Freight Trains

I encountered a mayoral candidate who has presented some facts and documentation, which I find disturbing.
Richard Ward, a Durham resident for 56 years, is running for the mayor's seat and does not appear to be, your typical citizen.
Unlike some of us, Ward does not take a back seat, when it comes to pursuing justice and accountability, in local government. Akin to a freight train, pounding through the night, Ward has been 'out there' fighting for our rights and our hard-earned tax dollars.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was going to vote for Mr. Ward, until this last week or so. Now I've changed my mind. Something happened and Mr. Ward is now praising and seeming to support both Mayor Mutton and Jim Schell - two candidates who are running against him for mayor. He has long been critical of Mayor Mutton and Council (with good reason). But suddenly he is gushing with praise for them. Why? What changed? Have they finally agreed to change his zoning that he's been asking for on his property? Was it the "Chilling Effect" (threats or intimidation)? Is it because they will lift the by-law restricting him from visiting Town Hall without "permission"? Did he sell out?

He has become very negative against the other candidate for mayor - Jim Abernethy. Ward was my first choice and Abernethy my 2nd choice until now. Mr. Ward was steadily gaining support but now seems to think he can't win or something else has made him change his mind so he is now supporting Mutton and Schell. I am terribly disappointed as I thought we had a man of experience, ethics and independence running for office. I'd like to know the reason for his sudden turn-around.

"The Chilling Effect" said...

To Disappointed in Bowmanville:

I can assure you, all is not as it seems.
And there was no sudden turn-around.

Yes, we do have a man of experience, ethics and independence.
No, his zoming was not changed, 'the chilling effect' does not affect him, and the by-law had to be repealed due to the initial reason for it in the first place. (Which by the way, has never been made public.)

Ward did not and will not, sell out!
Political maneuverings....in order to WIN, is my best response.

I have researched all mayoral candidates. As for Mr. Abernethy...the 'name game' is what that is all about. I personally do not relish the thought of our municipality being run akin to a business. We are real people, not items or units, to be bartered or sold. A municipality should not structured as a set-up for profit and loss.
And besides from my perspective, anyone who is splurging and blowing their own money on campaigning...I have to wonder....what respect would their be for someone else's money - namely our tax dollars.

And yes...Ward is gaining support in leaps and bounds. Folks are recognizing that he is a man full of knowledge and commitment. He has earned my vote...for all the years he has been working in the background, fighting for efficient use of our tax dollars.

Please have faith....we need Richard Ward.
Mr. Ward is one of the most intelligent, moral and straight-forward people, I have ever met, in decades. Ward will do us proud, as mayor.

It is time - time for truthfulness, transparency and accountability.

Anonymous said...

I agree - it is time for truthfulness, transparency and accountability, so Mr. Ward should let us know why he is now praising Mutton and Schell so blatantly. If it is a "ploy" to win votes, I think it will backfire on him as those of us who want change and are against what the present council has been doing and how they have been operating won't look kindly on a challenger who has nothing but good things to say about present council and nothing but bad to say about another challenger. It doesn't look right. I hope Mr. Ward will let us all know what the heck he is up to with this tactic.

I fear he is losing support now with his overwhelming praise of Mutton especially, and Schell. At council on Monday night it was so disheartening and frustrating to hear him prais them over and over and over again. He did it again although not quite so lavishly at last night's debate. The Hilltop debate is supposed to be on Rogers tonight so we'll see if he's supporting them there too.

I simply think it is the wrong way to go and looks too much like he has caved in to them.

Ward was my first choice because I cannot bring myself to support Mutton or Schell, and Chaskavich is a no-show. So Abernethy was my second choice but now is my first. I think this will throw far more support Abernethy's way since the other three all seem now to be on the same side. I wish Ward had continued his original fight for our tax dollars. That is something Mutton and Schell have NOT done so his support for them now is very troubling. I'm very disappointed and I heard from others over this last week that they are changing their vote to Abernethy too, and away from Ward because of his support for Mutton especially, and for Schell. If he helps one of them to win many of us won't forgive him. It's risky what he is doing and so far is beginning to backfire. I will not vote for him as long as he supports Mutton, and he is HEAPING praise on him and Schell. Yuck. It makes me sad.

"The Chilling Effect" said...

Um...I think I have a fair idea now, of who you are.

Regrettably, I now know you have never supported the most dedicated, honest and committed candidate for mayor....namely Richard Ward. But that's OK.

And yuck?
I have seen and heard much differently. I have personally seen and heard how simple it is to change a vote from Abernethy to Ward. Surprisingly simple. Actually, unbelievably simple. And it is happening in droves.

Ward is not heaping praise on Mutton and /or Schell. You are misinterpreting.

Ploys? Antics?
I dare say, it is very obvious that you yourself are guilty, and me thinks it may have 'backfired on you'.

Keep plugging...may the best man win!

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with "disappointed" - at least somewhat. Were you at the October 16 Council meeting? It was startling to hear Mr. Ward several times during his presentation give substantial praise to both Mr. Mutton and Mr. Schell. It was televised so I suggest you obtain a copy of the tape and watch Richard Ward's delegation. It was shocking to say the least. I too was pulling for Mr. Ward to win this election. Now I'm having second thoughts. If he is so supportive of their actions as he seemed to be on Monday night, will he govern in the same way they have? While I was "firmly decided" prior to this week, I am now less firmly decided. I still plan to vote for Mr. Ward, but that could change before November 13. I was set to mark my ballot next week as soon as it arrived, but now I have to wait and see what happens in the next few weeks. I'm confused over all of this. At least there is discussion.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Ward tonight in the Hilltop mayoral debate in Courtice praised the leadership of Mutton, Schell and present council and attacked only Abernethy. Why? He and Abernethy were the only logical choices for me but now that he is supporting Mutton my vote has to go to Abernethy. We need new blood but not if it will be the same as the old blood.

"The Chilling Effect" said...

r. miller....you are correct.
We do need new blood.

As for Ward praising Mutton, I see it as a matter of ethics.
Ethics as in...Ward only showing respect for another candidate and their personal life events, regardless of the event. It is a personal matter, not for public debate. But we the people make it public.

Because of the question asked, about the personal charges and whether or not that would affect Mutton's duties, Ward had to answer. He stated and he made it very clear, that a person's personal life and health should not be attacked or smeared.

I don't believe It was an appropriate question. Therefore, Ward merely stated that he felt Mutton continued on in his office duties, despite the personal attacks of another party, on his personal life.

I find you may be stretching it, to say Ward is praising Mutton and Schell, under those circumstances.

Seems to me, your ethics are a bit skewed.

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