The Business of Politics” An open letter to the people of Cambridge, Ontario”
Feb 5th, 2010 | By Debbie Vitez | Section: 2010 Municipal CandidatesSubmitted on hehalf of Mark Fox, Candidate Ward 2 Hespeler.. ( GOOD LUCK MARK)
I am not a politician. Like most Canadians I have come to loath what I perceive that title to represent. Most of us, at one point or another have argued that we could do a better job than “those idiots” on Parliament Hill, or Queen’s Park or at City Hall. Many of us see politicians as corrupt, unscrupulous individuals who will do anything and everything within their means to hold on to the power that we, as citizens, have given them. Politics has become a business. It’s become a playground for people who have made it their career to sit in the comfort of the public purse in the name of representation.
In theory, the process of political representation at all three levels is a noble and beautiful, thing. As citizens of a city (province and country) we are vested with the great responsibility of choosing who represents our wishes. Politicians are suppose to do those things and take those actions that they are directed to take by those whom they represent. We have no right to complain about what our governments are or are not doing because we are, in fact, the government. All of us. We make the laws. We make every decision. We decide whether or not to restore a city theatre to whether or not we go to war as a nation. We make those decisions through our elected representatives who are trusted to be our voice. If those representative fail in the duty that we have trusted them to perform then it is our duty to remove that power from them as swiftly as possible.
How many of us sit idly by on Election Day too busy or too lazy to cast a vote. Then again, for those of us who do vote, how many of us cast that ballot in favour of a person whom we know nothing about or simply because their name seems most attractive to us on the ballot or is listed first or last in alphabetical order or has the most attractive collection of consonants in it? This is especially true for positions outside of the main spotlight such as school board trustees and, yes, even city councilors. Ask yourself right now who the councilor of your ward is in Cambridge. Do you know? Do you even know what ward you are in? What’s the name of our Mayor? How long have they served at City Hall? What are the recent items on the city agenda? Chances are that we are more informed about an upcoming sale on toilet paper at WalMart than we are about the government that we allow to represent us. Yet we complain.
I am as guilty of this as anyone else. After all, I am not a politician. Until recently I did not know who represented me at City Hall. In my two years of living in the Hespeler area of the city I have never once heard from my elected councilor Rick Cowsill in any way. Have you heard from yours? Perhaps we haven’t been listening or perhaps everyone is simply basking in the status quo. We elect these people. We pay them to represent us and then the first order in this business of politics is for them to ignore us…or so it seems. It’s safe there for them. Quiet. Do not stir the pot or the people might actually awake from their complacency. That, to me, is not representation.
2010 is an election year. It’s our chance to reach out from the darkness and make a difference. It’s our time to have a voice and be heard. It’s our time to select who will be our spokesperson on council and who will wear the Chain of Office as mayor.
My name is Mark Fox and I am not a politician. I am just a 37 year old businessman who lives in Cambridge. I have a family. I do the laundry and take my kid to school. I go to work and pay my taxes and, like most people, I don’t have enough hours in the day for everything that modern life demands of me but I know I want more and I certainly want to be represented in government.
On January 4th, 2010 I walked into City Hall and registered as a candidate in ward 2 (Hespeler) for the upcoming municipal election on October 25, 2010. I am not content to be ignored or overlooked. I think we deserve better and I feel we all have a responsibility to affect change rather than just complain.
Almost anyone can register to be a candidate for city council or for the role of mayor. All you have to do is register at city hall and pay the fee. That’s what I did and I encourage anyone out there who wants to make a difference to do the same. Get elected. Go to city hall and LISTEN to the constituents in your ward. Ask them what their concerns are and fight for the needs of the majority even if they go against your personal beliefs. Go and perform a duty for the sake of democracy and not for the pay cheque offered to you by the hard working taxpayers (and then complain that it is insufficient). Do it because you want to make things better and then move on to allow for fresh ideas in our ever changing environment.
People need jobs. The economy is in turmoil. Seniors are being forced underground to live in squalor rather than being celebrated for fighting for all of these freedoms which we enjoy and so often take for granted.
Our water is polluted and our environment is at risk. Dedicated and honest women and men who once proudly went off to work every day now too often find themselves needing the charity of their neighbours to survive. Have their concerns been heard at city hall? Have their councilors represented them? If not then I encourage you to speak up. The contact information of every councilor and the mayor (current and candidates) are all listed at www.cambridge.ca. Reach out now and demand to be heard. Take advantage of the fact that this is an election year and that your chances are therefore that much better of actually getting acknowledged.
I’m not a politician as we know them but I’m committed to what I think politics should be. It should be about listening to and acting for you. It should be about performing a duty with honour and pride and in a spirit of cooperation.
As of writing this article, three of our eight wards in Cambridge don’t have a single registered candidate. Registration began on January 4th, 2010 and has been open for more than a month. Even most of the current councilors who intend to re-run have not even bothered to register yet. That is complacency.
I want to help change the business of politics for all of us in Cambridge. My email address is markfox@markfox.com. Tell me your story and I promise to try to help you be heard.
Have your say! Submit your story!
Wow Mark.. you said it all…. and I will be the first one to admit.. I had no clue what ward was where, who was in that ward.. etc.. I just knew emphatically who was not doing their job..
But I am learning.. and hoping that a fresh infusion of talented and dedicated candidates can change the complacency that has taken place in Cambridge..
What is the name of our mayor? If you read this site at all I think you would know the name. As for Rick Cowsill, did you ever think to look up who was your Representative? And your manifesto sounds more like a Provincial election platform than a municipal one. And using Seniors for political gain is bush league at best. 2 years in Hespeler? I have lived 52 years in hespeler, how many times have you been downtown, do you go to the Highway to shop? To eat? Do you know what the Hespeler heritage center is about? Being a councilmen is not always about economics or about taxes, It is about knowing the people and being able to deal with them, Hespeler is not Toronto, It is not Galt and it is not Kitchener, Hespeler is People not statistics.
Welcome to Cambridge Mark. We definately could use some new faces around our council table. Thank you Mark for stepping up to the plate and I wish you all the best.
Good for you Mark I applauad you for your courage and honesty. I hope you do well in the election, it sounds like you have what it takes. And you definitely have the right idea on how politics are these days. It takes people like you to make a change and I think you will. It takes but one voice to make a change…..
I agree with Jim. You said you are not a politician several times, but, you certainly talk like one. Good Luck to you , Mark.
How much is that fee anyway, maybe I’ll run………
The fee to run for office is $200. for Mayor and $100 for a councillor. Why not give it a go Robert? From the comments that you have put on the Advocate I think you would make a very good councillor.
Thanks guys. The fee is $100 for council and $200 for mayor. There are really no restrictions on who can run for mayor either. Dead easy process. Robert….go for it! Affect change. As for James: Why the hell don’t I see your name as a candidate? Too important or too busy to even try? Get your ass down to city hall and register for ward 2 and help your neighbours of 52 years.
I go downtown for ice cream and coffee and fast food…things of that nature. Most of my other shopping is done elsewhere. I buy my underwear at Zellers usually. I’m actually writing this post wearing nothing but them right now. They are black and I think they compliment my butt. I’m too old for the red ones these days. I bought some bread and unfiltered apple juice at Zehr’s yesterday. Len’s Mills is a place we go to a lot. My wife loves it there. I always complain about going but I secretly like rummaging around. I get my cars and motorcycle serviced in the area and do most of my business in Cambridge. I work in Mississauga though. Near the airport.
I don’t see how statistics come into play here. People are people whether they come from Hespeler or Galt or Kitchener or even Toronto. We all deserve a voice and we all have a responsibility.
I’m not an old curmudgeon yet and I still have hope and think that people are in charge of their own destinies. I’m not going to sit in my chair (in my fancy black gitch) and simply bitch and complain and do nothing. “ohhh look at meeee…I’m a big fat complainer. I complain about everyone and everything but i never do anything about it…but please think I’m special.”
There is some great talent in Cambridge. Some great vision and we need to inspire those people who are actually willing to TRY to step up to the plate and represent us. New ideas. New Thoughts. A new hope (queue Star Wars theme).
Rick Cowsill and I exchanged compliments yesterday and we’re going to try to get all registered candidates in our ward together for a public chat sometime down the road. Hopefully some of you will take part as candidates.
Municipal elections are the most import kind as far as I’m concerned and should not be dismissed as irrelevant behind those of the province or country. Where else can we affect change so directly and better the lives of our people?
If you want more information about the Heritage Centre, there is some good information here: http://www.thecompanyofneighbours.com/heritage.centre/index.html or just Google it.
As for older folks…I personally hate seeing them suffer. Too many do. I’ve seen it with my own grandparents and my own parents. I’ve seen it on the news and all around me. I think the issue needs attention regardless of the fact that it may be seem cliché. We can do better for those who need help regardless of age and those who don’t need help should be the ones helping…not just blowing wind out their pie holes.
Let’s get the word out for new folks to register as candidates and for everyone else to get out and vote in October. Being a city councilor is not a lifelong dream of mine but if I’m going to bitch and complain about some of the shit that goes on in our communities then I had better be prepared to actually do something about it.
I have to run now…I hear there’s a sale on toilet paper at Walmart.
Thanks.
Fox
Bob,
Why don’t you sign on?.. I think it’s a great idea..
You see it is like this, I don’t bitch and complain about what goes on in Hespeler, I like the way Rick has done things here and most of the issues I have are Provincial matters not municipal. And trust me, I would not make a good politician, I can’t lie with a straight face. And I hope that you have not put that link to the Heritage center for my benefit, believe me, I know where it is. Now, as for the Senior issue, too many Politicos talk about the Senior issue but then when elected it goes on the back burner, that is my point, too many use it for talking points only. And if everybody ran for office, who the hell would be left to vote?
Now about you, I was intrigued by the underwear model as Politician idea but then remembered that the Republicans in the states had already done that so we can not sell you in that way. You almost lost me though with the Star Wars reference, I hate Star Wars, maybe the Godfather Theme would be more appropriate.
In closing Mr Fox, I am involved in my Community, and anyone who will admit to knowing me will, under threats of torture admit I do my best, all I ask is others do theirs. We can not all do the same thing. Now as for that Toilet Paper sale at Wal-Mart, I can get you a discount anytime you need it, just let me know.
Mark, having written a weekly ‘political’ newspaper column, in Cambridge, for over 12 years; being active in the community and running for mayor twice, first against Mayor Brewer and secondly against Mayor Craig (losing both times…not by much, either time…but still a losing-) I think I can speak here just a bit about municipal government; and on being a serious candidate. Municipal government is the one closest to the people directly on the ground. I agree with you that many folks don’t pay enough attention. Though there are many why’s and wherefore’s attached in-between, the bottom line of the mayor and council should be (but isn’t in many cases); the proper spending of our property taxes to maintain and improve the city’s infrastructure, (clean water, good roads, recreational facilities, etc.)develop jobs through appropriate city planning policies and procedures, and making our city a welcoming and inviting place for current residents and newcomers. Municipal government should not be in the business of funding private enterprise, nor should it even be in the business of funding non-profits (if I want to donate to a favourite local charity, I will, and do…..I’m no fan of funding council’s favourite charities with my tax dollars.) Our council does over-step its bounds at times…i.e. increased property taxes.
Mark, as for ‘complacency’ being the reason why many people (including current councillors) haven’t yet registered for office, I disagree. It may be the reason, in a few cases, but it could be far more complicated. Running for office is still a ‘political game’ . Like it or not. And to be considered a serious and viable candidate, with a real chance of winning, there are strategies to consider and campaign teams to build…and a whole lot of expenses (and out of pocket money) to think about. I personally know of some people who are, as we speak, building their campaigns and will throw their hat in the ring ‘with a big bang’; when the timing is right. There are others who are deciding whether to run for their Ward, the Region or the Mayor’s spot…They are ‘testing; the waters to try and determine where they stand the best chance of winning. You can run all you want, but if you don’t win………???I don’t count out any potential candidate until the cut-off date for registration is upon us, and that’s a long while off.
Don’t give up hope for some good and sensible candidates to step forward. And if you’re serious about winning (not just running) you better have a strong campaign team who will work their behinds off for you; money for signs, brochures and other marketing material. MOST IMPORTANT…….Get on your running shoes and go to every door you can, personally. I am always fond of saying that even though I didn’t win the 2 times I ran for Mayor…..I ‘won’ in the ‘lost weight’ department.
Now…do Cambridge Advocate readers want to hear a really juicy “rumour” (totally unconfirmed- by me- anyway………..But I am soooo hoping it’s true, for many reasons)>>> Don Smith, Cambridge’s former Chief Administrator, has resigned his current position as CAO of Niagara on the Lake, effective April 6, 2010 (the aforementioned is not a rumour, it is true)…Here’s the “rumour” part; he has resigned to run as Cambridge Mayor (though he went to Niagara to work, he continued to reside here>) Politics…such fun!
James! Star Wars is a classic!…so is the Godfather of course…winning the best picture award in the year of my birth…but c’mon. When 900 years old you reach, look as good, you will not! Plus Carrie Fisher looked sweet….better than Brando in my opinion anyhow.
Margaret. You seem awesome. I agree with most of what you have to say including that it is sometimes treated as a game. Strategy. Plans. Egos.
I’m not going to play that game and it may lead to my failure in all of those. My plan: I’m just going to answer questions if asked and be open and honest. I’m not into bullshit or playing games. If people like that then they are free to vote for me. If not, then they will vote for the people who they feel can best represent them based on the information they have. I just want to give people choice and I’m VERY happy to lose anyone who I feel can represent me. I’m even happy to back out and throw support for that person if they come along.
I’m married and have a daughter…um, YEAH…any discount on TP would be appreciated.
Thanks, Mark. I like to ‘think’ I’m awesome……But, sadly, not everyone else agrees with me:-)
BTW I always stand ready to help anyone who wants to run for public office; Anyone out there who thinks I can assist, please, feel free to contact me. margaret-barr@sympatico.ca
Mr.Fox and Margaret Barr l’d like to speak to both of you if you can find the time. Thank-you in advance. Tommy Vann
Sorry, l hit submit comment by mistake before l was finished. Tommy Vann 653-9156 anytime