So how many of you think Jim Wilson deserves another term in office???

In Ontario we have 3 major problems: globilization which is causing great job loss, global warming, and toxic waste accumulation. The Green Party is the only one with well developed plans to combat all three problems. Please check our web site at www.simcoegrey.greenparty.ca for new information.

The Liberals have made great progress during the past 4 years. Do we really want to go back to the days of teacher strikes, nurses being laid-off, larger classroom sizes, lower test scores for our kids. Let’s not forget the 5.6 billion dollar deficit that the Tories left us with in 2003. I think the answer is no. So on October 10th, let’s all make history and elect the first Liberal in Simcoe-Grey.

Electing a Liberal wouldn’t be of historical value. Electing a Green would. Peter Ellis in Simcoe Grey

While the Green Party and Peter Ellis have some good ideas they won’t win the seat in Simcoe Grey. Don’t waste your vote and let’s break the Conservative hold on our riding by voting Liberal.

That is the don’t waste your vote theory which is why we need MMP. To vote for progress and real democracy vote for MMP on October 10 2007 and don’t forget to send $10.10 to the vote for MMP campaign.
I’m still voting Green by the way.

Stuart I went to the Green Party’s website and of course you would be voting Green as you are the CFO for the riding association. I also will be voting for the MMP as it’s about time the “First Past the Post” becomes a thing of the past. Why should a guy like Jim Wilson who has done nothing for our riding keep getting elected. Maybe if Jim had some company at Queens Park things will finally get done!

Glad you are voting for MMP.I agree a few list MP’s would shake things up.

This nonsense about Wilson not doing anything for the riding is just that — nonsense. His stamp is on everything from the new Thornbury dam, the rec-plex in Wasaga Beach, the expansion of the main street in Angus, new water and sewer in Clearview and Wasaga Beach, the Gibson Centre in Alliston, the re-developed Collingwood hospital and the new water treatement plant there, not to mention new dialysis clinics, and the list goes on and on and on.

Let’s see Rick….

The RecPlex was a project under the “Superbuild” program which was both Federal and Provincial, and both Liberal governments. The new water and sewers in Clearview and Wasaga Beach were projects approved and funded by the Provincial Liberals, the Collingwood hospital was given 6 million dollars for their expansion by the provincial Liberals, and the Gibson Centre was made possible by the Township, with grants from the provincial Liberals, and donations by Honda.

So by Jim Wilson going to events and making a speech does not mean his “Stamp” is on everything positive in the riding.

“and the Gibson Centre was made possible by the Township,”
New Tecumseth is a Town not a township. And money came from all three levels and many supporters not the least of which are the Gibsons

Thanks Stuart for clearing that up. I think Jim Wilson’s supporters should get their facts straight before posting anything.

If the Family Coalition Party runs a full slate of candidates across the province, like they’re announcing, I could very well see them finishing a strong 4th ahead of the Green Party. Or maybe even third ahead of the NDP

Concerned Voter — it’s not clear whether you mean that the FCP would finish 4th or 3rd *in this riding* or across the province. Your wording implies across the province. If so, I think this is wishful thinking at best. The FCP ran a 50% slate in 2003 and got 0.8% of the vote. If they run a full slate, they are probably still under 2%. The provincial Greens certainly lack the organization even of their federal counterparts, but I don’t see them gaining less than the 2.8% they got in 2003. So, the FCP would be hard pressed to beat the Greens. It’s possible, but unlikely. It’s possible the FCP could finish ahead of the NDP in this riding, but the claim that the FCP could out-poll the NDP province-wide is, I must say, quite laughable. The NDP is polling between 18.6 and 21.8% currently (roughly 1 in 5 Ontarians would vote NDP, as compared to at best 1 in 60 for the FCP).

This http://www.sesresearch.com/library/polls/POLONT-S07-T236.pdf
suggests that the Greens could get 11% or maybe more given the trend is up.

This is the Simcoe-Grey message board is it not? Certainly you would’ve figured I was implying they would do good in this particular riding, not the province as a whole.

CV — so what makes the success in this riding contingent upon the FCP running candidates elsewhere?

The FCP does not ahve a chance in passing ahead of the NDP or Green Party. An independant candidate would do better then the FCP. Democraticspace has it right when they project Wilson at 54%, Fishman at 24% and Austin at 16% at this point in the game. However Wilson has alot to answer for in not getting the job done, and Fishman could increase his numbers provided he gets his message out to the voters.

The Green Party which I showed above is 11% Ontario wide is poised to do very well in Simcoe Grey. The party has done better very election since 1999. It is also a big tent party appealing to left and right. The party is likely to be the benefiter of many of the Jim Wilson losses. Many Greens are former PC’s. Also being the “greenist” is very important to many looking for a new place to mark their “X”. Look for the Greens to be in the top three.

I really don’t care who wins provided that it’s not Wilson. He’s done nothing but tow the party line during the past 4 years. He voted against the clean water act, he voted against the balanced budget bill, and much more. He’s party first then the residents second.

A vote for Wilson is a vote for the past. Vote either Fishman, Austin, or Ellis, and support MMP.

Here’s more good news for the Greens.

The Green Party is also emerging as a player for the first time in the province as Ontarians become increasingly concerned about global warming and climate change. The party enjoys support from 8 per cent of the voters, up from just 3 per cent in the last election. Support for the party is particularly strong in southwest Ontario, where it has jumped to 11 per cent from 3 per cent.

Stuart — notwithstanding your desire, as a Green candidate, to see your party do well, it is important to look at more than one poll. We use 5-poll averages in order to even out the swings that occur from poll to poll. The last 5 poll numbers for the Greens have been 1, 7, 7, 11, 3 — the weighted average (taking into account sample size) is 5.7%.

I’m curious which polls did you use. And by the way I’m the CFO not the candidate and I believe that the Greens are going to be the surprize of this election.
I would also say that 1% is definately an anomoly. Take that out and we’re at 7%. Take out the three as well and we’re at 8.3. We in Simcoe Grey are determined to be in the top three as the Liberals are in disaray, the former Riding president moved and the NDP just won’t be anything now that former candidate and riding president Leo Loserit(sp)has quit the party. This one is open for contention. Just watch me.

Nice try Stuart. You of all people should know that it’s the candidate that makes the election and not the riding association. I have a strong team in place and an excellent marketing plan that will get my message out without blowing my brains out with signs (which is not good for the environment) and the added costs of runing an election. A vote for the NDP or Green Party in Simcoe Grey is a vote for the Conservatives. Also why did they not nominate you as the Candidate, I heard that they cancelled the meeting and decided to go with Peter at another meeting. Talk about disaray!

Mr. Starbuck where do you get your numbers from? I think the people at democraticspace have a better understanding of the issues and numbers then you do. While I may or may not vote Liberal this election, I agree with Mr. Fishman that a vote for the NDP or your party would be a vote that gives Wilson another 4 years. Do we really want that!

With respect to the nomination meeting, I was nominated but did not really want to be the candidate, so it was decided that we would continue the process. We found two people who were interested over the next three weeks and had a nomination meeting, with an election I might add, not a coronation, acclamation or oh well if he wants it, I guess we’ll go with him.

I have a right to believe in what I believe and I believe a Green Party candidate has a good chance in Simcoe Grey coupled with an effective campaign which we intend to run. We are also prepared to run and environmentally sound campaign.

With respect to the numbers I quoted they are from the sources in my comments. With respect to my last comment I must admit that I did not allow for the weighted averages simply because I do not have them.

Steven, I wish you good luck I hold nothing against you. You believe in yourself and that is extremely important. You are however in the democratic space at 24%. I should point out the Elizabeth May did better than that in London. We also have a good team, maybe not as big as yours as we are a young party.

With respect to your assertion that a vote for the Greens or the NDP is a vote for Jim Wilson I couldn’t disagree more. A vote for Peter Ellis is vote for the environmental, health, energy and education polices of the Green Party of Ontario.

We, I should add, are the only party that is currently growing, as we are a centrist party with members who come from many of the older parties.

That is why a vote for the Green Party of Ontario is a vote of confidence in a growing grass routes organization which intends to be the government in this province and this country.

The democratic space projections were done prior to any announcement of either a Liberal, NDP or Green candidate. It was based on past election results, and the fact that Wilson has had a strong hold on the riding since 1990. While I agree with you that the Green Party is on a upswing, they won’t win any seats unless the MMP passes. As I just read in the Collingwood Connection Wilson is quoted as saying in the Fishman article that “He wishes Mr. Fishman luck, and hopes he’s a fast study on the issues”. The only issue I can see is the fact that we can’t have Wilson re-elected yet again. He’s not made any progress in our riding and that’s shameful.

David I understand your frustration. I was a PC for many years. I attended Jim Wilson’s first nomination meting in the late 80’s. I have moved to the left and the party to the right, that happens in politics.

The final straw for me was the Harper takeover of the PC party. I have to admit that at first Helena’s personality kept me in the fold, but over time I became less and less enamored with the federal Conservatives. The question is where do I go.

I looked at the Liberals,Elizabeth Kirley and Jerry, her husband are friends of mine, but didn’t really feel a fit. I then looked at the Greens, the only other alternative for me.

I hope you will do that too. Please don’t vote against Jim Wilson, vote for something, someone you believe in. I guarantee you will feel better about it whatever the outcome. If you would like to meet and talk about the Greens email me at
simcoegreygreens@gmail.com

Nice try David. You’re so out of touch with reality. Jim Wilson was Vice Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Superbuild. That committee made the spending decisions. The province decides who gets the money, then the feds kick in their share. Suprbuild was Mike Harris $20 billion infrastructure program. That’s how COMRIF works too. And no, there was no provincial Liberal government when water and sewer services were installed in Wasaga Beach in 2002. And the expansion of the Collingwood hospital happened when Jim Wilson was Health Minister, and the Gibson Centre got a million bucks from Wilson in 2001 (so check out the dates — Dalton McGuinty was still in opposition).

But for a guy who just moved here four years ago, I definatley understand why you aren’t aware of what’s going on.

And say, aren’t you the guy who was writing all those letters in the Wasaga Beach newspaper during the municipal election?

Yes I’m that guy, and I got Sheffer out of office, and I’ll do the same with Wilson. Vote NDP, don’t vote Conservative or Liberal.

Good luck with that. Funny you say vote NDP, I was just reading a ringing endorsement you gave for the lieberal candidate. Are you sure you didn’t share a ride with him when you both moved up here four years ago?

Wow Rick I guess you can’t read. I never endorsed the Liberal candidate. All I said was “A vote for Wilson is a vote for the past. Vote either Fishman, Austin, or Ellis, and support MMP”. Plus I also quoted what Wilson said in the Collingwood Connection about Fishman. I’ve always been an NDP supporter,and I DON’T like the Conservatives or the Liberals, and finally I’ve never met Fishman.

David, that’s funny since some observers would say it’s odd that you seem to pop up wherever Mr. Fishman does. Be it the municipal election in Wasaga Beach, electionprediction.org, this website, splatto.net/blog etc… Not only did you both move to the same city at the same time, it seems you both get involved in the exact same campaigns, and troll the exact same websites. You’d think you guys shared the same computer.

I did not want to get involved in your tif with Mr. Sanderson, but as you keep accusing myself of having a relationship with this person, I felt a need to get involved. I will go on the record as saying I don’t know who this person is, I’ve never met this person, and to be honest I don’t want to. As for yourself Rick, if that’s really your name you sound like a smart guy even being a conservative, so let’s stick to the issues and let the best person win the election.

I am curious what the collected wisdom here thinks on the question of education. As a Green educated in a Public School I think that one school system is enough.

I think that your numbers in Simcoe Grey are far off. While it is not a scientific poll i would refer you here http://poll.pollhost.com/U2Nvb3A2OAkxMTkxMTc3OTg2CUVFRUVFRQkwMDAwMDAJQXJpYWwJQXNzb3J0ZWQ/
While not scientific it has stayed this way for about a week. Wilson winning and Green Party solidly in second place. We are a serious threat here and will be in forthcoming federal contest.

You are right that it’s not scientific, as I had on my website a poll like the link above and found that it was being spammed by Conservative and Green supporters trying to increase their numbers.
Take a look at this poll http://www.provincialcoverage.com/index.php?id=6
It shows the NDP leading with the Liberals in Second place. Again this poll is most likely being spammed as well. The only poll that counts is the one on election day. Also I do agree that your guy in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound has a good chance, and this blog even has him in a tight race under the other selection. I think Mr. Ellis’s comments at the Rotary Club will hurt him at the polls.
http://www.simcoe.com/article/49362

Online polls don’t mean much. I’ll predict Wilson gets 55%. Greens ahead of NDP for sure, but not too far behind Liberals. But in the end, I bet 55% for Wilson. Any takers?

I’ll take that one Rick. I’ll bet Wilson is below 45

Sorry Rick, Wilson will be below 50%, and I agree with Mr. Starbuck that it could even be in the low 40’s this time out. His Flip Flop on faith based funding has hurt him in this riding. At least that’s what I’ve been told when knocking on doors

Okay, he hasn’t reached 55% yet, but so far he’s still over 50%. Percentage wise he hasn’t really lost any votes since 2003, and vote count wise, he actually gained about 2,000 votes more than last time.

You’re right Rick, and what was surprising were the results from the Green Party. They even surpassed the NDP. They went from over 800 votes in 2003 to over 5000 in 2007. Quite impressive to say the least. Given I was an unknown, and did not have the team that Mr. Wilson had in place, I was happy with the results. Good work to Peter Ellis and his team. As Mr. Ellis is also the Federal Candidate, he’s going to do very well in the next election.