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In this issue:
City election (1): Mel & Tooker: is there an election?
City election (2): voting information.
Federal election (1): 10 candidates - count 'em
Federal election (2): Details of All Candidates meeting in Swansea
SARA fundraiser
Ellis Park update

1. Mayoralty "race"
To many people, in this municipal election, there is no mayoralty race. It's just Mel Lastman and 25 fringe candidates. And for anyone who feels that Mel Lastman is the right person to lead Toronto over the next 3 years, there is little need for decision-making in that race.

However, for voters who would like an alternative, who feel that substantial issues have NOT been discussed or debated in this election, or who are looking for a different direction on key issues -- if you haven't already, you might want to consider consider Tooker Gomberg.

Although the Mayor has almost $1 million in his campaign fund, he hasn't conducted much of a "campaign". Much of the major media has dismissed Gomberg into the "fringe" bucket with the other 24 candidates; as a result he has pursued "gimmicks" to attract attention (is that so different from the way Mr. Lastman has operated over his career?). However, he has presented numerous policy papers on issues that should be considered and debated in a civic election, including environment, homelessness, transit, the arts, citizen involvement in government, taxes, etc.

Here are two recent articles from eye discussing his candidacy:
Bob Hunter: "Tooker's for real"
http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_11.02.00/news/enviro.html

John Sewell:
http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_11.02.00/news/citystate.html

See also Don Wanagas' (National Post City Hall columnist) views on Mel's strange campaign."What, exactly, is Mel Lastman running from?" From the Nov. 1 Post: http://www.nationalpost.com/commentary/columnists/story.html?f=/stories/20001101/447857.html

Finally, for more information on him, his campaign and the policies he is promoting, his website is: http://www.gombergformayor.org.

His candidacy has been endorsed by (among others), Jane Jacobs, David Suzuki, Michelle Landsberg & Naomi Klein, The Sierra Club, and The Annex Gleaner.

Although much of the major media would like to promote this as a "non-election", we feel it is important for people to recognize that there may be serious alternatives, and to consider all the options.

(A local note: In our Oct. 31st newsletter, we described Mel & Tooker's recent visit to Bloor West Village (see http://webhome.idirect.com/~jleeson/city_election.htm).
Now you can see the movie! Go to http://www.gombergformayor.org/video/video.html. See the link entitled "'Debate?' October 29, 2000". The link on the left includes a long video clip. On the right is news coverage on 2 TV stations. These clips use Real Player software. )

2. City Election notes
A couple of pre-voting day notes: Even if you've received a voting card in the mail, you will be asked for identification showing your name & address at the poll. Be prepared -- this is new. (As is the ballot. No more "X" in the circle.)

Voting hours are 10 - 8pm. For information, visit http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/vote2000/index.htm or phone 338-1111

3. Parkdale-High Park Federal Election:
a) Lots of candidates:
There are 10 nominated candidates in Parkdale-High Park. Alphabetically, by party:
Canadian Action Party: Greg Robertson
Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance: Vicky Vancas
Communist Party of Canada: Wilfred Szczesny
Green Party: Neil Spiegel
Independent: Michel Dugre
Liberal: Sarmite Bulte
Marijuana Party: Terry Parker
Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada: Lorne Gershuny
NDP: Paul Schmidt
Progressive Conservative: David Strycharz

More details, including contact information is on our website: www.world19.com or http://webhome.idirect.com/~jleeson/fed_election_main.htm

b) All-Candidates Meeting details confirmed
The ACM sponsored by Swansea Area Ratepayers Association (SARA) which was originally scheduled for October 8 has been rescheduled to: -- Tue. Nov 14, 7:00 - 9:30pm Swansea Community Recreation Centre, 15 Waller Avenue. (Not the Town Hall; this is next to Swansea Public School.) Note that parking is always difficult to find near the Rec. Centre - please use alternative methods to get there! Other dates are on our website, and will be updates as we confirm details.

4. Swansea Raterpayers fundraiser
Swansea Area Ratepayers Association (SARA) is holding a fundraiser in co-operation with the Village Players at the Village Playhouse Theatre, 2190 Bloor St. West on Thursday November 16, at 8:00pm. Tickets are $14 for a production of "Alone Together", a comedy about family life, suitable for adults and children age 12 and over.

For tickets, phone Lynn Clay at 767-9509.

5. Ellis Park update:
The "Too Big for our Neighbourhood" has reminded people of the OMB appeal of the condominium development scheduled for December 11, and encourage people to attend. Their most recent note is on our website: www.world19.com or http://webhome.idirect.com/~jleeson/ellis_park.htm.

For world19,
John Leeson

world19:
Supporting citizen involvement in our community and its future.
Phone: 416 766-8605
Fax: 416 766-0578
email: world19@world19.com
web: www.world19.com