituents if voted in as the next Toronto-Danforth Ward 30 rep.
And starting now as a candidate he’s giving out his home number.
Dewdney’s philosophy about being available to help around the clock is personal to him and stems from the fact others were there for him in his own life.
Born and raised in Cambridge and Kitchener, he was adopted at birth, lived in various group homes and credits others for making a difference in his life. Now he wants to give back and get voters more involved so city hall works for them.
“Something for me to guard against is complacency,” said Dewdney, who’s lived in East York most of his life. “You better give out your home number and have dinner in the ward with your family.”

Toronto election races to watch

These are the hot races to watch in this city
Election offers plenty of sparks, sparring
By Kris Scheuer
(Updated and expanded Oct. 25)

 

Councillor Case Ootes isn't seeking re-election and the race to replace him in ward 29 is a hotly contested one.

 

There are some exciting races in the Toronto election. Here are my 18 reasons to pay attention. What do you think, am I missing any races?
1. Mayor David Miller is not seeking a third term, but *40 candidates have made their bid to replace him. *Sarah Thomson withdrew but is still on the ballot. Find out who is running, here. Who will you choose?
2. Councillor Adam Giambrone Davenport Ward 18 was running for mayor but now he’s not. He’s also not seeking re-election locally. This race has attracted 12 candidates: Twelve candidates are running: Coun. Giambrone’s Executive Assistant Kevin Beaulieu, Doug Carroll, Nha Le, Joe MacDonald, Mohammad Muhit, Kirk Russell, Joanna Teliatnik, Hema Vyas, Ana Bailao, Ken Wood, Abdirazak Elmi and former Green Party of Ontario leader Frank de Jong.
3. Councillor Joe Pantalone Trinity-Spadina Ward 19 is running for mayor. His seat is up for grabs and 9 people are running: David Footman,  NDP leader Jack Layton’s son Mike Layton an urban planner and environmentalist, Jim Likourezos, sportscaster Sean McCormick, journalist Karlene Nation, George Sawision,  Jason Stevens, community activist, planner and environmentalist Karen Sun and Rosario Bruto.
4. Councillor Anthony Perruzza for York Centre Ward 8 is seeking re-election. This should be a real tough fight between former local rep Peter Li Preti who represented the ward but lost by 579 votes to Perruzza in ’06. Li Preti has signed up for a rematch. Plus six other candidates: John Gallagher, Naseeb Husain, Antonius Clarke, Gerardo Miniguano, Arthur Smitherman (George Smitherman’s brother) and Ramnarine Tiwari are also running here.