Councillor Michael Walker considers retiring

Veteran politician unsure about running again
Other candidates declare intentions for 2010 election
By Kris Scheuer
(Originally written Oct. 7 for Town Crier.)

Councillor Michael Walker is still deciding if he’ll run in next year’s election. Photo by Francis Crescia/Town Crier.

Rumours are swirling that St. Paul’s councillor Michael Walker will retire next year.
The veteran councillor sat down for an interview in the Town Crier’s city hall office to discuss his political plans on Oct. 6, the same day as Josh Matlow announced that he would run in Walker’s ward.
Walker admitted he’s contemplating retirement rather than running for another four-year term.
“My heart says I should run, but again is it my time to go?” says Walker, who is now in his 27th year in political office. “Is it time to pass the torch?
“I have given it a lot of thought in the past few years because it’s been disillusioning here,” adds Walker, a vocal critic of the mayor. “If you weren’t with (Miller) you were trampled on.
But he admits time is catching up with him.

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Josh Matlow running for St. Paul’s councillor

School trustee will run for council seat in St. Paul’s ward 22
Plans to register Jan. 4 as council candidate for 2010 election
By Kris Scheuer

I just finished an interview with St. Paul’s school trustee Josh Matlow at 5 pm today and he said he will be running for a council seat in next year’s municipal election.
He had long been rumoured to be thinking of running in ward 22, which is held by veteran councillor Michael Walker. But he didn’t make it official until today via Twitter and Facebook.
For more on my sit down interview with the outspoken trusteee, visit www.mytowncrier.ca tomorrow Oct. 7.
I also spoke with councillor Walker today, before Matlow’s announcement, and he said he is contemplating a run for re-election but is also considering retiring next year. Toronto Sun reporter Sue-Ann Levy is rumoured to be running in St. Paul’s ward 22. But she has just come off a loss in a provincial byelection Sept. 17. She told me today, she doesn’t intend to run but has not ruled it out.
Local community activist, Oriole Park resident and photographer Michael Visser said in an interview this afternoon he will be a canadidate in the the ward 22 if councillor Walker doesn’t run.
Walker’s executive assistant Chris Sellors has also be rumoured as a candidate but has no intention of running if his boss is on the ballot next year.

Who will be next Toronto mayor?

Mayor David Miller won’t run in next election, he announced today
Here’s a list of early possible contenders for 2010 mayoralty race
By Kris Scheuer
(Join the debate below, see update here.)

I attended David Miller’s press conference at 10 am today when he declared he won’t seek a third term as Toronto’s mayor.
For that story, click here.
In the hours that followed myself and colleague Karolyn Coorsh heard about a number of possible candidates for mayor. Keep in mind that we spoke to just a handful of politicians and strategists, so this is just an initial list of contenders. And the next city election is 14 months away.
Tell me if you would vote for any of them or would like to see someone else run instead.
Possible Toronto mayoralty candidates for 201o that were mentioned to me and fellow Town Crier reporter Karolyn today. Keep in mind these names were told to us as possibilities only. No one has officially thrown their hat in the ring, yet.

Victory for Liberals in St. Paul’s byelection

Eric Hoskins soundly defeats Sue-Ann Levy
Liberals hold onto riding vacated by Liberal Michael Bryant
By Brian Baker and Kris Scheuer
(Written Sept. 17 for Town Crier newspaper.)

Premier Dalton McGuinty congratulates Liberal Eric Hoskins in St. Paul's byelection victory. Photo by Francis Crescia/Town Crier.

In spite of some pundits expecting a close race in St. Paul’s, Liberal candidate Eric Hoskins cruised to an easy victory over his Progressive Conservative rival, well-known Toronto Sun columnist Sue-Ann Levy.
“I’m so humbled by the response of the residents of St. Paul’s,” Hoskins told the Town Crier while at the Sports Centre Cafe. “I’m overwhelmed, excited and it was a fantastic campaign.”
Hoskins took over 47 percent of the total vote and bested Levy by more than 4,700 votes (with 14 polls still to report).
While he was clearly enjoying his win he won’t be celebrating for too long as he says he has work to do.
“I think the next step is to open a constituency office so people know that I’m there, I’m accessible and the issues that are important to them, they know they can count on me to work with them,” he said.

St. Paul’s Sept. 17 byelection results

Ballots show a clear win for Liberal Eric Hoskins
Journalist, first time candidate PC’s Sue-Ann Levy second
By Kris Scheuer

Well official numbers from Elections Ontario show Liberal Eric Hoskins with almost 48 percent of the vote to PC Sue-Ann Levy’s nearly 29 percent.
I just returned from reporting on the St. Paul’s byelection where I was stationed at Levy’s camp and my colleague Brian Baker was at Liberal Eric Hoskins party. It was a thrilling campaign to watch and follow.

Our story has been filed and should be up on the website for the paper I work for, the Town Crier.
It’s now 12:22 on Sept. 18 just a few hours after the polls closed at 9 pm last night.

St. Paul’s byelection today Sept. 17

A heated battle comes to conclusion tonight
It’s decision day in the riding, for results check back at midnight
By Kris Scheuer

Today is election day in the Toronto riding of St. Paul’s.
Myself and fellow journalist Brian Baker will be reporting on the results tonight and post our article online at the Town Crier’s site and I will have it on my site.
Most likely the winning candidate is not expected to speak to supporters and the media until around 10:30, we should start writing our story after 11 pm and I hope to have it posted by midnight.

St. Paul’s byelection candidates debate

Town Crier newspaper to hold debate Sept 10
It’s an opportunity to meet candidates in St. Paul’s byelection
By Kris Scheuer

Clockwise from the top left are: PC Sue-Ann Levy, NDP Julian Heller, Green Party Chris Chopik, Liberal Eric Hoskins.

There is September 17 byelection to choose a new provincial rep for the riding of St. Paul’s.
The newspaper I write for, The Town Crier, is holding an all candidates debate the week before the vote.
It will be held Sept. 10 from 7-9 pm at Sunderland Hall at the First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto. You will find it 175 St. Clair Ave. West, near the southwest corner of Avenue Rd. and St. Clair.
Firstly, those who live in the diverse riding that stretches roughly from Beltline to Dupont and Winona to Bayview should come and hear what the political players have to say. Trust me it will be a very heated debate.
We have invited:
PC candidate Sue-Ann Levy, who is on leave as a city hall columnist with the Toronto Sun.
Liberal activist Dr. Eric Hoskins, who will try and keep the seat red after former MPP Michael Bryant stepped down to take a position as chief executive officer of Invest Toronto.
Lawyer Julian Heller of the New Democratic Party.
Real Estate agent Chris Chopik of the Green Party.
Five other candidates will also be in attendance.
I will be there and so will my Town Crier colleagues including editor Eric McMillan, who will be moderating.
Besides attending the Sept. 10 debate it’s important to vote in the advance polls or on byelection day Sept. 17.