It’s only appropriate that Ron Starr and Carolyn Parrish should start off their top-billed match for the Ward 6 council seat with some sign wars.
But not the kind you’re thinking of. Instead of battling to see who can put up the most signs, they’re battling about content.
First it was Parrish driving around the regulations of the sign bylaw in her neon orange-red Smart Car, which she has now plastered with exhortations to vote for her since the period for posting signs has begun. Since it is the equivalent of having graphics on your delivery van, it is not subject to the sign rules.
Of course, other candidates were outraged because (A): it was clearly a violation of the spirit of the bylaw and (B): they hadn’t thought of it first.
Parrish recognizes that it is a sign because she’s volunteered to attribute some of the cost to election expenses although there is no legal requirement to do so.
Starr griped about it, commenting that, “if it’s going to be that type of election, I have to roll with it.”
When his signs started going up Monday, starting with the one pictured here on Creditview Rd., it was Parrish who was rolling her eyes and crying foul.
Starr’s signs say “Re-elect” even though it has been more than two decades since he served as Ward 7 councillor from 1978-80.
“I spent hours in January taking the Re-Elect off my signs,” said an indignant Parrish, who was an MP from 1993-2006. “I find it despicable. It’s an insult to the current councillor and an insult to the voting public to think that they’re not aware of who their councillor is. He’s underestimating the intelligence of the voter.”
Starr says he was at a door one day when a voter asked if he had ever served before. When he said he had, the man said, “Then you’re running for re-election.” So he put it on his signs.
Asked if anyone could possibly, in their wildest imagination think that use of the word Re-Elect could imply that he is the incumbent, Starr said, “I would hope not. I’ve made it clear. It’s not my intent to fool anybody. The biggest thing I’ve found is that people don’t know in this new carved-up ward, who their councillor is.”
Of course, adding Re-Elect to your signs may not exactly be seen as clarifying the problem. The sign debacle is a case of bad form out of the gate from Starr, who should know better.
Given the fact that there may be no all-candidates’ meetings in the race (which both sides say they would dearly love), how are people going to choose between the two?
(To make it clear there are other candidates — Matanat Khan, Terry Pierce Jr., Sean Semper-Whyte, Olive Rose Steele and Gilbert Vesleno.)
Starr says the public will have to choose between a high profile ex-MP and “a person who’s a community builder, who’s been doing things for the community for the past 25-30 years.” He calls himself a team player.
Parrish wants people to look at her track record and decide, “who has the strongest platform, who has the best credentials and whose style works the best.”
Interesting that both candidates see Parrish’s kamikaze style as a key issue.
If Ms. Parrish goes to 300 City Centre Dr., there will be some noisy repercussions, no doubt.
The key question of this campaign may boil down to a different question: Do Ward 6 residents want to send a loose cannon to City Hall to shake things up?
Comments (6)
The Sign War?
A smart car with names plastered all over it makes me laugh but I was shocked to see the election signs of Carolyn Parrish and Ron Starr glarring at each other on my neighbours' front lawns south from Eglinton, along Credit View Road down to Rathburn. Yes, I know they were given permission to put those signs up, but really, is that all they have to do to win in Ward 6?
It's time for us to discard the contents of the recycle bin.
Posted by Olive Rose Steele | October 19, 2006 5:46 PM
Posted on October 19, 2006 17:46
Loose Cannon
Let's have the Loose Cannon roll off the deck of the ship and sink in the deep blue sea.
As a long time resident of Mississauga and Ward 6 in particular, having Carolyn Parrish representing me as MP has been an embarrassment. She continuosly made a career of insulting our greatest trading and investment partner. I am sure that if it wasn't for Hazel many a US company would have told Mississauga to stuff it.
A loose cannon that does not have respect for others , especially in the political/diplomatic field, is of no use to this community except as a comedian on a failing "liberal" comedy show.
If the Ward 6 electorate want a never-ending
nightmare then elect Parrish. You will then get more loose things than you bargained for:
- complete and total egomaniac whose prime interest is her self-promotion
- a person who will not have the skills to attract new investment or manage a business community
- a person who will be remembered by any future US investor as a self absorbed, publicity seeking, buffoon, who can't keep her mouth shut when discretion is the better part of valour
- a person who once elected, spends more time on working her next move than looking after the needs of her ward or riding.( see attendance in Parliament )
There is absolutly nothing positive which Parrish can bring to the city of Mississauga.Her comedy act has gone stale.
For my part, I will go with a person who understands business, can attract investment,which in turn pays tax, which supports the fine public services in this city. I cast my vote for Ron Starr.
As for the Mississauga "muse" wanting to redistribute our wealth through the likes of Parrish........no Thanx. The liberals and the likes of Parrish have done more than enough to try and kill any form of entrepreneurship and individual success. Besides, I don't have any respect of anyone who hids behind a the name " mississauga muse"
Stan Bihun
Posted by Stan Bihun | October 18, 2006 4:20 PM
Posted on October 18, 2006 16:20
I'd say the choice in Ward 6 is pretty clear between Parrish and Star.
For Parrish, you wrote:
"First it was Parrish driving around the regulations of the sign bylaw in her neon orange-red Smart Car... . Since it is the equivalent of having graphics on your delivery van, it is not subject to the sign rules. Of course, other candidates were outraged because (A): it was clearly a violation of the spirit of the bylaw and (B): they hadn’t thought of it first."
For Star, you wrote:
"Of course, adding Re-Elect to your signs may not exactly be seen as clarifying the problem. The sign debacle is a case of bad form out of the gate from Starr, who should know better."
So let's see the choices here. Parrish's "sign" outraged candidates because (B) they hadn't thought of it first" vs. Star's RE-ELECT "bad form" sign that he "should know better" about.
I see the choice as being between Creativity vs. Trickery.
Last you wrote:
"The key question of this campaign may boil down to a different question: Do Ward 6 residents want to send a loose cannon to City Hall to shake things up?"
I hope Mississauga gets the "loose cannon". The Loose Cannon doesn't suffer fools gladly.
General and Council meetings promise to be exciting --the political equivalent of dropping a squirrel into a tea party.
What with terms now being four years, I just hope Mississaugans take the greatest care possible to elect candidates who're courageous enough to make some Very Tough Decisions. (And by the way, John, I respect some of the Incumbents a great deal and would vote for them.)
Very Tough Decisions --
My third and fourth biggest issues deal with knowing that there are Non-Have Mississaugans and that their numbers are increasing. My second biggest issue is that The Have-Mississaugans don't "see" and will continue to believe that Non-Have is simply the order of things.
Other issues? Intensification, Transit, the entire GTA issue even the Province issues all affect Mississauga Non-Haves the most. And get this, John.
The Non-Haves are the LEAST LIKELY TO VOTE. And THAT'S my Number One Biggest Issue, John.
The Non-Haves are the LEAST LIKELY TO VOTE.
Signed,
The (Have) Mississauga Muse
Posted by The Mississauga Muse | October 8, 2006 8:49 AM
Posted on October 8, 2006 08:49
There is a strong possibility that Parrish will get elected.
Name recognition is arguably the most important factor in municipal elections and although some will know Starr most will know Parrish (especially under 35 voters who were kids when Starr was a counsellor, but registered voters when Parrish was in the spotlight)
Parrish's views are controversial but she did win the 2004 federal election by over 12,000 votes.
She also has alot of local supporters who agree with her views and have volunteered with her for the past few years.
I don't think it's a done deal but i think Starr is going to have to campaign really hard and get most of his vote out if he is going to overtake Parrish in this election.
Posted by OJ | October 5, 2006 8:24 PM
Posted on October 5, 2006 20:24
OUTRAGE!!!!! "her car says this", "his sign says that", "she broke the spirt", "he is using his media, buisness pull", "Rogers may not broadcast!"
I must say John that I am shocked at what these two "heavyweights" are focusing on this election. Is this what it has come to? If they only put this much effort into the people and issues of Ward 6. People that matter, families, students, store owners that all matter. For two promident leaders that I looked up towards growing up in this fine city I must say I am dissapointed in the antics of late. Have they spoke out on one issue, taken one, just one stand? The Pierce camp WILL NOT be posting lawn signs because of the way these two are acting. Less is more John, and by saying "No Thank-you not on my lawn" to me means allot more.
To my fellow candidates it's not too late to change the way Mississauga will remember this election. Educate Ward 6, talk to the people that live there. Be courtious, be helpful. Ask them to vote, don't trick them into only voting for you. John is right in saying most people don't even know it's a new Ward. Some residents didn't know there was even an election on the horizon. It's our job to help the people understand that. We are the leaders the future looks to. I will continue to go door to door. Back to the basics. By this weekend I should reach north towards Creditview and Eglington, by all means candidates I would be honoured to have any of you join me on the streets and cresents to canvas and create awareness for Ward 6.
When I originally thew my hat in the Mississauga political ring, it was my hope that the "heavyweights" would educate and show the way, similar to a vetran showing a rookie on a hockey team. Build a stronger Mississauga for the future. Sadly I think this election the tables have turned. The puck is in your end candidates.....
Terry Pierce Jr.
Posted by Terry Pierce Jr. | October 4, 2006 6:03 PM
Posted on October 4, 2006 18:03
Loose Cannon
Interesting phrase; anyone remember where it came from?
It came from the days of wooden ships, iron men and brass cannons. Cannons that when handled properly were held in place by recoil lashings so that when they were fired they didn’t come back on you.
If during battle a cannon were to break free of its lashings or be otherwise dislodged by enemy fire it rolled and crashed about the below decks doing more damage to the shooters than the shot upon.
Can you blame the cannon when someone lights its fuse then cuts it loose?
Nope. But you had better acknowledge the situation; grab hold of it or get out of the way.
Posted by Stephen Wahl | October 4, 2006 2:09 PM
Posted on October 4, 2006 14:09