Clr David Mitchell's plans to set up a booth at the Winona Peach Festival, is raising questions as the festival has historically remained non-political and non-religious. Political campaigning is frowned upon. Mitchell argues that the purpose of the booth is to secure signatures on a petition which he plans to present to council, for a new rec centre in Winona.
In a statement, Winona resident Ken Chartrand, contender for Ward 11 writes "The Winona Peach Festival is a very important part of our community's history and it's one of the things that makes
Brenda Johnson, a recently registered ward 11 contender, as quoted in the Stoney Creek news also questions the timing of the push, adding that "I guess an election is around the corner".
Chartrand added " I will not have a booth and will not be campaigning. We want to keep the Winona Peach Festival a community-first event. " Johnson also has indicated that she will not have a booth at the festival.
Clr Mitchell, is no stranger to controversy having been censured by Hamilton City Council for trying to influence a council decision on his own property. A previous council also censured Mitchell for trying to use his position for getting out of a speeding ticket.
Do you think Clr. Mitchell 's plan for a booth is in good taste?
Hamiltonian Staff
Note: At the time of this post, the Stoney Creek News stories do not appear to be available ion their web site yet. If you would like to check their site in the near future for the stories, this is their link
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The interesting thing abou the petition, whcih i have a copy of, is that it really isnt a petition. It is just a sheet asking for name, adrss, email and phone. Nothing on this sheet indicates it is a petition or anything to do with a potential rec centre. It looks more like a list to gather email addresses for an election. Things that make you go hmmmm.
ReplyDeleteWhat a ham-fisted way to get votes, and harvest e-mail addresses. At least voters have a choice in Mitchell's ward, many ward councillors are about to be acclaimed. Democracy is slowly passing away in Hamilton, it's already on life support. I cry for my city. People have to get out and vote, or be the architects of their own demise.
ReplyDeleteWhat in the Hell is going on with these people,do not worry about going to council with the idea of trying to gain support for the funds to build a new recreation centre,they do not have the money .If you want to build new recreation centres in that ward,vote in a new mayor,I have already promised $5,000,000 to that area in private funds that will not effect the tax payer.
ReplyDeleteStop asking the tax payers for the money,and start thinking private funds.If Mr.Mitchell wants the money all he needs to do is ask I will provide the private sector funding for that part of the city.
Edward HC Graydon
I agree 100% with Mr. Chartrand. I believe it is inappropriate for Clr Mitchell to set up a booth at the Peach Festival. It would be a breach of the Peach Festivals Policy.
ReplyDeleteThis is in response to who ever this Mr. Graydon is. Maybe you have the money, but do you have the calibre it takes to run our City? Money talks but it's not enough to provide our City with the Leadership it requires to revamp Hamilton!
ReplyDeleteArthur
Mr. Graydon. It will take much more than money to be Mayor. I also think you missed the point of the story. It was asking if the both is a cheap political campaign trick to gather votes and mine email addresses.
ReplyDeleteThere is no controversy here. Apparently David Mitchell asked the Peach Festival if he could have a booth and paid for it. The Festival took the money, assigned him a booth and that's that. Who knows how many other candidates also did the same. If anything this shows that their may be communications problems within the Peach Festival organization as apparently the President doesn't know what's going on within the organization. The Peach Festival does not have a policy regarding booths in the commerical area - if they did Mitchell never would have been able to book, pay for and get assigned a booth. Did the President of the Festival make her comments in the Stoney Creek News because of a friendship with one of the candidates running???
ReplyDeleteRumour is the DiIanni may have a booth there too, we'll see soon enough. I guess it's a political free for all and noone has respect for the purpose of the festivle. Shameful!Good for Mr. Chartrand and Miss Johnson for having integrity. This will lose votes for anyone who campaigns there.
ReplyDeleteCreeker
btw, Fred's no saint on integrity these days either
ReplyDeleteCreeker
I guess the lack of integrity is contagious. It looks like the Peach Festival has now been infected.
ReplyDeleteMr.Mitchell has a job to do,so try not to come down on him to hard .In order for the councilor to provide the services that he was elected for,he needs to show council that he has support for a new recreation centre,he will find it harder to pass at city hall without the list of signature's .I think he is doing his job,considering that he is still in office. If Larry is going to be allowed to promote his election ,then that is probably somewhat tacky,if indeed he is talking politics.
ReplyDeleteSo you see I do understand that Mr.Mitchell:s end game is under the pretence of a new recreation centre,and either way he is looking for the funding
Edward HC Graydon
Edward...so you think handing in a list containing the signatures of Festival visitors from Niagara Region, Halton region and the other 15 wards in the city shows integrity? His petition should be taken door to door within the ward by supporters or posted at areas within the ward noting it is posted only for residents of the ward.
ReplyDeleteMr. Robertson´s point is well taken but I doubt very much that political berths at apolitical festivals will become pandemic just yet because I believe most of our current leadership and even some candidates are intimidated by the public in general. The fact of the matter is, I welcome any opportunity to meet face to face with leadership and candidates. I usually don't have the flexibility to meet them at their time and on their turf. I would be delighted to stop by and say hi when I'm out with my family (of mature voters) at a regional harvest celebration, where I may choose to fill out their their questionnaires or not, right there on the spot, without hesitation.
ReplyDeleteTom
ReplyDeleteWhat are you talking about."pull yourself together" and stop feeling like he is doing you a personal injustice I was specific in the fact that I do not think it breaks any municipal elections act,as he is trying to bring development to his ward.
I personally would not make a issue of the situation.
Edward
Edward
ReplyDeleteHere is what you are dealing with. http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/174641--council-censures-mitchell
Mitchel;l's ploy to use the rec centre as an election issue is cheap. He has not advocated for one at the proper forums. He is just doing it now to try to get some votes. He's desperate.
If you support this kind of thing Edward, you are not fit to be mayor. We need people who will stand up to inappropriate behavior- not find excuses for it.
Edward...I have no issue with politicians attending things like this event to walk about and introduce themselves to the voters. Although setting up this booth with a pure political agenda behind it is not against the elections act it does go against the spirit of the Peach Festival's history and shows disrespect towards the community. Will you be at the event to meet and greet the voters or are you also running your campaign from your desk?
ReplyDeleteTom
ReplyDeleteDo I sense a little bit of misguided anger towards local politicians? who are the candidates that are also running their campaign from behind a desk.
Edward
Anonymous
ReplyDeleteYou state that he is desperate,well maybe he is maybe he is not,if he is then why rub it in.I believe that you should watch what you say it could come back to bite you,"but wait you do not exist do you" I think you should learn to relax and make your comments without the anger attached to it.
I am not making excuses for him ,I have never had any business with him,but again I do not believe he has broken any laws.If you think that it is so inappropriate than you go and bring him down,and remember I am not the one on trial.
Edward...You are trying to read my mind. I have no anger towards politicians. I do feel there are many on council who are not fit to hold the job and also many candidates not fit to be elected. I think we all know who the other Mayoralty candidate choosing to run his campaign through blogs and websites rather then getting out to meet the electorate at gatherings. I have this feeling that Michael Baldasaro will not be coming in last this election once the ballots have been counted.
ReplyDeleteCal,
ReplyDeleteWho is Edward H.C. Graydon?
Heidi Hand
All I know is when I get a speeding ticket, I have to pay for it.
ReplyDeleteElvis P.
Mr Edward HC Graydon - who are you? I've googled you but can't find anything overly coherent to let me know why I should vote for you.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it would probably be in your best interests to not slag the opinions of others on here by saying things like ' I believe that you should watch what you say it could come back to bite you,"but wait you do not exist do you" I think you should learn to relax and make your comments without the anger attached to it.'
Do punctuation and grammar exist in your world?
DiIanni's providing free shuttle busses to the peach festivle huh? He cant "campaign" at the festivle but there aint nothing stopping him from people campaigning on his shuttle buses is there? Cheap ol trick. Nothing's changed with the guy. Votin Fred.
ReplyDelete