Why I'm a candidate in Ward 21
Ward 21 needs strong, principled, imaginative leadership at City Hall.
We need to restore neighbourhood voices on important local issues such as the St. Clair right-of-way, and the proposed Bathurst/St. Clair condominium tower. Strong neighbourhood planning can put local people in charge rather than developers. As development pressures intensify in this part of the city, we need clear community principles to guide decisions.
I can provide this community with the strong leadership it needs. I will bring experience, energy and imaginative problem-solving to local issues.
Good government starts with good decisions at the local level .
Community decision-making was the key to Toronto’s success in the past. Then, Toronto was considered to be the most forward-looking city in North America, “the city that works,” a city with real promise.
We need to restore strong and intelligent local decision-making.
Mayor David Miller was a breath of fresh air after the years of Mel Lastman. Like others, I worked hard to get him elected three years ago and while I support his initiatives, I wish he had gone further and accomplished more - such as restructuring the megacity to empower communities instead of centralizing decision-making in his office.
Toronto needs a new agenda and fresh representatives not worn down by the battles of the last decade.
We need to find:
- A better solution for public transit than the TTC’s divisive plan for the St. Clair streetcar right-of-way.
- A better community plan than high rise towers along St. Clair west of Bathurst.
- Imaginative programs for affordable housing in this ward and elsewhere in the city.
- Innovative energy conservation strategies.
- Better ways to restructure City Council to regain a sense of balance between the big city and local neighbourhoods.
Together with you I can help put forward the kinds of ideas the ward and the city need to move forward, working with like-minded councillors. Several detailed issue statements can be found on this website. I encourage you to get back to me with your ideas on these statements.
This November, we have a chance to bring some new and innovative thinking to City Hall. I hope we don’t miss the opportunity.
Sincerely,
John Sewell
