Random Access

hi:
I was wondering, what is donald barber's website or his email?

Dear Mr. Stewart,

I ask that you post the following Mississauga News Letter to the Editor into your RANDOM ACCESS Blog.

In addition to the writer honouring you and your contributions to The Mississauga News, I want to thank Marg Meleski for putting into words just how much you mean to your readers.

In her letter, Ms. Meleski states, "I've tried in the past to be able to convey my admiration for Stewart's style and the usefulness of it for me. He shares comments and insight regarding really important matters to Mississauga residents."

"really important matters"...think of what that means.

Here's the thing. Through his writings, Mr. Stewart manages to make us see the importance of so many issues.

We're grateful.

Signed,
The Mississauga Muse

Here is Marg Meleski's complete Letter to the Editor.

THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS
Our poster boy
Dear Editor:

The Mississauga News
Jul 28, 2006

Our poster boy

Your reporter, John Stewart, is the poster boy for the good journalism of which he writes on his blog, Random Access.

I've tried in the past to be able to convey my admiration for Stewart's style and the usefulness of it for me. He shares comments and insight regarding really important matters to Mississauga residents. Because of him, through his clear perspective, the readers are privileged enough to experience things in a deeper and meaningful way. Long live the blog.

I'm a Mississauga resident who has met Stewart occasionally during his rounds of covering stories over the past many years. I settled here when landscape was a vast sea of fields, farms and forest, and small villages and when one could make a lefthand turn directly from the tarmac of the eastbound Queen Elizabeth Way onto the rough and narrow, winter-icy road called Town Line, now Winston Churchill Blvd. Those were also the days when there existed creeks and ponds, swamps and marshes full of wildlife and while the rhythmic sounds of birds, other animals, natural seasonal elements and even benign human activity.

Thanks go out to Stewart for extolling respect for the values that were important then and for opening our eyes to things around us. Too much is lost in the haze of sound and fury, smog and discomfort. Messages such as Stewart's are a joy to read.

Marg Meleski

Mississauga

I am back for another kick at the cat!

Lets deconstruct Mr. Stewart BLOG comments some more.

“from the council chambers following a heated exchange with the mayor and councillors June 7”
There was no “heated exchange” John, I have the video of the events in question and tell me true have you seen the events Mr. Reporter man? Remember you were not there, those who have seen the video say we did no wrong, that includes lawyers.

“ Hazel McCallion, for whom he has ill-disguised contempt.”, familiarity breeds contempt and I am so very familiar with Hazel McCallion that I am writing THE book about her.

“With his good friend Roy Willis already in the alleged race for the City’s top political post”
Knew this would happen, the supporters of McCallion would claim others are ganging up on the poor old lady Mayor, to divert attention from the real issues & circumstances. I have dealt with many people in Mississauga over the years who see the value in a change of leadership and know the reasons why - that the media not report. Sadly, McCallion has buried a few, are we the last men standing? If I were you, would not read too much into the fact we are on talking terms on subjects of common interest. Mr Willis was not consulted or informed of my intent to thrown my hat into the Mayors race and that is the way it should be - do you not agree?

“founder of Friends of the Cawthra Bush was charged ”, oh so predictable! For years not note my leadership role in the community, then when do it is negative terms. If I been getting a fair shake all along then Mississauga politicians wouldn’t even try the dirty tricks they have. Founder and leader for more then 10 years of the Friends of the Cawthra Bush & the Greater Mississauga Area, we are one of the very first and long term environmental groups. We stopped the logging and tree farming of the WHOLE CITY by McCallion’s crew. Founder of the Cawthra Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association, the only Ratepayers group the City would not work with as the City stated we could disagree with the City! This is a short list of how shameful it is for the City to treat me as they have.

“Barber considers his arrest a political act and, if he is convicted, that he will portray himself a political prisoner.” It is in the PAST TENSE, have already been made a “political prisoner”. Hope you were enjoying yourself at “The Gentle Island ” while I suffered from for my beliefs in Democracy. Tell the truth, you are really upset because you missed the chance to cover this story as would have been the case in the good old days....

“turns every mayoral debate into a personal diatribe against the incumbent. It makes no sense as a political strategy ... character assassination”. Had to look up “diatribe” - “a bitter or violent attack in speech or writing”, such words John. It is totally wrong to portray the conflict between us as just personal, that is a childish line by you and Mississauga (Missing) News. I know this is done to avoid covering the issues or real reasons and keep the public ignorant. This means they are denied reasons for really questioning the current political leadership and turning up at the polls to even place an informed VOTE! Shames on you. I ran in 1994 because the Mayor personal shut down the FOI Act, in an election year to keep me from getting the proof City staff mislead the public and guess what - they are doing again!

Yes, that is right I was just talking to the City’s FOI Coordinator and when I inquired why she was not providing the requested records regarding the Mayor expenses, she says that because of my bail conditions I am not allowed to contact City staff! Of course this is totally wrong but unmistakably shows how the City will use any reason, even lies, to avoid granting service to those who question the Mayor and would hold her accountable.

That all got time for right now BUT will be back.

I'm very impressed and informed by Don's web pages.

The only thing it needs is the Mayhem Transit schedule because " Voter Turn Out" relying on this system can't make heads nor tails of the cities web pages!

Hello, Mr. Stewart,

Just read your BLOG entry, "Mayoral mayhem?".

Regarding the mayor, you wrote:

"Needless to say, McCallion is quite capable of defending herself on the campaign platform."

Just a feeling based on reading, "MUNICIPAL VOTER TURNOUT"

at:

I don't believe she will see any need to defend herself. I think she's counting on The Mississauga Non-Voter to support her.

It's all explained in the "MUNICIPAL VOTER TURNOUT" document --this part, "What factors influence municipal voter turnout?"

Regarding "Election competitiveness", it states that "Close mayoralty races usually have a positive impact on electoral participation, whereas a high number of acclamations decrease turnout."

In a July 16th article, Joseph Chin states that "in the 2003 election, she[Mayor Hazel McCallion] captured more than 91 per cent of the votes cast." What is 91% and you're not even bothering to campaign BUT an "acclimation"?

Next, the document states that "Municipal elections typically have a high return of incumbents, which reduces competitiveness."

To repeat, Mr. Chin's July 16th article, "in the 2003 election, she[Mayor Hazel McCallion] captured more than 91 per cent of the votes cast."

There's no "competitiveness".

Regarding "Electorate demographics" the document states that "Higher educational levels tend to increase turnout. A greater proportion of homeowners versus tenants also increases voter turnout, since municipal governments focus primarily on services related to property

To repeat my repeat, Joseph Chin states that "in the 2003 election, she[Mayor Hazel McCallion] captured more than 91 per cent of the votes cast."

That suggests that many of the 91% who did vote for The Hazel comprise the group with "Higher educational levels" and "homeowners". AKA The Well-to-Do.

Next, the "MUNICIPAL VOTER TURNOUT" document also states that 23-23.7% of eligible voters did so in the four (1991-2000) Mississauga elections. Yes, *BLUSH* pass out the paper bags -- only 23-23.7% of Mississaugans actually bothered to vote!

Let's seeeeee.... let's round off here... what's 90% of 24%??? 21.6 ...let's say 22%.

So Mr. Chin's "in the 2003 election, she[Mayor Hazel McCallion] captured more than 91 per cent of the votes cast." can be rephrased to read "One can win a landslide victory for Mayor of Mississauga with just 22% of eligible voters voting for you."

Mr. Stewart, you wrote:

"The election campaign offers the opportunity once every three or four years to hold the mayor accountable for her past policies and to seek details of her vision for our collective future."

Not in Mississauga, it doesn't. What opportunity for accountability? The mayoral race isn't just a Shoe-In, it's a "Seriously --Why Are We Bothering"?

You wrote:

"Unless Mr. Barber changes his stripes, however, it’s much more likely McCallion will spend her time on the platform this year trying, or retrying, a criminal court case and responding to provocative accusations that she simply cannot let go unanswered."

Do you really think she'd even bother? If I were in her place, I sure wouldn't. The Hazel is as much a Canadian icon around here as a Tim Horton's donut --and with more personality to boot.

Fact is, a while back I watched her play hockey with Johnny Bower to kick off the "My Mississauga" Summer Campaign.

You know what, Mr. Stewart? Johnny Bower could enter the race for Mississauga mayor and as much-loved as he is, not only Johnny Bower couldn't win against Hurricane Hazel, he'd only look bad going up against this ever-so-tiny, white-haired amazing Canadian senior.

And THAT'S the political genius of Hazel McCallion!

Best wishes,
The Mississauga Muse

A "debate" between Hazel, Barber and Willis? Maybe channel 10 or mississauga.com can get Jerry Springer to moderate it. :)

So nice to have you back John.
Great you noted that I am the "founder of Friends of the Cawthra Bush" even if it is in such a bad context, I really expect no better from you. However, Bob Hunter would be proud of me for sure. And yes I have many supporters in the community, so you will have to work harder to destroy that support. People who visit Cawthra Bush web-site can now view a page with photos of the times I taught classes in the local schools and see the displays I have out up. I serve the community and they appreciate it.
http://www.cawthra-bush.org/

You lash out at me with so much of the usual "character assassination", have to comment more fully on it later.

But one thing does standout, that people can be the judge of themselves, your comments about statements made in the "2000 election,", "mentally unfit to hold office". You know very well the reason I said that and yet you will not tell people what I am basing my comment on. I know you hate it when I refer to paper that signs your pay cheque as the Missing News but is so fitting. On my web-site you can actually hear Hazel McCallion say there is a "coup" out to get her. In 2000, she was 80 and current political events show things are not getting better. So please John, if you are going to tell people a one sided story, start with once upon a time.

Are you upset that I scooped the Mississauga News about McCallion’s life sized sculpture?
Did tell Joe Chin about it and shared details with him so he could write the story, do I not deserve credit for that help to your paper? It was a front page story.