Expect the mess with Ward 10 council candidate Adnan Hashmi, who was charged yesterday with impersonating a police officer, intimidation and being unlawfully in a dwelling in an attempt to convince another candidate to drop out of the election race, to get even messier.
Council candidate Carolyn Parrish wants to talk to Peel Regional Police about expanding their investigation to include looking into some unusual events in the race for the Ward 6 seat, the seven-way race in which she and former Ward 7 Councillor Ron Starr are the front-runners.
Rumours have been circulating in the Pakistani community for weeks that a candidate was paid to switch from the race in Ward 10 to compete in Ward 6.
Parrish confirmed this morning that she was approached by one of her supporters in the Pakistani community about it.
“I was asked if I wanted to up the ante,” Parrish said. “I was told that another candidate was paid to move into this race.”
The former MP said she quickly turned down the suggestion.
“I don’t get involved in payments, bribes or inducements.”
The candidate who is the subject of the rumours is Sunshine Radio broadcaster Matanat Khan, 50, who registered first to run in Ward 11, switched to Ward 10 and then registered Aug. 18 to run in Ward 6.
“This is not true,” Khan said today. “I have decided myself to move to Ward 6. There are so many candidates in Ward 10, it was not a healthy election,” said the Ward 4 resident, who ran against incumbent Frank Dale in 2003, collecting just over six per cent of the vote in a two-way race.
Khan knows Hashmi (who could immediately not be reached for comment) “very well” and said the two talked in general terms about how it might be better for the two Pakistani-Canadians to run in different wards.
“If only one person can represent the ward, it would be better,” Khan said.
But the 13-year resident of the City said, “I told to Ashnan Hashmi many times that you must keep in mind that you are not in Pakistan. You are in Canada.”
Khan is “running for all the communities,” he said. Her complained that Parrish is spreading rumours about him because they are vying for a similar base of support in the Pakistani-Muslim community.
“I don’t bring religion inside politics,” said Khan. “All these rumours are being spread against me and that is very wrong. I want a clean and fair election.”
Seems like those are getting fewer and farther between.
Last time, it was Cliff Gyles running for re-election while his two-and-one-half-year sentence for municipal fraud was under appeal.
Could we please have an election where the police blotter isn’t the main source of political news?
Comments (4)
This is regarding your blog on the coming municipal election. We know that your sweatshop "Mississauga news" is the largest "advertiser and flyer distributor" in Mississauga. The hard copy is 99% advertisement/flyers and the remaining 1% space dedicated to paid- articles. Now, you are the brain-dead fat-old man who can write stories on any subject under the sun. Well, your observation (rather the absence of it) on the election issues in ward-5 pissed me off.
Posted by antu | October 19, 2006 4:57 PM
Posted on October 19, 2006 16:57
The ward 10 wars are heating up and the question of residence should not be unexpected. With at least 10 candidates living outside the ward boundries, it is not surprising some hostilities have arisen. Candidates have paid their entry fee and expect a level playing field.
When some of the competition comes from outside ward boundries, a candidate may feel this is an intrusion into their personal territory.
The conflict between two ward 10 contestants hit the news today (Oct.18.2006) namely Adnan Hashmi and Ishrat Nasim. Both appear to live outside ward 10 boundries. Hashmi has an address in ward 6, while Nasim has an address in ward 7. Nasim's address in particular is of note in that it is an office/restaurant-bar/variety store/hair stylist/barbershop centre with NO residential facilities. These addresses were obtained from the City of Mississauga web pages.
Perhaps in the months ahead the new council will consider a ward-free election (as in the vote for Mayor) and give the public the opportunity to vote on the idea. Much like the electorate was given the opportunity to vote on extending the term of council....................what's that?
They didn't?...........O M G - How could that happen?
Posted by A.D. | October 19, 2006 4:11 PM
Posted on October 19, 2006 16:11
John, you wrote:
"Could we please have an election where the police blotter isn’t the main source of political news?"
OK. Let's try THIS piece of political news.
From The Corporation's October 11 council minutes p. 4.
"That in recognition of the fact that all municipalities are responsible and accountable governments..."
Yeah. "fact".
And we're fussing about --"unacceptable" tactics ...Or "unacceptable" politics-- in this municipal election?
JeezlyPEETS.
We have:
"That in recognition of the fact that all municipalities are responsible and accountable governments..." wadded on The Corporation's October 11 council minutes on p. 4 like some pestulant slab of Hypocritcial E. coli.
Like. WHAAAAAA?!
And we're to swallow that somehow our Canadian political landscape is somehow superior to that of Mr. Adnan Hashmi's particular Pakistani "import"?!
Signed,
The (Please, John, hand me a paper bag) Mississauga Muse
Posted by The Mississauga Muse | October 19, 2006 10:39 AM
Posted on October 19, 2006 10:39
Regardless of the native country of our residents - we must reinforce Canadian politics. While there are times we may not agree with a particular issue resolve - our politics are not subject to strong arm tactics. Our votes are the strength of Canadian politics. I think one candidate has doubtful permanent residency, and another pursued this, in an unacceptable manner. Neither is deserving of a seat on City council. If there is any doubt as to the credibility of a candidate - Mississauga voters should send a clear, concise message, by not supporting them. Let's rid ourselves of these unacceptable tactics/politics now !!
Posted by SH Cameron | October 18, 2006 6:54 PM
Posted on October 18, 2006 18:54