What About Riverview

Well,here we are the day before the election and all campaigning has now ceased as per the rules that govern the election.Win or loose,this has been an interesting experience and I have learned a lot. The one thing about being a candidate and running a campaign,is that there is no right way only a better way to get your point out there.The other thing I’ve noticed,is how uninterested a larger part of the community is about elections and how many didn’t even know there was one coming up.

During this campaign,I have had the great pleasure with speaking with a few folks who have immigrated to Canada from former communist countries.They undersatnd the value of democracy as they have had to fight for it.We tend to take it for granted.

If their is one thing from this experience I would like to get across to you all is get out there and VOTE. By not voting you are giving away your rights and allowing your apathy to create governments that are no longer reporting to and being responsible to you.They will administer your community  like a business and not allow input from the tax payer. So again,weather you like the candidates or not,even if you spoil your ballot in protest,VOTE.

Ian Gunn

The past few days have been rather interesting for me.As a candidate in a municipal election,there are few sources of feedback on how you are doing,other than those you speak with directly in your ward  or words of encouragement from friends in other parts of town.

So when the TimesTranscript editors began a series to look at the candidates in the tri community elections,I thought it would be of some value.Well,so much for that thought.What I did see was a total lack if investigative unbiased  reporting.Instead,we saw signs of favoritism and pure laziness. The lazy part was in the lack of effort to get out on the street and canvas for peoples opinion on the issues in various wards and contacting as many of the candidates as possible.

There have been two major issues with this style of reporting that have really angered me and have shown that the T&T is trying to influence this election in all three communities.I will however,direct my concerns to Riverview only and let those in the other two communities fight their battle.

The T&T editors tackled on to Ward One incumbent Ron Davis.They labeled him as an embarrasment to the Ward and to the town because of a minor brush with the law over a trespassing issue.An issue that is now past,dealt with and record cleared. It is past history and no worse than getting caught picking your nose in public.This is pure election interference and trying to sway votes from one to another.

The second issue appears in the Saturday,May 10th issue of the T&T in which the editors have published ward maps for the three communities and the candidates photos.That part was good.Then they proceed to put a check mark next to the candidates that they endorse.That is not an opinion but a straight out attempt to influence the outcome of an election.This should be investigated by Elections New Brunswick under the elections act and I believe charges laid.

I know that some would say that I’m crying foul because I was not picked.That is not the case as I personally feel that these things can be a curse rather than a blessing.However,we the candidates,incumbents and challengers should be allowed the decency of being treated equally with the T&T providing interviews with the candidates and our platforms and letting the voters decide rather than telling them who they should vote for.This is supposed to be a democracy not the bad of days of influence peddling of the 1920’s and ’30’s.

I would encourage you the voters to ignore the T&T’s opinions,familiarize yourselves with your candidates and their platforms.Call then and ask them the questions that are important to you.Then vote on Monday       May 12th.

Ian Gunn

Candidate Ward 4 Riverview

I don’t often get cranked about the RCMP as there is not much that we can do about them as they are controlled federally. However,as a tax payer,we pay for their service.According to the contract  with the Codiac RCMP,my understanding is that there are supposed to be a minimum of two patrol cars in Riverview at all times.So on the way home this evening around 4P.M. coming down Vaughn Harvey and approaching the bridge,we were at the traffic lights,with lights flashing and siren blaring,one RCMP cruiser rushes by on the way to … west Riverview.As best I could tell,he came form the Mountain Road area. Where I ask were the two cruisers  that are supposed to be in our town?  Another waste of tax dollars.Seems the only time we see them is sitting at a speed trap or going home. Looks like it’s time for town council to monitor the service we are receiving more closely form our RCMP.

Ian Gunn

Candidate for Ward 4 Riverview

Last night was the first all candidates meet and greet in quite some years.One veteran councilor recalled that the last time an event like this was held,one would have to go back some 15 years.

My first impression of the event was that it was a bit disorganized at first but not in anyway was one in a panic.All candidates were directed back stage for photo’s for the TimesTranscript then mill around and chat with the fellow candidates. Then the time came to appear on stage in two rows on stage center.Music was supplied by Ivan and Vivian Hicks which made for a nice intro.The format for the evening would be the candidates from each ward,beginning with Ward one,would be given two minutes to chat about themselves and their platform. The moderator and host for the evening was T&T reported,Alan Cochrane.

The time on stage was interesting on a number of levels for this rookie.As we sat in the lights(I would have loved to have had my sunglasses) one did feel a bit uncomfortable being in the spotlight. But as time wore on,a certain comfort did begin to creep in.The two minute time limit was working well and then….it happened.The first bomb shell.One of the incumbents complained about a candidate running with the unfair advantage of having the local MLA campaigning door to door with him.He cried foul!

Then the second bomb shell was dropped when another incumbent likewise cried foul about a negative flier campaign being waged. I won’t go into full details but it was interesting to see this side of politics and how the veteran councilors handled themselves and their concerns.

My opinion on it may be different than most as I have relied on my old football coaches way of coaching.We always play our game,never theirs. In their shoes,I would probably be ticked as well but… I stick woth my game plan.

Then,it was my turn at the microphone.Deep breath,approach the stand and advise the moderator that there were three candidates not two( he read the wrong page) and I should have spoken second,not first but didn’t let him know as it played to my advantage. And then I opened my speech and the nerves hit.I managed to get half way through when I decided to end it gracefully. Friends told me I did fine and sounded good.To me,I could hear my voice begin to tremble which is why I stopped short. In hind site,I should have used cue cards and the house lights should have been up.A number of us found it difficult to connect with the audience which led to the gitters.

After 18 of us and one hour almost to the minute,we adjourned to the Mall area of the center for the meet and greet.This was the best part of the evening for me as I truly enjoy the one on one contact. I meet a lot of great folks and received a lot of positive feedback.

Would I do it again? In a heart beat! Dispite the nerves,it was all worth it and I learned a lot for the next time.

Oh! I should mention that how one dresses tells the audience a lot.A good number wore suits and ties,looking like CEO’s. The remainder of us dressed in various degrees of of casual.Next time! I wear my KILT!!!

We are down to 4 more days of campaigning then a day off,Sunday then the election. It’s time for you folks to step up to the plate,ask questions of those running where they stand on the issues that concern you then get out on Monday May 12th and VOTE.

I certainly hope you will all remember me on that day and remember that

I AM COMMITTED TO BEING A PRODUCTIVE COUNCILOR FOR WARD 4.

Ian Gunn

Candidate for WARD 4 Riverview.

This coming Monday evening,May 5th at the Riverview Arts Center,all the candidates for the Riverview municipal election will gather for a meet and greet.The idea to hold such an event is most welcomed by this candidate as it allows all of us to,under a two minute time frame,speak to a large (hopefully) group of taxpayers. While this is not a debate,I’m sure some candidates and incumbents a bit nervous and possibly combative in their approach.

So how does one prepare for such an event? Remember,after the two minute speech,you will be getting together for a one on one or in groups with your audience. That first impression on stage will go a long way to have them approach you and ask questions.I can only speak for myself on this one and I can tell you that I have been rolling this around in my mind all week and have not committed anything to paper yet.Why? I honestly hate scripts and do not want to sound slick. I prefer to have a loose format of information in l my mind and will go with the flow as the evening unfolds. For me,the bottom line is to appear comfortable but not aloof not like some slick sales person.Ironically though,that is what we will be doing that night,selling ourselves. Although I have done a few years as a university DJ,to many years ago and I do feel comfortable with a microphone, this is a ball game that I find very challenging and has the adrenaline flowing.

As for the speech? I have three in my mind ,all three with different closings. I think a strong pot of coffee,some sun and fresh air tomorrow along with doing a dry run or two and I’ll be ready.

The event itself is a first at the municipal  level in recent memory.This is a genuine opportunity for you the voter to come out  and first listen to the speeches .Remember,there are 6 running for AT LARGE, 4 for WARD 1, there are 2 for WARD 2, there are 3 for WARD 3 and Three for WARD 4. This is a perfect time to ask the candidates running in your ward the hard questions,especially those who are your current councilors.With 6 running for at large,what a better time to talk to them all and find out what they are about.We only have one more week to go before the election. Now is the time to,as a voter,GET INVOLVED!

It is my hope to see the arts center full of voters and lots of questions being asked once the speaches are over.

Ian Gunn

Candidate,Ward 4

Riverview

This will be a short item today as duty calls.One of my biggest pet peeves during elections are about supporters of particular candidates and pranksters, who deface election signs or just plane steal them.This is a free country where one can express ones opinion and advertise during an election year.

As part of my campaign,out of my own pocket with no financial sponsors ,I have placed a number of signs around my ward.Since the first day they went up,I have had to repeatedly go back and put them back up as someone has knocked them down or pulled them out and tossed them aside.Today as I toured my sites,I now have one completely missing.

Strangely,until today,neither of the other candidates signs were disturbed. The other rookie candidate is now having his signs pulled out and tossed aside.

I’m not pointing an accusing finger but it would be in the best interest of all candidates to spread the word that these kind of actions are not called for and illegal.

On a more positive note,there is going to be a meet the candidate night on May 5th at the Riverview Arts Center,which is located at the high school.Al candidates will be given a few minutes to introduce themselves and have a meet and greet afterwards.I encourage everyone to come out and not be shy to ask the questions of us that are on your minds. Make sure you know the candidate you want to represent you for the next 4 years.

One of the toughest things about offering your name for political office is trying to decide what you think that your fellow tax payer would like so see accomplished by it’s council.As candidates,we all have our ideas but are they the right ones and should one push ones own agenda in order to get elected.To  make that decision, one also has to take into account that you will be looking out for the best interest of the entire community and not just your ward.

After must sole searching,discussion with a number of friends and family in our ward and the community at large,my platform was developed.As we started delivering pamphlets,the hoped for feed back and inquiries began to happen.

Oddly enough,the big concern of everyone was infrastructure,which was expected but an addendum to it appeared.It was one I had thought about but as we talked with folks on the street,has become very important.And that is SIDEWALKS. With Riverview growing over the past 26 years that I have lived here from a population of just over 8000 to now over 17000,sidewalks are now more important than ever.

The input I have received is that this is a major safety issue for young families as their children are walking to school on streets ill designed to handle pedestrian  traffic and thus increasing the potential for someone being struck by a vehicle. As these discussions became more common,it also became apparent  that there is also a  safety concern for all ages as more and more of us become health conscious ,walking is becoming a major form of exercise.This became an issue for me around the supper hour on Saturday evening as while backing out of my driveway,an older gentleman,walking on the wrong side of the road and wearing clothing that blended in with the surroundings,was almost struck by me.If there was a sidewalk on my side of the street,he would have been more visible.

With this new information,it is now necessary for me to impress on council if elected,to amend the bylaw covering sub division development to now include sidewalks when the street becomes a major collector street and the bylaw covering collector streets must be implemented quickly to bring those streets up to code as this is a safety issue.

An item I had identified as a must have has received a very warm welcome and that is regular ward meetings.This is a way for me as a councilor to communicate with my ward as to what is going on with their tax dollars,what concerns and issues they have and when major project are being planned,is seen as a good avenue for discussion and input.It has become clear in my discussions with folks that they feel very disconnected with town hall and their councilors.As one taxpayer put it…”council has forgotten they work for us,not the other way around”.

I could not agree more.Council has for what ever reason forgotten that it works for the community and must not push it’s agenda on it’s citizens.I heard repeatedly during the past few weeks that council is not including it’s citizens in discussions on major projects,new town hall as an example and now it’s changed mind to doing a major renovation instead. Or suddenly using the old fire hall for the Fundy Gateway project.A lot of folks felt that the town was only to be playing a supporting roll by supplying land,not supplying buildings and becoming a landlord.

Transparency is the issue.My hope is to bring that to council and show them the benefits to being open and engaging of our community.The community wants to be part of the growth success of our town,not sit on the sidelines and watch their hard earned tax dollars spent unwisely .

Well,I must hit the streets again today and meet more folks in my ward and see if these sunny skies will help me get elected.

Ian Gunn

Candidate Ward 4

A common comment I hear about my little town is What About Riverview? What’s going on over there except sleeping? Is it ever going to be something?

Good question and to explore those questions,let me introduce myself.I’m Ian Gunn,resident of 26 years and currently a candidate for Ward 4. Some of those above questions were the motivation to deciding to offer myself for council this time around as I feel that a town of 17000 plus,should be progressing in all areas of development.We need to be a community that is not only a great place to raise a family but also a community to work and play in.

To do that,it is time for our town council to become innovative in attracting commercial development of a broad base type and that means we will have to think outside the traditional box to lure that type of business.

As a rookie candidate,I have put forth the following goals to help establish  a starting point  to broaden our tax base,increase our commercial diversity,create opportunities for our youth to stay and work in Riverview rather than leave for other communities for employment.

A/ be accountable to the citizens of ward 4. How? By having a minimum of 3 ward meeting per year,more as required.

B/ work to improve communication between town council and all residence of Riverview.

C/ Encourage council to be more transparent.

D/ Encourage council to think outside the box on both commercial and residential development.

E/ Hold the line on taxes.

F/ Encourage opportunities for youth

G/ Encourage the development of an environmental Green plan for our town.We should be leaders not          followers in Greening our community.

I saved the infrastructure for last as this has become a very hot issue in my ward and is the most important one. Two of our roads are in substandard condition.Lawson Road and Trites Road are in dire need of major work and both for completely different reasons.I should point out here that in the newly developed bylaw under the Municipal Development Plan,By Law# 300-30, have been designated as two of seven major collector roads to feed to the new ring road.

If memory serves me correctly,Lawson Road was due for major upgrades almost eight years ago but has been postponed every year since in favor of larger and more expensive projects.A project that eight years ago would have cost less than ONE million dollars,is now destined to cost in excess of THREE MILLION DOLLARS. Not really a responsible way to spend tax payers dollars is it.

Trites Road was a stretch of road in dispute with the developer for more years than I care to remember and for reasons that have become embarrassing to both parties.Having said that,Tries Road never did have a road base properly built and following the guidelines established by this new by law for collectors roads,The town must now move forward immediately and construct a proper road,with sidewalks. Both of these roads and the residents they affect must be treated with do respect and fix the mess.

In  a few days,I will be adding to this as my experiences of a rookie candidate grow.I hope before the election to explore some of the comments and suggestions from those I have met on the campaign trail as well as pose some questions of the Ward 4 incumbent in hopes he will offer some answers or opinions.

Till next time,

Ian Gunn

Candidate Ward 4-Riverview