The age breakdown of our current council is as follows (I've simply added four years to the age they reported during the 2006 election campaign):
St. Andrew's
Andrew Gill 35 - not running again
Joe Kushner 69
Port Dalhousie
Len Stack n/a (but older than 45, I would imagine)
Bruce Williamson 50
Grantham
Bill Phillips 60
Dawn Dodge 51
St. George's
Greg Washuta 41
Peter Secord 50
Merritton
Jeff Burch 41
Jennie Stevens 46
St. Patrick's
Heather Foss 41
Mark Elliott 55
So, not including the Mayor (who is over 50) and Councillor Len Stack (for whom I do not have an accurate age), the average age of a St. Catharines City Council member is 49 years. Factoring in the Mayor and Len Stack would put the average over 50, I'm sure. That might not be a negative thing overall, given the age demographic of St. Catharines; however, this is the age demographic of the people making decisions for individuals in their 20s and 30s who are beginning their careers, buying homes, starting families and will - over the long-term - benefit from or be burdened by the decisions made at the Council table.
We need more diversity in age on Council, and I said this during the 2006 campaign too.
Wouldn't it be nice (assuming we had the candidates to choose from) if our Council was made up of something like two people (most ideally a man and a woman) each from their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s? Wouldn't that make for a pretty good attempt at well-rounded decisions at the Council table?
I think so.
This time around, there is at least one candidate in each ward who is under 35...
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Voter Turnout
When speaking about attracting voters to the polls, the 2006 election had the benefit of such issues as the Port Place development, the Lakebreeze School controversy and eight candidates for an open mayor's chair. Even with all of this, St. Catharines still had a voter turnout of only 40.67%, with the lowest turnout being in St. George's Ward at 34.39%.
The ward by ward breakdown is as follows:
I wonder if there's a reason why there appears to be so little interest in St. George's Ward...do residents feel as though they are well-represented? Do they feel as though their options are limited?
I do not believe, I cannot believe that the people of St. George's Ward simply don't care. Maybe they just need a choice. I am offering the choice for balanced age and gender representation for St. George's Ward.
The ward by ward breakdown is as follows:
- Grantham --> 48.86
- Port Dalhousie --> 48.23
- St. Patrick's --> 38.36
- St. Andrew's --> 37.04
- Merritton --> 36.19
- St. George's --> 34.39
I wonder if there's a reason why there appears to be so little interest in St. George's Ward...do residents feel as though they are well-represented? Do they feel as though their options are limited?
I do not believe, I cannot believe that the people of St. George's Ward simply don't care. Maybe they just need a choice. I am offering the choice for balanced age and gender representation for St. George's Ward.
Cycling in St. Catharines
Here is a column I wrote during my term as a Niagara Voice for the St. Catharines Standard:
St. Catharines is not particularly cyclist-friendly. Surprised? I thought not.
While efforts have been made to be more inclusive of sustainable forms of transportation, the addition of bicycle lanes on many of the city’s busier roads do little to make me feel any safer than I did previously. Further, the bicycle lanes in the downtown core are laughable. I marvel at the cyclists who are brave enough to travel those lanes as cars squeeze by them.
A good deal of the problem with cyclist safety is the behaviour of drivers. Some drivers squeeze into the bike lane to make right-hand turns or just to impede their travel. Some drivers misjudge the speed of a cyclist when entering a main road from a stop at a side street, causing the cyclist to avoid being hit and – if clipped into their pedals – potentially having them take a fall if their reflexes are not especially quick. And, some drivers holler or honk at a cyclist when they are right beside them to scare them.
Due to the inconsiderateness or lack of awareness of some drivers, I absolutely refuse to ride on the road with one or both of my children in tow. I will stop for pedestrians to let them by as I travel the sidewalk, and I will call out to pedestrians on the path as we approach them that I’m on their left, but I will not – under any circumstances – ride in a bike lane on a road with my children. When I ride alone, I ride on the road.
Having said all of that, I think that cyclists cause a great deal of the problem with their own safety as well. Much of what I’ve witnessed from other cyclists – whether as a drive my car or cycle near them – defies the logic of what would be considered safe to do on a bicycle. If everyone on a bicycle followed the rules of the road, rather than making their own rules as they go, we might be able to start counting on drivers to be more aware of and considerate in their actions.
Travelling on the road, then weaving up onto the sidewalk to avoid having to stop at the red light, then weaving back onto the roadway does not lend itself to safety. Travelling along the road, listening to music, and sailing through the red light because you think you can make it also does not lend itself to safety. Finally, travelling the wrong way on the road, at night, in dark clothing and with no lights or even reflectors is practically begging to get hit.
If cyclists begin to behave in more predictable patterns, then drivers will likely follow suit. There are several traffic laws that we all follow every day, but much of why we don’t find every intersection tied up with car accidents is because, as drivers, we can also generally predict what other drivers are going to do. If all cyclists followed the rules of the road, drivers might be more respectful of the cyclist’s right to share the road, because they would also be able to predict what the cyclist was going to do.
I’ve been involved in some discussions about licensing cyclists, but I’m not sure this would do anything to solve the problem. However, anyone who is travelling on the road needs to know and follow the rules of the road. Maybe some form of licensing is what gets us there, but then there’s the issue of enforcement to deal with to ensure that those licenses are worth the paper they’re written on.
St. Catharines needs to become more cyclist-friendly, and cyclists need to abide by the rules of the road at all times. Maybe, just maybe, the latter could help lead us to the former.
~~~~~
So, yes, cyclists need to take some responsibility for their actions. Absolutely. Drivers also need to take responsibility for their actions.
If we are going to move forward on our commitment to be a more environmentally-responsible/friendly city, we need to have policies in place that allow for this. For instance the two-year-old bicycle lane policy that has recently been sent back to the drawing board.
It seems that some councillors believe that cycling is simply a sport, rather than a viable mode of transportation. I do cycle for sport, exercise, etc. and, I also cycle simply to get from point A to point B.
If the City of St. Catharines had a more comprehensive and safer network of bicycle lanes, we would be able to cycle simply for transportation more often, and we wouldn't be as nervous about transporting children in those bicycle lanes.
It is not convenient for cyclists to take the sidewalk and many (not all) would refrain from using the sidewalks if the bicycle lane policy was properly put into practice.
We're never going to be able to stop all of the people who don't obey the laws - as can be demonstrated with any issue - however, we can make significant headway by creating and implementing appropriate policies.
~~~~~
On August 31, the following letter to the editor was published in the St. Catharines Standard:
Bike lane decision troubling
Re: City sends bike lane policy back to the shop (Aug. 25)
The outcome of city council's discussion on bike lanes is troubling. While council worked out a decent compromise on the addition of lanes to Pelham Rd., it deferred the decision on Bunting Rd. This in spite of the fact that one of the speakers against bike lanes told council that "no one wants to park on Bunting because it's too busy."
So here we have a statement from an opponent of the lanes that Bunting Rd. is busy and not ideal for parking. Yet it is OK to expect cyclists to ride on this busy and dangerous road without bike lanes?
More troubling, though, was when Coun. Peter Secord began to argue the cycling policy was flawed and needed reconsideration. Two issues are noteworthy.
First, he called cycling a "sport." Secord's use of the term suggested that he saw cycling as nothing more than a hobby, and that cyclists just want to play on the roads.
Yet as council has clearly stated in its policies and vision for the city, cycling policy is there to encourage people to use their bikes as an alternative to cars. It is not about sport or hobbies, but about making it possible to get around town safely.
Second, he expressed concern that every time the issue of bike lanes arises, he has to sit through presentations by more residents who support or oppose them. To him, this means the policy is flawed.
This suggests Secord doesn't understand the fundamentals of democracy, or at least the role of a city council.
Council creates policies that outline an agreed-upon vision on certain issues. This vision guides the work of city staff, but it is up to councillors to consider recommendations and make exceptions as needed. That is why people come to council to make their interests known.
If Secord is so bothered by citizens presenting their cases to council, maybe he should reconsider seeking re-election. Listening to citizens is part of the job.
Clearly being a councillor is no fun for him. Maybe he should go for a bike ride.
Dan Malleck, St. Catharines
St. Catharines is not particularly cyclist-friendly. Surprised? I thought not.
While efforts have been made to be more inclusive of sustainable forms of transportation, the addition of bicycle lanes on many of the city’s busier roads do little to make me feel any safer than I did previously. Further, the bicycle lanes in the downtown core are laughable. I marvel at the cyclists who are brave enough to travel those lanes as cars squeeze by them.
A good deal of the problem with cyclist safety is the behaviour of drivers. Some drivers squeeze into the bike lane to make right-hand turns or just to impede their travel. Some drivers misjudge the speed of a cyclist when entering a main road from a stop at a side street, causing the cyclist to avoid being hit and – if clipped into their pedals – potentially having them take a fall if their reflexes are not especially quick. And, some drivers holler or honk at a cyclist when they are right beside them to scare them.
Due to the inconsiderateness or lack of awareness of some drivers, I absolutely refuse to ride on the road with one or both of my children in tow. I will stop for pedestrians to let them by as I travel the sidewalk, and I will call out to pedestrians on the path as we approach them that I’m on their left, but I will not – under any circumstances – ride in a bike lane on a road with my children. When I ride alone, I ride on the road.
Having said all of that, I think that cyclists cause a great deal of the problem with their own safety as well. Much of what I’ve witnessed from other cyclists – whether as a drive my car or cycle near them – defies the logic of what would be considered safe to do on a bicycle. If everyone on a bicycle followed the rules of the road, rather than making their own rules as they go, we might be able to start counting on drivers to be more aware of and considerate in their actions.
Travelling on the road, then weaving up onto the sidewalk to avoid having to stop at the red light, then weaving back onto the roadway does not lend itself to safety. Travelling along the road, listening to music, and sailing through the red light because you think you can make it also does not lend itself to safety. Finally, travelling the wrong way on the road, at night, in dark clothing and with no lights or even reflectors is practically begging to get hit.
If cyclists begin to behave in more predictable patterns, then drivers will likely follow suit. There are several traffic laws that we all follow every day, but much of why we don’t find every intersection tied up with car accidents is because, as drivers, we can also generally predict what other drivers are going to do. If all cyclists followed the rules of the road, drivers might be more respectful of the cyclist’s right to share the road, because they would also be able to predict what the cyclist was going to do.
I’ve been involved in some discussions about licensing cyclists, but I’m not sure this would do anything to solve the problem. However, anyone who is travelling on the road needs to know and follow the rules of the road. Maybe some form of licensing is what gets us there, but then there’s the issue of enforcement to deal with to ensure that those licenses are worth the paper they’re written on.
St. Catharines needs to become more cyclist-friendly, and cyclists need to abide by the rules of the road at all times. Maybe, just maybe, the latter could help lead us to the former.
~~~~~
So, yes, cyclists need to take some responsibility for their actions. Absolutely. Drivers also need to take responsibility for their actions.
If we are going to move forward on our commitment to be a more environmentally-responsible/friendly city, we need to have policies in place that allow for this. For instance the two-year-old bicycle lane policy that has recently been sent back to the drawing board.
It seems that some councillors believe that cycling is simply a sport, rather than a viable mode of transportation. I do cycle for sport, exercise, etc. and, I also cycle simply to get from point A to point B.
If the City of St. Catharines had a more comprehensive and safer network of bicycle lanes, we would be able to cycle simply for transportation more often, and we wouldn't be as nervous about transporting children in those bicycle lanes.
It is not convenient for cyclists to take the sidewalk and many (not all) would refrain from using the sidewalks if the bicycle lane policy was properly put into practice.
We're never going to be able to stop all of the people who don't obey the laws - as can be demonstrated with any issue - however, we can make significant headway by creating and implementing appropriate policies.
~~~~~
On August 31, the following letter to the editor was published in the St. Catharines Standard:
Bike lane decision troubling
Re: City sends bike lane policy back to the shop (Aug. 25)
The outcome of city council's discussion on bike lanes is troubling. While council worked out a decent compromise on the addition of lanes to Pelham Rd., it deferred the decision on Bunting Rd. This in spite of the fact that one of the speakers against bike lanes told council that "no one wants to park on Bunting because it's too busy."
So here we have a statement from an opponent of the lanes that Bunting Rd. is busy and not ideal for parking. Yet it is OK to expect cyclists to ride on this busy and dangerous road without bike lanes?
More troubling, though, was when Coun. Peter Secord began to argue the cycling policy was flawed and needed reconsideration. Two issues are noteworthy.
First, he called cycling a "sport." Secord's use of the term suggested that he saw cycling as nothing more than a hobby, and that cyclists just want to play on the roads.
Yet as council has clearly stated in its policies and vision for the city, cycling policy is there to encourage people to use their bikes as an alternative to cars. It is not about sport or hobbies, but about making it possible to get around town safely.
Second, he expressed concern that every time the issue of bike lanes arises, he has to sit through presentations by more residents who support or oppose them. To him, this means the policy is flawed.
This suggests Secord doesn't understand the fundamentals of democracy, or at least the role of a city council.
Council creates policies that outline an agreed-upon vision on certain issues. This vision guides the work of city staff, but it is up to councillors to consider recommendations and make exceptions as needed. That is why people come to council to make their interests known.
If Secord is so bothered by citizens presenting their cases to council, maybe he should reconsider seeking re-election. Listening to citizens is part of the job.
Clearly being a councillor is no fun for him. Maybe he should go for a bike ride.
Dan Malleck, St. Catharines
Thursday, August 26, 2010
St. George's Ward Boundaries
As I've been discussing with people that I am running for City Council (St. George's Ward 3), I've been asked several times where St. George's Ward is.
Below is a picture of the boundaries for St. George's Ward. I hope it helps.
Below is a picture of the boundaries for St. George's Ward. I hope it helps.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Is Council Making the Right Decisions?
Fine and Performing Arts Centre...Kiwanis Aquatics Centre and Library...bicycle lanes...outsourcing city landscaping work...walkway across Martindale Pond...urban farming...and so on and so forth...
I recognize that each of my blog readers will feel differently about the above-mentioned projects/issues. Some will be in favour of all, some will be opposed to all, some will be in favour of some and opposed to others. I feel differently about each of the above. However, what I really want to know about each/all of these is: Are city councillors making the right decisions? Are they even educated decisions?
In the case of the walkway at Martindale Pond, no, it's not even an educated decision. On Monday, August 23, according to an article in the St. Catharines Standard by Peter Downs (http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2725509), Council opted for a walkway at Martindale Pond, including a system of floating docks, despite not knowing what the long-term operating costs will be for maintaining the walkway and docks.
I understand the pressure that comes with not wanting to miss out on federal funding for a project (up to $1.9 million for three related upgrade projects in Port Dalhousie - and the work has to be completed by next March in order to qualify); however, how can they justify agreeing to do this work when they have no idea how much they will spend on operating costs, which will include occasionally cleaning up floating debris along the system of docks and adjusting concrete anchors that will hold the docks in place. That's right. No idea how much it will cost for this. None.
Additionally, the costs of the project that are known don't include the cost of creating trail connections in the parks that will be connected by the walkway, engineering costs in the neighbourhood of $99,000 and other "miscellaneous" costs.
I'm not disputing that a walkway over Martindale Pond would be a nice addition to the parks, but should Council be making decisions so blindly? I have a problem with that. Would anyone of them purchase a house without having any idea how much the taxes and utility costs are going to be? Probably not. So, why would they make a decision like this without any idea what the long-term operating costs are going to be and, therefore, how those costs are going to affect taxpayers over the long-term?
Councillors need to be making educated decisions. Period.
Please don't hesitate to e-mail me at lauraipforstgeorgesward@gmail.com.
I recognize that each of my blog readers will feel differently about the above-mentioned projects/issues. Some will be in favour of all, some will be opposed to all, some will be in favour of some and opposed to others. I feel differently about each of the above. However, what I really want to know about each/all of these is: Are city councillors making the right decisions? Are they even educated decisions?
In the case of the walkway at Martindale Pond, no, it's not even an educated decision. On Monday, August 23, according to an article in the St. Catharines Standard by Peter Downs (http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2725509), Council opted for a walkway at Martindale Pond, including a system of floating docks, despite not knowing what the long-term operating costs will be for maintaining the walkway and docks.
I understand the pressure that comes with not wanting to miss out on federal funding for a project (up to $1.9 million for three related upgrade projects in Port Dalhousie - and the work has to be completed by next March in order to qualify); however, how can they justify agreeing to do this work when they have no idea how much they will spend on operating costs, which will include occasionally cleaning up floating debris along the system of docks and adjusting concrete anchors that will hold the docks in place. That's right. No idea how much it will cost for this. None.
Additionally, the costs of the project that are known don't include the cost of creating trail connections in the parks that will be connected by the walkway, engineering costs in the neighbourhood of $99,000 and other "miscellaneous" costs.
I'm not disputing that a walkway over Martindale Pond would be a nice addition to the parks, but should Council be making decisions so blindly? I have a problem with that. Would anyone of them purchase a house without having any idea how much the taxes and utility costs are going to be? Probably not. So, why would they make a decision like this without any idea what the long-term operating costs are going to be and, therefore, how those costs are going to affect taxpayers over the long-term?
Councillors need to be making educated decisions. Period.
Please don't hesitate to e-mail me at lauraipforstgeorgesward@gmail.com.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Running in St. George's Ward rather than Grantham Ward
A few people have asked me why I'm running for Council in St. George's Ward when I actually live in Grantham Ward.
Here's why:
I live on the border of the two wards. I am on the north side of Scott Street, which falls within the Grantham Ward, and St. George's Ward begins on the south side of Scott Street (right across the street from me).
While I will strongly support issues that arise in St. George's Ward for my constituents, I also feel that - overall - all councillors should be making decisions that are in the best interest of the entire city.
Finally, when I read that there were only two candidates running in St. George's Ward (while there is a healthy roster in Grantham), I knew that I had to run in St. George's in order to give voters a choice (otherwise, the candidates would simply be acclaimed to their position).
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to e-mail me at lauraipforstgeorgesward@gmail.com.
Here's why:
I live on the border of the two wards. I am on the north side of Scott Street, which falls within the Grantham Ward, and St. George's Ward begins on the south side of Scott Street (right across the street from me).
While I will strongly support issues that arise in St. George's Ward for my constituents, I also feel that - overall - all councillors should be making decisions that are in the best interest of the entire city.
Finally, when I read that there were only two candidates running in St. George's Ward (while there is a healthy roster in Grantham), I knew that I had to run in St. George's in order to give voters a choice (otherwise, the candidates would simply be acclaimed to their position).
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to e-mail me at lauraipforstgeorgesward@gmail.com.
Election Signs
You won't see election signs with my name on them distributed throughout the St. George's ward, even though I did have signs for the last election. Why?
As I was walking or driving around the ward placing signs during the last election, I quickly realized what an eyesore they are. Not that I hadn't noticed this during all previous elections, but there's something about seeing your own name among the sea of signs that really drives the point home.
So, rather than pollute our landscape and, ultimately, our environment (all that plastic and metal!) with election signs, I will be making myself known through Facebook, Twitter (@LauraIp4Council) and this blog.
Please don't hesitate to e-mail me at lauraipforstgeorgesward@gmail.com.
As I was walking or driving around the ward placing signs during the last election, I quickly realized what an eyesore they are. Not that I hadn't noticed this during all previous elections, but there's something about seeing your own name among the sea of signs that really drives the point home.
So, rather than pollute our landscape and, ultimately, our environment (all that plastic and metal!) with election signs, I will be making myself known through Facebook, Twitter (@LauraIp4Council) and this blog.
Please don't hesitate to e-mail me at lauraipforstgeorgesward@gmail.com.
Introduction/Biography
I am the married mother of two young children, so I know the challenges of raising a family in this economic climate. One of my children attends Ecole L'Heritage and the other is in a home childcare environment, while I continue to pursue my studies at Brock University and teach at Niagara College.
I also have considerable government-related experience.
Through previous employers, I have worked with and for all levels of government. While working for a local municipality, I was responsible for public relations, research and special initiatives for two mayors, a city manager, and the senior management team. I worked closely with all of these people, as well as councillors and attended meetings and other events to speak on behalf of the mayor or city manager. I also developed the Orientation package for the incoming city councillors after the 2003 election.
While working for a local public relations firm, I worked on several successful projects that involved communications and co-ordination between all levels of government.
As far as I am aware, I am the only candidate going into the election (who is not an incumbent) who has a working knowledge of municipal government before first taking a seat at the Council table. With my work experience and education, I have an in-depth understanding of how municipal politics and administration currently operate and how they can improve.
My community involvement has been varied over the years, including the following:
My education, which most notably (for our purposes here) includes certification in Municipal Administration from the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, also includes:
Brock University
- Pursuing Sociology degree, with a concentration in Social Justice and Equity Studies, with graduate work planned
Leadership Niagara (Inaugural Group) 2007
- Community Project was called Weaving Strengths and brought together several dozen community leaders for community collaboration
Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario
- Municipal Administration Certification (2006)
Niagara College of Applied Arts & Technology
- Teaching Adults Certificate (2010)
- Municipal Administration Program (2004)
- Management Development - Effective Leadership (2004)
- Ontario Management Development - Leadership Skills (2003)
- Executive Office Administration (1998)
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions by e-mail at lauraipforstgeorgesward@gmail.com or visit my Facebook page.
Fine print:
Laura Ip's Election Campaign (“The Campaign”) has made every reasonable effort to ensure that the information displayed on this website is accurate and responsible. The Campaign does not accept responsibility, or legal liability, for information that may have become incorrect, or misleading due to the passage of time or other conditions. Every reasonable effort is made to keep all information displayed current and up to date. To the best of our knowledge information is accurate at the time of writing and publication. Any opinions expressed on this website are given without prejudice.
I also have considerable government-related experience.
Through previous employers, I have worked with and for all levels of government. While working for a local municipality, I was responsible for public relations, research and special initiatives for two mayors, a city manager, and the senior management team. I worked closely with all of these people, as well as councillors and attended meetings and other events to speak on behalf of the mayor or city manager. I also developed the Orientation package for the incoming city councillors after the 2003 election.
While working for a local public relations firm, I worked on several successful projects that involved communications and co-ordination between all levels of government.
As far as I am aware, I am the only candidate going into the election (who is not an incumbent) who has a working knowledge of municipal government before first taking a seat at the Council table. With my work experience and education, I have an in-depth understanding of how municipal politics and administration currently operate and how they can improve.
My community involvement has been varied over the years, including the following:
- Ontario Trillium Foundation – Niagara Grant Review Team (2009 – Present)
- MS Society Rona MS Bike Tour (75km fundraising ride) (2009, 2010, more to come)
- St. Catharines Standard – Community Editorial Board/Niagara Voices (2009 – 2010)
- Mayor’s Committee on Community and Race Relations (Event Chair) (2007 – 2009)
- Greater St. Catharines Community Health Centre (founding member and Secretary/Treasurer) (2006 – 2009)
My education, which most notably (for our purposes here) includes certification in Municipal Administration from the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, also includes:
Brock University
- Pursuing Sociology degree, with a concentration in Social Justice and Equity Studies, with graduate work planned
Leadership Niagara (Inaugural Group) 2007
- Community Project was called Weaving Strengths and brought together several dozen community leaders for community collaboration
Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario
- Municipal Administration Certification (2006)
Niagara College of Applied Arts & Technology
- Teaching Adults Certificate (2010)
- Municipal Administration Program (2004)
- Management Development - Effective Leadership (2004)
- Ontario Management Development - Leadership Skills (2003)
- Executive Office Administration (1998)
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions by e-mail at lauraipforstgeorgesward@gmail.com or visit my Facebook page.
Fine print:
Laura Ip's Election Campaign (“The Campaign”) has made every reasonable effort to ensure that the information displayed on this website is accurate and responsible. The Campaign does not accept responsibility, or legal liability, for information that may have become incorrect, or misleading due to the passage of time or other conditions. Every reasonable effort is made to keep all information displayed current and up to date. To the best of our knowledge information is accurate at the time of writing and publication. Any opinions expressed on this website are given without prejudice.
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