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Andrew James drops out of Ward 30 Council Race and endorses Liz West
My name will be on the ballot, but I have ceased active campaigning. As I essentially started my campaign in Leslieville with respect to the proposed TTC yard, I wanted to let Leslievillers to know first of this decision.
It's clear to me that not only that I would not win but that I would split the vote. That's not fair to the voters of Ward 30, who deserve a clear choice between the past, represented by Paula Fletcher, and the future, which I believe is best represented by Liz West.
I've received many compliments from residents for my thoughtful platform and obvious familiarity with the issues. But that didn't come easily. I've been talking to local residents and business owners for the last nine months. I've attended meetings with respect to the Portlands, the sewage treatment plant and the proposed TTC yard, and making deputations at City Hall over local issues. There's a steep learning curve to this process.
Liz is relatively new to local politics, but she has already shown a willingness to listen to - and learn from - people in the community. In the result, we see that she already has a sizeable amount of support. That ability to bring people onside is critical to being an effective councillor.
Obviously no two candidates (or voters) see eye to eye on everything. Liz does share my views on the critical issues of making Toronto financially sustainable and the need to reinvest in infrastructure. But she also supports my concerns with respect to the environment, democratic reform and instituting a formal process for community engagement that brings government back to the people. She has shown an openess to exploring new ideas which I think the residents of Leslieville will find to be a refreshing change from the incumbent.
I feel the Ward will be in good hands with Liz, and retiring from the race will allow me to go back to what's left of my career and my wife and two children a week and a half earlier. What a relief!
Thanks to all of you who have supported me, taken my sign, and contributed money.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Pentimento Fine Art Gallery on -
Andrew,
I want to thank you for taking the time and energy to participate in an exciting election for Ward 30. I have listened to what you had to say and think that your ideas and perspectives were right on track. I wish you all the very best.
John
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Permalink Reply by ggood on -
ThankYou Andrew,for your time and effort.
Pentimento Fine Art Gallery said:Andrew,
I want to thank you for taking the time and energy to participate in an exciting election for Ward 30. I have listened to what you had to say and think that your ideas and perspectives were right on track. I wish you all the very best.
John
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Permalink Reply by Kelly on -
Crap! Andrew, you would have had our votes as we dislike both Liz & Paula.
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Permalink Reply by JM on
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Andrew, I am sorry you have withdrawn as I believe you have talents but entered the race from the wrong direction. As for Liz and the environment, did hyou not read her comment on green initiatives in the Leslieville Post? Are you saying you agree with that? I'm pasting it below. What I see this as saying is: cars (i.e. potholes) before air (i.e. green initiatives). So long, planet earth. Signed, Liz.
"Before we invest any money in green initiatives
we need to deal with our bottom line. We need
a back-to-basics approach to spending. City Hall
has to take the same approach to spending that
we all do: let’s do the things we have to do at
the lowest price and highest quality possible.
Back-to-basics means that the pot-holes are
filled, the parks are clean, the streets are safe,
and the buses run on time. Wasting money, like..."
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Permalink Reply by Mel Catalano on
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I concur with all the sentiments here. Your reasoned, thoughtful and thorough approach to this campaign was refreshing at the very least. I admit to being a little disappointed but I appreciate your motives in not splitting the vote. All the best.
Mel
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Permalink Reply by Dave B on
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Andrew, thanks for taking the time to contribute to our community with your efforts. Thanks for taking the time to listen when you were in the neighbourhood.
But most importantly thanks for not splitting the vote. Thats the reality of this current situation in our ward.
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Permalink Reply by JC on
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What a courageous decision, Andrew, and a wonderfully classy post. I agree with everything you said, which is why I had planned to vote for you. But I also agree with, and support, the reasoning behind your decision to leave.
I admire your ideas and commitment to Ward 30, and your recognition that change is needed in Ward 30. It's pretty selfless to take the hit for the greater good, but putting aside personal ambition for the betterment of the community really says something about the strength of your character. I hope you will continue to be involved in the community - we need more people with your type of commitment to others.
I wish you all the best and will follow your lead by voting for Liz, who, you rightfully note, has shown a willingness to listen and learn that Paula Fletcher never has. She may not be perfect, but she's a far better option than what we have.
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Permalink Reply by Angie Tingas on -
Andrew,
I am sadden by your choice to leave the race but if this was a decision you are happiest with, I salute you for your efforts. I would have enjoyed to let political process decide where the votes go, maybe it's my maternal instinct that say I would never let my children give up if they thought they couldn't come out as the victor.
But whatever destination your decision brings you to, I plan to be the voice of the ward... no matter who wins!
Sincerely,
Angie Tingas
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Permalink Reply by Allie on -
Angie, you were doing so well, but your last sentence is disconcerting. You plan to be the "voice of the ward - no matter who wins"???? You see yourself as THE voice of the ward? I don't think you speak for me, just as I know that the Leslieville Residents Association doesn't either.
You will be A voice in the ward. And a vocal one I hope, but we all need to have a voice, not have one person or organization purport to speak on our behalf.
Angie Tingas said:Andrew,
But whatever destination your decision brings you to, I plan to be the voice of the ward... no matter who wins!
Sincerely,
Angie Tingas
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Permalink Reply by Angie Tingas on
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Allie,
I didn't mean to make anyone feel like I will be talking on their behalf... But you can certainly ask Ms. Fletcher that I go to those meetings stand across from my councilor and eloquently oppose their positions. I hope for our ward that person won't be Liz West, because I can pretty much guarantee that she wouldn't be there say fighting for the ward after these elections are done.
I would have rather to verbally spar with Andrew and he got the seat, as a ward citizen the idea of him endorsing Liz makes me cringe. And that only comes from a citizen point of view! I am actually the only candidate who will vote in our ward on the 25th, luckily for me I will get the pleasure to mark my name on the ballot!
Sincerely,
Angie
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Permalink Reply by sara, m on
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wow, i just checked out mark dewdney's website...and he says if he is elected...he would hire andrew...regardless of the fact that andrew is now giving his support to liz west.....interesting...
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Permalink Reply by 0hiowy4covr3r on
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Andrew's a class act that needs to be at City Hall. I not only promise to hire Andrew, I promise that he will get a post where he can effect real change - an IMPORTANT post that befits his talents and the respect he enjoys within Ward 30 - and truly, a greater Toronto - in short, Andrew can pick his post, should I be elected.
An election must be non-partisan wherever possible, and a councillor must be even more so after being elected; I call upon all the other candidates to match my pledge.
Andrew James should still be in this race; failing that, all candidates should not only recognize Andrew's place in Toronto - but should put their money where their mouth is, and guarantee that they will find him an important policy-altering position at Nathan Phillips.
I call upon the voters to challenge the candidates to match my guarantee; anyone failing to do so will automatically prove, in my opinion, that they do not have the best interest of our city at heart.
(and yes, that is REGARDLESS of whom Andrew James endorses. We were pleasantly surprised to have two phone calls from Andrew's supporters last night, and one more who walked in the door today - so it is plain that not every one of Andrew's supporters agree with his decision.)
Andrew was classy enough to call me before he announced his decision, and I asked him to reconsider. What's that tell you - one of his "competitors" imploring him to stay in the race?
Andrew James IS a friend of mine, someone who has been kind, thoughtful and classy to me the whole time; he has sat down for coffee, found new ways for me to express ideas, and has helped my campaign multiple times with great ideas...
...now I'd like to return the favour.
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