new blog

i have a new blog!

please visit me at www.frances-wdowczyk.blogspot.com

Thank you for your support

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of you who supported my campaign. Running for City Council was something I have talked about doing for a very long time. Thank you for taking the time to vote for me, take a sign, volunteer, wish me well, visit, and donate. Every bit made a difference.

I am very proud of our results and touched by the dedication of my campaign team. Together we gave ran a campaign that we can be proud of. You are all amazing.

To my husband, children, brother and the entire family; none of this would have been possible without you. Thank you for believing in me and for being my biggest fans.

Your love and support motivated me to sign up to start this journey and kept me moving through its challenges. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I would like to congratulate Bill Saundercook on his win. Bill, I have learned a lot from watching your campaign. I wish you the best over the next 4 years. I would also like to congratulate David Garrick on a great campaign. David, you are truly an amazing man. I am glad you were in the race. Alexander Oniszczak, you have great ideas! Congrats on bringing them to light. It has been a pleasure. Linda Coltman, great work my friend! I am sure our paths will cross again soon. Finally Greg Hamara, congrats on a good run. Your volunteers are top notch. You are lucky to have them.

Thank you again everyone. I will be retiring the website in a short while but can still be reached at frances@electfrances.org .

See you around the neighbourhood!

Frances

Response to some questions from Bloor West Village Residents Assocation

At the last all candidates meeting from the Bloor west Village Association there were some questions that didn't get asked, in an attempt to make sure that all questions have answers, all of the candidates are submitting the written results. Below are my answers, if you would like to see the other candidates responses please feel free to visit the website http://www.bwvra.ca/

Question From Peter: What do you consider to be the two top priority problems facing the Swansea community (Keele - Humber River - Gardiner - Bloor) which require immediate action to resolve, and what are your solutions to these problems?

Peter; I feel that the two top priorities are #1 traffic- too many cars and driving too fast. We need to work with Police to make our community safer in the area of traffic. We need to return to Community Policing. More Police on the streets working WITH neighbours to change the behaviour around speed and distracted driving will make a big difference. I have a history of working as a partner with Police Services across the country. I will bring this experience to the table when working with our Police to reduce traffic and slow cars down.#2 We need to hold the line on taxes in our community. The City of Toronto has been granted new powers, with some of those powers in the area of implementing new taxes. I believe that we need to find new and innovative ways to do business in the city without increasing our taxes.


Question From Stan: The riding of bicycles on sidewalks is a danger to pedestrians. They are a menace and could (do) cause injury (or theft of purses) from unsuspectingl walkers. Why not decal (paint) "no riding on sidewalks" signs at all intersections?

Stan; I agree that this is a big problem in the area. First off we need to follow through on the City Plan to create and support more bicycle lanes in the ward. This will address the root of the problem by giving the cyclists a dedicated lane to ride in. Council has been slow in following through on their promise for more bike lanes. The next step is enforcement of the traffic laws. While signs bring awareness to the issue we need to step up enforcement or the presence of enforcement. A return to Community Policing would support this level of enforcement and we need to look at other options. What about the parking enforcement officers supporting the enforcement of no bikes on sidewalks? I think it is an idea to look at and would look into it right away.

Question From Brenda: During the week, could High Park be opened up to allow access from the Queensway to Bloor Street? With the paving of the Queensway taking so long, it often has not been possible to turn north on Ellis, Windermere and the South Kingsway.

Brenda; I agree the work on the Queensway is taking a long time. Unfortunately opening access to the park is not the solution.The park was a gift to the city from John G. Howard and in terms the city agreed to leave the grounds and estate (Colborne Lodge) in as natural a state as possible. The addition of traffic through the park would negatively impact the delicate balance of nature found in the Park.

Question From Mark: In light of city council's approval of the condominium building now planned for the site of the old Humber Odeon cinema, it strikes me that so long as a developer has, in Bill Saundercook's words, "cooperative and continuous dialogue with residents," the developer is guaranteed, in the end, to get what they want, or at least a fair portion of it. What would you do, if elected, to ensure that developers are never again able to circumvent the official plan, and to make them settle in such cases with the simple answer "No"?

Mark; The official city plan needs to be promoted loud and clear to developers and residents alike and it needs to be enforced. This is true in the case of small individual homes and in large condo developments. The unique flavour of our neighbourhoods depend on growth that reflect the positive elements of the community and builds on it. We also need to have consequences for developers who do not follow the rules. This may be more an issue for smaller developments in our communities (single homes etc) but it is equally important to our neighbourhoods. If developers are not going to follow the rules of the plan or the rules of council then why should they be allowed to develop in the city? From Christie: If elected, will you move a motion to rescind the Palais Royale parking lot which is threatening to blight our precious greenspace on the Lakeshore?Hi Christie: I would work with the Councillor and Community in Ward 14 to be sure that the waterfront was protected. Our waterfront needs to be protected here on the west end of the city and it needs to start with this issue.

Question From Anonymous: How are you going to ensure that you are representing us?

The best way to represent you is to hear you and take that voice forward to city hall. This will be done through community consultation. I am committed to hearing you (surveys, door to door, town hall meetings or telephone conversations) prior to any major decisions being made. My job (if elected) is to seek your input and feedback, not wait for you to find me.

Question From David: As of November 6, 2006, 328 mayors in the United States have accepted Seattle Mayor Nickels' challenge to join Seattle in taking local action to reduce global warming pollution. The challenge is to meet or exceed the Kyoto Protocol targets, and to urge higher levels of government to enact policies or programs to meet or exceed the Kyoto Protocol. Would candidates for mayor be willing to initiate and endorse a comparable Canadian initiative? What specific actions would be taken to realize the Kyoto Protocol targets within the City of Toronto and to encourage the federal and provincial governments -- and other municipalities -- to take concerted action on climate change? Would Ward 13 council candidates support the mayor in such initiatives, and what specific actions would they encourage for Ward 13?

David; I have publicly pledged TO green and will support the implementation of the cities environmental plan. I will also support the mayor in the creation of any initiatives that meet or exceed the Kyoto Protocol. If elected, the specific actions that I will encourage ward 13 to participate in include; increase recycling and composting in apartment buildings, increase public transit and access to public transit and support sustainable communities that allow and encourage people to walk or ride bikes to their local shops. I will encourage the city of Toronto as a corporation, to take the lead on reducing packaging by only purchasing products from companies who use minimal packaging, therefore leading by example.

Inclosing, remember to VOTE TOMORROW!! Monday Novemember 13! If you need to see where to vote, please check out the city of Toronto's website at this link

The City of Toronto Act and electing our next leaders.

Elect Frances to City Council on November 13th

Here are some points from The City of Toronto Act that I feel are important to consider when you are looking to elect the next leader of our ward and our city.

1.The City of Toronto is now the 6th largest government in Canada.

2. The City of Toronto has new powers under the New City Of Toronto Act. (link here for the entire act)

3. The Mayor of Toronto has new powers to appoint the Deputy Mayor and Committee Chairs.

4.There will now be an Executive Committee of Council made up of the The Mayor (as Chair) the Deputy Mayor (as Vice Chair) Standing Committee Chairs, and four other Councillors.

5.The Budget Committee (formerly the Budget Advisory Committee) will report directly to the Executive Committee.

6. There will be an elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Council.

7. The City has expanded powers in the area of licensing.

8. The City now has the power to impose sales taxes on Entertainment, alcoholic beverages sold for consumption in licensed establishments and tobacco products.

9. The number of Community Councils will increase from 4 councils to 8 councils.

There is no doubt in my mind that the City of Toronto needed a new act to make the city workable. I am very excited to see that the City Council will have more power to make decisions and therefore should be able to get many issues resolved in a timely manner. I congratulate Mayor Miller on all his work with the Provincial Government to get the Act to this level, and there is still more work to be done.

Who will you elect to make sure that the New City Of Toronto Act is working for the residents of the City of Toronto?

I believe in doing my homework, consulting with the community and then making the best decision possible for ward 13 and the City of Toronto for today while not compromising future generations.

I believe that new taxes are not the answer to our financial problems as a city.

I believe in moving the agenda forward and will work with the Mayor and fellow Councillors in partnership to get issues addressed in a timely fashion

I believe in treating people with dignity and respect and will bring decorum and civility back to City Hall.

I believe in communication as a tool to find solutions to our issues. I will get your input and feedback on issues before decisions are made.

I believe in communities that are engaged in, and proud of, the decision that are made at City Hall.

I believe that Ward 13 can be the leader in developing sustainable neighbourhoods.

I believe in Toronto.

Remember to Vote on November 13th. It is a new time in history for the City of Toronto


Here are a few other links to look at regarding the City of Toronto act:

Candidates mum on Toronto Act

David Miller Op Ed in The Toronto Star

The Approval

Towards a New City of Toronto Act

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Thank You Bloor West Village Residents Association for hosting the Candidates

Elect Frances Wdowczyk On November 13th

Tonight was the final scheduled All Candidates Meeting. Thank you to the Bloor West Village Residents Association for organizing and hosting us tonight.

Thank you also to the Old Millside Residents Association for the opportunity to attend and speak at your AGM last night.

It is a fabulous opportunity to participate in All Candidate Meetings. It is truly democracy at work when you go to meet a community and are asked to answer the tough questions and asked to do so with your competition sitting next to you waiting to do the same. It is an exercise that keeps you on your toes and calls on you to be sure of your platform and ideas. It is a good example of how life will be when you are at city hall. It is exciting and informative for all involved.

Thanks for giving me a chance to speak and be heard by you. It was a pleasure to see you in Swansea, Warren Park, Old Millside and Bloor West Village. I hope you had all your questions answered. If you have further questions or need clarification on any items in my platform please contact me by email at frances@electfrances.org or by phone at 416.604.9060.

See you at the subway stations this week!

Bloor West Village Residents Association Host a Meet the Candidates Event November 8th

Tomorrow is the last scheduled all candidates meeting for the area. I hope to see you there!
This announcement was taken from the Bloor West Village Residents Association web site. For more details on the association click here

Meet the Candidates

The Bloor West Village Residents Association is hosting a special Municipal Election public meeting on Wednesday, November 8th - the week before voting day.

You’re invited to quiz the three top contenders for the Mayor’s seat and the Ward 13 candidates for City Council.

Confirmed guests include Mayor David Miller, Councillor Jane Pitfield and Stephen LeDrew. For Ward 13, incumbent Councillor Bill Saundercook, Greg Hamara, David Garrick, Aleksander Oniszczak, and Frances Wdowczyk are confirmed.

To avoid long line ups at the microphone, the BWVRA is trying a “lottery” system. People wanting to ask a question will get a numbered ticket. Those drawn will be called to the mike. To save time, you can submit your question in writing before the meeting and it will be placed in the draw barrel. If you prefer, submit your question in advance by e-mail: info@bwvra.ca - please provide your name and street.

We intend to begin with a few set questions from the chair involving the major issues affecting our area, including development, the waterfront and the Bloor Street West commercial strip.

Since time with the candidates is limited, the doors will open early at 6:30pm at which time you can speak directly with the Ward 13 Council candidates. The formal session will begin at 7:00 sharp.

See you there!

Location:
Runnymede United Church, 432 Runnymede Rd.
Wednesday, November 8th
Doors open to talk to the Ward 13 Candidates 6:30.
Meeting starts 7:00pm SHARP.