10 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

Image courtesy of http://www.frankleonard.ca/

Mayor Frank Leonard is seeking re-election as Mayor of Saanich in 2011.

Political affiliations: not available
Campaign website: http://www.frankleonard.ca/
Resident of: Saanich

[Model80]

The sewage treatment issue is one of the reasons that Frank Leonard does not deserve to be elected Mayor again. This is an issue that has the potential to cost every Saanich taxpayer anywhere from $200 to $800 per year in additional taxes. We need strong representation at that table to get to the right answer.

Mayor Leonard was at that table in the beginning and then backed away, sending in a weak Councillor (Wayne Hunter) as his delegate. It would appear the Mayor saw a contentious issue but didn't have the guts to stand up and be counted.

Mayor Leonard may have wished to distance himself from a contentious issue, but he wasn't doing the job that taxpayers want and expect. Mayor Leonard needs to go.

[rjag]

The sewage treatment issue is one of the reasons that Frank Leonard does not deserve to be elected Mayor again. This is an issue that has the potential to cost every Saanich taxpayer anywhere from $200 to $800 per year in additional taxes. We need strong representation at that table to get to the right answer.

Mayor Leonard was at that table in the beginning and then backed away, sending in a weak Councillor (Wayne Hunter) as his delegate. It would appear the Mayor saw a contentious issue but didn't have the guts to stand up and be counted.

Mayor Leonard may have wished to distance himself from a contentious issue, but he wasn't doing the job that taxpayers want and expect. Mayor Leonard needs to go.

And you think Cubberly is going to fight it? Think of the alternative and make your decision on how to vote carefully as somehow I think Saanich will be shafted for much more than that if someone like Cubberly gets in....

[Sparky]

^^ Welcome to Vibrant Victoria Model80. There has been quite a bit of discussion on sewage treatment on this forum. Feel free to browse.

[spanky123]

The sewage treatment issue is one of the reasons that Frank Leonard does not deserve to be elected Mayor again. This is an issue that has the potential to cost every Saanich taxpayer anywhere from $200 to $800 per year in additional taxes. We need strong representation at that table to get to the right answer.

Mayor Leonard was at that table in the beginning and then backed away, sending in a weak Councillor (Wayne Hunter) as his delegate. It would appear the Mayor saw a contentious issue but didn't have the guts to stand up and be counted.

Mayor Leonard may have wished to distance himself from a contentious issue, but he wasn't doing the job that taxpayers want and expect. Mayor Leonard needs to go.

Looks like the NDP "letterwriters" are hard at it. Mayor Leonard has been an outspoken opponent of capital expenditures of any type being thrust on municipalities without stakeholder consultation. He is routinely on CFAX and other media stating such.

If this is how Cubberly conducts a campaign then no way does he get my vote.

[Model80]

You have jumped to an incorrect conclusion. I am neither an NDP person (actually, I don't belong to any political party) and I am not in any way associated with David Cubberley. In fact, I didn't mention his name.

You have also missed my point, so I'll explain. Being an "outspoken opponent of capital expenditures" is easy when done it away from the fray - such as on the radio. There has never been a politician at any governmental level who hasn't spoken out against expenses. When it is general rhetoric, it is meaningless.

However, the rubber meets the road when the politician has to be directly involved in a contentious issue, and must stand on one side or another knowing that whatever they choose someone is not going to like them. That is what the sewage issue has been and it is why Mayor Leonard got as far away as he could, as fast as he could.

And that is where Mayor Leonard, with his "don't rock the boat" approach, falls down. It is also why we have a city still working from a forty year old vision. You can't have a new vision when the Mayor doesn't have the jam to stand up and be counted.

Your response makes me wonder if Mayor Leonard has his own "letter writers".

[rjag]

Hi Model, my reference to Cubberly is only in regards to the fact that he is the only other contender for the Mayors seat....thats all.

However I do think that term limits need to be considered as most of these councillors throughout the region are stale and are dragging the region down

Cheers:)

[Mike K.]

I am not in any way associated with David Cubberley. In fact, I didn't mention his name.

It's a two man race. Who other than Cubberly could you have been referring to?

Welcome to VV, btw

However I do think that term limits need to be considered as most of these councillors throughout the region are stale and are dragging the region down

Truer words were never spoken.

[Model80]

It's a two man race. Who other than Cubberly could you have been referring to?

Welcome to VV, btw

Been away but paraphrasing what the little girl said in that scary movie "I'm baaaaaack."

Thanks for the welcome. I quite like the site.

You're sort of right about "who other than Cubberley" because I guess the conclusion can be made by default (I think we're all agreed Shebib's a non-starter) when there's no other choice.

What I was saying (not too well) was that I just don't think Leonard has the right stuff. However, it doesn't automatically mean I'm pushing Cubberley. To be honest, I'm still learning about him.

[Sparky]

Shebib is a place where disgruntled right wing voters can go to exercise their democratic demons, as opposed to not voting.

[Model80]

I see that Mayor Leonard has been "given" support by two of the city's unions. Voters should think carefully about those endorsements.

I have spent time as a union member and as a management person and, in those roles, have been on both sides of various union/management tables. One thing has always been very clear.

Unions don't give anything away. There is always a quid pro quo.

That's not a fault or criticism of unions. It's just a fact and a reasonable expectation. Any union's role is always to improve things for the membership and that's done by old-fashioned trading. "You give this to our membership and we'll give you that."

And, of course, management accomplishes its goals in the same manner. "If you want that for your membership, I want this in return."