Name:

Sandy White

Occupation:
Social Worker

Family information:
Mother and grandmother of 2 grandchildren

Community work:
Neighbourhood Resource Association of Westminster Park-Healthy Eating; Healthy
Physical Activity Getting initiative; Summerside Optimist Club; Glen Cairn 55 & Better
Program; Guest Lecture at King's UWO; Coach individuals & groups, program
development; Executive Producer of Sandbox, political comedy/drama; Championed the
Splash Pad in South East Optimist Splash; Championed the London Cares Program

Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?

Yes

Why or why not?

I have been out and about meeting as many people in Ward 14 as possible. I
can tell you with certainty that Londoners are concerned about the rising
cost of property taxes and utility charges that have been escalating at
rates far beyond inflation. They tell me their concerns have been caused
by a council that has not kept in touch with the needs and realities
Londoners face. Entering the campaign, I knew that tax increases needed to
be more modest, but now I believe that putting a hold on tax increases is
an action that will force council to make the policy,
administrative and program changes required to get our city’s spending
under control and ease the load Londoners have been forced to carry.

Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall?

I am a Londoner who believes in the future of our city, I trust Londoners
and I listen to Londoners. Londoners and their needs are what drive me to
seek political office. If I am fortunate enough to be elected, then I will
bring their voice to the floor of Council during every debate.

What do you consider a) the most important issue for London?

In view of the global recession, clearly the way the economy is affecting
individuals in London, is what I hear from many I talk to. I hear from
Londoners that they had expected Council to set an example and keep
spending below inflation while other Londoners have felt that job
opportunities are very critical.

And b) the most important issue for the ward in which you’re running?
The ward I have chosen is representative of the city as a whole: it is
multicultural; it spans many ethnic and religious origins; it has all
income levels present and it is loaded with wonderful people who care about
the future. Based on all the input I have gathered, the most important
issue for the ward is “the future of our city.”
_____________________________________________________________________

Name:
Michelle Smith

Occupation:
Registered Practical Nurse, specializing in foot care in the communityEmployee at
McCormick Home - 23 years in Nursing, 2 years in Environmental Services.

Family information:
I have been married to my husband Damian for 20 years. We have 3 teenage children:
Kayla, Alex and Chelsea.

Community Work:
Heart and Stroke Foundation;Canadian Cancer SocietyDiabetes AssociationArthur
Stringer Public School PTALondon Devilettes Girls Hockey AssociationSouth Southeast
Minor Hockey AssociationWildwood Campers Recreation Committee

Would you support a tax freeze?

Yes, I would like to support this idea but, I can not confidently answer this question until
I learn more about the City's operating budget and how this proposed tax freeze would be
implemented over 4 years.

Why do you want to represent Londoners?

My family and I have lived in Ward 14 for the last 20 years and I have called London
home for 42 years. I have recently been more interested in how our municipal
government operates and decided to join the political field and represent the citizens of
London. I am frustrated and concerned with the operation of our City both at the city staff
and councillor level. We need better transparency and accountability at City Hall. I feel
we need a change in our municipal government. I want to represent London in a positive
way and provide a new voice at City Hall...a voice for the people.

What’s the most important issue for London?

Economic growth in my opinion is the most important issue at the moment. We have to
attract new businesses to our wonderful City. Everywhere you look there is vacant
property and buildings and so many people out of work. I think infilling has a big
potential. When you infill the cost to the City is very low. We have water, sewer,
electricity.....everything we need is there and public transit is more accessible, therefore
less emissions and better air qualilty but, if the growth doesn't work in these vacant
properties than make it work. We have to be aggressive. More growth means more jobs,
more money and a more harmonious city.
What’s the most important issue for Ward 14?
Safety is a sufficient concern. People need to be able to walk down the street and not feel
threatened. I feel we need more police patrolling and I wonder if more police doing foot
or bike patrols would be more effective than police idling in their cruisers. We need to
increase awareness and involvement in the Neighbourhood Watch program. People need
to feel safe in their own homes and on our city streets.
_____________________________________________________________________
Name:
Jared Zaifman

Occupation:
Director of Sales and Marketing at Z Group

Family information:
Single

Community work:
On Board of Directors of the London Military Family Resource Centre; London City
Hall, Member of Committee of Adjustment; Member, United Way’s youth in Action
Committee

Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?

Unfortunately at this point in time I just don’t think it’s realistic. We do need to keep
taxes down, but coming off a recession, we also have to be able to provide the essential
services that London needs to get us on track and maximize prosperity. Tax dollars can
help us reinvest in our communities and get people back to work.

Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall?

It has been personally difficult to watch our city fail to reach its potential. There has been
stagnation within the city, and fresh approaches and new ideas are needed to move us
forward.

What do you consider a) the most important issue for London? And b) the most
important issue for the ward in which you’re running?
No doubt, it has to be economic recovery. We need to encourage sustainable sectors of
industry and employment to come to London so that we can get hardworking people back
on their feet.
Ward 14 is one of the largest geographically in the city, and as such has a vast array of
issues throughout. These range from maintaining environmental amenities like
Meadowlilly woods and Westminster ponds, to an English Speaking public school in
Summerside, as well as how the Ward can be at the forefront of London’s economic
recovery, through locations such as innovation park.
____________________________________________________________
_________

Name:
Jim Wood

Occupation:
LHSF

Family information:
Married, wife and three boys

Community work:
8 plus years as a Board member of the Neighbourhood Association of
Westminster Park: initiatives included Expansion of the Westminster
Optimist Centre, expanded programming and services for youth and
residents in our ward, Founding Organizer of Westminster Fun Day and The
Forest City Youth Talent Search, Past 6 term board member of the South
London Community Centre during which time SLCC expanded cost
effective initiatives in programs for new immigrants, youth and community
groups, Save Wilton Grove School initiative, Pond Mills Splash Pad
supporter, 9 years ago assisted in a Summerside Public School drive,
supporter in the bid to bring Shiners' Hospital to London, vocal opponent of
the Orgaworld waste processing plants problems with emitting noxious
odours, just to list a few areas of involvement.
Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?
No

Why or why not?

It is a great goal but it is not realistic, council for the past 7 plus
years has set a pattern of expectation and have committed to funding a
variety of ongoing initiatives. It will take the cooperation of all parties to
rein in spending to a sustainable level and that is not going to happen
overnight. Residents, Businesses, and Institutions all want to pay less, but
they also expect quality services. With planning, partnerships and a focus on
spending more wisely, I believe we can learn to live within our means.

Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall?

I truly believe I can be a balanced voice on council and make a positive
contribution to the operation and growth of this City. I have lived and been
voluntarily involved in the community for many years. I know the
commitment and persistence it takes to achieve progress and have shown the
ongoing dedication to supporting the communities' needs. Being runner up
in the past two elections against very well financed contenders, did not stop
my involvement in the community or in London, I continued to work
towards making London a better place for all. Being Councillor for Ward 14
would allow me to dedicate more time, effort and expertise to accomplish
this.

What do you consider a) the most important issue for London?

And b) the most important issue for the ward in which you're running?

London is an internationally recognized centre of excellence in a wide range

of fields: Academics, Research, Business and Health Care. Its growth and
development is unique and has required partnership and support not just
from Londoners but the region, the province and the country. Maintaining a
balance of taxation and quality of life is key to enhance and grow these vital
relationships. Ward 14 is comprised of several unique areas, Westminster,
Pondmills, Summerside, Glanworth Rural South, a mix of business and
development lands and environmentally sensitive areas like Westminster
Ponds and Meadowlilly Woods that are constantly threatened with
encroaching
developers. Increasing taxes and fees with no equilibrium of services
offered is a common concern.
Gil Warren

Occupation-Community Organizer and Social Business Partner

Family information- Married. My wife is a registered nurse who works in

London. I have two grown daughters who attended Glen Cairn Public
School. One daughter attended Laurier Secondary School.

Community Work
For almost forty years I have successfully worked with and helped lead
dozens of London Community Organizations. These have been in the area of
social or not-for-profit business (credit unions, Co-ops and community
business) I have also helped environmental, church, artistic, social justice,
educational and neighbourhood groups.

Some examples
1. Active Participant-London Transportation Master Plan -public
transit-street cars, light rail transit (LRT) and rapid bus
2. Treasurer-Unity Project Homeless Shelter-houses 50 homeless
people per night in East London and has 15 paid staff.
3. Media spokesperson-The Citizen’s Coalition to Maintain the
Environment-fought the Victoria Hospital incinerators.
4. Volunteer-Home County Folk Festival-stage builder, set up and
take down.
5. Founding Board Member- Tolpuddle Housing Cooperative a $30
million housing and office co-op with 130 housing units.
6. Co-founder –Imagine London –Ontario Municipal Board Hearing
abolished double member Wards that led to the end of the Board of
 Control.
7. Debater-Jim Chapman Radio Show “ Left Right and Centre”-CJBK
8. Founding Member- Thames River Ecological Association- an
organizer of the London Bike Festival.
9. Co-chair-Ontario Coalition for Social Justice (OCSJ). Also a board
member.
10. Founding Board Member -London Community Loan Fund.
Small business funding.

Are you in favour of the tax freeze?

No
Why not?

The corporate media has focused on a promised tax freeze. This

polarizes the issue. The candidates are in fact saying that they will “try” to
freeze taxes. It also silences the debate on the value of city services. We are
not able to discuss which services should be cut and which services should
be increased.

Some candidates say taxes have been rising “far above inflation”. This
is not true. The rate in London has been close to inflation (2%-3%) for a
number of years.

It is also impossible to predict what the inflation rate will be in 4

years. It is irresponsible to make promises without enough information.

If the taxes do not rise with the rate of inflation then we lose services.
There is no magical solution here or mythical waste at City Hall. Former
Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman froze taxes for three years and put Toronto
badly in debt. Taxes had to be raised later to make up the difference.

The rate of increase in water and sewer charges has been above the
rate of inflation. That is because previous City Councils, Provincial and
Federal Governments have for decades tried to look good by putting off
infrastructure repair costs. This stalling tactic has resulted in us paying much
more today. The increases were made on the assumption of a strong
economy. This is an area where we could look at slowing down the increases
until we have a stronger economy or until we receive more funding from
higher levels of government.
 The electricity rate increases are the fault of Premier Dalton
McGuinty, who controls them,

As a councillor I will be vigilant about looking for real waste such as

the $500,000 over 7 years of free rent for the Medical Hall of Fame. Hidden
subsidies to developers and big business should also be stopped.

Londoners are not the most taxed citizens in Ontario. Research has
shown that we are the 14th lowest out of 28 and are improving. This has been
achieved even with massive factory shutdowns, which have cost us 20.000
jobs. Also we cannot compare the taxes of a single tiered city like London
with a Regional Municipality like Waterloo where you pay twice.

I too feel the pain of increased taxes. I understand people’s anger and
frustration. The average middle class taxpayer is struggling. Wages and
incomes have stagnated for the last 30 years. Income for the poor has
declined. The costs of running all levels of government have been dumped
on the middle class. Meanwhile, most of the tax cuts have benefited the top
1% of the wealthy elite.

The solution here is tax fairness, rather than a revolt, which will hurt
us. The top 1% should be targeted. Cities would then have access to income
and sales taxes so they could rely less on property tax.

Why do you want to represent Londoners at City Hall?

Of the 5 candidates in Ward 14, I have the most experience,

especially in the area of money management. I know how to meet a payroll
as Treasurer of the Unity Project (15 employees).

This election is about trust and experience. Do you want to elect a

councillor who has never lived in the ward? No. We lived on Frontenac Rd
in Glen Cairn for 22 years. None of the other candidates can match that.

If you are thinking of voting for the candidate who was a city
councillor remember that candidate was defeated in the last election by the
citizens in another ward.

Your new Councillor must have the local Ward experience I have.
But, the new Councillor must also be able to deal with all citywide issues
that will be coming forward now that Board of Control has been eliminated.

For almost 40 years I have successfully worked with dozens of

community organizations, all of which have been run in a financially
prudent manner.

The choice is clear. Vote Gil Warren.

What is the most important issue For London?

The most important issue in this election is getting London through

the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s.Leading
economists in Canada, Europe and the U.S.A. worry that we may fall back
into recession. They say that the only way to create jobs and stimulate the
recovery is for governments world wide to continue spending because
consumers and business have stopped spending.
No one knows for sure what is going to happen. We can only make
good guesses based on probabilities. All I can do as a Councillor is look at
the situation at the time and make choices that are fair and based on good
sense. We must balance taxes with services. If tough times are ahead we
have to make tough decisions.
Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! should be our focus. These include new jobs and
keeping the ones we have. We need to focus on local business, local needs
and local supplies. We need to produce green energy, green transit, green
products and local food.
We should aggressively pursue world corporations for jobs but we
should not put a lot of faith in their ability to deliver. They have failed to
deliver over the past 30 years. They are the ones who moved the jobs to
China.
The city must pressure the Provincial and Federal Governments to
continue to stimulate the economy, by creating jobs and rebuilding our
decaying infrastructure. It is embarrassing how much developing countries
are doing while our wealthy elite creates more homeless people by refusing
to pay their taxes.
Working together, the city, private business, our workers and not-for –
profit organizations (the social economy) can get London moving again.

Most Important Ward Issue?

 Stopping Walmart from using its vast economic power to wipe out a
thriving retail sector is the most important ward issue. Moving its store from
White Oaks to Meadowlily will threaten a unique natural area as well as the
future of White Oaks Mall. No special interest group, and that includes
Walmart, should be allowed to threaten the well being of the whole
community. The Walmart proposal is a classic example of urban sprawl out
of control. Directly opposite Meadowlily Woods on the western side of
Highbury we have just seen a new mall torn down because of poor planning
and a depressed economy. What a waste of resources and money. We do not
need any more boarded up retail space in ward 14.