Jackson for Council 2011

Thank you to the friendly residents of Wedgewood House

We got to meet a large group of intelligent, very interested and engaged residents of Wedgewood house yesterday. They served light refreshments while we sat at tables talking to each other. It was delightful and I even met a couple of old friends.

One more week to go!

Thanks to Kevin Rothbauer at the Cowichan Valley Citizen for the great article about my candidacy.

This has been a long haul, I have been delivering fliers and door knocking since early October. I am certain that most people are sick of seeing us and just want all the signs to disappear. Note to self: If elected, bring forward a resolution limiting the number of signs posted by any one candidate. It is getting ridiculous and some intersections look like junk yards. The city is one square mile. No one needs 300 signs.

Closed Doors and Self Serving Agendas?

Misha Koslovsky’s letter to the Cowichan Newsleader yesterday was not from a disinterested, outraged taxpayer. Misha is Paul Fletcher’s Official Agent. While this is not strictly against the Local Government Election Act, it is very poor form indeed and not fair on the Newsleader.

Endorsed by the Nanaimo Duncan & District Labour Council

Thank you to the Labour Council for their endorsement. They are right, municipalities do matter and local government impacts the lives of everyone more directly than any other level.

I spent two hours yesterday up in Centennial Heights, door knocking and dropping off fliers. People are very generous with their time and ideas.

I just Signed The Pledge. No, not THAT Pledge, THIS one.

I am a supporter of Public Health Care. I am opposed to privatization of health care. This is what I agreed to do:

Public Health Care Pledge

I think it is a tragedy that if you have to go into long term care, it is like a lottery. Go to one facility and everything is paid for under the public health care system. Go to a P3 facility, and you pay for every bandage, every diaper, every pill.

Public Health Care is not a municipal responsibility, but speaking out for it can be!

First Duncan All Candidates Meeting November 1

There will be an all-candidates meeting on November 1, from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm at Dino’s Restaurant on the corner of Jubilee and Government. Muffins and Coffee will be available.

Please RSVP to 250-715-1700 or by email at dbia@downtownduncan

I have not heard of another one. Rumour has it that the Newsleader will not be doing their poll of all candidates this year, which will make it harder for people to get to know the newer candidates. That is really a shame.

Thanks for the Welcome to Downtown Duncan…NOT!

First, read Mr. Gerry Chaster’s comments on downtown Duncan here.

I hope that Mr. Chaster’s recent letter to the Newsleader has not undone a lot of very hard work by very many people to bring local citizens, their families and tourists to downtown Duncan; to walk, to enjoy music, to stop for a meal or to patronize one or several of our many wonderful shops. He claims there is a bar on every corner and that “drunks and druggies” are either lying around everywhere or dancing in the streets.

If the speakers in the park need to be re-directed during Summer Festival, this can be addressed. If there are people causing disturbances in the area, this also can be addressed. If trespass and thievery is occurring, I am very sorry to hear it. Please phone the police, Mr. Chaster. That is what they are for.

Why he would attach my personal name to such a letter is a mystery. I am a grandmother who enjoys needlework and grows vegetables. Between my two jobs, my work as a Duncan Councillor and my volunteer work, I actually don’t have time to roll around with my friends in Charles Hoey Park.

And in regards to me having a “gang,” please stop saying that. Since the letter was published, applications to join have been coming in thick and fast and I don’t know what to do about them.

I have filed my papers and set up my bank account!

I have filed my papers, paid my fee and set up my bank account. My pamphlets are designed and are ready to print.

Please consider helping out my campaign by delivering fliers in your neighbourhood or by donating a small amount via PayPal.

Let the race begin!

More Information About DriveABLE

I received a phone call today from Bill Bland of DriveABLE today.

Bill wished to correct some of the information I had received from Steve Wallace in early October.

His main points were:

1. The computer part of the DriveABLE test is very simple. Either press a button or touch the screen. Computer Literacy is not required.
2. The $335 fee is covered by the office of the Superintendent of Vehicles, not by the senior.
3. Seniors are generally the safest drivers as long as they are self-limiting.
4. People tend to not self limit if they are cognitively impaired or medically at-risk.
5. Of seniors tested who are cognitively impaired, there is a 35% pass rate (not 15%).
6. There is a DriveABLE office in both Nanaimo and Victoria
7. DriveABLE tests about 3000 people a year.
8. The point of the test is to remove medically at-risk drivers of any age from the road.

Mr. Bland agrees it would be a lot better if people could take the test in their own town, however, he says it is not feasible.

For me, this still raises the question, “Why has the province contracted this work to a private company based in Alberta, when these tests could be done locally with local ICBC Employees?”

Name the Trail beside the Train Tracks

I believe today is the last day you can vote on a name for the trail that runs parallel to the rail road tracks. I have been advocating “Peggy’s Trail,” with support from the Centennial Committee. Peggy was the last madam of the brothel that used to sit on the north boundary of the City on Canada Avenue.

I received this yesterday from former North Cowichan Mayor, Anne Murray, who obviously has a good sense of humour:

Railwaymen's Ease

“The building which now houses Madrone Environmental Services and before that, the Jehovah Witnesses’ Kingdom Hall was built to accommodate a “house of ill-repute” (a lovely label!), run by Madam Peggy something. It was known as ‘Railwaymens’ Ease.’

“Given that we have no commemoration of the hundreds of labourers who worked long hours under brutal conditions to build a railway which brought coal from Nanaimo and Ladysmith and agricultural produce from the Cowichan Valley to the British Navel Base at Esquimalt, it would be a worthwhile tip of the historical hat to name the trail Railwaymens’ Ease Trail in honour of the Social Service provided by Madam Peggy and her ladies to those labourers and probably to some of our pioneer settlers.

“Should you consider this too upsetting for sensitive souls, you could consider a bench opposite Madrone on the trail next to the railway and call that bench ‘Railwaymens’ Ease’, some people will not understand the significance of this name , but most will have a giggle and realize that history is fun to learn and will appreciate the double entendre.”

If you want to vote on either of these names, today is the last day namethetrail@northcowichan.ca