Dear editor:
When I read Garth Turner’s July 23 column, “Who can save NOTL from political grift?” I was shocked by his quick résumé of his political career and his conclusion that he was a failure federally and would not make a good municipal politician.
What self-deprecating poppycock.
Garth worked for years in the heavyweight division of politics — the gladiatorial federal arena. He was elected as a federal member of Parliament in 1988, served as minister of national revenue and was elected again in 2006.
He also worked for The Globe and Mail, Metroland Publishing, the Toronto Sun, Baton Broadcasting, Thomson Newspapers and CTV. He helped launch Maclean’s as a newsweekly and wrote bestselling books on real estate and personal finance. That career would be the envy of most Canadians.
Garth refused to kneel before Stephen Harper, showing political backbone, a critical eye and a willingness to sacrifice his career for his principles. Refusing a plum job in exchange for silence does not make him a political failure. It makes him someone NOTL needs at the municipal level.
Brian Marshall labelled councillors who voted as a block in support of Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa’s unwanted development agenda the “Gang of Five”: Zalepa, Deputy Lord Mayor Erwin Wiens and councillors Wendy Cheropita, Adriana Vizzari and Maria Mavridis.
Many residents see council’s decision-making as incoherent and lacking transparency or justification. They feel valid concerns have been ignored while Old Town’s historic appeal, NOTL’s value as a destination and personal property values have been harmed. Parts of town are becoming a Niagara Falls-Mississauga development hybrid.
You have to ask: Who do they really represent?
Garth is right that local politicians have the greatest impact on people’s daily lives. That is precisely why he should participate in the next election. Bad politicians are elected by good people who do not vote — and by qualified people who refuse to run.
Even the usually docile NOTL Residents’ Association recognizes the political grift, the sane-washing and the threat to democratic decision-making posed by strong mayor powers. If authority is increasingly concentrated in one person, we should elect a mayor who represents our common interests.
Yet where are the NOTLRA’s candidates? Who are they endorsing? So far, nobody.
Has the association lost its way? It was organized to oppose council’s decision-making, but it now seems consumed by trench warfare over minutiae with town staff. Such wars of attrition usually end in stalemate, with no meaningful change.
The NOTLRA includes many intelligent, qualified people with valuable experience. What prevents them from recommending candidates, endorsing declared candidates or running themselves? Somebody, please turn on the lights.
Garth, you have an opportunity to make a major contribution to NOTL. Take it. As Plato wrote, “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”
At the very least, endorse candidates you believe would serve the community well. Do not stand on the sidelines like the NOTLRA.
Gienek Ksiazkiewicz
St. Davids
