Know the Candidates

Your mail-in ballots are on the way or have already arrived. Make sure you mail it before October 15th to be counted.

This blog should give you a good idea of who I am and my political platform. I realize now that the theme of One Seguin is 'Community and Communication'. If I am elected, I will continue to use this website to inform you of Seguin council business and my activities as councillor.

The other Ward 1 candidates are Dale Graves and Alex Chidley. I don't believe these two gentlemen have campaign websites. The best source I have found for on-line information about Mr. Childey is available at http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/ (search 'Alex Chidley'). I have found no on-line information about Mr. Graves. I understand Mr. Graves is a long time resident of Seguin, but that is all.

On September 25th, from 1-4 pm, the Otter Lake Ratepayers Association is hosting an all Seguin candidates meeting at the Foley Agricultural Hall. I'll be there to give a short speech and answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to say 'hi' and talk with me after the meeting - most things take longer than (the official) one minute to discuss.

There will be another all candidates meeting held on October 2nd in the Humphrey Community Centre. This meeting will also begin at 1 pm. [THIS MEETING WAS CANCELLED].

Hope to see you there!

The Tree Cutting By-Law (First Draft)

After months of searching, I've finally found a copy of the Seguin Tree Cutting by-law as originally written, the first draft.

This is the proposed Seguin legislation that caused a near riot of public protest. It's safe to say that in the absence of the civic revolt, the by-law (shown below) would have passed as is. This is the most commonly referred to incident by Ward 1 voters during my campaign.

I cannot express the amount of on-going anger and distrust directed at Seguin council as a result of this document.

I won't comment on the content of the proposed by-law, but I feel that it was such a defining document and moment in the history of Seguin Township that it needs to be available on the Internet for all to consider and understand.

It is presented below in page order ('click' on image for larger view).

page 1

page 2

page 3

page 4

page 5

page 6

page 7

page 8

page 9

The final version which council passed is available on the Seguin township website here.

My Town Hall Meetings

I believe 'town hall' meetings are a very important means of creating and maintaining an active political community. It provides a forum for discussing on-going and emerging local issues.

If I am elected as Seguin's Ward 1 councillor, I will host political 'town hall' meetings in the Foley Activity Centre every three months of my term. The dates will be kept regular and advertised on this website. Admission would, of course, be free.

The town halls would include...

• An introductory 5 - 10 minute report from me about council business since the previous town hall, up-coming council meeting business, on-going issues, and emerging issues.

• A free flow discussion where people are encouraged to express their ideas or concerns about Ward 1 in particular and Seguin in general. Participants may direct their comments or questions to me as councillor, to other attendees, or simply to the group.

• The main event of each town hall will feature a specific Seguin issue for discussion - identifying problems, generating ideas, exploring options, offering solutions.

• Finally, I will do a brief wrap-up summary of what was discussed, highlighting the main points influencing my council decisions. I will still make my own decision on every issue. However, your timely facts and arguments will give me the best possible foundation on which to decide.
  

The purpose of these town halls is to provide civic interaction for all people living or cottaging in Ward 1. You will help guide my decisions in council as a direct result of the best facts and arguments provided by you, as well as consider the various viewpoints of others in our community.

This high level of civic involvement has never occurred before in Seguin. This is my style of politics.

I want people in Ward 1 to get more directly involved in Seguin's political culture. I want you to have a real forum to give voice to your opinions and ideas - not just with a single vote every four years. This is the means for us to express ourselves, listen, and hopefully learn from one another. Let's talk.

I think this is necessary and the best way forward. I hope it will become an everlasting Seguin tradition.

The Foley Fall Fair

Come one, come all to the 2010 Foley Fall Fair!

Today is the opening of this traditional Seguin fair held on the Foley Agricultural Society grounds.

I regret to report that there will be no Smash-Up Derby this year. But there will be tractor pulls, so that's not too bad.

In case I've missed you on the campaign trail, please come on by and say 'hi' at the Pioneer Church's quilt raffle table on Saturday afternoon. I'll be there moving raffle tickets.