DURHAM -- By 10 a.m. on the first day Pickering City Hall opened for business in 2014, three candidates had already joined the municipal election race.

The election will take place on Oct. 27 and nominations must be made with the City clerk by Sept. 12 at 2 p.m.

The three who signed up bright and early on Jan. 2 will not run against one another.

Having held the position since 2003, Mayor Dave Ryan was the first to put his name in, and is running for re-election. Mayor Ryan was Ward 1 City councillor from 1994 to 2003, until taking the top spot at the council table. “There are still things that I want to accomplish in the city,” said the mayor.

These include the creation of more jobs, which he says continues to be his No. 1 priority, especially now that Seaton is coming down the pipe and the Province has committed to creating 30,000 jobs in the community.

“It's going to take a lot of work to make that happen,” he said.

His other focuses include transit, building a better working relationship with GO Transit and health care. This includes working to ensure the merger between Rouge Valley Health System and Scarborough Hospital is done effectively, and working to get a hospital built in Pickering.

Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles was next, except this time, the councillor, who was first elected in 1997, is running for the Ward 3 Regional councillor position in Pickering. The spot is currently held by Councillor Peter Rodrigues.

“I'm no stranger to regional issues,” said Coun. Pickles.

He said he's dealt with a number of regional issues in his 16 years as a city councillor, such as transit, traffic and garbage pickup.

“I think that the mayor could use that additional experience to help Pickering's profile and effectiveness at the Region,” said Coun. Pickles.

Current Pickering Trustee Chris Braney signed up for re-election for his seat at the Durham District School Board. The current vice-chairman of the board, who's been a Durham trustee since 2006, is passionate about public education and wants to keep it strong.

“I just like the fact that when I go home at the end of the day, I feel I have made a difference with the kids in the school system,” he said.

While he's pleased Pickering students continue to improve in academic results, he plans to work on ways to improve them even more if he's re-elected.

The City of Pickering updates its candidate information daily at pickering.ca.

Councillor Pickles,

My name is Kyle Fitzgerald and, on the first of January, I took over as Chair of the Durham Youth Council.

Having served on Youth Council for the better part of two years, I, and several other Councillors, have taken note of your devotion to the youth of Durham Region, and that of Pickering. You have been, and continue to be, a proud partner of the Durham Youth Council as we bring the ideas and concerns of youth to the forefront of Durham’s attention. It is my sincere hope that we can continue this mutually beneficial relationship.

To that end, I, on behalf of the Durham Youth Council, am more than pleased to endorse you for Regional Councillor, Ward Three, in the upcoming election. Youth Council firmly supports you and your youth-friendly platform, and we believe you will make a fine youth-friendly Councillor, as you have done in the past.

Please feel free to use our logo and name on any and all of your campaign materials, as we are delighted to be associated with such a youth-friendly politician. We would also be open to partnering on any campaign events you have in mind to engage the youth of Durham in our important democratic processes. I would also like to make myself personally available to answer any questions you have, or to further discuss issues facing the youth of Durham.

I, on behalf of Youth Council, look forward to working with you on this campaign, and beyond.

Sincerely,

Kyle Fitzgerald

Chair, Durham Youth Council

February 10, 2014

Dear Mayor Ryan and Members of Council,

On behalf of Land Over Landings, I want to thank you for your unanimous support of Councillor Pickles’ motion on Monday, January 27, 2013, concerning the Federal Lands.

While it’s a given that our group strongly believes there to be no case for a Pickering airport, we are unanimous in our appreciation of your support for a motion demanding an open, transparent, and cooperative process from Transport Canada and assurances of continued protection of the Provincial Greenbelt, the Oak Ridges Moraine, and the Federal Green Space Preserve on the Lands.

We were gratified by the comments of all Councillors, and were pleased and reassured that the majority spoke strongly in opposition to the proposed Pickering airport.

We trust that this motion will encourage a discussion in other municipalities and at other levels of government. We also hope for a speedy and positive response from Transport Canada, including detailed information that will allow the Province, the Region, the City of Pickering, and citizens to make informed decisions on the future of the Lands. Only then can everyone work with the Government of Canada towards the best solution to this 42-year-old issue. The solution must never destroy our Region’s most precious asset – our irreplaceable and vital farmland. It must capitalize on it, use it to its full potential, in a way that will benefit the greatest number, not just now but for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Mary Delaney

Chair, Land Over Landings

Councillor Dave Pickles
City of Pickering
One The Esplanade
Pickering, Ontario
L1V 6K7

Dear Councillor Pickles:

On behalf of the PineRidge Arts Council I wish to thank you and the City of Pickering for your kind 25th Anniversary congratulatory remarks made to me and the PRAC team at the May 24, 2014 Artfest on the Esplanade.

The PineRidge Arts Council has enjoyed a strong and pleasant relationship with you and the City of Pickering for many years and are thrilled that you share our dream of building a Performing and Visual Arts Centre in Pickering. We are proud to belong to a community that holds the arts in such high regard and makes them an important and integral part of our lives.

Sincerely,
Catherine Schnippering, President
PineRidge Arts Council
905-509-3855
schnipp@interlog.com www.pineridgearts.org

2013 grade: A

2014 grade: A-

Pickering continues to be well-served by its municipal government as the News Advertiser grades local council and the men and women who represent taxpayers.

Mayor Dave Ryan brings a low-key style of leadership to council and is the city's biggest booster. His focus on seeing the massive Seaton development continues, and he maintains an ambitious agenda for transformative downtown development. His diplomatic skills have been called upon more frequently this year to address occasional unruliness during council debates, which has been important to ensure business still gets done. He deserves credit for efforts at engaging taxpayers -- he has held virtual town hall meetings and initiated a series of chats at local cafes -- to keep them informed. He keeps a relatively low profile at Regional meetings unless the debate impacts Pickering. His steady approach earns him his second consecutive A grade this year, the same as in 2013.

Ward 1 City Councillor Kevin Ashe is a consummate professional in his conduct. He is respectful, considerate and knowledgeable and contributes on issues that matter to him and his constituents. He has used social media effectively to inform residents -- such as with Pickering's huge casino proposal -- and must be recognized for his efforts on seniors' issues. Most importantly, however, is his willingness to vote an issue on its merits and not as a block. He also retains his A- grade this year, the same as in 2013.

In Ward 2, City Councillor Doug Dickerson's deep knowledge and experience would be a credit to council if it wasn't for his appalling behaviour at public meetings. He's disrespectful to colleagues and frequently combative, which distracts from council business. He also cost Pickering taxpayers $300,000 in legal fees and expenses for contravening the Municipal Elections Act for filing an inaccurate financial statement in relation to the last election. For all of this, his marks drops to a D-, down from a disappointing D in 2013.

Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles knows his ward back to front and it shows. He is responsive to constituent needs, prepares for meetings and debates and crafts thoughtful motions. He champions rural issues and did an excellent job informing residents during the ice storm last winter. He has fully earned his A- mark, the same as last year.

Ward 1 Regional Councillor Jennifer O'Connell continues to grow as a councillor. She's smart and creative, isn't afraid to mix it up in debates, and has carved a spot for herself as an equal among older, more experienced council members. At Regional meetings, she asks informed questions and will debate her points with precision. She's a strong advocate for residents and her mark goes up slightly this year, to an A- from a B+ in 2013.

Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean is also a consistent contributor and active participant in debates. He deserves credit for his push towards transparency as it relates to council expenses, and took the lead on the issue of medical marijuana producer applications, calling for more structure. He's somewhat quiet around the Regional table during debates, but is knowledgeable and is a well-respected representative of his constituents.

Peter Rodrigues, the Regional councillor in Ward 3, is a strong advocate on rural issues, especially heritage preservation. He fought valiantly for Whitevale residents over the recent bridge controversy and always means well, but sometimes speaks out of turn or wanders off topic, which reduces the quality of debate and decision-making. He should tone down the self-serving speeches, respect others' needs and time limits, and focus on the work. With some growth yet to occur as a councillor, his mark drops slightly this year, to a C- from a C.

Dave Ryan
Mayor
This year's grade: A
Last year's grade: A
Attendance: Council 11/11, committee 18/18, Regional council 12/13, committees 20-31
Expenses: $14,686
Regional Expenses: $1,286.41

Mayor Dave Ryan faced a challenging year as council became more divided in the run-up to a fall election.

He shows diplomacy when chairing meetings and often brokers compromise between bickering councillors.

Mayor Ryan continues to be a cheerleader for Pickering, especially on economic development.

He is passionate about bringing Seaton to fruition as well as an ambitious plan to transform Pickering's downtown.

The mayor works hard to be available to residents through virtual town hall meetings and this year started a series of coffee chats at local cafes.

He is generally quiet at regional council, but speaks up when issues relate to Pickering.

Kevin Ashe
City Councillor Ward 1
This year's grade: A-
Last year's grade: A-
Attendance: Council 11/11, committee 18/18
Expenses: $13,377

Councillor Kevin Ashe is a cordial presence on council, debating respectfully and asking thoughtful questions.

He takes a keen interest in how issues impact residents in Ward 1 and is knowledgeable when it comes to his constituency, although he doesn't speak up as much as his council colleagues.

He makes good use of social media to keep the public updated and gauge feedback on hot topics, such as a proposed casino. Councillor Ashe is accessible to residents and this year worked with police to host a seniors' seminar on the danger of scams.

His civility and willingness to break with council's 4-3 voting pattern are helpful.

Doug Dickerson
City Councillor Ward 2
This year's grade: D-
Last year's grade: D
Attendance: Council 11/11, committee 18/18
Expenses: $11,223

It can't be said that Councillor Doug Dickerson isn't knowledgeable on the issues or committed to helping residents.

However, his increasingly combative and unpleasant conduct at the council table outweigh those positive attributes.

Whether it's rolling his eyes, interrupting other councillors, name calling or calling a female councillor “young lady,” this councillor's behaviour is a distraction that worsens the divide on council.

Councillor Dickerson also pleaded guilty to contravening the Municipal Elections Act by filing an inaccurate financial statement. His court case left the City on the hook for nearly $300,000 in legal fees and expenses.

For these reasons his grade drops this year.

David Pickles
City Councillor Ward 3
This year's grade: A-
Last year's grade: A-
Attendance: Council 11/11, committee 17/18
Expenses: $10,809

Councillor David Pickles is an expert on his ward and quick to respond to concerns from residents.

He is knowledgeable on the issues and comes to meetings prepared with good questions and helpful motions.

This year he fought for rural residents, asking the City to look into paving more rural roads and investigate a new outdoor rink for Claremont. He provided helpful input during the budget and worked hard during the ice storm to keep residents informed.

Even though he typically votes alongside Councillors Dickerson and Ashe, he breaks with the pattern if it benefits the city and generally tries to sidestep the drama on council.

Jennifer O'Connell
Regional Councillor Ward 1
This year's grade: A-
Last year's grade: B+
Attendance: Council 11/11, committee 16/18, Regional council 12/13, committees 27/37
Expenses: $13,067
Regional Expenses: $3,161

Councillor Jennifer O'Connell is an enthusiastic advocate with innovative ideas, such as asking the City to investigate buying a vacant school for community use.

This year she asked tough questions about City debt and demanded transparency on nuclear issues, as OPG applied to operate its Pickering facility beyond its lifespan.

Councillor O'Connell can be argumentative and landed in hot water by using “fraud” in reference to Councillor Doug Dickerson -- but took the high road and publicly clarified her comments.

She is often the target of derisive words but is clearly working to rise above the drama. For that her grade goes up.

At the Region she dives into debate and asks good questions.

Bill McLean
Regional Councillor Ward 2
This year's grade: A-
Last year's grade: A-
Attendance: Council 10/11, committee 16/18, Regional council 13/13, committees 27/34
Expenses: $8,133
Regional Expenses: $3,093.79

Councillor Bill McLean is a good representative for his residents and an active participant at council meetings.

This year he advocated for improved transparency by pushing for council expenses to be posted online, and raised the need for better structure for medical marijuana producer applications.

Councillor McLean is sometimes guilty of aggravating the council divide, as was the case when he pushed to have Councillor Doug Dickerson removed from the Veridian board.

However, he is generally respectful and keeps comments on the council floor direct and to the point.

He doesn't say much at the Region, but is knowledgeable on the issues there.

Peter Rodrigues
Regional Councillor Ward 3
This year's grade: C-
Last year's grade: C
Attendance: Council 11/11, committee 18/18, Regional council 13/13, committees 29/30
Expenses: $4,096
Regional Expenses: $498.11

As this rookie councillor wraps up his first term, he still has work to do.

Councillor Peter Rodrigues has good intentions and is passionate about representing Ward 3, especially the rural communities.

He continues to fight for heritage preservation and advocated for Whitevale residents on the controversial bridge replacement issue.

His grade drops this year because he continues to disrespect people's time by grandstanding and speaking off topic at meetings, even when he is clearly asked to stop.

He is often argumentative on the council floor and sometimes shows a lack of understanding when it comes to procedure.

He doesn't contribute much at the Region.

On Election Day October 27, 2014

The Choice is Clear for Regional Councillor...

Vote David Pickles

the Candidate that consistently has worked the hardest for you!

www.davidpickles.ca • email: votepickles@davidpickles.ca • 905-706-5077

News Advertiser Report Cards

David Pickles

“City Councillor David Pickles knows his ward back to front and it shows.”

“He is responsive to constituents needs, prepares for meetings and crafts thoughtful motions.”

“He has fully earned his A- mark, the same as last year.”

Peter Rodrigues

“always means well, but sometimes speaks out of turn or wanders of topic, which reduces the quality of debate and decision-making.”

“With some growth yet to occur as a councillor, his mark drops this year, to C- from C.”

“He doesn’t contribute much at the Region”

PICKERING -- As the Oct. 27 municipal election date draws closer, the races in Pickering are firming up.

All seven of Pickering’s current council members have now filed to seek re-election. They are all hoping to hold onto their current seats, with the exception of Councillor David Pickles.

He is looking to make the jump from City councillor to Regional councillor in Ward 3, going up against incumbent Ward 3 Regional Councillor Peter Rodrigues.

The mayor’s race is still a three-way contest between incumbent Dave Ryan, former councillor Maurice Brenner and political newcomer Edoh Apaloo.

A fourth candidate has jumped into the race for the Ward 1 Regional councillor seat -- Shawn Sandrasagara joins incumbent Jennifer O’Connell and challengers Myrna Picotte and Nick Tsetsakos.

Incumbent Bill McLean was previously the only name on the ballot for the Ward 2 Regional councillor seat, but is now being challenged by Keith Falconer, president of the Pickering East Shore Community Association.

There are now three candidates seeking the City councillor Ward 1 seat -- incumbent Kevin Ashe will look to hold onto his spot, facing off against Deborah Bissett and Lisa Robinson.

The City councillor Ward 2 race features incumbent Doug Dickerson and Ian Cumming and Cody Morrison.

The race for Pickering’s Ward 3 City councillor seat has seen the most changes over the past few months -- it’s a popular spot to throw a hat in the ring, with the incumbent out of the running. But, it was also becoming a crowded race at one point with up to five hopefuls.

Candidates Laurissa Hraiki, Gino Sgovio and Malcolm Schell have withdrawn their names, leaving Shaheen Butt, Nick Nikopoulos and former Pickering councillor Rick Johnson.

Pickering’s school board trustee races include incumbent Chris Braney running against Paul Crawford and Corey Besso for the public board seat, while incumbent Jim McCafferty is looking to hold onto his seat on the Catholic board.

David Pickles

2014 A-
2013 A-
2012 A-
2011 A-

Peter Rodrigues

2014 C-
2013 C
2012 C-
2011 B

Click image to enlarge

Saturday September 6, 2014

David helps kick off Baskin Robbins fundraiser for Sick Kids Hospital

Saturday September 6, 2014

David & John out on the Campaign Trail

Sunday September 7, 2014

David’s wife Brenda out with Dave ready to knock on some doors

PICKERING -- Plans for a massive tourist destination in Pickering took a step forward Monday night.

After an exhausting debate that spanned two meetings, council's planning and development committee voted 4-3 on Sept. 8 to endorse a re-zoning application from Pickering Developments Inc.

“I think we made the right decision,” said Mayor Dave Ryan. “We had a positive staff report that says this is a project that will be beneficial for the City of Pickering.”

The developer is looking to re-zone three pieces of land near Bayly and Church streets to pave the way for a $1.6-billion project dubbed Durham Live.

Since there is no zoning category that allows for all the proposed uses, the plan is to create a site-specific category called “major tourist destination.”

If approved, the new category would include a list of about 40 permitted uses including hotels, offices, a water park, film studio and -- most controversially -- a casino.

Despite the developer's insistence that a casino is only part of the proposal, debate about a gaming facility has dominated the Durham Live discussion.

More than 100 people came out to the Sept. 2 planning and development committee meeting for a marathon discussion that was finally forced to wrap up at 1 a.m. when council hit its curfew.

“It was ridiculous,” said resident Bev Coats, who attended both meetings, and was shocked at how long they dragged on. “(The councillors) are pretty much holding you hostage while they say all the things they want to say.”

Resident Kasim Seif said he had to work at 7 a.m. the morning after the Sept. 2 meeting, but stayed until 1 a.m. in hopes that a decision would be made.

“To go home after all that time without even a vote ... it's very frustrating,” he said.

Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles accused the three regional councillors of trying to “run out the clock” to delay a decision.

“It appeared that (the regional councillors) were trying to drive this $1.5-billion investment and the potential 15,000 jobs and yearly $50-million revenue out of Pickering,” he said.

Regional Councillor Peter Rodrigues, who chaired the meeting both nights, said letting people talk is part of the democratic process.

“People are trying to express themselves ... it's not grandstanding. People should have the opportunity to say what they want, that's the democratic process.”

Mayor Ryan didn't see it that way.

He said it was “blatant” that questions from council to the delegations “became more of a cross examination to allow a councillor to put forward their argument, as opposed to seeking clarification.”# The mayor said the seven registered delegations on the list for the Sept. 2 meeting should have take 70 minutes -- about 10 minutes each -- as opposed to more than three hours.

City Hall was crowded once again when the debate resumed on Sept. 8.

Several residents spoke up for and against the project.

Barbara Pulst asked for more studies, noting there is no information on the impact the Durham Live development would have on police services and social services.

She also expressed concern that council and committee will be voting on the re-zoning application before voters have their say with an Oct. 27 ballot question on a casino.

“This referendum and our vote as citizens and residents of Pickering means nothing,” she noted.

Resident Susan Elbertsen told committee she has lived in Pickering since 1977 and has seen change -- but not enough.

“I would like to see a little more progress in the city of Pickering,” she said, noting that her son recently left the province to find work, and saying the Durham Live development could create much-needed local jobs.

Politicians also had plenty to say.

Regional Councillor Bill McLean questioned why the debate was being “run through” at the last council meeting of the term.

“Why not put this forward until after election?” he asked.

Tom Melymuk, Pickering's director of city development, said staff has an “obligation” to bring planning applications forward when they are ready.

Regional Councillor Jennifer O'Connell called for studies on how a casino might impact rates of crime and homelessness.

She takes issue with a section of the City report that says the “social impacts of a gaming facility are the responsibility of the provincial government.”# “It's not only a provincial issue because we are going to have to live with it and deal with it every day,” she said. “Housing is just one example of where it's not a provincial responsibility, it's a municipal responsibility ... and we have no data on that.”

Dayna Gilbert, an urban planner speaking on behalf of the developer, repeatedly reminded council members that they were debating a planning application, not the merits of a casino.

“Nothing tonight makes an ultimate decision on a casino, it's just one permitted use,” she said, adding that Durham Live would go ahead with or without a gaming facility -- just at a different size and density.

Ms. Gilbert said the time to discuss detailed uses would be later in the process, when a site plan comes forward, along with more documentation and studies.

The City report says the application represents good planning and that Durham Live could provide “significant positive financial and economic benefits to the City in terms of jobs, tax assessment and other potential revenues to the City.”

An economic impact assessment submitted by the developer estimates the project could create 7,500 to 12,000 direct jobs and generate annual municipal taxes of about $50 million.

Council will vote on the Durham Live issue on Sept. 15, its last scheduled meeting of this term.

PICKERING -- Does a vehicle count as an election sign?

That was the question debated at Pickering City Hall this week, after residents complained that a van driven by Ward 3 Regional Councillor Peter Rodrigues may be breaking election campaign rules.

In a letter to the City clerk, concerned residents take issue with the councillor's bright yellow van, which has his photo and councillor website information splashed across the side.

Also taking issue with the van is Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles, who is running against Coun. Rodrigues in the Oct. 27 municipal election.

“I'm trying to play according to the rules. If the other person isn't playing by the rules and has a competitive advantage over me, it's not fair,” said Coun. Pickles.

The City of Pickering's sign bylaw states that election signs cannot go up until 25 days before the election, which this year is Oct. 3.

But, City Solicitor Paul Bigioni said in this case, the van is above board.

“A vehicle could be an election sign, it all depends what is said on the wrap or graphic image,” he said. “In the situation at hand, we have decided it is not an election sign. There is nothing about `election' or `re-election' written there.”

Coun. Rodrigues is frustrated by the allegation, calling it “baseless and groundless.”

He took aim at Coun. Pickles, saying his opponent is raising “petty” issues to garner publicity.

“The thing people in Pickering care about is property taxes, they don't care about the vehicle,” he said. “(Coun. Pickles) is trying to change the channel from what he's been doing on council. He's just worried about his consistent views to raise property taxes.”

The Municipal Elections Act does not regulate election signs -- that falls to local municipalities.

Pickering's bylaw defines an election sign as a sign “promoting” a candidate in an election campaign.

The rules don't apply to wall signs associated with a candidate's campaign headquarters, but the definition does apply to “election pens, buttons, hats, T-shirts, etc.”

There is no specific mention of vehicles in the bylaw.

It's not the first time the issue has caused confusion in Durham.

In 2010 concerns were raised in Oshawa when council candidate Shane Kelly -- who is also running this year -- drove a car with a window graphic reading “Shane Kelly for Oshawa city council.” The word “elect” was covered by masking tape.

Mr. Kelly had sought a legal opinion before putting the graphic on his car and was told it didn't breach the bylaw, as long as the word “elect” was covered.

However, Oshawa City staff said at the time that signs on vehicles must follow the same rules as more conventional signs.

Several other candidates are currently driving vehicles adorned with their names or photos, including Oshawa Mayor John Henry and Oshawa Regional councillors Tito-Dante Marimpietri and Amy England.

Coun. Rodrigues is also facing scrutiny for choosing to host his recent campaign kick-off event on City property, at the Pickering Recreation Complex.

However, he stressed that he “paid out of pocket” to rent space at the facility.

City Clerk Debbie Shields says there is no bylaw that speaks to the use of City facilities for campaigns, but Pickering does have a “clerk's procedure” that prohibits candidates from using a municipal facility for any election-related purpose.

“The Clerk can create procedures for things that are not included or need further clarification within the Municipal Act but, unfortunately the Province gives us no powers to actually enforce those procedures,” Ms. Shields said in an e-mail.

She said this clerk's procedure was created to level the playing field.

“As a (election campaign) contribution may take the form of money, goods or services the City took the position of not allowing candidates to use facilities at all,” she added.

Coun. Rodrigues said the fact that he paid to use the space means he didn't take advantage of his political position, calling the concerns “much ado about nothing.”

Recently I had an interview with Musa Mansuar for the BLOG he has started called PICKERING VOTES, to help ensure a strong and enthusiastic electorate.

You can read my responses at PICKERING VOTES.

PICKERING -- A Pickering councillor seeking re-election says he won’t stop driving a van with his photo and website address on it -- even though the City clerk has told him it shouldn’t be used for campaign purposes.

The City recently confirmed the bright yellow van belonging to Ward 3 Regional Councillor Peter Rodrigues is not an illegal election sign as some critics have suggested.

But the vehicle is still causing controversy -- City Clerk Debbie Shields has asked Coun. Rodrigues to “cease using the wrapped vehicle for election campaign purposes” such as door-knocking.

“I regard such use as an unfair advantage over other candidates,” Ms. Shields says. “Prior to the election campaign, the councillor used his wrapped vehicle in the course of his normal activities as a councillor.”

The Municipal Elections Act doesn’t address graphics on vehicles or the use of wrapped vehicles for election purposes -- neither do any City bylaws or policies.

However, the Act does task municipal clerks with ensuring elections are fair and orderly.

Ms. Shields says that is why she asked Coun. Rodrigues to stop using the van to campaign.

There is no mechanism for this kind of request from a clerk to be enforced.

“It is up to each and every candidate to respect the directions provided by the City clerk,” Ms. Shields said.

Coun. Rodrigues said he does not agree with the clerk’s judgement and called the situation “stupid, confusing and pointless.

“Rules are rules, and no rules are no rules,” he said. “There is no specific rule on this. The clerk is making her own rules ... it’s all subject to personal opinions.”

Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles is looking to oust Coun. Rodrigues from his seat in the Oct. 27 election and has been a vocal critic of his opponent’s campaign tactics.

“Most resources can’t be used for council purposes and campaign purposes, it has to be used for one or another, not both,” Coun. Pickles said. “Just because procedures and policies don’t have a lot of teeth doesn’t mean it’s OK.”

Coun. Rodrigues says he doesn’t plan to stop driving the van when he goes door-knocking or does other campaign activities.

He characterized Coun. Pickles as a “complainer” and said debate about his vehicle is distracting from more important issues, such as property tax increases.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m in the right. I disagree with (the clerk’s) judgement,” he said.

Both councillors say the next council should look at putting rules on the books, so there is more clarity on the issue.

Coun. Pickles and Coun. Rodrigues are the only candidates vying for the Ward 3 Regional Councillor seat.

PICKERING -- The dance cards are now set in Pickering for the Oct. 27 municipal election.

Three candidates are vying for the mayor's seat (candidates are listed alphabetically) -- Edoh Apaloo, Maurice Brenner and Dave Ryan.

Running for the Ward 1 Regional council position are Jennifer O'Connell, Myrna Picotte, Enrico Pistritto, Shawn Sandrasagara and Nick Tsetsakos.

Keith Falconer and Bill McLean are challenging for the Ward 2 Regional council seat.

The Ward 3 Regional council race will see David Pickles and Peter Rodrigues facing off.

For the Ward 1 City councillor position, there are four candidates -- Kevin Ashe, Deborah Bissett, Lisa Robinson and Peter Tijiri.

Ian Cumming, Doug Dickerson, Cody Morrison and Koober Nuckchedee are running for the Ward 2 City council seat.

Shaheen Butt, Ken Nash, Rick Johnson and Nick Nikopoulos are in the race for the Ward 3 City councillor post.

Corey Besso, Chris Braney, Paul Crawford and Michelle Francis-Cleary are running for one of two Durham District School Board trustee positions.

Jim McCafferty and Joe Przybylo are vying for a Durham Catholic District School Board trustee seat.

For the first time, the position of Durham Regional chairman will be selected by voters and those seeking the position are Roger Anderson, Arthur Augustine, Michael Deegan, Paul Neal, Lynn Porteous and Barbara Pulst.

Roger Brideau, Chanel Tarala-Chahine and Olga Lambert are seeking the trustee position with the Conseil scolare de district catholique Centre-Sud (French Catholic school board), while Sylvie A. Landry and Claude K. Mbuyi are running for the trustee position with the Conseil scolaire Viamonde (French public school board).

PICKERING -- A Pickering councillor has been charged with 16 counts of violating the City’s sign bylaw.

Ward 3 Regional Councillor Peter Rodrigues was recently issued with a summons to appear in a Whitby courtroom on Sept. 23.

The charges come after weeks of controversy relating to the councillor’s re-election campaign -- specifically his vehicle.

Coun. Rodrigues’s bright yellow van has his photo and councillor website information splashed across the side, similar to vehicle wraps used by other councillors in Durham.

Critics have suggested that it constitutes an illegal election sign, because candidates in Pickering are not allowed to put up signs until Oct. 3.

Earlier this month City solicitor Paul Bigioni ruled that the van is not an election sign.

“In the situation at hand, we have decided it is not an election sign. There is nothing about ‘election’ or ‘re-election’ written there,” he said.

However, the City is now going after Coun. Rodrigues for violations under other sections of the sign bylaw.

One section relates to signs on vehicles and states that signs with promotional or advertising content cannot be displayed “on a vehicle or on a trailer that is parked or located for the primary purpose of sign display.” The other section referenced in court documents relates to signs placed illegally on public property without City approval.

Coun. Rodrigues maintains that he is not breaking any rules and called the charges a “petty” attempt by his election opponent -- Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles -- to “distract from the real issues.”

Coun. Pickles has repeatedly raised concerns about various aspects of his opponent’s campaign.

“I’m trying to play according to the rules. If the other person isn’t playing by the rules and has a competitive advantage over me, it’s not fair,” he said in a recent interview.

City staff declined to comment on the charges.

“The prosecution of Councillor Peter Rodrigues under Pickering’s sign bylaw is a matter before the court and it would therefore not be appropriate for me to comment on it,” said Mr. Bigioni.

Coun. Rodrigues says he is frustrated by continued “baseless” allegations that he is breaking the rules.

He stressed that there is nothing in the election sign section of the bylaw that speaks to signs on vehicles and suggested the City staff is “changing the rules as they go along” due to pressure from Coun. Pickles.

“This is not worth my time. This is ridiculous,” Coun. Rodrigues said, noting that he plans to seek legal advice on the damage done to his reputation.

Coun. Pickles and Coun. Rodrigues are the only candidates vying for the Ward 3 Regional Councillor seat.

"Although I am not surprised at formal charges being brought against Mr. Rodrigues given his series of violations of city election campaign policies, for clarification, I did not initiate the charges brought against Mr. Rodrigues by the City of Pickering and I was not aware of the charges or the details of the charges until two days after Mr. Rodrigues was charged. In fairness, it is my approach to not comment on matters before the courts." - DAVID PICKLES

PICKERING -- A Pickering councillor charged with 16 counts of violating the City's sign bylaw made his first court appearance this week.

Ward 3 Regional Councillor Peter Rodrigues was in a Whitby courtroom on Sept. 23, where a judge said he would be given two months to go over the City of Pickering's evidence against him and retain a lawyer.

He is due back in court on Nov. 25.

In the meantime, Coun. Rodrigues says he will continue to drive his vehicle, which has sparked major controversy in Pickering over the past few weeks.

“If I haven't committed an offence, there is no need to stop,” he said outside the courtroom, adding that he is “not admitting guilt” with respect to any of the charges against him.

“It will be up to (the City) to make a case against me. There is no case.”

The debate centres on Coun. Rodrigues' bright yellow van, which is wrapped with a large photo of him as well as his councillor website information.

City officials have determined that the vehicle is not an illegal election sign -- it doesn't include words such as “vote” or “elect” -- but City Clerk Debbie Shields has asked him to “cease” using it for campaign purposes.

“He has this big yellow van with his picture and the fact that he is a regional councillor,” she says. “Now he's taking it out and parking it on the street while campaigning. That's an unfair advantage over every other candidate, because they can't promote themselves in that way.”

Coun. Rodrigues has said he won't comply with the clerk's request, because it's not backed by formal City policy.

“There is nothing in any City rules that says I can't drive a vehicle with my picture on it, or with my name on it. They are making things up as they go along,” he said.

The City has now stepped up its game, slapping Coun. Rodrigues with 16 charges under Pickering's sign bylaw.

The charges don't relate to election signs -- just signs in general.

The charges fall under two sections of the bylaw.

The first prohibits any sign from being erected on public property without City approval, while the second section prohibits anyone from erecting any sign with “promotional or advertising content” on a vehicle or trailer that is “parked or located for the primary purpose of sign display.”

City solicitor Paul Bigioni wouldn't discuss the specific evidence in the case against Coun. Rodrigues, but noted that a “pattern of behaviour over time” is how the City determines a parked vehicle is being used for promotional purposes.

“When a furniture van with a company name whizzes past our office on the way to make a delivery, that is not a concern. If that same van with a logo is parked every day for several hours at the curb here, obviously for promotional purposes, then the sign bylaw is engaged,” he explained. “You have to take the general provisions of the sign bylaw and apply them to the specific facts.”

Also stirring controversy is that fact that the City clerk recently issued an “addendum” to the election sign procedures provided to candidates.

The original wording did not make any reference to signage on vehicles -- it simply defined election signs as those that promote the election of a candidate and said examples could include T-shirts, buttons and pens.

The wording has since been changed to include the phrase “including on a vehicle” and features a new line that reads “vehicles with election signage affixed to them cannot be parked on City streets, at City facilities and cannot be used for campaign purposes.”

Mr. Bigioni said candidates have been “pushing the limits” of the City's sign restrictions and the clerk has the authority to make procedures at any point in the campaign.

“Under the (Municipal Elections) Act the clerk is empowered to establish procedures for conduct of an election,” he said. “In the course of discharging that responsibility she has determined that this was necessary.”

The election sign section of the City's bylaw does not make specific reference to vehicles.

It isn't clear what kind of penalty Coun. Rodrigues might face if found guilty.

The maximum fine under the Provincial Offences Act is $5,000 per conviction -- however Mr. Bigioni said that type of punishment would be “virtually impossible” for a first offence.

PICKERING -- On Sept. 15 Pickering council endorsed an application to re-zone three pieces of land in the Bayly and Church Streets area.

Pickering Developments is planning to build a tourist development called Durham Live on the site.

The proposal has sparked intense discussion in recent months -- especially because a casino is one of about 40 uses that will be permitted under the new “major tourist destination” zoning.

There has been no shortage of commentary from politicians, experts and dozens of residents who came out to speak their mind over the course of several meetings -- including a packed Sept. 2 committee meeting that had to be cut off when it hit the City's 1 a.m. curfew. Pickering Developments president Steve Apostolopoulos recently added his voice to the mix in an exclusive interview with the Pickering News Advertiser.

• On the fact that debate about Durham Live has largely focused on the casino issue:

“It takes the excitement out of what we're proposing to do there ... it's an entertainment district tourist destination. Obviously people are interested in the casino and that is a huge economic boon for the community. We know it's not just about a casino. We're trying to create an environment that is going to be definitely something that people want to take their kids to.”
• On the feedback he's been getting from Pickering residents:

“When we invest in an area we like to go around to the local bars and local shops and local restaurants and really get a feel for where we're going to invest, or potentially invest. And we saw that there's a positive feel for it. People in the community ... have seen what's happened in Ajax. They've seen what good comes out of what they've been doing out in Ajax. Our development will be much more appealing to the vast majority of residents. While one person may not like the casino, someone else may like the water park or vice versa. That's why we've picked those uses, to not just cater to one demographic. We're trying to cater to the whole region really.”
• On how the Durham Live project would be different from Ajax Downs:

“It's just basically a casino and a field. That is something we don't want. We want to create something that's going to be for families and for different wide demographics. We have a real opportunity to create something now that people will love to go to, and I'll love to go to, taking my own kids there.”
• On his background and his family business:

“I wish it was just one guy here running the show, but it's not. It's a family business. It's me, my two brothers, father and a large team that we have. We are in many different businesses. Our business background spans predominately real estate. Then we have, over the years, kind of spread our tentacles out ... we own a sports and entertainment business -- a team and some venues and things like that -- we are in the hospitality business now, we are also in the media business, and we are in private equity and investments. Although I'd love to say I did all the work myself, I didn't.”
• On how that background makes him a good fit for this project:

“We've done similar developments, not tourism related. Our main business was always re-developing ... For instance, we would buy an old run-down business park, let's say. And then we would start bringing businesses to that area. We would redevelop the blighted buildings in the area and then we would fill them up with tenants and help the different communities grow. Sort of like what we're doing right now in Detroit. We bought an older building, it wasn't very active and we've brought up the leasing activity in the building, from I believe it was about 20 per cent, now we're almost 50 per cent.”
• On how the Pickering project could cut property taxes:

“Through our studies we realized that this development, at full build-out, would generate approximately 30 to 40 per cent of the current tax revenue that is collected in the City of Pickering. Just by this development alone we would equate for about 30 per cent of the current tax base. Something of this size would definitely help keep taxes low. I'm not a politician, but I would say potentially even lower taxes. With an influx of that extra revenue coming in it would be a tremendous help to keep taxes low.”
• On the fact that's he's eager to get started:

“There was some talk in council that this project would be a 10- or 15-year project. We anticipate, as soon as the process is through, we'd like to break ground right away. I know that our office has committed to moving our headquarters to Pickering, to the site. We would be the first tenants in the office tower.”