Quote:
Originally Posted by MolsonExport
Fontana opens ground campaign
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Personally, I'd like to see a change in the mayor's chair. I think JF would likely make a decent, if not good mayor. I have been less than impressed with his campaign however. He seems to be hammering on a lot of issues that are:
1) Non-issues: I recall that he went on a rant a while ago about the mayor's office being renovated, and a gate being installed at the lobby area to prevent anyone from simply walking in and bulldozing right into the mayor's office. This is a common-sense security feature that is absolutely necessary. Joe called it a "barrier to public accessibility to the office of the mayor" and accused A-M DB of elitism. Absolute nonsense. I've seen what happens when the mayor's office does not have such features: crackpots burst in, overpower the receptionist, and chaos ensues.
2) Not as bad as he makes them out to be: Taxes. London has a quite competitive tax/water/sewer rates amongst Ontario cities. That's simply a fact. Could it be better? Sure, it could be the best in the province, but the rates are not the disaster he crows on about - they are in the top third. The municipal price index runs typically at 4% to 6% per year as of late - much higher than the consumer price index. Any tax increase less than the MPI means that the municipality is actually taking a hit of the difference between the actual tax increase and the MPI for that year. So for example, if tax increases have been in the 3% range for the past 5 years, and the MPI has averaged 5% for each of those years, the municipality has effectively taken a 10% cut in revenue over that same 5 year period. Those savings have been found in internal efficiencies. Joe talks about 0% tax increases. In four years that will add up to somewhere between 15% and 20% in internal savings to be found. When asked where that kind of money will be found, he never specifies. That's because it does not exist without drastically cutting services. Considering that half of the City budget is social services and fire/police services... well... good luck!
3) Disingenuous about how much authority he has to change things: Joe is running for mayor in in an Ontario municipality. He talks as he is running for mayor in an American municipality however. In the 'States, the office of mayor has a degree of executive authority. That simply does not exist in Ontario. The mayor is essentially a "councilor at large" who represents the City as a whole and is chairperson of city council. The mayor however doesn't even have a vote on council unless to break a tie! Sure, the mayor can try to set a tone, suggest a path, etc., but if council does not agree the mayor is powerless to stop the will of council as a whole. For Joe to promise that he will "freeze taxes" is simply disingenuous. Council sets the tax rate, and the mayor is but a part of council.
Now, what JF is doing right:
1) Leadership: A-M DB is an OK mayor, as Ontario mayors typically go. However she is not lighting any sparks of inspiration or excitement in anyone. As I said above, the mayor's office is limited in authority, however the position can be used to spark interest & excitement, spin up a synergy, aggressively represent the City elsewhere, and attract business. This is where I feel that JF could accelerate the City's fortunes.
2) The local economy: Again, new blood with a LOT of long-term ties to other branches or government and industry could be of benefit in improving the local economy. This is especially true in the transition to a new economy that is not a heavily reliant on manufacturing. A part of this strategy needs to be emphasizing becoming a centre of excellence in at least 1 or 2 differing sectors of the new economy. Is the City doing this sort of thing now? Yes it is, but the pace could be picked up greatly.
3) Representation with senior levels of government. JF obviously has connections with senior levels of government. This could be very valuable in ensuring that London stays the regional centre it needs to continue being into the future.
The first three items that I mentioned are simply election-fever bluster and makes Joe look silly to those who understand how things work. The last three however actually hold some actual promise. A-M DB has really said little about a future vision other than "steady as she goes", which may be acceptable in a functional sort of way, but is hardly inspirational. As such, I'll be supporting JF.
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