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.

Campaign Platform

Nancy from Horseshoe Lake's Johnston Road gave me some good feedback this morning. This campaign blog needs to supply better details on what I intend to do if elected, what's my vision for Ward 1 and Seguin.

My whole campaign angle is about recording Ward 1 voter quotes with the intent to solve or resolve those issues during my term if elected. While my door-to-door travels are not yet finished, the following topics would be my main focus if elected.


ROAD SAFETY

This is one of those basic municipal service areas that we need to get right. This is snow removal, good gravel surface and grading, paving, appropriate signage, community safety zones, and OPP patrols.

The concern I hear most often is about speeding vehicles on roads where children play. My other big safety concern are roads (such as Ferris Road) which I feel are simply dangerous to drive on, and possibly inaccessible by emergency vehicles in winter. Let's not wait until someone dies to help solve the problems.


BUSINESS POSITIVE

This is a particular concern to almost every voter who makes a living in or around Seguin. It also heavily impacts on seasonal residents. I can't count the number of times I've heard people express the need for good jobs year round. I see the two main Seguin industries as tourism and construction. Seguin retail activity flows from the strength of tourism and construction.

I believe the Seguin sign by-law could be amended in part to better serve the tourist industry. In terms of construction, Seguin is notorious as a difficult place to work. Most constructrion people I've met simply don't like, don't want to work in Seguin. There seems to be no end of complaints about Seguin's planning and building departments in terms of red tape and permit or variance costs.

Seguin planning and building department policy has a direct impact on the prosperity of Seguin working families. I would like to help make Seguin more business positive.

If Seguin is to succeed in attracting new business to the township, I think targeting clean/green light industry with markets beyond servicing residents is a sector to focus on. By focusing on specific types of industry to attract, we can be more concentrated in our efforts, more likely to succeed.

If Seguin is notorious for radical environmental policies, why not sell its positive lifestyle aspect to clean industry, foster a live/work sustainable culture in Seguin? Make Seguin a hub for clean/green industry.

Though for the most part I believe it will continue to be the small, local business operators who provide the majority of township employment. Let's do what we can to help local business succeed.


MODERATE ENVIRONMENTALISM

I agree with much of Seguin council's efforts to preserve the natural environment in the past term. There is strong support for the shoreline tree-cutting by-law throughout the ward and the measures taken to restrict further shoreline development on at-risk lakes. The council deserves high praise for this sustainability work.

With respect to the significant change in environmental regulation in recent years, it is important to realize that culture and the environment go hand in hand. Conservation of natural environment directly impacts on existing rural culture as experienced for generations since pioneer times. The interaction of environmental protection and cultural heritage needs to be carefully considered and understood when proposing new by-laws.


TIME TO REFLECT

I think it would be wise to look back on the significant changes carried out over the last four years in Seguin, review and possibly make some minor adjustments as we assess the impacts of these changes. The Official Plan requires review every five years. This will be an opportunity to make adjustments with a view towards its improvement as it impacts the lives of people in Seguin.

As we move forward, my preference is to keep the community fully informed on proposed changes well in advance so that the best options are explored and some unintended consequences can be avoided. I prefer a slower, more conservative pace to change.


FOLEY'S NEW DEVELOPMENT

The next term will likely see both a new community centre and library structure, and possibly fire hall in Foley. I'm fully behind this initiative - it's about time. And I hope we've saved the best for last.

For what it's worth I'd like to offer my two cents on the structure itself.

To honour the pioneer Foley heritage of logging and agriculture, I think it would be fitting and a great attraction to construct the new development with a timber frame structure using local pine timber and oak pegs. These can be milled locally. And why not have skilled carpenters from the community get involved in a traditional 'barn raising' event for the main structure? I know the ladies at the Pioneer United Church would be willing to bake the pies to feed the troops.

Timber frame buildings last for hundreds of years and are infused with rich cultural meaning.

Timber frame structure (wiki source here).

And why not include sustainable building elements, such as passive solar heating design which encapsulates Seguin's 'environment first' motto? Let this building embody our strong ideals, the show piece for a progressive Seguin building with a view to its past and a sustainable future.

This is my vision for Seguin - to fulfill the promise of Seguin's 'environment first' motto.

As government has the luxury of long-term planning, let our township lead with the example of solar panels on municipal buildings. Let us explore the options for reducing carbon emissions of municipal vehicles, and many other sustainable practices open to local government.

Let's be the best we can be.

Letter to the Editor: Seguin Noise Pollution

Here's the transcript of my letter to the local paper (click link for on-line text at www.cottagecountrynow.ca)...

I support Ontario Camp of the Deaf’s effort to raise charitable funds in a legal manner. I’m a former, scarred, motorcycle rider and now ATV and sled guy. I support motor sport enthusiasts as long as everyone is acting within the law.

While the camp’s motor sport racing may be considered a “legally non-conforming” activity, the motor sport related noise level was measured as illegal (by independent consultants hired by Seguin) based on Ministry of the Environment standards.

Let’s be perfectly clear. The camp’s disputed commercial zoning issue is separate from the illegal noise pollution issue.

Mr. Chidley, according to this newspaper’s April 23 article, intends to wait until his possible re-election in order to deal with the noise pollution issue in Ward 1. Noise pollution created by the camp’s motor sport racing should be dealt with now.

Politicians have put off fixing this noise pollution problem for too long. First Foley’s, now Seguin’s council continue to permit illegal noise to pollute the residential area surrounding the camp without effective, measurable municipal by-laws in place which are strictly enforced. Seguin has got to get tough and stay tough.

Seven months remain before the end of Mr. Chidley’s term as Ward 1 councillor. It is outrageous that Mr. Chidley will allow area residents to suffer another long summer of illegal noise pollution without action. An enforceable noise pollution by-law with high, escalating minimum fines for any repeat commercial offender needs to pass now. Mr. Chidley wants to wait until 2011 to - maybe - fix the problem. Mr. Chidley wants area residents and cottagers to suffer - for no valid reason - another summer of illegal noise pollution. If Mr. Chidley will not act now, Mr. Chidley will not act later.

Bill Pocock

Candidate for Ward 1 councillor
Seguin Township

Virtue Development

My interest in virtue development led me to create the 'Virtue Model' shown below.

'Virtue Model', Bill Pocock, 2007

This model helps me to understand at a glance how individuals with the desire to develop virtue may do so. At least this is one possible explanation.

Via Romana - The Roman Way

Here is a list of virtues both public and personal which guided the citizens (or slaves) of ancient Rome. (Source Birth of Western Civilization, James Laughlin 1986).

Experience has taught me to believe people's actions more than their words. May my actions be the virtues described here....

PERSONAL VIRTUES

Auctoritas: "Spiritual Authority" The sense of one's social standing, built up through experience, Pietas, and Industria.

Comitas: "Humor" Ease of manner, courtesy, openness, and friendliness.

Clementia: "Mercy" Mildness and gentleness.

Dignitas: "Dignity" A sense of self-worth, personal pride.

Firmitas: "Tenacity" Strength of mind, the ability to stick to one's purpose.

Frugalitas: "Frugalness" Economy and simplicity of style, without being miserly.

Gravitas: "Gravity" A sense of the importance of the matter at hand, responsibility and earnestness.

Honestas: "Respectability" The image that one presents as a respectable member of society.

Humanitas: "Humanity" Refinement, civilization, learning, and being cultured.

Industria: "Industriousness" Hard work.

Pietas: "Dutifulness" More than religious piety; a respect for the natural order socially, politically, and religiously. Includes the ideas of patriotism and devotion to others.

Prudentia: "Prudence" Foresight, wisdom, and personal discretion.

Salubritas: "Wholesomeness" Health and cleanliness.

Severitas: "Sternness" Gravity, self-control.

Veritas: "Truthfulness" Honesty in dealing with others.

PUBLIC VIRTUES

Abundantia: "Abundance, Plenty" The ideal of there being enough food and prosperity for all segments of society.

Aequitas: "Equity" Fair dealing both within government and among the people.

Bonus Eventus: "Good fortune" Remembrance of important positive events.

Clementia: "Clemency" Mercy, shown to other nations.

Concordia: "Concord" Harmony among the Roman people, and also between Rome and other nations.

Felicitas: "Happiness, prosperity" A celebration of the best aspects of Roman society.

Fides: "Confidence" Good faith in all commercial and governmental dealings.

Fortuna: "Fortune" An acknowledgment of positive events.

Genius: "Spirit of Rome" Acknowledgment of the combined spirit of Rome, and its people.

Hilaritas: "Mirth, rejoicing" An expression of happy times.

Justica: "Justice" As expressed by sensible laws and governance.

Laetitia: "Joy, Gladness" The celebration of thanksgiving, often of the resolution of crisis.

Liberalitas: "Liberality" Generous giving.

Libertas: "Freedom" A Virtue which has been subsequently aspired to by all cultures.

Nobilitas: "Nobility" Noble action within the public sphere.

Ops: "Wealth" Acknowledgment of the prosperity of the Roman world.

Patientia: "Endurance, Patience" The ability to weather storms and crisis.

Pax: "Peace" A celebration of peace among society and between nations.

Pietas: "Piety, Dutifulness" People paying honor to the gods.

Providentia: "Providence, Forethought" The ability of Roman society to survive trials and manifest a greater destiny.

Pudicita: "Modesty, Chastity." A public expression which belies the accusation of "moral corruptness" in ancient Rome.

Salus: "Safety" Concern for public health and welfare.

Securitas: "Confidence, Security" Brought by peace and efficient governance.

Spes: "Hope" Especially during times of difficulty.

Uberitas: "Fertility" Particularly concerning agriculture.

Virtus: "Courage" Especially of leaders within society and government.

Knowing Me, Knowing You

Had a long talk with my neighbour, John, about Seguin issues the other day. This is how a former 'cottager' slowly becomes a 'resident' - talking with people who know the history. I like John. John is a good guy. John has gone out of his way to help me in the past and that I don't forget.

John had absolutely no problem saying, "One strike against you is you're not local". I told him, I planned to go door-to-door this summer and fall. John said that was important. My only neighbour says he doesn't 'know' me. Part of the beauty of country life is the frankness of conversation. But how well can someone really know me after talking for ten minutes on their doorstep?

John says residents won't know me and that's one reason why residents may not vote for me. If people won't vote for me simply because they don't know me well enough, or I haven't lived here forever, that's something to seriously consider.

Familiarity is more important to country people than city people. As a country boy who's lived in the city I know the truth of it. City people, for the most part, don't want to know their neighbours, try to avoid them so they can have some sense of privacy in a sea of humanity. Maybe that's part of the reason residents and cottagers don't mix often - different social values.

People elect people not just political platforms. You'd like to know how someone would react in certain situations. That's understandable and, I think, at the heart of the whole 'knowing' problem. I've described my thoughts, feelings, and actions into seven different web logs (blogs) over the past four years. It's all there if you really want to know me. I try to spice it with humour for entertainment's sake now and then.

So, even though you don't know me and I haven't lived in Seguin my whole life, I'm going to go half way to respect and honestly understand you if we meet. Those are my country values - respect and the effort to understand neighbours. But it goes both ways.

If you can't get past the fact that you and I are little different, or don't know if I prefer chocolate or vanilla (chocolate), I get it. Trust the thing you know even though you don't like it. My prescription? Phlebotomy.

My Life Story (shortish version)

I feel I should explain myself a bit. Short and semi-sweet.

Wait! There's more.

I was born and raised in the rural countryside of Halton county, Ontario. The youngest of three children with an older brother and sister, I enjoyed an adventurous youth. Summer vacation was the best time of year where I'd strike out in any direction over the farm fields to see what I could find. You make your own entertainment in the country like building tree forts, throwing apples at each other in Mr. Foster's pasture, or riding your bike over to a friend's house. I'd help load the hay wagon just to ride back on top to the barn - watch those branches! Then make hay forts in the mows. Every year mom would pack the car and we'd head up to camp for two weeks in Killbear Provincial Park at the end of July. Harold's Point campground was my favourite.

My first exposure to art and the environment was through my childhood friendship with Robert Bateman's son, John. I remember we'd take dead birds out of the basement freezer to look at - sample species his dad would refer to in his painting. The kids were told our nature walks were to look for native arrow heads. That was the bait to get us walking quietly through the woods, looking at birds through Mr. Bateman's binoculars. I never did find an arrow head, but I guess you could say I learned to appreciate just being in nature, looking and listening.

My parents separated when I was 17 years old and I moved with mom and the siblings to suburban Burlington. Can't say I liked suburbia or high school much. I read books in the library at lunch, or hung out in the cool music teacher's office for laughs.

I don't remember much about my four years at York University in Winters' College residence. I did study film making and philosophy - that I remember. For me, it doesn't get much better than living in a fine art residence with 250+ young women and men who like to have a good time. I met a lot of friends there who I'll always keep. I also did a stint on the Winters' College council as a student rep, so I'm not a complete political virgin. As college councillor, the most pressing issues involved making sure there was enough beer kegs for the all-you-can-drink dances, and that people didn't launch too many bottle rockets at passing cars.

After university, I moved off to the exotic land of Vancouver, BC. It was a beach bum lifestyle for a good long while and I enjoyed every minute of it. You could say I'm a sun worshipper. My first job of many was as a Shaolin kung-fu instructor. I'd practiced t'ai chi and karate before, and kung-fu was somewhat of a mix of those plus a whole lot more. I know one thing for sure, there's very little that anyone can do to me that the Shaolin masters haven't already done to me over and over with expert skill. That ended after a year when a visiting master laid down the law:

"You have a month to decide whether you will teach kung-fu at the the temple for the rest of your life or leave forever. If you tell me you will commit for life, then decide to leave,...there will be...trouble for you, Mr. Pocock".

Meaning, I would suck food through a straw for a very long time. I decided to explore other career options.

That's when I began to learn carpentry, building and shipping custom industrial crates of pulp and paper machinery. I learned how to deal with pressure by managing the logistics of shipping multi-million dollar machines world-wide with cargo jets waiting to take off. It's all about details and not taking crap from anyone. There are no excuses, only results.

One morning, riding my chopper to work, I was t-boned at a main Vancouver intersection by an old man in a minivan. In slow motion the front grill hit me and suddenly, painlessly the lights went out on the world. I'll leave out the gory details, but say that I survived by a miracle and didn't lose my leg. Now I've got a metal pin below my knee holding everything together. There's something liberating about having your clothes cut off your body, covered in blood and a thousand strangers looking on. Life lessons.

Back to Parry Sound and Deerwood Forest where ma helped me to walk again - it took eight or nine months and I still have the occasional limp. I'm a cripple, but I try not to let that stop me. I'll tell you a story about Ma Pocock, a woman who at 60 years old (20 years ago) bought what I now call Deerwood Forest as a bush lot. They chainsawed and bulldozed a road in and she lived with her two cats in a trailer at the building site for three months. Cookies and lemonade delivered by my mom must have made it easier for the construction workers while she supervised the build.

So, the story is, my leg was healing, but I couldn't walk yet. I wanted to get into the woods to at least cut some deadwood for winter fuelwood. Mom hooked the cargo trailer up to the dangerous three-wheel ATV - which she hadn't driven before - and I sat in the back of the small trailer with the chainsaw, gas and oil. So, she takes off down the driveway toward the trail entrance. You know those 3 wheel ATVs are now banned because they're death machines, right? Ma starts working the throttle and drifting toward the left ditch 2 -3 feet deep and littered with sharp sapling stumps and granite rock. The ATV's back wheel caught and the last thing I saw was Ma's grey hair disappear down and forward into the ditch as the ATV flipped over and landed on top of her. Then the trailer slammed into it. She was dead for sure.

"Mom?", I wondered aloud.

"I'm fine", came a quiet reply from somewhere down there.

I jumped out of the wagon and managed to pull the ATV, wheels still spinning, off of her. Not a scratch, though bruised I'm sure. I got the 3-wheeler back on the driveway and the wagon attached.

"You okay", I asked.

"I'm fine", she said, though how could she be?

"Let's get back to the house", I said.

"No, let's go on and cut up some wood. I'm fine if you are", she insisted.

"Sure, I'm fine...", I guessed, but not really. How could I be? I thought she was dead two minutes ago. I wasn't gonna start moaning and groaning now, though. So, I got back in the wagon and we continued into the woods like nothing happened. I'm sure she was badly hurt, but she didn't mention it. That's Ma Pocock.

Eventually, I could walk with a cane, then mostly without a cane. I moved to Los Angeles to try my luck in Hollywood writing scripts. Since university I'd wanted to try LA, not wanting to live with the regret of wondering, "What if I tried?" and didn't. Now I know I didn't like it. Some things you've gotta learn the hard way. Right away I didn't like the place and never learned to like it. Canada was some far off, distant paradise. LA was a strange, hellish planetoid where everyone seemed desperate to get into showbiz and looked past you for someone who could help them advance their career.

Back in BC with my old job back, I decided to give the business world a try and got a Masters in Business Administration. I did my internship with a management consulting firm specializing in improving the operation of resource companies like mines, and pulp plants, and sawmills around the world. I decided living for two years beside some remote copper mine in South America wasn't for me.

I returned to Ontario and settled in Toronto so I could have a relationship with my nephew and niece while they were young enough to still be interested in Uncle Bill. I got another job at an elite Toronto management consulting firm, The Chartwell Group, which was really a think tank for municipal, provincial, and federal government on how to make the public sector more efficient, provide services more effectively. It was a great learning experience to absorb the thoughts of these geniuses, integrating the government into a whole, actually figuring out who they served and doing it better.

A long public sector strike hit Ontario and much of the consulting work stopped. I didn't like sitting on the bench. And I remember looking out the lunchroom's high rise window, across Adelaide street and seeing all the other office workers in their cubes, working away, eating lunch at their desk like I was about to do. "People aren't meant to live like this", I said to one of the partners, sipping my fourth coffee. The company was struggling so I recommended to give me a lay-off - last man in - and I got it.

For a couple months I back-packed around southern Europe then returned. I started working with the guy I grew up with across the country road building decks, fences, building new and renovating houses around Muskoka and the Greater Toronto Area. And I've done it ever since. I've lived in the white collar and blue collar worlds. I can work in both, but if I had to chose, I find working with others for a common goal - making something that lasts - is more satisfying for me. People working together, helping each other as a team is what I like. I find, if you can get with a good group of people, not worry about who gets to be hero or heroine, it's amazing what you can do. The simple life is the best life.

In 2007 an old buddy of mine from BC and I got the crazy idea to journey across Canada in a human-powered vehicle. It ended up we wanted to talk to grade school kids about what they can do in their everyday lives to reduce the impact of Climate Change. We designed, financed, built, and piloted the EcoRocket velomobile on the Kids Can 2007 expedition.

My partner, a marathoner and mountain-climber abandoned the expedition when we reached Toronto on our eastward journey to St. John's, Nfld. Exhausted and almost out of money, I decided to press on alone. I pitched tent along the TCH wherever I could and hoped for the best. You know, you can sleep on gravel if you have to. Thanks to the generous financial support from many friends, I made it to St. John's ahead of schedule. I slept that night on Signal Hill and watched the sunrise. Crashing in fire station beds for a few days, Easson's Transport gave me a lift back to Toronto. Expedition over. Check out the expedition Econauts blog if you're interested. I'm the guy called 'Major Dude'.

Now I live in Seguin Township. When not working on construction sites, I manage Deerwood Forest for my mom, cutting trails and planning a 20 year improvement cut of the forest for the health of the trees, and a flourishing environment for plant and wildlife. It's a really big garden I enjoy sustaining and improving. My HICKWILLY blog is where I write about my woods work these days.

I've been close to death many times and know a complete and utter peace is found at last. So, I say let's enjoy our lives, and help make our paradise on Earth. I know we're not always gonna get along, but at least I try.

The 'One Seguin' Slogan

What do I mean by 'One Seguin'?

I'm a former seasonal resident and now permanent resident of Seguin township (Ward 1).

I've heard people say there's some difference of opinion in the views of seasonal and permenant residents in the township. There's two Seguins.

And I've heard people say there's some difference of opinion between residents in the different wards. There's six Seguins. Twelve Seguins.

And every person I talk to seems to have their own personal Seguin. 15,000 Seguins.

I want to focus on One Seguin. The one we're all a part of - not stuck with. Focus on that reality, embrace the benefit of our positive, diverse aspirations and realize the strength of that diversity. If we all believed the same thing about everything, Seguin would be just too damn boring. We'd all be a bunch of robots.

We also have to get over the false Golden Age that was before the amalgamation. We need to make an effort to understand what it's like to be our neighbours across the whole township. Then be a good neighbour to them - and ourselves.

And when that neighbour borrows your BBQ tongs? Well, they come back clean in an hour with your favourite BBQ chow as a bonus. Cause that's what good neighbours do. And if the BBQ tongs don't come back for six months? Let's not put sugar in their gas tanks - until we get the tongs back. That was a joke.