See Clarington This Week's article "Clarington Mayor charged with assault".
Also there was a story on page 5 of today's Toronto Sun: Cops mum on mayor's charges
By BRODIE FENLON, TORONTO SUN
Durham Regional Police are refusing to release any information about assault charges laid against the mayor of Clarington, citing concerns about identifying victims.
John Mutton, in his second term as mayor of town council, faces two counts of assault and will appear in an Oshawa court July 11, a local newspaper reported yesterday.
Dave Selby, spokesman for the police service, said the report is accurate but he refused to elaborate.
"That is fact. That is factual. But we never released that," Selby said of the charges.
"We're not revealing or releasing any information with regard to that investigation to be consistent with how we've dealt with cases like this is in the past."
"The main focus is the concern about the identification of victims. That's why we did not release the information."
Mutton, who was in Toronto yesterday, declined to comment on the charges.
His page on the town's website says that he is a fifth-generation resident of the area and lives in Newcastle Village area with his wife, Jennifer, and their two children.
Durham Regional Chairman Roger Anderson, who sits on the police services board, also declined comment yesterday. "It's before the courts and I'm sure the courts will deal with it appropriately, as will Mayor Mutton," Anderson said.
29 Jun 2006
3 Jun 2006
Political funding in 905 mainly from developers
The Toronto Star June 1st edition, gave us some insight as to why our councils may seem to us to be "developer-friendly". It's not all in our heads.
A study released Thursday by York University political science professor Robert MacDermid found that local councillors in the suburban cities and towns bordering Toronto get the bulk of their campaign funds — in one case as high as 96.7 per cent — from corporate contributions, primarily from developers. Oh my, what a surprise!
A detailed analysis of the money shows that across the 905 municipalities almost 70 per cent of all corporate contributions came directly from developers or companies that represented construction interests. In Toronto it's 44 per cent. But then they don't have all that open land waiting to be developed in Toronto. Not like we have in the 905 areas, certainly in Clarington!
"Citizens have a blame here," MacDermid said. "In their absence from politics both as voters and as contributors, business and development interests fill that void."
As a result their interests dominate in the 905 area where there is more land to be developed, he said.
There is a way to remedy this - and Ajax Mayor Steve seems to have found it. Ajax has the 2nd highest individual voter participation behind Toronto, and they are the only municipalities to offer rebates for individual contributions. In the case of Ajax, voters can get 75 per cent of the first $100 donated to a politician back and 50 per cent of the next $150 pack. The cap for rebates is $250. It's a way to get individuals to donate and those big donations by developers aren't needed.
Parish has asked the province to step in and reform campaign finance laws, but to date his plea seems to have fallen on deaf ears, as usual. Perhaps Clarington should consider following the Ajax lead though, and offer rebates. It couldn't hurt. (Only for individual contributions, not unions and corporations)
Of course all politicians will dismiss any suggestion that developers have undue influence because of their election contributions. In some cases that may be true, in others not. But the perception of impropriety is as important as the real deal itself, and there is certainly that perception. Especially when there are "planning" decisions that make absolutely no sense other than to give developers what they ask for, at times even against the recommendations of planning staff. They can usually find an excuse for their actions, but not always a plausible one. We're not that stupid.
A study released Thursday by York University political science professor Robert MacDermid found that local councillors in the suburban cities and towns bordering Toronto get the bulk of their campaign funds — in one case as high as 96.7 per cent — from corporate contributions, primarily from developers. Oh my, what a surprise!
A detailed analysis of the money shows that across the 905 municipalities almost 70 per cent of all corporate contributions came directly from developers or companies that represented construction interests. In Toronto it's 44 per cent. But then they don't have all that open land waiting to be developed in Toronto. Not like we have in the 905 areas, certainly in Clarington!
"Citizens have a blame here," MacDermid said. "In their absence from politics both as voters and as contributors, business and development interests fill that void."
As a result their interests dominate in the 905 area where there is more land to be developed, he said.
There is a way to remedy this - and Ajax Mayor Steve seems to have found it. Ajax has the 2nd highest individual voter participation behind Toronto, and they are the only municipalities to offer rebates for individual contributions. In the case of Ajax, voters can get 75 per cent of the first $100 donated to a politician back and 50 per cent of the next $150 pack. The cap for rebates is $250. It's a way to get individuals to donate and those big donations by developers aren't needed.
Parish has asked the province to step in and reform campaign finance laws, but to date his plea seems to have fallen on deaf ears, as usual. Perhaps Clarington should consider following the Ajax lead though, and offer rebates. It couldn't hurt. (Only for individual contributions, not unions and corporations)
Of course all politicians will dismiss any suggestion that developers have undue influence because of their election contributions. In some cases that may be true, in others not. But the perception of impropriety is as important as the real deal itself, and there is certainly that perception. Especially when there are "planning" decisions that make absolutely no sense other than to give developers what they ask for, at times even against the recommendations of planning staff. They can usually find an excuse for their actions, but not always a plausible one. We're not that stupid.
We deserve better
This editorial appeared in May 24th edition of the Orono Weekly Times and is worthy of your consideration. The Orono Times is well worth the $35.00 yearly subscription (for 48 issues) and is a truly "independent" publication. It's not available on-line, so no matter where you live in Clarington, consider a subscription. It's well worth it. email oronotimes@rogers.com or phone/fax 905-983-5301.
We deserve better
This year's upcoming municipal election has already sparked more interest than the previous municipal election in 2003.
As of Tuesday morning 17 candidates had filed their nomination papers with the Municipal Clerk. That's three more than filed for the last election, and there are more than six months before election day, November 13th. One gets the sense that the electorate feel that it is time for a clean sweep. The present council, except for Councillor Adrian Foster of Ward 1- Courtice, are finishing their second three year term in their respective offices. There were three councillors acclaimed last time, and while there are still three unchallenged councillors, it is still early in the process. There should never be acclamations in a democracy, so it's heartening to see so many residents putting up their names as candidates this time around. Thus far the Regional seat for Ward 1 and 2 has four candidates. This is the seat currently held by Jim Schell, who has declared that he will not seek re-election. Running for this seat are current Ward 2 Local councillor, Don MacArthur, Suzanne Elston and George Van Dyk who are both former Clarington Public Utilities Commissioners, and Keven McAlpine, retired Durham Regional Police Chief.
Five candidates have filed to run in the seat to be vacated by Local Ward 2 councillor, as he seeks to get elected in Jim Schell's place. Running for that Bowmanville seat are Blair Smyth a relatively new Clarington resident, who is facing retirement and wants to give back to his community. Colin Argyle who ran as an NDP candidate in the last provincial election, and ran for Public School Board Trustee in the last municipal election. Steve Rowland is a paramedic manager who likes the town, is pleased with what the past council has accomplished. Ron Hooper, long time business owner in Bowmanville, and current president of the Bowmanville Business Improvement Association filed his nomination papers last Friday, and John Sturdy, another life-long Bowmanville resident who thinks people need a politician who will listen to them, filed his papers yesterday.
Three candidates have already indicated their intention to run for the Ward 3, Local Councillor seat, currently held by Pat Pingle. Though Pingle said earlier that she was seeking re-election, it is doubtful whether she will run. Running in that ward are David Duffie, a retired Bowmanville resident who says he has the time to serve his community, Kevin Anyan a life-long Bowmanville residents, former restaurant owner, and current food caterer, and Willie Woo of Newcastle, who ran against Councillor Charlie Trim in the 2000 election.
There are still two candidates seeking the Mayor's position, our current Mayor is being challenged by Jim Abernethy, who also wants to serve the community.
The province has just extended the next term of municipal council, so those elected in November will hold office for four years, rather than three, the previous term for municipal council.
This council certainly have made their jobs more lucrative.
One of the first pieces of business this council attended to once they were elected, for this term was to increase their salaries; increasing the Mayor' s salary by 18 percent in one year alone. Prior to this council being elected in 2000, the total pay package for the mayor was $79,000. Last year the Mayor took home a total of $164,000. Being elected mayor of Clarington for the next four years term has become a $650,000 proposition. That is until they pass their next pay hike.
The average pay for local councillors prior to 2000 was $17,000. Last year Clarington's four local councillors were paid $35,000, with the two regional councillors taking home $85,000 depending on what committees they sit on. Regional Councillors prior to 2000 were paid $46,000.
It takes courage to run any campaign, and those who put their name forward for a political campaign deserve our respect. Get to know your candidates, find out why they want to represent you, and what vision they have for the next four years, and beyond.
It is said: "you get the politicians you deserve," and we deserve better than what we've had.
The last opportunity to file nomination papers for November's election is 5 p.m. on September 29.
We deserve better
This year's upcoming municipal election has already sparked more interest than the previous municipal election in 2003.
As of Tuesday morning 17 candidates had filed their nomination papers with the Municipal Clerk. That's three more than filed for the last election, and there are more than six months before election day, November 13th. One gets the sense that the electorate feel that it is time for a clean sweep. The present council, except for Councillor Adrian Foster of Ward 1- Courtice, are finishing their second three year term in their respective offices. There were three councillors acclaimed last time, and while there are still three unchallenged councillors, it is still early in the process. There should never be acclamations in a democracy, so it's heartening to see so many residents putting up their names as candidates this time around. Thus far the Regional seat for Ward 1 and 2 has four candidates. This is the seat currently held by Jim Schell, who has declared that he will not seek re-election. Running for this seat are current Ward 2 Local councillor, Don MacArthur, Suzanne Elston and George Van Dyk who are both former Clarington Public Utilities Commissioners, and Keven McAlpine, retired Durham Regional Police Chief.
Five candidates have filed to run in the seat to be vacated by Local Ward 2 councillor, as he seeks to get elected in Jim Schell's place. Running for that Bowmanville seat are Blair Smyth a relatively new Clarington resident, who is facing retirement and wants to give back to his community. Colin Argyle who ran as an NDP candidate in the last provincial election, and ran for Public School Board Trustee in the last municipal election. Steve Rowland is a paramedic manager who likes the town, is pleased with what the past council has accomplished. Ron Hooper, long time business owner in Bowmanville, and current president of the Bowmanville Business Improvement Association filed his nomination papers last Friday, and John Sturdy, another life-long Bowmanville resident who thinks people need a politician who will listen to them, filed his papers yesterday.
Three candidates have already indicated their intention to run for the Ward 3, Local Councillor seat, currently held by Pat Pingle. Though Pingle said earlier that she was seeking re-election, it is doubtful whether she will run. Running in that ward are David Duffie, a retired Bowmanville resident who says he has the time to serve his community, Kevin Anyan a life-long Bowmanville residents, former restaurant owner, and current food caterer, and Willie Woo of Newcastle, who ran against Councillor Charlie Trim in the 2000 election.
There are still two candidates seeking the Mayor's position, our current Mayor is being challenged by Jim Abernethy, who also wants to serve the community.
The province has just extended the next term of municipal council, so those elected in November will hold office for four years, rather than three, the previous term for municipal council.
This council certainly have made their jobs more lucrative.
One of the first pieces of business this council attended to once they were elected, for this term was to increase their salaries; increasing the Mayor' s salary by 18 percent in one year alone. Prior to this council being elected in 2000, the total pay package for the mayor was $79,000. Last year the Mayor took home a total of $164,000. Being elected mayor of Clarington for the next four years term has become a $650,000 proposition. That is until they pass their next pay hike.
The average pay for local councillors prior to 2000 was $17,000. Last year Clarington's four local councillors were paid $35,000, with the two regional councillors taking home $85,000 depending on what committees they sit on. Regional Councillors prior to 2000 were paid $46,000.
It takes courage to run any campaign, and those who put their name forward for a political campaign deserve our respect. Get to know your candidates, find out why they want to represent you, and what vision they have for the next four years, and beyond.
It is said: "you get the politicians you deserve," and we deserve better than what we've had.
The last opportunity to file nomination papers for November's election is 5 p.m. on September 29.
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