www.electbob.ca was
originally created to aid my failed election campaign for a seat on the Region of Waterloo
Council.
The purpose of the website was to provide a forum for election and civic issues
but there were no debates or candidate meetings in 2006.
My thought was that the
website would introduce my civic ideas and attract votes.
But, now it is 2010 another civic election will occur later this year
..... and time to look at the same old issues.
For background on some of the issues, visit
www.bobmcmullen.ca - devoted to
local municipal issues
- trail information for Cambridge, Ontario and American rail trails : www.trailguy.com
- a photo album website devoted to trails that I have cycled in Canada and USA: www.bobmcmullen.info
Cambridge Trans Canada Trail pavilion 1995 Grand Trunk trail mowing 10 year volunteer award from Mayor Craig & Councillor Price
And now back to local politics. Yes, there was an municipal election on November 11, 2006 in which I and several other candidates were soundly trounced by the two long serving politicians who were re-elected to the Region of Waterloo Council. The ballot allowed two votes for Councillors, or plumping.
John Florence 10.8% [3920] Bob McMullen 10.6% [3854] Uwe Kretschmann 8.7% [3184]
The
results probably reflect two major aspects of municipal politics:
[1] the importance of
name recognition and
[2] seniors tend to vote more frequently than other age groups.
- Would I do it again, knowing the results? Yes, I still have the same concerns!
- Will I use some of my campaign materials to highlight developing issues? Yes, for certain!
I am still concerned about several
aspects of both Regional and Cambridge Councils:
[1] what did candidates say and how did they vote on those issues at
Council -
[2] how did Councillors vote on critical issues - recorded votes are so
rare they should be put on the endangered species list.
[3] Is Council providing long term planning leadership to meet past,
current and future Cambridge needs?
ISSUE #! - Transportation Network: Evidently Cambridge Council has more concern for "poop pipe" capacity (sewage) in their new idustrial parks than for traffic issues.
more industrial buildings = more
employees = more cars each day
But what genuine actions has Council taken over the last 4 years to deal with
the issue?
The DTNR plan is set to lapse by
2011 and virtually no planning towards an integrated traffic network has been
done since the rejection of CARSS.
So what? Well in you live on either Cedar St. or Concession, the industrial
traffic will only increase while today's children grow into adults.
Cambridge Councils have in the past rejected any planning options that would
reduce traffic volumes .... it will only get worse.
http://bobmcmullen.ca/road_bypass.htm