Jeff Lehman needs to take a creditability check

http://www.joetascona4mayor.com/index.html

If he looks like a developer….
Jeff Lehman needs to take a creditability check,
or at the very least to realize that making a
statement often enough does not make it the
truth.

Lehman, recently quoted in the Barrie
Examiner, indicated “he does not accept
campaign contributions from developers”.

For the record let’s just follow the development
“money trail” – who paid ($5,000) so he could
have dinner with the Premier?

How about we just follow the development
“contributors trail” – from his list of campaign
contributors for 2006 land developments were dealt
with during his term on Barrie council.

Or maybe we should follow the development
“lineage” – NRU Greater Toronto Area Edition,
Wednesday, March 24, 2010, state: “His father,
Bob Lehman, is a former City of Toronto senior
Planner and president of Meridian Planning
Consultants. Jeff Lehman is a principal with the
Urban development firm MKI”.

How does that old adage go – If he looks like a
developer than maybe he is a developer!

DOWNTOWN IS HEART AND SOUL ACCORDING TO REPORT

http://www.joetascona4mayor.com/index.html

Downtown is heart and soul: report
Author: Laurie Watt, STAFF
Date: Mar 16, 2010
BARRIE - The city is taking another look at what downtown Barrie could be.

With a polished prospectus in hand, economic development director Hany Kirolos talks about how ready the city is to encourage investment – particularly a hotel/convention centre and a major grocery store housed in a complex that includes residential and/or office space.

Unfortunately, this is the third time the city has gone back to the drawing board to revive what Barrie is calling the “heart and soul of our city.”

“The Patty Xenos design set out in 2006 is still very much alive. We have a financial district and are working on the theatre/entertainment side,” said Kirolos.

“What is downtown’s brand? We need to develop that, and the Xenos vision outlined that, by showing the interplay between elements and (creating) an experience.”

Known for her work with IntraWest developments, the Montreal-based commercial master planner suggested Barrie encourage districts – including a business/professional one along Collier Street, entertainment area Dunlop West, and an artistic walk on Mulcaster Street. Her $350,000 vision suggested a promenade along the waterfront, and a public plaza area, to create a hub of activity in Memorial Square.

Barrie has been encouraging investment – with 2006 plans for both the Scotiabank and TD centre now in full bloom. Barrie also converted the old Scotiabank into a theatre, which anchors the entertainment district at the Five Points.

Other than that, there’s little to see, at least above ground, Kirolos said.

Two of the Five Points are vacant, razed by fire. One corner featured a chip wagon last summer, the other a sausage vendor. Five Points is supposed to be the confluence of energetic districts that would attract people and investment. However, the reality is an old hotel, a coffee shop, and the city’s makeshift small theatre.

“What develops there is vital to the city as well as to the (properties) in the area,” said Kirolos.

“I’d like to see anything that would reinforce a sense of vitality. It could be an office tower or an educational facility, something sustainable that would drive traffic.

“City Hall can’t pull this off alone. We have to partner with the province,” Kirolos said.

“We will lead, facilitate and support the discussions with the local private sector, and get property owners to the table.”

Because it has little control, Barrie is instead working on an incentive program to fill those vacant sites with benches and flowers, and possibly, public art.

Barrie is also trying to encourage landowners and developers to come to the table with ideas.

“At the end of the day, the city is trying to deliver on a plan – and that plan is vital to the overall integrity of intensification and vision for downtown,” said Kirolos.

Vacant lots abound. A minute-walk away, there’s the parking lot where the city envisions a convention centre. A five-minute walk away, at the financial and artistic corner is the parking lot and Foodland (formerly IGA) site, where the city wants to see a more up-to-date food store housed in an office/residential complex.

Barrie’s RFP for the site describes an “old market square area,” that would attract tourists and better serve the growing downtown community and envisions retail, offices, a private club, bank, as well as residential uses.

“We’re taking the initiative to position ourselves in Ontario as Ontario’s top investment ready city,” said Kirolos. “The world can change on a dime, more than ever before,” he said, especially economically, with the boom time followed by a sudden drastic downturn, moving into a recovery phase. One day, investors will be ready and eager.

“We have to be ready for it.”

Mayor urged to keep it together

http://www.joetascona4mayor.com/index.html

An open letter to Mayor Dave Aspden

All right Dave, enough is enough.

You gave this mayoral thing a good run. Well, that's not exactly true, but you gave it a run, anyway. That much we can agree on, for good or ill.

But it's not for you, this public service thing. All this pressure to communicate thoughtfully and clearly to some 150,000 people is running you ragged.

Look in the mirror. You see that? You're starting to grow into a caricature of yourself and it's unbecoming.

Have some pride, man. Keep it together.

Let's talk seriously, here. A man of your character doesn't make elementary school spelling and grammar errors in a $7,300 advertisement in a national newspaper.

You take covert trips to China and venture back-room deals in hallways.

You used to be a cop, you know how to make things happen under the radar.

But it's getting away from you, isn't it? Can't you feel it?

It's not too late to back out with some grace, before you totally embarrass yourself.

And there are options. Someone with your qualifications could easily find work in either the food-service, or housekeeping industries.

Or, if you're dead-set on working for City Hall, there's much garbage to be collected.

Give it some thought and remember you have friends like me pulling for you. Keep your stick on the ice.

Dwight Edwards Barrie

Dinner didn't 'sway' Grits: councillor

A city councillor says it's "incredibly naive"
for the New Democrats to allege the Liberal
government was swayed in its decision to change
the Barrie-Innisfil boundary by land developers
who attended a political fundraiser two years ago.

The NDP says developers who paid $5,000 each to
attend a private dinner with the premier were
rewarded by the government with greatly increased
land values.

New Democrat Peter Kormos said members of the
registered lobby group East Moratorium Land Owners
met with McGuinty and several cabinet ministers at
a Barrie home in May 2008.

McGuinty denies any wrongdoing.

Kormos should not assume the border decision was
based on the fundraiser, said Barrie Coun. Barry Ward,
who attended the reception prior to the dinner.

"It's incredibly naive to think that one $5,000-a-plate
dinner would make the premier make up his mind on a matter,"
Ward said. "If that was the case, we wouldn't have wasted
the last 10 years and spending millions of dollars to settle
this issue. We would have just written a cheque for $100,000
to the Liberal Party and we would have had our boundary
change.

"It's actually insulting to a lot of Barrie politicians,
residents and developers who have spent the last 10 years
trying to get the boundaries expanded for the sake of
Barrie's economy and the environment," Ward added.
"It completely ignores the environmental benefits and
the economics."

The government passed legislation to transfer more than
5,600 acres of land from Innisfil to Barrie, including
nearly 1,000 acres of land owned by members of East
Moratorium Land Owners. The legislation ended a development
freeze on the so-called 'moratorium lands'.

With the freeze lifted, Kormos says the landowners could
benefit by up to $30 million. The NDP says developers
paid between $25,000 and $66,000 per acre for the properties
in question, which have been selling for $75,000 per acre
since the Barrie-Innisfil Boundary Adjustment Act became law.

McGuinty said the Kormos allegations are "grasping" and
"overreaching."

The Welland-area MPP's timing is way off, Ward added.

"It seems strange that Peter Kormos would bring this
up now, more than 18 months after the dinner, almost a
year after the boundary change was announced and more
than two months after it took effect," Ward said.
"Where's he been sleeping for the last year and a half
to finally figure this out? I think it's just a ploy
to draw attention to himself. I see no other reason."

The fundraiser was an opportunity to meet the premier,
said Ward, who attended the reception with Barrie Coun.

Jeff Lehman

neither of whom forked over $5,000.
Ward said he was invited by

businessman

and former Barrie mayor

Rob Hamilton

one of the organizers.

Also at the reception, Ward said, were officials from
Georgian College and Royal Victoria Hospital.

"These were all people who had a chance to have
one-on-one meetings with the province to make their
case for things Barrie needed," Ward said.

"There were lots of people there, but they certainly
weren't all developers."

Innisfil Mayor Brian Jackson was not present at the
Barrie dinner, either.

"I believe different people were invited to greet the
premier," Jackson said. "I was not invited. I wish I
had $5,000 to put in a good word for the Town of Innisfil.

"If a decision was made that benefited a certain group
of developers, that's inappropriate," Jackson added.

"I'm extremely disappointed to hear this might possibly
have occurred, because it is not in the best interest of
either the Town of Innisfil or the City of Barrie."

Dunlop said political fundraisers are nothing new.

"It's perfectly legal under Elections Ontario," he said.
"The optics are bad, no question about that, but they are
legal. Maybe in the end the moratorium lands got advanced
quicker because of the meeting with McGuinty, but who will
ever know?"

Dunlop said he has issues with the bigger picture about
what happened. "Innisfil really got dumped on," he said.

DEVELOPING THE NEW INNISFIL LANDS

NDP keeps up attack on McGuinty over developers
The Canadian Press

LISTOWEL, Ont. — The opposition parties can take all
the shots they want, Premier Dalton McGuinty said
Thursday, as long as people know he would never
betray their trust by giving special favours to
those who make donations to the Liberal Party.

For the second day in a row, the New Democrats
demanded answers about a land transfer they claim
rewarded developers who paid $5,000 each to attend
a private dinner with McGuinty. They charge legislation
that followed the dinner increased the value of the
developers' lands by about $30 million.

McGuinty wasn't in the legislature Thursday, but
accused the NDP of playing politics with the issue
when he responded during a local announcement in
this rural southwestern Ontario community.

"They're doing what they do, and you guys gotta
write the stories, but I've been doing this for
20 years now, and I hope that people get the sense
that I wouldn't do that stuff," McGuinty said.

"That would be to betray the confidence of
Ontarians." Voters deserve to know who attended
the May 2008 dinner and what was discussed, said
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

"The average Ontarian who's worried about their
ER closing or losing a child-care space or not
being able to get a job -- they can't pay $5,000
a plate to have the ear of the premier and of his
top cabinet ministers," she said.

"So who was there? What was being talked about?
These are pretty basic questions that I think the
government needs to come clean on."

McGuinty declined to say if the developers lobbied
him at the dinner for the legislation.

"I can't recall what we talked about at a dinner
last week, let alone a dinner that we had two years
ago," he said.

The NDP say members of the East Moratorium Land
Owners, a registered lobby group, met with McGuinty
and several cabinet ministers at a private home
in Barrie in May 2008. Elections Ontario records
show about 20 developers paid $5,000 each to attend.

Last December, the Liberal government passed
legislation to transfer nearly 1,000 acres of
land the developers own in Innisfil to the city
of Barrie -- part of a larger land transfer --
ending a development freeze on their lands in
the process.

The government acted on the recommendations of
a provincial facilitator who was trying to mediate
the dispute between the city of Barrie and Innisfil,
said McGuinty.

"We relied on the independent advice of a facilitator,"
he said. "We did what we thought was the best thing
to do to serve the public interest in the circumstances,
simple as that."

The NDP said the developers paid as little as $25,000
an acre for the lands in question, which have been
listed at $75,000 an acre since the bill became law,
even before they are developed.

The best way to clear the air is to release the
facilitator's report, which the government still
hasn't done, Horwath said.

"We still don't have the answers to those questions,"
she said.

"Put the report on the table, blow the lid off this
thing. Come clean and let people know exactly what
is in that report."

City tax hike unacceptable

According to a recent public poll,
66 per cent of Barrie residents are
dissatisfied with city council’s decision
to hike property taxes by 2.3 per cent in 2010.

I can certainly understand why people are
not happy. We are just coming out of the
worst recession since the Great Depression
and thousands of people in Canada have lost
their jobs. This is not the time to ask
Barrie residents to dig deeper into their
wallets to pay increased property taxes.

It’s very unfortunate that the mayor and
council couldn’t keep tax rates flat at this time.

The average tax increase for the City of
Barrie since 2001 has been a staggering 4.7
per cent. The cumulative effect of a
4.7-per-cent tax increase over 10 years
is unacceptable and people cannot afford
this trend to continue.

Based on a study published in Canadian
Business Online, June 4, 2009, Barrie
was ranked well down the list of Ontario
cities with 17 other municipalities having
less expensive tax rates – cities like
Toronto, Markham, Kitchener, Waterloo,
Collingwood, Guelph, Kingston, Brampton,
and Ottawa to name a few. The study used
2007 tax rates and average property values.

Regardless if we have moved up or down a
position or two on the list, the point I
am making is that we have much room for
improvement.

Joe Tascona
Mayoral candidate

Hamilton blames city for loss of Y project

Hamilton blames city for loss of Y project
Barrie Advance, February 18th

BARRIE -Barrie just did not have the political
will to make a deal with the Y, says a YMCA of
Simcoe Muskoka board member.

Rob Hamilton, a former mayor who’s seeking the
city’s top political job again, says the city
let the Allandale project go.

“It was a knee-jerk reaction because people
thought the Y got preferential treatment,”
he said, adding making any number of strategic
city-core projects work required little from
the city but commitment and a willingness to
work with business in tough economic times.

Officially, the Y said the deal was unaffordable
– a sudden change of tracks after almost two years
of financial research, visioning and design work on
the project. But Hamilton said a little more
political will and vision would have ensured the
project could have succeeded.

“The Y didn’t walk away and pull the plug. They
just did not get a deal they could live with,”
he said of the Jan. 27 decision to pull out of
what was to be a $50-million live-work-learn-play
project.

“The Y could be a real focal point for community
living. I firmly believe the deal could have been
done if the city had said we really want the Y
there for reasons that benefit the city. I don’t
think there was the follow-through to make it happen.”

While city council endorsed the idea of a
partnership with the Y, council was not unanimous.
A vocal opponent was Mayor Dave Aspden.

According to Hamilton, three key issues quashed
the project: the cost of the land, development
charges and parking. Although the Y initially
agreed to $2 million for the entire nine-acre
site, the city subsequently decided to retain
ownership of the 1905 station and the area in
front of it, the prime two acres.

For the remainder of the site located primarily
beside the rail yard, Hamilton said the city
wanted $700,000. The city also demanded the Y
provide at least 200 parking spots and, due to
the configuration of the development, those spots
would have had to be either above or below ground.

The city also refused to offer any development
charge discounts or deferrals, the former mayor said.

Mayor Dave Aspden has stepped down as chairman of Barrie's police board.

Mayor Dave Aspden has stepped down as chairman
of Barrie's police board.

Doug Jure, the new chairman, says Aspden
contacted board member Coun. Jerry Moore and
himself about a conference call board meeting,
with a secretary, Wednesday from 10-11 a.m.

"It was his feeling that his assuming the chair
was causing undue conflict and friction," said Jure.
"He voluntarily stepped down."

Moore then nominated Jure for chairman,
Aspden seconded the motion, and Jure accepted.
Aspden remains the police board's vice-chairman.

Wednesday's meeting took about 10 minutes.

"I think he (Aspden) made the right move,"
said Jure. "We still have to deal with the
recruitment ads and that seems to be the
source of the controversy."

The mayor could not be reached for comment
Wednesday by the Examiner.

"This latest fiasco has given the City of Barrie
a black eye once again,compliments of the mayor,"
said Coun. Michael Prowse. "I believe the mayor
stepping down as chair of the police board is
the minimum expectation Barrie residents have."

Aspden was involved in placing newspaper
advertisements for Barrie's next police chief,
which ran Feb. 6, 10 and 12 in The Globe and Mail,
without Moore and Jure's knowledge or approval.
A recruitment committee struck by the board had
also not approved the ads.

Rick Jones resigned as police board chairman
Feb. 9, allowing Aspden to automatically take
the chair.

Barrie councillors have demanded that Aspden
explain his actions. Their questions are being
handled by the police board.

Police Chief Wayne Frechette, who is retiring
Sept, 1, 2010, said Aspden stepping down as
police board chairman was not unexpected.

"It's not surprising, given the furor of the
last week or 10 days," said Frechette.

Asked if Aspden's action will affect the way
he does his job, the chief said it would not.

"Not at all," he said. "I will do what I do
until Sept. 1."

Moore said Aspden made the correct choice by
stepping down.

"I believe it was the right thing to do
because as I've said before, I feel
the chair should be a civilian," he said.

Coun. Barry Ward said he agrees with Moore's
position, and that it applies to any mayor,
not just Aspden.

"In Mayor Aspden's case, it was even more
inappropriate to hold the position as chair
because it was obvious he had lost the
confidence of the other board members,"
Ward said. "I appreciate the mayor making this
decision for the good of the board and the city."

"I think in light of the situation the mayor
did the right thing by stepping down as chair
and should be congratulated," said Coun. Rod Jackson.

"Now the police board can operate without a
cloud of negativity and with the confidence of
the force it directs and the residents it serves."

Coun. John Brassard agrees, but he took it a
step further.

"I think the mayor not being chair is the only
way that the board remains functional for the
remainder of its term," he said.

"I also think it would be prudent if he (Aspden)
removes himself from any recruitment process for
a new chief of police, given what has occurred over
the last couple weeks. That would eliminate any
doubt that there was an attempt to manipulate the
hiring process for a preferred candidate."

Brassard said that would be a matter for the
police board to decide.

Moore and Jure are drafting a report about
the police chief recruitment ads that will be
presented to the police board at its Feb. 23 meeting.

Jure says the report will be presented in the
open-door part of the meeting. A report will
then go to city council and likely be discussed
at its March 1 meeting.

Jure said it's important to clear up this matter.
"It's very serious. We (the police board) have an
agenda - recruiting a new chief of police," he said.
"That has been compromised by the mayor's ad."

Jure said the police board also has to negotiate
a new contract with the Barrie Police Association,
which represents city officers.

"This is not just optics," he said. "There are
other matters that will come out of our address (report).

"There needs to be a clear delineation between
the chief's role and the board's role, and the
relationship between the city and the board."

The police board has also asked city council
to appoint its community representative, to
replace Jones, as soon as possible - since
the board is now down to three members, which
is still a quorum.

Jure said the city will advertise for the
position, review applications and council
could pick Jones' replacement in early April.

Police board member Don MacNeil has been
directed by (OCCPS) not to attend board
meetings until a criminal assault with a
weapon (a TV remote control) charge against
him has been dealt with.

MacNeil is scheduled for a status hearing
in June and a trial in August.

JOE TASCONA WEBSITE LAUNCH!

Joe Tascona launches new website

Barrie, On, Feb 18, 2009… Barrie mayor candidate Joe Tascona has launched a new website www.joetascona4mayor.com in his efforts to reach as many Barrie voters as possible and get his message heard.

“You can’t rely solely on traditional communication vehicles such as print and broadcast anymore,” said Tascona. “People are more and more turning to social media to get their news and information. I plan on reaching as many people as I can so that on October 25th, , they’ll know exactly what a vote for Joe Tascona will do for them.”

Joe Tascona has 17 years of political experience at both the municipal and provincial level. He served on Barrie City Council from late 1991 to 1995. From 1992-1995, Joe earned a reputation as a tax fighter. During that same four-year term, Council approved 4 annual budgets of zero % tax increases.

-30-

For further information:

Contact Mike Quinn

Campaign Manager for Joe Tascona

(705) 737-4570

mquinn07@rogers.com

WHAT BARRIE VOTERS ARE SAYING!

MESSAGES RECEIVED FROM BARRIE VOTERS!


****************************************
Derek McLean

You were a great MPP and you'll
make an amazing mayor. You should
have 4 votes just from our house alone.
We were all supporters of yours when
you were a MPP and that will continue.
This city needs a big spark to return
it to its glory days. Good luck!

Derek McLean
Barrie On

*****************************************

Krystie Ann

Hi Mr. Tascona, I have been reading
up on your site, and am really impressed
with all you have done for our community.
And appreciate your life story and experiences.
I have never been overly interested in politics
to be honest, but in the last few years I have
begun to really educate myself, and truly admire
those trying to make a difference. And support
you all the way!

Krystie Ann
Barrie On

********************************************

Ken Hebbard

Glad to see you running for Mayor
Alex sent me your facebook (known
him for a few years)
I myself am a veteran 25 yrs CFMSS
served overseas on several missions
I am presently a member of the ministry
team of Mapleview Community Church (music)
Affliated with SPEBSQSA -SAI -DCI
executive producer / Director M.Mus
and RVP/Partner with my spouse for a
financial firm in Barrie and Cornwall Ontario.
Work with several charities in Barrie and Ontario
(just so you know who you are talking with)
Let me know if I can be of help

Ken Hebbard
Barrie On

************************************************

David Bell

Hi Mr. Tascona;
I am a talented local website desiger,
would love to help you with your campaign website!
All the Best! Make it a great day!

David Bell
Barrie On

**************************************************

Glenn Walsh

Hey Joe,
Good luck with your bid to be Mayor, if
you need any volunteers or some help feel
free to send me a message.

Glenn
Barrie On

***************************************************

Andrea Khanjin

I am glad to hear you are running for
Mayor! Good Luck.
If there is anything I can do from
Ottawa, do let me know. So far I have
just been spreading the word to family
and friends.

Andrea Khanjin
Barrie On

****************************************************

Kevin Gale

Hi Joe,
On behalf of QT Inc. thanks for joining
the race. I notice from your profile you are
a Royal Legion member, I am delighted to
share community with you. How did your Haiti
fundraiser do?

Kevin Gale
Barrie On

******************************************************

Erin-Lorna Quenneville

I would just like to say it is about
time someone who actually CARES about
our city runs for mayor. You are ready
to work and commit yourself as a mayor
for "ALL" people of Barrie not just the
ones who you think matter. As a mayor
it is your duty to see that everyone
can live happily and equally and work
together as a community to help our city
flourish. I put all my faith and trust
into your campaign for Mayor and hope
that people follow along in this. When
you were MPP you addressed matters that
were brought to you attention in a quick
and precise manner and you never stopped
until the end results were positive. Those
are the exact attributes and qualities we
need in our Mayor. I believe in you
Mr. Tascona! You have my vote!
sincerely
Erin Quenneville

Barrie On

***********************************************

George Sardelis

Joe,
Its been far too long since we have seen
each other. I hope all is well with you
and your family. Best of luck on the mayoral
race. I know you will come out on top.

George Sardelis
Barrie On

************************************************

Tina Molinari

good luck in your mayoral race. My sister
and her family live in Barrie, I will tell
them to vote for you.

Tina Molinari
Barrie On

***************************************************

Steve Troian

Ran a few years ago in Ward 10 against
Tom Moore........We need you in office!


Steve Troian
Barrie On

****************************************************

Ben Davy

Best of luck to you, Joe!
We need tax cuts! Many have promised,
but none have delivered. Barrie's growth
needs to pay for itself - it's been on
our backs for too long. For years now
we've been paying more, and getting less.
Counting on you to deliver, Joe!!!

Ben Davy
Barrie On

*****************************************************

Please share your thoughts with Joe on what you
believe are the important issues you are concerned
with in Barrie.

City tax hike unacceptable

According to a recent public poll,
66 per cent of Barrie residents

are dissatisfied with city council’s
decision to hike property taxes by
2.3 per cent in 2010.

I can certainly understand why
people are not happy. We are just
coming out of the worst recession
since the Great Depression and
thousands of people in Canada have
lost their jobs.

This is not the time to ask Barrie
residents to dig deeper into their
wallets to pay increased property
taxes. It’s very unfortunate that
the mayor and council couldn’t keep
tax rates flat at this time.

The average tax increase for the City
of Barrie since 2001 has been a staggering
4.7 per cent.

The cumulative effect of a
4.7-per-cent tax increase over 10 years
is unacceptable and people cannot afford
this trend to continue.

Based on a study published in Canadian
Business Online, June 4, 2009, Barrie
was ranked well down the list of Ontario
cities with 17 other municipalities having
less expensive tax rates – cities like
Toronto, Markham, Kitchener, Waterloo,
Collingwood, Guelph, Kingston, Brampton,
and Ottawa to name a few. The study used
2007 tax rates and average
property values.

Regardless if we have moved up or down a
position or two on the list, the point I
am making is that we have much room for
improvement.

Joe Tascona
Mayoral candidate

Questions linger over chief ad

Barrie councilors will be following the money
which paid for a controversial newspaper ad
seeking applications for the next city police chief.

Mayor Dave Aspden was involved in placing the
advertisement, which ran Feb. 6, 10 and 12 in
The Globe and Mail.

Rick Jones resigned as police board chairman
before the second ad appeared, allowing Aspden
to take the chair.

But Coun. Jerry Moore and Doug Jure, the police
board's other members, didn't know about the ad
being placed and say their board didn't approve it.

The question now is who pays for the ads, which
could cost more than $6,500.

"The fact that we have this ad running repetitively
in a national daily newspaper that was approved by
nobody, paid for by a mystery source and void of
any of the typical disclaimers or wording, never
mind the spelling and grammatical errors, is
frustrating and embarrassing," said Coun. Rod Jackson.

"Where does the buck stop? Why won't the mayor
answer the questions without a 'Red Herring'
diatribe? Enough of this nonsense!"

Jackson asked Aspden on Feb. 8 who authorized
the ad and who paid for it.

"He dodged the question then as he continues
to now," said Jackson. "Clearly he knows and
is withholding the information, which is terribly
concerning to me. What is the big secret?
What's he hiding? What is he afraid of?

"If he (Aspden) made an innocent mistake or
poor judgment call, admit it, apologize and
let us move on with the business of managing
the city," he said. "People will forgive
mistakes. They won't forgive hiding your mistakes." "

Aspden could not be reached for comment on
the weekend by The Barrie Examiner.But on Feb.
8 the mayor said he "had something to do with
it (the ad)," and that Jones also knew about it.

Jones himself said he was aware of the ad going
in, but not the mechanics of placing it and its
wording.

He said he takes responsibility for it nonetheless,
although that wasn't why he resigned, Jones said.

Jackson isn't the only city councilor, however,
who wants answers.

"I know the cost of running the advertisement
would run into the thousands of dollars,"
said Coun. Barry Ward. "I don't know who paid
or will pay for it, but I would never support
the city footing the bill since we did not
authorize it."

"I'm sure the police services board will be
talking about that (who pays), but I can tell
you I'll be keeping an eye on how this is paid
because it definitely shouldn't be coming from
the city's budget," said Coun. John Brassard.

"When the bill comes in, then we will know
(who placed the ad)," said Jure, a civilian
member of the police board. "There's no authority
to pay for the ad.

"An expensive item like that would require a
motion from the board."

City staff say Aspden does not have a corporate
credit card on which he could charge the ad's cost.

The Globe and Mail could be sending the city,
or the police board, and invoice for the ad.

"There is no way I will allow the citizens
of Barrie to pay for this fiasco, and I hope
and expect the police board will take the same
approach," said Jackson.

"I am not aware of the cost or how it was paid,
but the Barrie police board never authorized it
or authorized payment of the ad," said Moore.

It asks for applications for the position of
Barrie police chief. Wayne Frechette, the current
chief, retires Sept. 1, 2010. The police board has
a recruitment committee of Aspden, Moore and Jure.
It didn't authorize the ad either.

The ad could only be withdrawn or altered by
the person who placed it. Attempts by the city's
human resources department to determine this
were blocked by the Globe's confidentiality clause.

City councilors have expressed a number of
concerns about the ad, which Moore and Jure
will take to the board during its Feb. 23,
closed-door meeting.

A report on those findings is expected at
council's March 1 meeting.

JOE TASCONA'S WEBSITE

JOE TASCONA'S NEW WEBSITE HAS NOW OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED.

Majority of Barrie Citizens Oppose 2010 Tax Hike

Majority of Barrie Citizens Oppose 2010 Tax Hike

Tascona Promises to do better if elected Mayor



Barrie, On, Feb 4, 2010… According to a recent E-Poll conducted by the Barrie Examiner, 66% of Barrie residents are dissatisfied with City Council’s decision to hike property taxes by 2.3% in 2010.

“I can certainly understand why people are not happy,” said Joe Tascona, who was the first person to register for Barrie’s mayoralty race. “ We’re just coming out of the worst recession since the Great Depression. Thousands have lost their jobs. This is not the time to ask Barrie residents to dig deeper. It’s very unfortunate that the Mayor and Council couldn’t keep the tax rates at zero increase.”

Tascona also points out that the average tax increase since 2001 in the City of Barrie has been a staggering 4.7%. “The cumulative effect of a 4.7% tax increase over 10 years is unacceptable,” said Tascona. “People can’t afford this. We need stronger leadership in Barrie and we need to cut out the fat because it’s always there if you look hard enough.”

Joe Tascona has 17 years of political experience at both the municipal and provincial level. He served on Barrie City Council from late 1991 to 1995. From 1992-1995, Joe earned a reputation as a “tax fighter” and during that same term, Council approved 4 annual budgets of zero % tax increases.

For further information :

Contact Mike Quinn

Campaign Manager for Joe Tascona

(705) 737-4570

Mquinn07@rogers.com

BARRIE ELECTIONS 2010!

JOE TASCONA

YOUR CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR OF BARRIE!

VOTE FOR: "ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT" & "EXPERIENCE" & "LEADERSHIP"

VOTE FOR JOE TASCONA FOR MAYOR!!!

A PROVEN RECORD OF LEADERSHIP & EXPERIENCE!

Joe Tascona A Proven Track Record

* Joe has a proven track record for freezing property
taxes and balancing budgets
* Worked tirelessly for the extension of GO Transit
service to Barrie getting a $2 million grant from the
Province to save the tracks. Without the tracks,
there would be no GO Train.
* Was publicly against the building of an ethanol
plant on the Molson Brewery site
* Spearheaded Council to purchase the beautiful
and much-used waterfront lands from the Southshore
Centre extending to Minets Point
* Strong supporter for the expansion of Royal Victoria
Hospital with cancer and kidney dialysis facilities
* Instrumental in securing provincial lands resulting
in the Barrie Sports Complex being built with
state-of-the-art baseball diamonds and soccer fields
* As Chair of Public Works, helped support the
significant investments for the building of the Barrie
Public Library and Barrie Molson Centre
* Served on the Planning Committee which led to
the building of the much-needed firehalls and the
Holly Community Centre and East Bayfield Community Centre
* Strong advocate for adding over 1,000 long-term
beds in Barrie with building of Victoria Village,
Tollendale Village, Roberta Place, Woods Park
and expansion of Grove Park Home and the IOOF Home.

WHO IS JOE TASCONA ANYWAY???

Joe Tascona was born and raised in Barrie and attended
Steele Street Elementary School and Barrie
North Collegiate. Joe's parents resided in
Barrie after his father completed his military
service in Base Borden.

Joe is married to Helen and has four children.
Joe is very active in the community sponsoring
the Barrie Joe Tascona Law Minor Peewee AA
Colts and is a member of the Barrie Rotary Club
and Knights of Columbus.

Helen is very active in girl’s hockey and is
Manager of the Barrie Shark’s Bantam AA
team where his youngest daughter Lindsay
plays. Joe has an Honors’ BA and MBA
from McMaster University and a law degree
from Queen's University.

Joe is a leading labor, employment and
human rights lawyer who has practiced
in Barrie since 1991 and was also a partner
with Weir Foulds a well known Toronto
law firm.

Joe also has business experience with
Ford Motor Company where he was
employed in production and labor relations
management in Windsor and Oakville plants.

Joe was elected to Barrie City Council in
1991 and reelected in 1994 by acclamation
a rare accomplishment. During his service
as a City Councilor, Joe was known as a
"tax fighter" and there were no tax increases
in the 5 years Joe served on Barrie City
Council. As Chair of Public Works there
was a significant investment in infrastructure
along with the building of the Barrie Public
Library and Barrie Molson Centre.

Joe is most proud of spearheading Council
to purchase the waterfront lands from the
Southshore Centre to Minets Points and
stopping the building of residential homes.
Joe was also on the Planning Committee
which led to the building of much needed
fire halls and the Holly Community Centre
and East Bayfield Community Centre.

Joe entered provincial politics in 1995 and
was elected MPP where he served Barrie
until 2007. Joe gained valuable provincial
experience in such capacities as Deputy
Speaker and the Chair of the Justice and
Legislative Assembly Committees. He also
served as Parliamentary Assistant to the
Solicitor General, Minister of Education
and the Minister of Consumer and Corporate
Affairs.

Joe served Barrie in an exemplary manner
by securing the return of Go Transit and the
building and expansion of Royal Victoria Hospital
with cancer and kidney dialysis facilities. When
Joe was elected Barrie was in short supply
of long term care beds but this changed with
the building of Victoria Village, Tollendale Village,
Roberta Place, Woods Park and the expansion
of Grove Park Home.

Joe's commitment to sports in Barrie led to
his securing provincial lands for Barrie to
build the Barrie Sports Complex with state
of the art baseball diamonds and soccer fields.

Joe strongly believes in balanced budgets and
was a member of a provincial government
which accomplished this along with providing
the taxpayer reduced taxes.

Joe was known as a constituency MPP and
combined with his municipal service has the
experience to bring fiscal discipline, orderly
growth and jobs to Barrie if elected your Mayor.

WORK FOR JOE TOSCONA'S CAMPAIGN!

Volunteer for Joe Tascona

1. Your Name:_____________________(Required)
2. Your Phone:_____________________(Required)
3. Your Address:_______________________________________(Required)
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

4. Email Address:_______________________________________
5. MESSAGE: (Please indicate how you would like to volunteer in
supporting Joe's campaign for Mayor.)
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
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_________________________________________________________
NOTE: Please email your volunteer application to :p_f_cogan@hotmail.com or
phone your application to the following number: 719-6013

ADVERTISE FOR JOE TASCONA - TAKE A SIGN!

Take a Sign Supporting Joe Tascona

1. Your Name_______________(Required)
2. Your Phone_______________(Required)
3. Your Address_____________________(Required)
_____________________
_____________________
4. Your Email: _____________________

5. Comments: Take a Lawn Sign and displ...ay your support
for Joe Tascona within the community.
____________________________________________
NOTE: Please email your Sign request to :
p_f_cogan@hotmail.com or
phone your application to the following number:
705-719-6013

CAMPAIGN DONATIONS!

Make a Donation Supporting Joe Tascona.

Please complete the following information. When you are finished, please email your donation Request to: p_f_cogan@hotmail.com or phone your application to the following number: 705-719-6013.
 

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