GUELPH - CC's DEFINITIVE 2010 Voters Guide

I figured I'd start out with one of the areas I'm more familiar with, the City of Guelph. The OFFICIAL list of all candidates can be found HERE. Below are the candidates that I'm encouraging folks to consider voting for. Remember, Guelph is unique in that each elector can vote for TWO candidates to fill the TWO SEATS per Ward.

MAYOR
Right off the bat, I'm going to generate some controversy, to be sure. My endorsement at the moment for Guelph's Mayor is... NONE. Not that I'm saying "None of the Above", mind you, but I'm saying at present that I'm not endorsing anyone, but reserving the right to change my mind.

There is Dave Birtwistle, who is considered by many to be a "conservative", but here's my problem... I don't think I can support him. In my opinion, based on what I've heard (which may be incorrect) he's part of Guelph's "Old Guard", who think they're still the definitive voice for "conservatism" in Guelph. But that ship sailed many years ago, and they just simply haven't figured it out yet, but have instead been actively seeking to harm the conservative cause as a result. The bigger problem is that though he calls himself a "conservative", he stabbed the local Conservatives in the back by supporting the Liberal candidate, MP Frank Valeriote, to whom the Conservative candidate lost by a mere 1800 votes. Now, Dave's turning around and asking Conservatives for their support. And I have serious issues with candidates like that.

And there's also the fact that in the last four years, Mayor Karen Farbridge, who I used to call "Karen Far-left", has mellowed significantly, after she was ousted in the 2003 election, so there's not much public dissatisfaction with her this time around.

Please note, however, that I may have heard things wrong, and may have some of my facts incorrect, in which case, I'll update this post accordingly. But with what information I have at this time, I can't endorse anyone for the Mayor's chair.

WARD 1
Stay tuned

WARD 2
Stay tuned

WARD 3
1st Seat - More controversy, as I currently endorse... Maggie Laidlaw. She's a left-wing Green supporter, however, she's an INTELLIGENT woman who forms her own opinions, she isn't anyone's lapdog, and while I disagree with her on most issues, she does a solid job of representing her consitituants, many of whom are also left wing. I think Ward 3 would be well served by electing Maggie to represent the left, and a right leaning candidate to represent those in the Ward who don't lean left.

2nd Seat - ABJH = Anybody But June Holfand. I've heard she's an empty suit, nothing but a lapdog for the Mayor. As such, she deserves to be defeated. I'll sift through the other candidates and post who should get the nod shortly.

WARD 4
1st Seat - GLORIA KOVACH. Notice the CAPS? Let me say it again... GLORIA KOVACH. Hands down the best Councilor in the City. Has been re-elected multiple times with huge margins, and is the City's longest serving Councilor. Also a Nurse who works in the area of Mental Health, it was Guelph's loss that she wasn't elected as MP in 2008.

2nd Seat - Cam Guthrie. Long time local politial activist, married father of two, well known and respected insurance broker. Cam is a good friend of mine, and would serve the City well in Ward 4. Some wanted him to run for the Mayor's chair, but I'm glad he decided to get some experience at the Ward level first.

WARD 5
Stay tuned

WARD 6
1st Seat - Todd Dennis. He's been the Chair of the Clairfields Neighbourhood group for several years now, doing good work seeking to address the needs of residents in that area. I've known him for a few years through various people, and he strikes me as one of the best candidates in the City.

2nd Seat - Sue Ricketts. Met her a couple of times, though I can't say I really know her. Been involved in various things for many years, she'd be a much better Councilor than incumbant Karl Wettstein, who likes to call himself a "conservative", but certainly isn't by any stretch of the imagination.