Municipal Election Candidates

MAYORAL CANDIDATES

Joe Fontana
Contact: info@joefontana.ca (email),
519 667-0111 (office)

Issues:
Alcohol fueled incidents and students image: “It's unfair to tarnish all students as it's a small percentage that lack respect. We need to take a proactive approach to this issue.”

Importance of Fanshawe students to the community: “They are a great asset. The young people want change and they are the future of our city. I am a great fan of Fanshawe and community colleges everywhere.”

Importance of student's voting: “It is mind boggling that they don't get involved. The young people are the one's interested in international affairs, environmental issues, and economical issues, they are engaged in it. If they feel and mean it, why not exercise their right.”

Parking and public transit: “We need more bicycle paths, and racks on buses. Accessible and affordable public transit needs to be available at key times, especially downtown at 2 a.m. for students.”

Why students should vote for him: “I have 18 years experience, 12 in government. I plan on using my experience and knowledge to make London a great place to live.”

Ivan Kasiurak
Contact: 1917@primus.ca (email), 519 673-4954 (office)

Issues:
Alcohol fueled incidents and students image: “The students that are drinking and fighting have a problem with alcohol and if they continue to drink these matters will only escalate. My solution is this; I cannot do anything to stop this it is up to the individual. I would not treat a student any different than any other citizen of London, no preferential treatment for anyone. Each individual must take responsibility for their own actions.”

Importance of Fanshawe students to the community: “They are important to London for the economy and for the betterment of London. London cannot paint all the students with the same brush. As mayor of London I would meet with the student council on a regular basis to see how we can improve the image.”

Importance of student's voting: “In China lived the wisest man that ever lived no one could fool him. One day a young boy knocked on his door, and said wise man I have a bird in my hand is it dead or alive. The wise man said if I say the bird is dead he will open his hand and the bird will fly, if I say the bird is alive he will squash it and kill it. Now being the wise man that he was he said young boy, today the bird is in your hand. Students mark the X for Ivan as the bird is in your hand.”

Why students should vote for him: “I have plans to lower the property taxes in four years to the lowest in Canada.”

Arthur Majoor
Contact: building.communities@gmail.com (email), 519 434-5546 (home)

Issues:
Alcohol fueled incidents and students image: “It is unfortunate that a small minority of people are tarnishing the image of students at both Fanshawe and UWO. Many of these problems can be addressed through the deployment of law enforcement and city bylaw enforcement resources in areas where these problems take place.”

Importance of Fanshawe students to the community: “Students represent the future of London. They bring new perspectives, outside viewpoints and entrepreneurial energy to the city, and should be encouraged to live and work in the city both while in school and after graduation.”

Importance of student's voting: “This is one of the most important decisions students will make. In the last election, only 38 per cent of Londoners cast a ballot. Students becoming involved means they will be involved in making the decisions that affect all of us for the next four years. Become involved and take charge of your destiny.”

Parking and public transit: “I would support the efforts of the LTC to improve and modernize mass transit, including continuing the provision of bus passes to the student bodies of Fanshawe and UWO, introducing “Bus Rapid Transit” and other means to reduce the number of cars on the road. Students should be encouraged to move to transit from personal cars to save their own money and help the city deal with transit and infrastructure in a responsible manner.”

Why students should vote for him: “I would like to offer a different vision of government, one which concentrates on means rather than ends.”

Anne Marie DeCicco-Best
Contact: ADeCicco-Best@london.ca (email), 519 319-1121 (office)

Cynthia Etheridge
Contact: etheridgecv@aol.com (email), 519 432-9009 (home)

Matthew L. R. Shantz
Contact: matthew.shantz@hotmail.com (email), 519 619-5302 (office)

WARD 3 CANDIDATES

Rod Morley
Contact: rmorley1@sympatico.ca (email), 519 434-1859 (home)

Issues:
Alcohol fueled incidents and students image: “Students do have to realize that London has opened its arms and has accepted them wholeheartedly. With that acceptance comes the responsibility for all Fanshawe students to act like the adults they are. Londoners aren't looking for saints but neither should homeowners have to witness police cars coming to their neighbourhoods every weekend. However, I don't have something up my butt as our current councilor does on this issue.”

Importance of Fanshawe students to the community: “I think that Fanshawe and Western students bring a lot to this community and we would be poorer without them. I will always be looking for ways to make the flood of young and creative minds that we see each September to feel more welcomed and wishing to contribute to London.”

Importance of student's voting: “I believe it is PARAMOUNT for students to get involved in the Democratic Process. That being said, I am freely admitting that us as politicians, have much work to do to restore the tarnished image that politicians have been rightfully perceived with.”

Why students should vote for them: “I am a reasonable politician, I look for consensus and cooperation not confrontation.”

Bernie MacDonald
Contact: 519 630-8968 (business), 519 453-2231 (home)

David Wagner
Contact: davejohnpatwagner@hotmail.com (email), 519 709-4780 (home)

BOARD OF CONTROL CANDIDATES

Tim Gatten
Contact: tim.gatten@real.ca (email), 519 852-2656 (office)

Issues:
Alcohol fueled incidents and students image: “I would hold the minority of students accountable. In four years as a teacher at Fanshawe I have been impressed with their maturity, and for the most part they are good kids. I have great amounts of confidence for this generation.”

Importance of Fanshawe students to the community: “Students mean a lot to the community. They bring youth, vitality and are the potential future workforce. They represent London well and create a strong economic employee base.”

Importance of student's voting: “When working in the Canadian Citizenship office I spoke to individuals who risked their lives for the privilege to vote. Students need to think proactively and think of their future and their future families.”

Parking and public transit: “I believe in promoting and developing the best public transit. We need creative solutions to problems through reasonable and meaningful dialogue with the stakeholders.”

Why students should vote for him: “I've been involved in public service my entire career. I want to be the one held accountable to better help this city. I believe in honesty and integrity, and my students trust me.”

John Walsh
Contact: jwalsh2@uwo.ca (email), 519 673-3612 (home)

Issues: Alcohol fueled incidents and students image: “Establish a committee to police the actions of students. This can include members from the College, from the police, and from the city. I am sure that if the rules established and debated by the committee are presented to the student body, many of the problems will cease.”

Importance of Fanshawe students to the community: “Students from either Fanshawe or Western are the future of the city and the source of research, development, and future families. You will become (and presently are) useful citizens to this great city of ours. We need you much more than you need us.”

Importance of student's voting: “You are a citizen and so we should be operating it for you. But you must get involved either through committees or through websites to tell city government of your concerns.”

Parking and public transit: “We need better public transit so that students (and everybody else) can leave that cars at home and use this transportation.”

Why students should vote for him: “I think that politicians tell you what they will do for you. Politicians are your servants. They should do what you tell them as long as it acceptable and legal. You are the boss. We will try to carry out your wishes. This means that there will need to be more committees to develop the structure, rules and performance for government.”

Brian Rice
Contact: brianrice@sympatico.ca (email), 519 438-9600 (home)

Issues:
Alcohol fueled incidents and students image: “I realize that there are going to be some drinking problems. Higher fines and police presence are only a solution when people are into violent behaviour.”

Importance of Fanshawe students to the community: “Students are huge in London both financially and socially. If we can convince even [significant population] to stay and work in London we would have a foundation of growth into the future - and a much more vibrant social scene.”

Parking and public transit: “We have a great bus system. It is not a fun answer, but I think any effort to convince young people that owning a car is a pain in the ass will pay off in the future.”

Why students should vote for him: “London is a mid sized city with great social and environmental potential. City Hall should not be controlled by a Big Business "old boys " club.”

Milyn Hall
Contact: smilynhall@yahoo.com (email)

Issues:
Alcohol fueled incidents and students image: “Young adults or those who participate in, beyond wild behavior are shirking their responsibilities to their families they live with or if they are away from home, testing the limits of societal norms or acceptability's is normal in this 50 plus year old consumer age we live in.”

Importance of Fanshawe students to the community: “Students and their infrastructures are an Economy unto it's self. It is an income generator in the city. The caliber of the town would be far less without.”

Importance of student's voting: “It is absolutely imperative that you get informed and participate in voting in the election to be formative in your character and outlook in life while you are here, you don't have to vote for every position, if you are not well enough informed.”

Parking and public transit: “Many of today's students are fortunate to have vehicles to park and drive while in study here in London. The planning issues must provide the proper allocation on site for parking or collateral street or private lot parking, etc. for these student facilities.”

Why students should vote for him: “Welcome, London has much to offer. Our parkland system is of special interest to me and I invite you to look forward to being involved with a new chapter in the association of these facilities in an adjusted recreational infrastructure at our largest and oldest river side parks connecting wards 8-9-10.”

Gord Hume
Contact: gord@gordhume.com (email), 519 657-7755

Issues:
Alcohol fueled incidents and students image: “I believe that 99.9 per cent of students at Fanshawe are bright, law-abiding and welcome in London. The .1 per cent that misbehave should face the full consequences of their actions—theft, vandalism, drinking in public, wild parties, whatever it might be are just not acceptable to Londoners. Their law-breaking dramatically and negatively affect the otherwise positive image of Fanshawe College and its student population. I find those bad things done by such a few to be very sad, but their actions will not be tolerated. The Police presence will be expanded as necessary.”

Importance of Fanshawe students to the community: “Students mean a tremendous amount to the City of London and I welcome their active participation in the community. Students bring vitality and energy to London, and their creative minds and enthusiasm are most welcome as we develop London into the kind of city we want. They also have economic clout.”

Importance of student's voting: “Fanshawe students can play a really critical role in London's future, as well as their own economic success—and that is why it is so important for students to vote and participate in this year's municipal election. This is a unique opportunity to help shape our community and neighbourhoods for the future.”

Parking and public transit: “The Creative City Task Force report which the city adopted last year outlines a very exciting Vision and Action Plan for London. I started and chaired that group, and the recommendations have now been adopted by City Council. The report offers a really bold and vibrant vision for London. Fanshawe College was a major contributor to that report, and the college has endorsed the recommendations.”

Why students should vote for him: “I am proud to be the leader of this continuing effort to implement the recommendations, and I welcome community and student participation.”

Joshua Hurwitz
Contact: Joshua@hurwitz.ca (email), 519 701-2050 (office)

Issues:
Alcohol fueled incidents and students image: “The press and the police need to recognize that "students" are not some cohesive demographic group but rather a large number of individuals, the vast majority of whom are responsible adults. The police need to focus not on targeting "students" but rather violent, destructive or persistent nuisance behaviour, from all sources. The police must be more proactive in dealing with the student population, and better social links need to be created between the student and non-student community. Insularity and animosity must be replaced by mutual understanding and co-operation.”

Importance of Fanshawe students to the community: “Students are not only a huge economic force in the city and a large part of the population, but students also represent current and future activists, entrepreneurs and artists. The social value of students in the city is immense. The City needs to be responsive to issues that are important to students, like housing, transportation, and jobs.”

Importance of student's voting: “It is essential that students vote in the election. Many decisions are made at Council that profoundly affect how students live our day-to-day lives.”

Parking and public transit: “I will work to lift parking restrictions, including the current ban on overnight parking.”

Why students should vote for him: “As a student myself, I know that students are concerned about issues like transportation, housing and jobs. I will bring a strong student voice and a fresh, innovative perspective to our Board of Control.“

Russ Monteith
Contact: vote@russmontheith.ca (email), 519 871-2500 (office)

Bud Polhill
Contact: 519 455-1920 (office)

Tom Gosnell
Contact: tgosnell@rogers.com (email), 519 850-7070 (office)

Gina Barber
Contact: ginabarber@rogers.com (email), 519 471-8637 (office)