Another tough few weeks for crime. Two homicides to add to a possible record year.
Starting last Friday a stolen car rams police and takes off with pursuit called off. Police were not finished with the subject though as they located them the next day. While executing a search warrant, they located the man and a 10 hour stand-off took place. This is important because police were short all weekend from responding to some other things. The man eventually gave up and faces a load of charges.
In another incident on the same street of Langside, policed executed a search warrant for guns. Suspect led them on a foot chase
Two uniformed Transit workers off duty and near where the Fort Rouge Transit workplaces are were assaulted. Suspect is still out there.
Around the same time someone was assaulted last Saturday on the Osborne Bridge. Police are asking for help with any witnesses.
Various homeowers in St. James and River Heights are confronted and in one case assaulted by break and enter thieves. No police immediate police response. The reason is that they are involved in ever growing multiple officer involved violent incidents.
At midnight last week a 15 year old tried to hold up five people twice with a gun. They fled the first time and the second time stood their ground. He was overpowered by and held for police. The gun was a realistic air pistol.
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Who will you vote for in the the upcoming city election? Me? I haven't a clue.
The mayor's seat is open with Brian Bowman not seeking a third term.
My council seat in St. James is open as the Councillor Scott Gillingham is seeking the mayor's job. It has five registered candidates including one former Councillor and one former mayoral candidate.
For the mayor's job we have 14 candidates including a few Councillors, former mayoral candidates, former MP, former political leader and former mayor.
It is still very early and candidates are still announcing their candidacy and often people don't pay too much attention until after Labour Day. The problem is the fall is so busy and election day will come fast and undecided voters like myself will still be sifting through candidates.
There are five weeks left to the cut off for nominations so some Councillors with no challengers have till then to find out of they are acclaimed. I am not keen on acclamation. Only one time in my ward when I was back in school did that happen. The Councillor was well respected but it struck me as a failure to have an open discussion of ideas. Incumbency scares off would be candidates who have to step down from jobs, sometime permanently to run. I'm not for term limits but is there no way to support a run if a candidate gets a certain percentage of vote?
The real power in civic government lies with the province. And when the province refuses to meet as we saw with the Pallister government, it is hard to run and finance the city or make legislative changes aside from by-laws. Pallister at the stroke of a pen was going to eliminate elected school boards for boards appointed by him. It was probably this move that led to the revolt in his party. Notwithstanding the fact that school boards have the lowest voter turnout and control hundreds of millions, the decision to end them with appointed people loyal to the premier brought out anger.
In Canada, the constitution says local government is the "creature of the provinces" which means we play by rules set by the government of the day. When we vote and what powers our elected officials have are all decided by the province. Education is a shared area with the province which till recent years was largely funded by property tax. The province like much of Canada is moving away from that model but it will take years.
I am looking at whether candidates are firmly rooted in reality. This doesn't mean they can't have vision but if they say they will end homelessness, or cut waste from city government, they had better indicate how. I understand there is a learning curve for those elected. If that is the case then I am looking at skills, knowledge of the issues, an indication that there is a willingness to build a team or work with partners, a scrupulous adherence to honesty and a plan.
The plan is is the most important part. I have voted for candidates in the past for well thought and considered plans. I like to assess if the person is on an ego trip or running to get their brand out there. In other words, do they want the glamour of running and maybe winning but don't have the stamina or wherewithal to sustain actual work. And make no mistake, it is work to attend all those meetings. Governing takes work and it requires making agreement because it requires getting the votes to make decisions.
Lastly, if a mayor wants to be away every weekend, they will miss something like a Remembrance Day and infuriate the public. A mayor and council have to measure their roles as public figures and leaders. Sure, you can go on holiday. Assign someone to stand in, state you will be on holiday and be transparent. And if you intend to quit early, consider not running. The term is four years. Once again, whatever your thoughts on Brian Bowman, he is serving his full term, was transparent that he would not run again and leaves enough time to transition to the next democratically elected leader. Mark that contrast to the province where we have had the premier quit, a byelection called and a leadership convention for a new premier a few years ahead of the next election.
So who to vote for in the next election? Looks to see who best can represent you in council and mayor. Push the candidates to release policy ideas, question their commitment and not let them rely on celebrity or familiarity to put them in office. Hold the media to account by comparing and contrasting candidate experience, policies and overall vision.
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