Is This A Kilrea Exit Strategy?

Although he has convinced himself that he is the next Mayor of Ottawa, average polling shows that Kilrea is hovering in the 14-16% range. That would be a cause for celebration, if those results were for a new candidate or deemed to be solid support. But the fact is that Kilrea's level of support has plateued and has not moved much over the past three years since he ran for the top political job.

Perhaps this 'conflict of interest' investigation by the Ministry of The Attorney General is the best thing that could happen to this campaign; and that is the conclusion of it.

Results

From cfra.com;

If the Municipal Election were held today, my vote for Mayor would go to:

Bob Chiarelli
30.8%

Alex Munter
8.44%

Terry Kilrea
37.6%

Larry O'Brien
23.0%

Total Votes: 2109

Interesting results wouldn't you agree? O'BRIEN faired quite well given that he hasn't even formally registered to run. This race is actually worth watching now.

We Don't Write For Them.....We Swear

But seriously the editorial does reflect what we wrote-yesterday-

Ottawa Sun Editorial;

July 28, 2006
Mayor's race is on
And then there were four. Ottawa hi-tech mogul Larry O'Brien has stirred things up in the race for mayor, announcing that he's jumping into the fray.

O'Brien's candidacy is great news in a campaign that, until this week, had all the excitement of a day watching grass grow. Now, though, we've got a race -- Ottawans have four clear choices of the direction they want to see the city head.

We have the stay-the-course option of re-electing incumbent Bob Chiarelli, the bare-bones approach of Terry Kilrea, the left-leaning agenda of Alex Munter, and now O'Brien, the successful businessman.

Chiarelli, no doubt, will continue to run on his record, including his crowning achievement of winning approval for the first stage of a rapid light rail link. The sitting mayor is the only one to hold that office in the amalgamated City of Ottawa and can offer the comfort factor.
Munter previously served as a city councillor and is now after the top job, promising on his website to "create the city we want for the future. I will bring the ideas, the energy and the experience to make it happen."

Kilrea has been focusing on a law-and-order campaign in recent weeks and is also working hard to derail the light rail project as it's currently proposed. He calls himself the conservative choice for mayor.

O'Brien, a novice to the world of politics, promises to bring the same businesslike approach to City Hall that he's demonstrated at Calian, the tech company he founded. O'Brien says he's concerned about the direction Chiarelli is taking the nation's capital -- one that seems to be concentrated on regulating and governing, rather than applying its political effort to deliver basic services to taxpayers.

"There is a huge demand in our city for change," O'Brien says.

When we get closer to election day, we'll tell you which of the candidates we think is best qualified for the top job. In the meantime, we're happy to see such a strong field.

We urge voters to listen well to what each has to say. In recent years, the turnout for municipal elections has been abysmal. We're optimistic that, with such clear choices to be made, that trend will be reversed.

Common Sense, Yes We Like That

The race for Mayor in this city just got a lot more interesting. Citizens are tired of The Three Ring Circus of Bob, Alex, and Terry. Larry O'BRIEN is set to spark up discussion and may ultimately find himself with a new job for 14 Nov. 2006.

Any candidate who states his intention is to get this city back to basics and away from special interest pet projects, (way to many to list) definitely has our seal of approval.

Look for Bob and Alex to start playing the "hey that guy has no political experience" card.

And that friends is why ordinary citizens will like him.

0-Caledonia

A land claim which is set to delay or at very least cause a problem for construction of the Go-Nowhere Train is beginning to gain ground.

Letter of thanks for poor leadership on First Nations issues can be addressed to Premier Liar. Thank you Mr.McGuinty your pathetic response to the Caledonia land claims dispute has set a new precedent for how these files are dealt with.

A Foursome?

Sources had mentioned it to us that a new face was about to enter the race for Ottawa mayor. We salute Mr. O'Brien for putting his name in the race and believe that this is a pivotal point in this year's election. Perhaps we will finally get some real ideas and a fresh perspective from someone who is outside the bubble.

If Conservatives in Ottawa are looking for someone to back, that might actually win, this is perhaps their knight in shining armor.

Munter and Chiarelli no doubt didn't see this one coming.

Desroches "Accountability"

We're not quite sure how this fits into the word accountable....but if he does get elected we will hold him to his word:

OTTAWA, ON - Steve Desroches, Candidate for Councillor in Ward 22, has a long-standing record of fighting for greater accountability and transparency on behalf of taxpayers. This is why, today, he is once again leading the charge by announcing Point #3 of his Accountability Plan: Saving taxpayers' dollars. Currently, Ottawa City Councillors receive a $6,000 per annum car allowance for use of their private vehicles in the charge of their duties as City Councillors. "If elected to Council, I will not accept a car allowance for just commuting to and from work, attending Council or Committee meetings, or attending local Ward 22 events," says Steve. "Councillors earn decent salaries and I believe they should not be treated any different than the people they represent."Over the next two years, City Staff are projecting significant budget pressures and shortfalls. Steve adds, "Residents have already faced three consecutive years of tax increases and elected officials should lead by example. Desroches adds, "This is about being fair, transparent, accountable, and it is also about public disclosure, which are all concepts I value greatly and which I will not only continue to promote but also demonstrate by leading by example. 1

So your 6000 dollars will save us another tax increase-guess your math (or your campaign advisors math for that matter isn't quite up to par).

Ward 3

It's about time....finally we can relax; one of the most common sense and down to councillors is seeking re-election. We as a city need to know that at least one voice among the 23 will speak for the majority.

Ideas In A Mayoral Campaign?

Could it be that a candidate for mayor has actually put forth an idea on a topic of concern to taxpayers? We congratulate Terry KILREA for putting forth his vision for public safety.

Unlike his challengers who are arguing over whether or not sexual preference will play a role in voters minds, KILREA is producing a platform.

We urge his two opponents to start producing policy that they will follow through on in Nov. 2006. This means that MUNTER in particular should start revealing what many believe to be his hidden agenda on social program spending (tax raise anyone?)

KILREA RELEASE

"Bob The O-Train"

We wonder if this would be a hit on Children's T.V.-

A Train that has a mayor for a conductor and burns money to run?

What do you all think? We think it's a goldmine.....still disappointed with the O-Train decision!

Gord Hunter For Mayor

That's all.

Trouble In Paradise?

Did the newest rail conductor in Ottawa lose a partisan hack from his campaign team? Mayor Bob needs to refocus, not only does his train go to nowhere; but his political future seems to be heading that way as well.

Maybe since this partisan assistants departure from team CHIARELLI, we will see his website which was once updated quite regularily back in action? Or maybe he will find employment with some individuals running for council seats around the city?

Oh and "Bayshore Shirley" running for council requires a little more than calling into talk shows and showing up for council meetings. Might want to re-evaluate your run for office.

The Wrong Choice

Today a majority of Ottawa City Councillors made what we consider to be a mistake. They voted for a light rail system that in the end will not be a substantial benefit to a majority of residents. When councillors, such as DEANS were on 580 CFRA in the morning of the vote admitting that they weren't quite sure if it was the best solution for transit problems in Ottawa, but were going to go ahead and vote for it, we all realized that this was a bigger mess than anyone could have imagined.

Today Ottawa city council invested over 1 BILLION dollars into a system that the public as a whole still knows very little about. Are you as a ratepayer comfortable with this? Are you ready for the cost over-runs? How about the 2% tax increase that is slated for 2010 to fund our new train?

You know who voted for this, and it is your duty as voters to punish those in Nov. whom you disagree with.

There was an alternative, and that was to put the plan on hold, sober up and make an informed and responsible decision. Today at 110 Laurier, several councillors voted with emotion and not a sound mind. And for that, we as a collective city are now headed down a dangerous financial path.

To put it in context, Bell Globemedia is planning to purchase CHUM media for 1.7 Billion $. In our opinion, the city would have better invested our taxes in buying a media empire, rather than an outdated, upproven, 60's style electric choo choo train. Mayor BOB, your legacy is set; we bet that 20 years from now, residents will still be paying for your train project. Congratulations, you have caught the attention of the electorate...Nov 2006 can't come fast enough.

An Example

Congrats to The PRIDE Festival; for once a festival has shown the proper way to stage an event. Private dollar$ do exist in this city, and if the festival is worthy they will come forward. Take notice Coun. HOLMES, this is an example that you and your colleagues will want to follow in the future. Public dollars (namely municipal) should not be distributed to fund ANY sort of festivals.

Hunter Scores

Counc. HUNTER deserves a mild round of applause for his 12 step program to an affordable and viable light rail plan. And step one sums up our opinion quite well;
"Reject the current North-South Light Rail Proposal. With its new bridges and tunnels it is too expensive for the amount of service gain that is anticipated. It does not demonstrate 'value-for-dollar'."

Hopefully some of the other 'decision' makers sitting around the table reject the current proposal as well.

Munter-Looking Less and Less Like A Leader

We have yet to endorse a candidate for mayor (they all have their faults). But for someone who was going to have a campaign of ideas, Muntie is doing a pretty poor job. It's not often that we agree or even post a link to an Earl McRAE related editorial (that's what they say they are) but this one deserves a read.

By the way has anyone started to dig up those old minutes from when the Kanata wonderchild sat on Ottawa council? Some mighty good spending going on during those days from what we recall.

Got a Lead?

Drop us a line @
thehallmonitor06@gmail.com

A Bedard Moment

Too much fun and partying says Coun. BEDARD. Listen, we expect that councillors running for re-election after three years of little accomplishment will try to flood the media with ideas a few months prior to Nov. However, BEDARD has proved with his previous two proposals that he has little to offer his constituents over the next four years. Two stirkes Georges, three and we predict you will be heading into retirement in November (if someone is up to running against him).

And another thing- Rick CHIARELLI is actually going to need to campaign for his seat. We applaud Dana BARNETT for declaring her candidacy and look forward to some new ideas for residents of Ward 8. If her website is an indication, this appears to be the only real new challenger to any incumbent across the city.