Ward System Oshawa

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18903804559635472602012-02-17T15:15:07.840-05:00Ward System OshawaOur group and this blog is set up to represent the vast majority of Oshawa residents who support local representation in municipal government. We urge all those who agree with our views to contact us and work with us to make sure that local representation remains a vital part of municipal government in Oshawa.Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.comBlogger341100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-91101780203808224582008-01-16T22:50:00.000-05:002008-01-16T22:58:30.037-05:00Blog Archived

This blog will continue to be made available as a resource for those who wish information on the Oshawa Ward System versus General Vote issue. Please feel free to review the various posts. You may use information contained in the posts with appropriate attribution. No further posts will be added to the archive unless the issue is revisited during the remainder of the term of Oshawa City Council.

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-33712522725965464642007-03-19T09:08:00.000-05:002007-03-19T11:13:15.456-05:00So it begins...

One of the reasons used by Ward System supporters to oppose the general vote was that it makes it much easier to reduce the number of Oshawa representatives on Durham Regional Council. When we raised this issue, we were insulted and told that we were fear mongers. Those supporting general vote just laughed off our concerns and march on over our objections.Well, it now appears that we were right

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-35577888504032091902007-03-19T08:32:00.000-05:002007-03-19T09:02:24.468-05:00Picking Daisies....

We all remember the old children's game where you picked off the petals of the Daisy, while chanting, " She loves me, she loves me not".Well, it appears from some new information from the City of Oshawa solicitor, Mr. Lon Knox, that the decision regarding the method of election will look at lot similar.According to Mr. Knox, changes to the Municipal Act have left the final decision on method of

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-65148410615020584882007-03-16T17:18:00.000-05:002007-03-16T17:22:51.195-05:00Trustee By-Election Information

If you have the chance, please pass this on!O'Neill Collegiate School Community Council is hosting a public forum for all registered trustee candidates on Wednesday March 21st 2007 at O'Neill from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Entry to the school is through the Mary Street Parking Lot doors into the gym foyers and walk up to the second floor (main level) to the auditorium.The format is as follows:Each

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-45398860200500432362007-03-12T18:06:00.000-05:002007-03-12T18:10:34.463-05:00Volunteers Needed!!

As we move towards the public meeting, we are looking for volunteers to circulate petitions and distribute flyers in your neighbhourhood.It is vitally important that residents become aware of this issue and the impact a bad decision can have on the future of Oshawa and your family.The best way to marshall support is personal contact through flyers and petitions. April 19th is fast

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-67152128183637379322007-03-12T11:57:00.000-05:002007-03-12T12:01:10.555-05:00Don't forget to visit other sites.

Other sites are available for viewing on the issue of ward system versus general vote.Please view our links and take the time to view other sites on this important issue.Oshawa Speaks ( see link) even has on-line petitions for your participation in this debate.We urge you to pass on the addresses of all sites to your friends, neighbours and work associates.

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-86001186357347849072007-03-05T19:41:00.000-05:002007-03-05T20:01:13.443-05:00Public Meeting, April 19th 2007

April 19th 2007 7:00 PMSikorski HallWe have just received notice that the City has selected the date of APRIL 19th 2007 for the public meeting on the ward versus general vote system. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM at the General W. Sikorski Polish Veterans’ Hall on Stevenson Road North ( access from Taunton Road).It is unfortunate that this site was chosen as it presents a very large challenge

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-68884388242742527212007-03-05T12:23:00.000-05:002007-03-05T12:40:07.881-05:00Why not vote again on April 2nd?

Former Councillor David Conway has an interesting take on the ward versus general vote issue.His thoughts can be found in an Oshawa This Week column located at http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/voices/column/story/3900132p-4510848c.htmlHis column makes a lot of sense and only political expediency stops this from happening.If those in favour of the general vote had confidence that the public would

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-92167178004545174322007-02-26T13:04:00.000-05:002007-02-26T13:09:41.006-05:00Understanding Democracy

A great article from Reuben Roth in the Oshawa This Week Newspaper.http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/voices/column/story/3893135p-4502243c.htmlMr. Roth hits the nail on the head when he states it is the responsibility of elected representatives to act as "check and balance" to popular opinion. It is nice to see a resident standing up and urging Councillors to take principled stand.It's not just

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-61240247186047967382007-02-26T11:02:00.000-05:002007-02-26T12:18:13.330-05:00Who can afford to run for office?

Previous articles explained the problems caused by the high cost of campaigns under the general vote system.To take it further, we decided to cost compare running city wide under general vote with the costs of running in a ward.The average competative campaign sends out 3 brochures, has signs representing about 5% of total households, a couple of ads in the local media and phone calls to

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-13119454494858649682007-02-25T14:51:00.000-05:002007-02-25T17:41:17.490-05:00Will you have a Councillor?

A lot of questions have been raised in previous posts about the impact of certain neighbourhoods on the final results in general vote elections.Fears have been raised that the general vote system will result in more influence for areas with higher population and higher turnout and less or absent influence for those who have low population or lower turnout.We decided to put this fear to the test

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-82660031474721158892007-02-24T14:13:00.000-05:002007-02-25T14:47:56.784-05:00Money Versus Hard Work!

In the recent election, a lot of controversy was raised over the impact of the development industry and its political contributions on municipal election campaigns.A lot of voters expressed the concern that developers had too much influence on candidates and some even charged that developers had bought off councils by their donations.Under the general vote, the influence of money is even more

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-90581864595018763822007-02-24T11:55:00.000-05:002007-02-24T12:55:36.868-05:00Will General Vote Change Council?

A number of emails have suggested that the prime motivation for those supporting a return to the general vote is unhappiness over Council decisions and the perception that a change in system will hasten the defeat of certain members of Council.We have seen a number of letters to the editor indicating that giving everyone the vote on every candidate will eliminate those who some feel only

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-7738323224419281252007-02-19T14:26:00.000-05:002007-02-19T14:33:37.595-05:00Language translations available

In keeping with our policy of providing as much infomation as possible to Oshawa residents, we have created copies of our information flyer in Italian, French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese and Greek. We also have the ability to translate any of our weblog articles into those languages.We believe that democracy is best served by an informed voting electorate. Language translations

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-38627063633963283622007-02-18T10:54:00.000-05:002007-02-18T11:27:22.734-05:00A Divided City?

We received an email message yesterday from a citizen who indicated that they supported the general vote system because it would end the North-South Divide within the City.I was amazed at that comment for it was the general vote system that created the divide in the first place. For those who are new to Oshawa or were not residents prior to the ward system being implemented in 1984, a little

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-74424678631672619772007-02-17T08:55:00.002-05:002007-02-17T10:00:34.172-05:00Defying Logic....

There are two distinct positions on the referendum process.The first is that it was a clear and unequivocal expression of the preference of the residents of Oshawa and must be implemented immediately.The second is that the question on the ballot coupled with a lack of information on the merits of the options resulted in confusion and a tainted result that should be investigated further before any

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-9862613528857041002007-02-15T10:47:00.002-05:002007-02-15T13:01:52.078-05:00What is a Referendum?

A lot of people, including some on City Council and in the media, are confused regarding the intent of referendum in municipal government.Many believe that referenda are binding votes which compels the Council to implement the results of the vote regardless of turnout or result. That is simply not the case.Referenda are requests for opinion, nothing more. They are similar to a public opinion poll

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-27747614699215034232007-02-14T14:35:00.000-05:002007-02-14T14:42:28.032-05:00Just DO the RIGHT thing

Oshawa This Week reporter Jillian Follert has written a clear message to City Council to support the retention of the ward system.Here is her columnhttp://www.durhamregion.com/dr/voices/column/story/3879407p-4487381c.html

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-83548752627671882902007-02-10T11:32:00.000-05:002007-02-10T12:32:34.596-05:00Information Flyer for Oshawa residents

Ward System Oshawa has prepared an information flyer to assist residents in understanding the impact of losing the ward system method of electing Oshawa's Council.We urge you to forward the flyer by email to all your friends and associates, and encourage them to do so as well. Also feel free to print as many copies of our flyer as you would like and distribute in your neighbourhood, to any

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-64709280478950874402007-02-07T17:45:00.000-05:002007-02-07T18:04:45.285-05:00Let's have a civil debate

The debate over the ward system versus general vote method of election has taken a decidedly nasty turn.We have seen a number of letters to the editor attacking ward system supporters, including myself, personally and with a number of unsubstantiated charges. In fact, some of the attacks are simply fabrications aimed at trying to discredit us, and thus by extension, our positions.Normally, I have

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-77053037933582105332007-02-05T13:55:00.000-05:002007-02-05T13:57:41.843-05:00An Interesting Column from Oshawa This Week

This column offers a clear viewpoint on why the ward system should be retained.http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/voices/column/story/3869085p-4475941c.html

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-25313725805938615192007-02-04T08:16:00.000-05:002007-02-04T08:23:55.266-05:00Councillor surveying city residents

Councillor John Henry is surveying city residents about the ward system versus general vote issue. It's unfortunate that he waited until after he voted to support general vote.His survey is located athttp://www.councillorhenry.ca/ward_system.htmIf you are so inclined, take the time to visit his site and complete the survey. Perhaps if enough support for the ward system is noted, Councillor Henry

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-62871177562167470852007-02-04T07:57:00.000-05:002007-02-04T08:05:24.649-05:0030 Reasons to support the Ward System

30 Reasons Why Wards Are Better Than An At-Large System In OshawaIn Niagara Falls, Ontario, during a 2000 ballot referendum, the majority of citizens voted in favour of retaining the ward system. But because less than 50% of eligible voters turned out at the polls, the city council was legally able to ignore the results of the referendum (even though they were elected by the same people). A

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-90508114535792965132007-02-04T07:28:00.000-05:002007-02-04T07:56:45.767-05:00Oshawa is not alone

Other Communities are also having this debate. Here are a few links to sites talking about the merits of the ward system in their communities.Niagara Fallshttp://www.web.net/~jwing/issues/ward.htmlhttp://www.web.net/~afederow/issues/ward.htmlGuelphhttp://www.goforwards.ca/press.htmlhttp://www.guelphcivicleague.ca/page.php?p=69http://www.guelphcivicleague.ca/Topics/Wards_and_Neighbourhoodshttp://

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-79924908681781228262007-02-02T17:25:00.001-05:002007-02-02T17:56:04.423-05:00Council report questions OMB appeal process

When the Ward System was brought to Oshawa in 1984, it was not done by a referendum nor a vote of City Council but by an order of the Ontario Municipal Board after a lengthy public hearing.Even after a referendum in 1982, City Council did not support a ward system for Oshawa. It took an appeal by citizens to allow for a full public discussion of the issue. Thank God, we had an opportunity to

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-7901070859234430232007-01-23T17:02:00.000-05:002007-01-23T19:26:47.886-05:00Opening City Council's Mailbag

City Council has received a lot of letters on this issue since their recent decision became public.One of the most interesting is from Reuben Roth. Mr. Roth's letter is as follows: Reuben N. Roth30 Connaught StreetOshawa, ON L1G 2G9Tel: 905-579-6578Email: rroth@oise.utoronto.caJanuary 23, 2007Dear Mayor and Councillors: I’m writing in support of retaining Oshawa’s ward system of representation

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-73349260542874858092007-01-23T12:56:00.000-05:002007-01-23T16:25:51.312-05:00Are you really getting what you want?

We have seen a number of posts from individuals who are under the impression that voting in a general vote system will give them the power to influence the make up of Council and to get rid of members of the current Council who they personally feel should be replaced.I won't comment on the personal attacks other than to indicate that all Councillors have supporters and detractors. The longer you

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-55205168488250152712007-01-21T20:33:00.000-05:002007-01-21T20:38:48.649-05:00A Youth Viewpoint

In the last election, a group of young residents of our city took it upon themselves to participate and make their views known. Many of them were too young to vote but put their older confreres to shame by their involvment.The Youth Council has sent a letter from their chair, Mackenzie Moreau to Council outlining their views and expressing the point that the at-large vote system is deterimental

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-9967515622120028052007-01-21T15:13:00.000-05:002007-02-07T18:08:41.004-05:00Oshawa Speaks website

Community groups are forming to support the retention of the ward system in Oshawa. In the 1980's, Ward System Now! led by Bill Longworth spearheaded the fight to bring accountable local representation to Oshawa. Now Mr. Longworth has stepped forward to again fight for the ward system.His site is located at http://www.oshawaspeaks.caWe have also provided a link to Mr. Longworth's site on the

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-2568232059555816242007-01-19T11:16:00.000-05:002007-01-19T11:44:49.246-05:00A Very Informative Letter

Prior to voting to eliminate local representation in Oshawa, City Council received a letter from Mr. Bill Longworth, chair of Ward System Now!, a group formed in the 1980's to bring the ward system method of election to our city.Here is a copy of the letter sent by Mr. Longworth. ( Click on image to increase its size and make it easier to read.)Page 1Page 2Page 3Comments on the points made by Mr.

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-48387148411772744802007-01-18T14:00:00.000-05:002007-01-18T14:05:32.593-05:00Update in Oshawa This Week

Oshawa This Week has written a story outlining this blog and our plans to support the retention of the ward system in Oshawa.The story can be read at http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/regions/oshawa/story/3847432p-4451860c.htmlAs it indicated we are looking for volunteers to help collect signatures opposing the change away from ward election. Those interested in supporting our activities please

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-73996192791754188032007-01-17T15:54:00.000-05:002007-01-17T16:07:06.158-05:00Letters to the Editor

Many residents have asked us how to send letters to the editor.You can send by mail or by email. A personal letter with a return address is a very effective method of communicating your views. Make sure that your name, address and phone number are included in the letter ( it is better following the signature and not in the body of the letter to ensure privacy). Some newspapers limit the length of

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-18439104547535114832007-01-17T10:51:00.000-05:002007-01-17T11:12:01.611-05:00Report of Council meetings

Oshawa This Week has printed a story on the Council meeting. Here is the link to the story site.http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/regions/oshawa/story/3844352p-4448601c.htmlThe phones are starting to ring and concerned citizens are stepping to offer support to our position.We are urging everyone who believes in local representation to contact their Council members. There email addresses and phone

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1890380455963547260.post-27005700844609943042007-01-16T09:53:00.000-05:002007-01-16T10:14:49.197-05:00A dark day for Democray

January 15, 2007 will be remembered as a dark day for local democracy in Oshawa. Following a confusing referendum vote, Oshawa City Council voted to eliminate the ward system as a method of election in our city.Despite the claims of many citizens and community groups that the referendum question was confusing and misleading, Oshawa has taken a step backwards.Council is embarking on a process

Councillor Brian Nicholsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15393748818128596623noreply@blogger.com6