A Rick Downes Challenge?

[posting]

Our contributors comment on a variety of local municipal issues. These 'Op-Ed' views are published here to further public discussion on these issues. They do not necessarily represent an editorial position by Kingston Electors.

Rick Downes is contemplating a run for mayor? Now that promises to be an interesting campaign. Interesting because really, what's he going to campaign on?

Will it be his work record? It appears Downes has left his colleagues to do most of the heavy committee lifting this term. According to the city committee lists, Downes sits on just three committees, only one of which is a standing committee of council. Compare that with Councillors George Sutherland and Ed Smith, who sit on 14 committees each. Or Councillor Leonore Foster, who sits on 12 city committees. Foster also represents Kingston at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, where she sits on five national committees. Even those councillors with the fewest committee appointments - Deputy Mayor Bittu George, 5; Sara Meers and George Stoparczyk, 6 each - sit on at least two standing committees of council. Downes' current baby, a committee to attract new physicians, has been meeting for a year or so. There's been lots of publicity about the committee's important work, but how many new doctors do we have as a result? None we've heard of.

Will he campaign on leadership? Councillor Downes has been a vicious and vocal critic of his council colleagues, the mayor and municipal staff. How is he to lead this group when he hasn't demonstrated either an ability to lead or a willingness to be a team player?

Will he campaign on his accomplishments? We know Downes has a solid track record objecting to council initiatives, but has he actually done anything this term? What initiatives has he moved forward? What projects or policies has he brought to the table? His most visible efforts appear to be directed toward stopping an entertainment centre. Friends of the Entertainment Centre website sums up his battle this way: "Having failed at all other means to stop this much-needed project, the Councillor [Downes] is now desperate to subvert the will of Council and the citizens of Kingston." Hardly a mayoral endorsement, that.

My own view: Downes is dreaming in technicolor if he thinks he has widespread support outside the anti-arena lobby.

[Evelyn King]

:p AND WHO SAYS HE HAS THAT MUCH SUPPORT IN THE KINGS TOWN AREA????


BEST REGARDS,

EVELYN KING

[Florence]

Yes he does have support in his ward as he is carrying the anti-LVEC banner.

[Exhibitionist]

I certainly am amazed by postings "research" with regards to the comparision of actual work committees verse just complaints Mr. Downes certainly has put forward. (Although I must be fair)

That he is somewhat representing Kingstown citizens (conspiracy theory "naysays") regarding the LVEC.

In his prior terms: there was also not alot of accomplishments. In fact the McBurney Park Association has done more for the Kingstown neighbourhood then any of his initatives. Most of the park issues, sewer infastructure and meetings regarding the neighbourhoods "revitialization" efforts have been done by its citizens. Sure there is his acknowledgement, a few meetings, and general support at council for the initatives.

But, concrete Kingston developments by his hand? I cannot recall any.

Yes; he does have some support in the Kingstown area.

Mostly from liberal arts prof's and dreamy eyed "militant activist" types.

The area is representated by many NDP type supporters, some Green Party but very few conservatives. (I appreciate their ideals and invite their balancing of power.)

But, on the record Downes has been a "dud" and is likely more interested (if push come to shove) about his teachers pension than getting anything done "long term" here in Kingston.

I personnally wish him luck through the race, but the will of most of the citizens are certainly not.

[Florence]

Who would be any better?

[I.M.Pertinent]

Kings Town contenders in the 2003 race:
Rick Downes, 1,048 votes
Derek MacPhail, 545
Patrick Dennie, 273
Stephen Maksymetz, 77

[Evelyn King]

:rolleyes: Rumour has it that Mark Potter may be running in the next election in the Kings Town area. I am sure there will be others declaring.

Best regards,

Evelyn

[Exhibitionist]

Rumor has it Sir John "A" himself is seriously thinking of running!

But, he's not sure if he can come up with the money to register.

Any ideas?

[Lydia]

IF ONLY, Derek would want to consider running for Council again. I think he would win with a landslide. The first time around Derek was unknown. Now people have gotten to know him.

[macphail]

IF ONLY, Derek would want to consider running for Council again. I think he would win with a landslide. The first time around Derek was unknown. Now people have gotten to know him.

:eek:

Thank you for the vote of confidence.

However, due to my employment with the Town of Gananoque (a job I absolutely LOVE and I hope they can find a way to keep me if the person I'm filling in for comes back from her mat leave) I would be unable to attend council meetings as the Town meets on the same night.

Perhaps our friend Jeffrey Lowes will run for council in Kings Town.

Cheers, Derek

[Lydia]

Good Suggestion,

[Exhibitionist]

Perhaps our friend Jeffrey Lowes will run for council in Kings Town.


Yikes - we went through this! He is to..ummmm conservative for the area.

And rather simple in his theories..

At least - have someone with some experience -

Sir John "A" - would be a much better choice.!!!

But, I would recommend for the Mayors seat definitely!

[Lydia]

I agree great choice, you need to be drunk to run for Council right Ex??? After all when you are drunk you are out of your mind and that would explain some of the councilors on there already.:cool: :cool:

Now since you told everyone who you DON'T LIKE, Who do you really like??
:D :D :D

[Exhibitionist]

Lydia;

I love you.

:rolleyes:

hickuppp!

[Lydia]

*************, you are a hoot.

I know you would LOVE me to go FAR FAR AWAY. lol lol

Thank you just the same. I Love all people including YOU. lol lol

Now Stop being NICE, it is not you or me.lol lol

[Exhibitionist]

Hey - I'm a lover not a fighter!

I maybe waspy - but I do give public hug's! ;)

[Lydia]

Yes, I know Lover not a hater. Give hugs from a distance.

Hands around the throat are not considered hugs and I can feel them around mine already lmao

You are true to form *************, As far as I am concerned, your tough ways are because you are a kitty cat at heart dispite your protesting ways.:D :D

[Pookster]

Just wanted to subscribe to this thread - see what happens here ...

[Lydia]

Hi Pookster,

Pook away lol lol Despite my crazy humour, welcome to the Kingston Electors Site.

There are many kinds of people on here, I am one of the most aggressive types, others are highly educationed types, Some are councilors, some are city staffers, some are corporate people, some are business people, some are just plain watchers.

[Jeffrey Lowes]

Although I do not have a lot of free time maybe I should reconsider spending time less time volunteering with the groups I am currently committed too. (Maybe I should ask Derek if I owe any dues?)

There have been many people who have come forward to take credit for work that has taken place behind closed doors, the question is should they be taking the credit?
I have been asked to run in two different areas of the City. One being Kings Town and the other is Sara Meers’ Cataraqui District. Currently I have just been asked! Anyone who would considers running will need to spend a great deal of time planning and reviewing their current situation. Time commitments to my family and career currently leave little time to be fishing for support. Then again if I had a team in place they could….


Jeffrey Lowes

[Jeffrey Lowes]

Yikes - we went through this! He is to..ummmm conservative for the area.

And rather simple in his theories..

At least - have someone with some experience -

Sir John "A" - would be a much better choice.!!!

But, I would recommend for the Mayors seat definitely!

I will try and use slightly bigger words and more detail although I may still be a victim of the local newspaper editors. Sometimes economic theory and the role of government are in conflict. Base on how council had operated in the past I had been leaning toward Occam’s Razor. If you need more detail, please feel free to ask.

Jeffrey P. Lowes

[Exhibitionist]

Jeffrey;

To be simple - please do not run again.

These forms which should be more correctly called the law of parsimony, or the rule of simplicity.

Especially Lydia.

(give me kiss baby..)

[Lydia]

There you go Jeffery, ************* would know all about the Forms on Simplicity. He is the most simple minder person, I know. Now I know why.:D :D Sorry Ex, i just could stop myself. :D :D

If it matters any Jeffery, prominent people that I know have personally said that they would endorse you. Keep in mind, It was during the last election that you and Derek MacPhail were first time runners for council positions.

[macphail]

(Maybe I should ask Derek if I owe any dues?)

For which organization are you thinking? I'm currently freelancing (or so that is how I would like to think of myself). ;)

Cheers, Derek

[macphail]

Keep in mind, It was during the last election that you and Derek MacPhail were first time runners for council positions.

That was my second time. I ran in Garrison's current ward in 2000.

Cheers, Derek

[Lydia]

SOOOO Now you tell me. :D :D :D

If I had known lol lol Oh well now i know.

[Florence]

Will Ken Honig run in Downes ward? I think he should. If no one in the ward runs we might get the hockey announcer by default. Another rumour has the NDP candidate in the recent Federal election running in the ward. Can't remember his name - and that in itself is a hurdle I guess.