Election heating up

Burlington's election is heating up, and it will be interesting to watch the fall-out from the latest publicity about Jack Dennison (ward four) and Cam Jackson (mayoralty candidate).

 

The Spectator reported that Dennison's taxes for 2005 and 2006, in the amount of $335,000 are still unpaid. The taxes are from his company, Cedar Springs Health, Racquet and Sportsclub. According to the report he let his taxes lapse during club expansion rather than borrow. For a councillor running for re-election on a platform of fiscal responsibility that's an oxymoron. Legal, yes. Ethical? You judge. To my mind a councillor or mayor should operate to a higher standard than others, and set an example, not use the system.

 

 

Dennison is a bright guy - one of the quickest minds on council, but surely he can see how taxpayers would be aggravated. If we all withheld our taxes Burlington would have to borrow just to keep the city afloat. According to the article about eight other businesses are in the same tax situation.

 

He earns $84,311 as councillor, and that will jump to $87,168 December 1st if he's re-elected.  Because his company is under contract to provide recreational services to the city, he also receives city income from contract fees. And a side issue - often he has to declare a conflict of interest, and cannot participate in discussions or vote on recreational issues because of this.

 

In a discussion among half a dozen friends, opinion was split. Most thought he would still be re-elected easily, but one was convinced there would be an "anybody-but-Dennison" reaction. Four others are running in ward  four - Industrial sales rep and 20-year resident, Ross Hicks, successful businessman, and president of Burlington Oldtimers' Hockey, Frank McKeown, environmental company employee and community volunteer Jeff Rottar, and Halton welfare case worker and volunteer John Versluis (taking an unpaid leave from Halton during the campaign). All are very credible. Check their web sites at www.burlington.ca and follow the links to elections.

 

The other interesting web site is www.anybodybutcamformayor.blogspot.com , obviously not established by a Cam Jackson fan club. One part is captioned "because the steaks are too high". It's become the topic of conversation in coffee shops and at social gatherings, and has had a lot of postings.

 

It will be interesting, election night, to see if these issues translate into voter anger.

 

Please, turn out and vote Monday.

 

Comments

[North Halton Volunteer]

A Few Different Views on a Few Things from the North at

http://www.thehaltonherald.ca/page2.html

http://www.thehaltonherald.ca/

http://www.thehaltonherald.ca/phpnuke/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=39

Happy New Year

[Bernie]

Thanks for the update. We ran an informal poll and according to our poll, Rick Burgess will be the next mayor of Burlington. But, then again, our poll shows Steven Kolcun will be in second place! Keep up the great blogging.

www.MyBurlington.info