Owen Sound City Council

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Anne Finlay-Stewart on September 5, 2010 at 15:10

How about you Bob? I think we need to hold our own all candidates meeting to ask the questions that will reveal how the current candidates think about the issues at hand. Regional transportation? Energy independence? Food security? Backyard chickens.
Anne

Permalink Reply by Terri & Robert Hope on September 5, 2010 at 16:42

Of course I had considered running but I'm deeply involved with community issues in many other areas and would have to give up much of the good things I currently do, to support a council role. I'm also not directly involved with transition issues in general so there would be a steep learning curve.

I agree that an "all candidates" meeting to ask some key questions would be an excellent idea. At the same time I would hate to have an event, only to discover that none of the candidates knew or cared about the issues. It would beg the question, "If transition town is that important, why didn't anyone with concerns run?"

Permalink Reply by Christy Hempel on September 5, 2010 at 18:34

Hi Bob and Terri;

Hi Bob and Terri:
I'd really like to see one (or both) of you run, both of you have a good degree of knowledge about local and regional issues, and you are both inquisitive, smart, and willing to participate in the community. Not to mention the very catchy signs that could be printed on the 'hope' theme... :-) I share your comment that if issues are important enough to our group, we should support a candidate who speaks for us.

If I had to pick one item from Anne's summary of top issues (Regional transportation, energy independence, food security, backyard chickens), 'regional transportation' might be the only one that others will currently get behind with any strength. I fancy the idea of backyard chickens, but don't believe the concept will be viable in the next few years. The issue that seems most directly tied to current local economic development (the theme of the day) is regional transportation.

Christy

Permalink Reply by Anne Finlay-Stewart on September 5, 2010 at 18:34

Probably because they, like you, are too busy "doing". Owen Sound is so far away from considering the implications of climate change or peak oil that one councillor speaking about it when 7 and the mayor are not, it would just be a waste of a good person's time. That doesn't mean the issues should not be spoken or questioned publicly.

Permalink Reply by Ryan Wiseman on October 9, 2010 at 13:06

Figured I would add a link here as well seeing as though a council discussion was started. I am working to provide some decent coverage of the current Owen Sound election and to that end I would invite everyone to check out the videos we have collected so far at theOwen.com

You will also find details on the site about a related effort i am working on which is an election centered "Virtual Speakers Corner" anyone with a thought to share can call 1 888 282 1329. Audio will be posted at theOwen.com. At this point I could really use some calls, questions, and shared ideas.

any questions wiseman@theowen.com or @wiseman or @owensound on Twitter.