Poverty Awareness in York Region

Posted in the bathrooms. Criminalizing them won't help.

You may have read about the recent smelly affair and controversy in the Era Banner or The Toronto Sun where I'm quoted in regards to a letter that is being distributed by the Newmarket Public Library to " offenders" in an effort to rid them of , well, human smells. Oh, perfumes are apparently covered by it as well but I've never read a policy quite so worded. The signage posted in the washrooms also tells a story. But, in all fairness, Librarians aren't, and shouldn't be expected to be, social workers.

That said, and notwithstanding that fact, the groups they conferred with seem to me to be the ones at fault here. I'm not sure who they asked, but it definitely wasn't PACC which hosted York Region's only ever social audit in 2010 which included political leaders from across the region, front line workers, to shelter dwellers, to ODSP recipients, to the disabled (See the video) complete with follow up report / recommends, co-written by myself along with the former York Region Food Network and NDP federal Mp candidate, Yvonne Kelly. That report took us 6 months.

PACC's first concern was making it as user friendly as possible and to make everyone feel welcome while treating the participants with dignity and respect.

In fact many York Region entities scored poorly from conditions at "domicile" group homes to narrowly targeted services. One of the main themes that stood out was the lack of supports for men and the treatment people were receiving from social services and from distributors of many of the the existing supports. The lone full time men's  Porter Place shelter users were particularly vocal that workers there did not treat them with any respect and that the programs were non existent or inaccessible for most. Even the location is remote, miles from any town, in between Bradford and Newmarket, along a desolate stretch. It's all they have here, outside winter, when they are put in a big room to share the possible unpleasant smells of those dragging themselves in to escape the cold. But no one gives that a second thought.

With few options, York Region men also end up in Toronto

Getting back to the library. Examining why the homeless attend the libraries can lead all the way back to the stem - no home - never mind a shelter. Libraries provide warmth, access to peers, jobs, friends, family, and a place to socialize and sometimes wash up or change in a pinch. But they aren't a social club. And the white elephant of nice families and kids attending and perhaps being dissuaded to do so because of them is also present. So I get it. But we can actually use the library experience to make a positive. Click here to see where this library homeless hub idea is already working!

Newmarket Public Library

What if we somehow used the library as a place to intervene? A place where you can engage them and perhaps steer those in need into a real help like a psychiatrist coming once a month or a housing support group or assist getting them access to medical and community supports. Even hold fun supportive types of events including art therapy, poetry reads - whilst always having refreshments and some type of access to computers etc in that area set for them within the library. This wouldn't mean they would be unable to use the whole library just encouraged to use 'theirs".

It may sound far fetched but libraries have become hubs for them for a number of variables, particularly in small towns, and so I say we embrace it as an opportunity to engage and save some lives. Studies in the US and Australia show men committing suicide 3 to 1 vs women and with men making up the bulk of our street homeless I think its about time we offered them too an option of life - which all starts with a home - for which they'd be last on any lists in York Region to get any.

Patriarchy

New YR women's shelter

One could take it one step further and say that stats also show that domestic abuse is closer to 50 / 50 between the sexes yet with men being reluctant to report such occurrences, they are not even acknowledged by the region - or how else do you explain the discrepancy with there being 6 shelters for abused women, one for just single women with 40 beds, one for single moms and families and every new spot for transitional housing was slotted to only the single women to go with the only other transitional housing YR has for abused women but only 26 full time beds for single men who make up the overwhelming bulk of the street homeless. Fair? Fair enough. Then let's not complain about smells. It should be the least of what we're concerning ourselves with right?

I went to the Trinity Church to find  out about showers they direct the "public' to use if apparently in need as deemed by the smells police but at 3:45 the doors were locked and no one answered the bell even though the operation hours say until 4... But gee that absessed tooth that stinks won't be removed by a shower anyway, nor my dirty clothes. Well no library today I guess.

Sample of scent policy

This is sample of what a notice looks like from a coalition we are involved in looking to bring dental care to low wage earners -  



PACCman out

YRMG's Era Banner needs to respect Grassroots Voices

Recently I had a call from The Newmarket Era Banner asking me to comment on the Ontario government's announcements regarding their latest poverty reduction methods. I'm reluctant sometimes to do interviews with the paper as at times they misquote me, and, for a number of years now, have not published any of my many letters to the Editor nor any pictures.

The pics one is odd, as another recent time they'd actually asked me to come for a pic, after being asked to comment about the fact that York Region Council had voted to raise transit costs again - they are already the countries highest for local transit. I came down, they did the pic and they didn't run it. No explanation, and the article went on to replace my statement of it being the among highest in the entire country  to "already high".

In the most recent article they quoted me fairly well, however in  the following issue in " Letters to the Editor", allowed to go unchecked a letter to by a writer claiming PACC was in lock- step with the government. One need only Google the terms ' Poverty York Region" to find that is far from the case. The letter writer had used it as a sedge-way to discuss their own pet peeve, non-related to the subject of homelessness agenda, and I / we were left without defense or rebuttal so I wrote a letter to the Editor. Again, no print.

Shelter behind schedule due to plans changes

My lock-step point had been they should simply raise O.D.S.P. - Ontario Disabilities Support Program and welfare rates as their 'anti-homelessness" strategy and they'd be able to eliminate most of the "need" for their 'programs and such a heavy reliance on food bank solutions. Hardly a "lock step" position, yet it made " Letter to the Editor" without question and left for all to surmise it true since the column it referred to with my quotes was not in the same issue which leaves the reader with a final false impression and notion about PACC. I wonder if any other groups get this kind of treatment, where no pics and no letters or no articles are ever written by the newspaper yet they still call you on occasion for controlled quotes because they must.
Funny PACC's work is recognized by the Region and by the community at large, as shown through the chair being nominated for and  receiving The Queens Jubilee Award for contributions to country and co-authoring the region's social audit.

PACC's expertise and experience gets us invited to consult with government and various departments in order to help steer the direction they take, not because of any lock-step arrangement. They recognize who we are. It's time YRMG did as well and allow our voices truly heard.

How about a feature on PACC and all they've managed to accomplish, without government funding, for over 10 years, despite the silo they've been given to work in at times.

This week on Ontario budget day I will be locked in prior to the announcement and able to see the budget before the public does and ask questions of the Ministers prior to the budget announcement. Prior to this budget being tabled, we were asked to participate in input sessions to examine the directions the government would / should take - often at odds with what we felt priorities should be.

We didn't attend to say how wonderful they were doing, we attended to try and influence the direction in a way that is fair, but we always come back to a simple deduction - raise the rates first to pre Harris-like levels, and then you'll eliminate most of your "at risk" population. Add real addictions services - including gambling and drug alcohol rehabs and you'll eliminate it even further.

Join Dan's Stroll & Roll to Freedom

Simple Math - A LOCAL ROOM FOR RENT AD - $525 is the only ad I see for shared accommodation in the the Era Banner I have now. Welfare rates top out at around $600. Food banks give 3 days rations per month.

We'll be locked-in for tomorrows provincial budget. Should anybody request a comment we won't be allowed until after the 4pm provincial budget announcement. I won't hold my breath.


You can show your support for a BETTER DEAL for those on disability support on the Stroll & Roll to Freedom.

TP out

Wonderland for some..nightmare for others

As winter begins its blanket of fear upon the downtrodden, some are hurt more than others but everyone feels it. Those prone toward suffering depression are especially hard hit this time of year and those in wheelchairs, particularly those with muscular diseases as they are much harder hit. Winter for some is brutal but for others its a nightmare.

Shopping excursions for some become a monthly affair, not wanting to have to venture out more than is necessary, and socializing means mostly online and any workers that come to your door, some not into that part of the job, leaving you feeling frustrated, downtrodden and often lonely. On top of that, you've had to decide between keeping internet or eating as your food portion has long been whittled away by inflation.

Free Outdoor art for summer entertainment..Fun wow!

There was a time in your life when it wasn't like this. You walked. Ran. Worked. Socialized. But now you are controlled by others at the mercy of a system that seems brutal at times within its own best intentions.

Surely a better deal can be worked out with the Ontario Government. One that allows such a person enough living income to afford new shoes once in awhile, taste a home-made roast on occasion, and perhaps even - egads! A night out! 

Follow Dan in his
Stroll & Roll to Freedom

Dan Philion, happy with initial meeting with M.P.P.

Yesterday was inspirational. It actually started the night before, when Dan Philion, stricken with Muscular Dystrophy and confined to a wheelchair, with limited physical capabilities, was trying to beg off going to a meeting with his MPP. 

Dan has done a lot for the community, awarded for his efforts, and a single dad at one time raising two alone, then a partner since gone. Hey, she can walk now, a story for another time, leaving Dan with limited access to his daughter.

So he lives alone, often relying on the help of others to assist him with certain tasks that he has a tough time doing, such as shopping, cooking (food), and household maintenance although he does get a cleaner and personal support workers who drop by, including assistance dressing, and getting into and out of bed at night - having an electric hoist-like pulley with velcro straps that is used to position him for bed or chair or...

Rejected shoes or makeshift boots

Of course, if he had it his way, he wouldn't need anyone with anything, but knows that isn't in the cards. Still, he feels the basic necessities in life he should be able to afford as its not his fault he's in this predicament. He had no shoes for the meeting.

" I'm not going to the meeting Tom. It's not that important to me anyway", he lied, trying to soften the blow. I'd known it meant a lot to him, he was just nervous about having to speak about it with someone like this in this forum and I knew it. That and the fact he had no shoes or boots.

" What size are you I asked?" I'll get you shoes, but you're going!"

M.P. Lois Brown once awarded Dan for community service

MP supports charity solutions like free coats

I've gotten to know him pretty well over the past 10 years or so and can get away with talking to him like that because we're friends now. Danny's a pretty straight shooter as well. He'd gotten into the habit of not having his drop-in, personal support workers dress him in the morning, giving him another out for not venturing out of the home. But these are often tell-tale signs of oncoming depression also, and, with winter, he is also affected much worse by cold than " normal" blooded people, with his illness, not to mention cleaning the wheel tracks he can't reach or making sure the driveway is cleared by someone in order to get out. He's a social guy, and shines when he does go out which was sorely needed at that time for him. Lucky for us, on this day after the first snow storm of the year, a Neighbourhood Network volunteer showed up, eliminating yet another barrier to his participation in life.

That night before I had an event and was unable to get out for his boots, but had managed to locate a pair of 12 wide dress shoes, along with strips, that could be worn to simulate boots, which Dan immediately shot down upon seeing for the first time.

"I'm wearing track pants", he said, " I'm not wearing dress shoes with track pants.. And what the F$#@& are these?" he added, laughing at the leather leg pieces.

" You said boots", I meekly offered.. "I've worn them for the Santa suit and for the Grinch..."

" Ha, you wear them then, I'm not".... He wore his usual thick wool socks instead of shoes.

Some community accreditation Dan has received

I visited the canvassing Chris Ballard during the election

Going into the meeting, I wasn't expecting much, knowing the M.P.P. new to the caucus / processes, as a rookie, and the strategy was to give a little background first on Dan - like how he literally fell down one day at work, never able to work / walk again without assistance - and how his disease progressively gets worse, so he's unable to do much physically anymore, about P.A.C.C., and about the issue and inform him about the plan for the spring of a march to his office called Stroll and Roll for freedom, with the hope he could support an increase to what those in Dan's position get in income.  We weren't going to ask that he support the 50% increase that Dan thinks would be fair, but rather if he could agree that he deserved better than having to come asking without shoes. It's a tough one to decline.

Dan is tired of asking of charity for basics and hates food banks

That said, I did hope he could embrace the idea of such an action, and even participate, which he sounds open to doing, and, so, when he's asked now as a rookie member of Ontario parliament what's new in York Region, he'll have something to raise, and a reason too. We did not want to overwhelm him with stats and figures, but reminded him of our past involvement with MPP's and even as participants in their governments poverty reduction hearings, but, more than that, I wanted him to just meet Dan, first hand, asking personally, for a better deal.

It is a reasonable request, and one the Ontario government will tell you they are working on this master plan for - but the one thing they have consistently resisted, despite the Harris era 40% cuts - is raising O.D.S.P. rates to livable rates. While welfare is meant to be temporary and used in parcel with community supports to move people forward in life, those with certain disabilities most often do not have that option, yet are painted with the same brush.

Join Dan July 7 2015 on the Stroll and Roll to Freedom starting at York Region Headquarters on Yonge St. Newmarket at 12 noon and ending at the MPP's office.

" We've listened, and people have said they want to work"  Ontario Government on their Poverty Reduction Strategy

I call that selective hearing. Yes they want to work. But they can't all do so. What they really want is just to be recognized as valuable and useful members of society. That's the issue. "You hear the expression falling through the cracks? Well guys like Dan are the ones who fall through those cracks", I explained, " and the direction of the poverty reduction strategy does nothing to address this..That's where these cracks surface."

That very week alone, Dan had to call the ambulance service to come put him to bed as the March of Dimes provider service had begged off, saying they had no replacement. I wonder how much $ extra that costs everyone instead of having a back-up, on-call person(s)? Last year I had to do this for two weeks over Christmas prior to Dan getting into the M.O.D.'s program. I'm not trained for this.

As the meeting progressed, Dan's comfort level rose in voicing concerns about how he's having to live, and even mentioned the worry of falling into a mental health crisis, to which the M.P.P. offered up about the tremendous costs for that too. Turns out M.P.P. Ballard also had a hand some time ago within the schools in Aurora as a fundraiser for school trips and such, always ensuring all kids could go and without embarrassing stigmas attached. It was good to know he'd had at least some ground level experience and understanding to the roots of the issue. The M.P.P. mentioned one of the things they planned to do first was tie the rates to the cost of living so it would not have to be addressed continually.

To this I queried, "Why would you do that first Chris when the rates are still far too low? They've never really addressed it since those Harris cuts, to bring rates more in line with reality, so why would you do that first? He needs more $ first. Then you can tie it to inflation."

I also stressed to Ballard that since Dan already has subsidized housing, and special diet, he is already getting the best deal we offer guys like him, and it isn't near enough. I pointed out the 1% raise his government gave those on O.D.S.P. amounted to 3 bus rides in expensive York Region - $12 a month. The visit to his office would take up $8 of that, $16 for two both ways.

We both got the feeling Chris Ballard was receptive, and he even said he would possibly even march himself, leaving Dan feeling pretty good about the whole thing, and me satisfied, but not surprised, as we'd soft-stanced our ask, only looking for endorsement in principle, that Dan deserved a better deal. But still, all things considered, it was positive - but about to get even better!

Part 2 - The Trans-ride home pulled up, and, having been booked on as an escort, I got to ride along. As we entered, I immediately noticed it chock fullish of seniors ladies, one in her 90's and another 80's, it would turn out, as still another spoke not one word the entire ride.

Dan wants a 50% increase in his income rates rates in order to buy his own groceries, clothes, and to socialize

Having spent some time recently around seniors, as a close relative went through a home and then death as I stayed bedside, I had some experience around seniors and knew they could be engaging if you made them welcome too, so we bounded in, Dan and I laughing up a storm a bit, bringing life to a previously serene-like setting..

"This is where your M.P.P. is ladies should you ever need him!" I announced.

"Who's your M.P.P.?" asked one... "Is it Chris Ballard? another.

"Yes, and we were just in seeing him about getting Dan a better deal."

" Oh yes, and the amount of people using food banks is awful", offered a lady, " Some don't even need it who use it" she added, "and that's bad too"....."and seniors are hard hit often", another said, " and now expected to retrieve mail in this weather" And on it went...it was ...inspirational actually.

We reached a pick-up stop wherein a lady, who ended being 82 years old, was expected to walk through a 2 foot snowbank for about 10 feet to get to the bus / van's door entry, a task you could hear her almost muttering about as she studied an entry point, having made her way already down a front stoop of stairs. The frail looking woman stood, looking unsure, as I instinctively stood up, Mom's lessons ringing in my ears.

Seniors issues also raised on bus ride

" That's ridiculous", some started to mumble, but my mom was kicking in at that point.  It was expected, where I come from, to help someone, and anyone - male or female - and able bodied would have gone out and offered her an arm such as I then did, and lead her through my footsteps to her to get back. I know Dan would have loved to! It's not anything special as far as I'm concerned, it's just manners, but the ladies were impressed it seemed.

As I returned, I could vaguely hear one of the  ladies, 91 years old who looked 70, and lived alone, recite a poem as Dan laughed excitedly,

' Tom, do you hear this? She's rapping about what just was happening. Unbelievable! I thought she was reading a poem at first, but she's actually making it up, and it sounds great!"

And sure enough, the woman quietly finished her ' rap" about a poverty fighting man helping an old woman through the snowbank and we wish we'd recorded it.

Who knew rap was actually invented by older ladies!?

PACC dropped these in Y.R. during the election

We rode the entire route as the ladies were dropped one at a time, each, save but one who I wondered about - perhaps deaf or mentally ill - thanking us profusely for an inspiring ride, having enjoyed the conversations, even Dan's corny jokes and wishing us luck on the quest for a better deal. I welcomed them to ride along in scooters if they could, and to watch for Stroll & Roll in the future..It was a 15 minute trip to the M.P.P.'s office with York Region Wheel-trans on the way there, but took an hour and a half to get back with all the ladies' stops, the driver carefully walking each to the door.


But the socializing was therapeutic somehow for everyone this day it seemed, and it all was driven by the infectious personality and disposition of Dan Philion. Had he chosen to not get dressed this day he'd have missed out, and so would they! I believe Dan  and society  deserves more than hopeful moments. He deserves to participate in life in dignity and be made to feel good about who he is, like on that ride.

 " You guys made my day", the elderly but spry rapper-lady smiled on the way off, ' And you stay out of trouble!" she jokingly offered Dan

I got news for you Ma'am, you made ours! Happy Holidays and Merry Xmas everyone!

PACCman out! Follow our Stroll and Roll for Freedom on Twitter...or Facebook.

Winter shelters closed now. Men in Y.R. use 26 beds in a pop of 1,000,000

Oct 17 is International Day for The Eradication of Poverty. Join us for York Region's representative 2014  event at Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons, 200 Doug Duncan Dr., outside The Lions Hall, simultaneously being held alongside  events around the world to draw attention to those in poverty at home and abroad.

The Newmarket Day will feature an
"Open Mic", offering opportunities to those with messages about poverty to share them. The first part of the 7-10pm running evening will include some personal stories from lived experience or those who have witnessed it, followed by a focus on world poverty.

Speakers to include PACC Chair Tom Pearson, Displaced Farmer Sam Orrico, Bill Kukulewich, long time tenant's and income rights advocate as well as Council

candidate who unveils his 7 point plan to END HOMELESSNESS!

Speakers and performance artists wishing to participate can contact us here and join the event on Facebook.

Fri Oct 17 support an end to poverty - Award winning one minute video

Booked in also is Poet, David Rogers, who will be available for signings / sales of his book of poems, "The Dark Road", which acts as a type of therapy for those fighting addictions / mental health issues, including depression. David's true to life experiences are replicated through his poetry, resonating and cutting through to many so afflicted. Signed Books are $15. 50% sales to PACC.

Mike Thornhill youth award winner Jason Baulch will also receive his recognition award and serves as an example of youth and positive action as well Jazzled Youth COO Wendy Marais will also make some information available about new youth initiatives and educational scholarship opportunities.


The plight of displaced Markham Farmer Sam Orrico will also be highlighted including words from Sam, also a victim of several house fires.

Reggae-country- rock sensations, The Yappers, are also slated in the mix thus far, as well as some Hip Hop and sounds by the amazing Just Flow and AJM Fam, as well a number of politicians and concerned residents will attend, making for an eclectic, stimulating, yet rockin' evening - with time in between for a mix and exchange of knowledge, information and ideas related to poverty issues.

For 2014, in memory of a special PACC member, community volunteer and community worker with C.M.H.A., Annette Brown, who passed unexpectedly recently, we will be handing out pumpkins at the event to keep her spirit / drive to make sure all kids get a pumpkin!
The following day on Oct 18 a celebration in Annette's honour is also planned.

The Int Day has been marked in Newmarket over 12 years now, and was originally designed 23 years ago, when launched in Paris France in front of the U.N. building, by a man of cloth who came from poverty and who wanted to make a difference, culminating with millions standing at once setting a world record for doing so in 2011! He has made a difference. You can too!

Come out and lend an ear or voice on Oct 17 2014!

Annette Brown

It was with great shock and sadness that I learned of a colleague and friend, Annette Brown's passing the other day, from cardiac arrest while in the hospital. She'd had some ongoing health issues I'm told, but, in true Annette fashion, she kept it fairly quiet, never wanting to be the "victim". I believe she'd been victimized enough already in life, something she too kept close to her chest, but her experience from her past made her an excellent social worker and her heart made her a great one. She understood people's situations better than most social workers ever could and knew how to relate on a level people felt comfortable with and therefore she reached more residents. She also had a special, even keel, calmness about her when dealing with issues / residence, something I always admired, being someone who tends to get too emotional in issues at times.

Annette, along with myself and a number of others, were part of special community development team trained in group facilitation and community development, the York Region Community Development Project, and we held community events, formed regular community meetings, and encouraged groups and organizations to form including the Mulock Village Development Committee from which the Annual Friendly Neighbourhood Youth Road Hockey Challenge sprung.It's run 10 years now.

Annette helped plant the roots for YRH kids

Even after being removed from direct involvement with those communities, when the community development dollars ran their course, and being reassigned to things like distributing ' The Winter Warmth Program" which was discontinued last year and kept people warm in their homes in the winter, the mental health worker, still always made herself available for special events, often traveling from Georgina to Newmmarket on her own dime on weekends to do so - dedication you rarely see with any organization's workers. It wasn't a job to Annette you see, she loved helping and her position allowed for that, so that is what she did day, night, or weekend......until she got sick...

Annette made sure this blind man was warm in winter - not the politician

But even then, after taking leave from her Canadian Mental Health Association job with health issues creeping up I suspect, she still called to get involved, offering to distribute food in Tom Taylor Place, where some residents had struggled to survive on social service or disability incomes.

She did that until the York Region Food Network stopped calling us (PACC) about the free food and toiletries they'd receive, which for years PACC helped distribute to, and were there from the beginning, helping make it work.I guess that well ran dry.Annette had also volunteered to come out every Oct 17 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, as well as the mid-march youth road hockey challenge, always in the background willing to do anything asked, without question, no matter the weather or location.

Annette photogged this shot, and was the Grinch's Dog Max too!

I stopped hearing from her as regularly, and then hardly at all, and thought perhaps some lucky guy had swept her off her feet or she'd become like the majority of social workers who thought of people as simply 'clients' and not people or "burn out" or maybe she just didn't have time....Little did I know.

Annette Brown will be sorely missed. I miss her already. I hadn't called. I could have. You don't think of these things and then someone who is a truly caring person and who you know has made a difference in people's lives, dies on you. Jesus! I'm sorry Annette. I never knew.

Stay tuned for a celebration in her honour. May god bless. PACCman down and out...



Oct 17 international day for the Eradication of Poverty in Newmarket. Odds are Annette is one of the die-hards caring enough to brave the cold to sit and listen and give the respect the voices deserved. This year the event will be held at Riverwalk Commons in Newmarket from 7-10 pm and feature speakers and live performers. Annette Brown's latest drive was for pumpkins for kids, so we'll be accepting fresh pumpkins for her drive toward The celebration of her life Oct 18!

Darryl Wolk, left, at his campaign kick off

The municipal elections are coming up, and with that comes all the nastiness and rearing of ugly heads, as each wannabe candidate scraps it out for a piece of the prize - serving the community in government.

Mayoral hopeful Chris Campbell

I was dragged to one opening event for someone running for mayor but wouldn't have gone if a friend hadn't asked, mostly because often municipal politics would not be the level of government we'd be communicating with on most issues but also because I despise the whole process that seems to always include personal attacks too often and not the issues. However I was glad I went in the end as it gave me an opportunity to hear someone new and it was refreshing.


To me, the issues are what has been done in recent times, by who, and do we need new members to keep things honest and on track toward better standards for all? I don't see that now, so I'm looking toward some changes.

First, Region-wise, money fought to get back from Toronto, for social programs, have instead mostly been used for paying infrastructure costs - not what we lobbied those funds back for. Regional Council also sat on their hands for 3 months during a transit strike - 4 months for some living in  semi-isolated communities - and had no plan in place to assist them during this time, and seemingly, no thought about the aftermath. Some never recovered, and got no compensation. All the mothers that needed transportation for food and diapers and - through Christmas time no less - and yet no accountability. This was the 2nd longest transit strike in Canadian history by the way, resulting in user costs among the highest in the country, and, yet, hardly a press blip. Council owed more than a months free transit in that fiasco to transit riders. Chairman Fisch they gave an award for this. Wheel-chair trans users were affected as well, with an overload on services, and many people were unable to meet critical medical appointments that took months or years to get, as well senior or aged, 50 plus workers, who lost jobs as employers used their absences an excuse to be rid of some.

Darryl Wolk kicks off his campaign for Newmarket's Regional Councillor.

I attended a kick off party for Newmarket Regional Councillor hopeful, Darryl Wolk, having been invited to and having known him for some time, but, to be honest, I liked him as a person through my dealings with him - a community group he was associated with had approached about our youth road hockey event - but was not sure he had what it took to be a serious contender - and ended up being quite surprised. His experience spoke for itself through an intro provided by his campaign manager, but it was his speaking and articulated messages that impressed me. I've always known him to speak in more hushed tones sitting across tables from me, but as a front man he really articulated well and knew his stuff  and he includes a focus on poverty and youth and families in a way I can work with I believe.

Lack of jobs and construction woes plague Newmarket

My first experience with the incumbent Regional Councillor, John Taylor, was during The Square Table on Poverty, an initiative I naively coerced all levels of government into participating in through use of the media, hoping it would make a difference. Back then, they actually printed and put us on tv a bit here and there including an infamous live CBC TV news interview by yours truly, to promote International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, but ended up mentioning how Belinda Stronach was then out pushing African mosquito nets while we now had 50,000 people using food banks in York Region. CBC were likely stunned at what came out of my mouth
but it worked, and got her and all the rest to the table, albeit Belinda showed in person only once.

I recall one of the first ST meetings, we spoke of affordable housing and John Taylor got upset that I criticized ads in the paper for Y.R. Habitat for Humanity, claiming to be builders of " Affordable Housing". I dared say that that was misleading, as they hadn't built any at the time in the area for over  5 years and it gave those not so in the know a false impression that housing was being taken care of by them, and that people had to become a face for them too, which we consider degrading.

Wild life needs a home too

Taylor, at that point, told me that he wasn't there to put down organizations etc but that's exactly what we were there for. To discuss reality, in real terms, without the bullcrap. We wanted to talk about building real housing, not a corporate charity that can tell you anything in their ad messages, but have little accountability to results - which our government should be holding charities more accountable. I found out later, his father and former Newmarket Mayor, Tom Taylor, had an attachment to Habitat for Humanity, and it just never set right with me. To me, H.F.H. are still part of a highly paid U.S. parent corporation, making money using our poor people and real estate, with few real tangibles but an exaggerated value. There hasn't been a habitat house built in Newmarket in over 10 years now. So, yea, to me, their claims of being builders of affordable housing are way off base. I don't care what their ads tell me, and the few they do build here, don't get them those bragging rights.

Wolk engages

People also seem of the belief that if something is built here, it must have been "needed", yet the region tore down an existing building on an existing site already zoned for and serving as sites for shelters, only to say they needed now a new site for a another brand new shelter - even though the opening of a family shelter had just taken a burden off existing women's shelters actually showing lower usage (backed by stats) at the time as the men, most in need as pointed out in York Region's own social audit, got no consideration or programs.

The same York Region council supposedly endorsed it's recommendations, but went on to ignore them mostly, instead budgeting the available funds for housing / shelters into a new women's shelter - now approaching 10 million dollars. Tony Van Bynen ran the last election on the dire need for this. By now we should have hundreds of women dead on our streets from homelessness if there was such a need.

Former and council hopeful Victor Woodhouse

As I walked along the railway tracks taking photos by Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons, where we hope to hold the Oct 17, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty event, I saw a homeless guy lying near a steel garbage bin on a cement parking block. I wondered if he'd been inside the covered bin somehow earlier and now outside for warmth or if he was a shelter dweller who would be typically sent out during the day, and remembered this is a transitional time for them, summer they can sleep outside need be but as colder, not, with winter shelters not open for some months yet.

Mayoral hopeful Rev Dorian Baxter

So, to me, the women's shelter sounded wonderful, but at $10,000,000 so far and counting to house single women without children, age 26 and up (the only possible shelter category not covered yet)  who will mostly be from outside the region by the way (we have agreements with Toronto and elsewhere to take them), was not a priority - but a manufactured one - and therefore been a colossal waste of your money.

The reality is, we don't have women on our streets like this, but we do men. The same men we don't mind sending to war to die and to now live and defend a violent life on the streets, while being expected to be a contributing member, without any support programs - another glaring missing social service / charity. But would a mayor look good fighting for a men's shelter? Or is it sexier if it's vulnerable women? Stiff price those men are paying for that decision.

Council hopeful Wasim Jarrah

It took some years, but I think Darryl Wolks understands - in fact he claims it was me who inspired him to join the Peel anti-poverty initiative which helped toward affording him a better understanding of the issues, and that sometimes it is possible to make changes for the better through little things - like grass roots representation on committees, whereas John Taylor, always civil, has delivered nothing but excuses to me for too many years now. Newmarket's mayor has an even worse record, skipping important once a year poverty events in favour of photo ops. At least Councilor Taylor shows up.

Ward 5 hopeful sign

I was further perturbed by the whole election thing when I posted a video of Wolk's intro at his kick off party, only to have it get the "anti-anybodynotthem" set come out in force, stating, on my posting btw, that he was no good etc, to which I'd replied that I respected his desire to run and he impressed me. At that point the piling on started, with people obviously for certain people, but all against Darryl and when I defended his courage to run, and dared make a negative comment about their horse, I was again maligned and scorned with one guy offering that if I wasn't going to say something nice on that particular FB group then he'd have me removed. Ha. Obviously not aware of my web reach.

Blast from the past - Diane Humeniuk

The biggest opposition to Darryl Wolk seemed to stem from other candidates who once supported him, but a decision he made while working behind the scenes during the provincial election when he, to some accounts, changed teams, seems to have labelled him as a traitor in their eyes. I like to think he just couldn't support some of the harsh or ineffective directions that party took on issues such as addressing poverty, and that some of that reasoning, and, having to look guys like me in the face, meshed with his evolving beliefs, resulting in a tough decision. Perhaps a conscience, and for me that's good. That means he has values and principles and decided they were best served representing a different party at that time. Yet, I see those same people having no qualms attaching themselves to anything Belinda Stronach.

Ward 5 hopeful John Heckbert listens

Recently, in the media, there has been some focus on accountability for charities which have very little. What you know / believe about them is a message they are often writing in ads and websites themselves, and are not necessarily wholly true, but who's to judge? This is an area I too would like fixed, with far too many charities claiming to do far too many wonderful things getting away with far too little accountability. Want to claim you do business in dignity in commercials? Prove it! Claim you shovel snow for everyone in need? Do it. Claim you are going to be the only women's shelter in York Region, when there are 6 existing already? Well that one is okay apparently now as it seems to have been removed. Claim you have programs assisting youth or women or people to find housing? Let's see the tangible proof and not more this type like this quote taken from a Y.R. Website offering services for women, which is a manipulation of true facts, and typical of many charitable organizations' claims;

"400 women are turned away annually from Violence Against Women shelters because they don't meet the criteria." Not exactly the full picture.

2018 end date now?...

construction + trans strike = chaos

In reality, even if a call results in a recommendation to call another type of shelter, like a family shelter, they mark them as not getting shelter as a stat. If the same woman calls 4 times to get someone on the phone, each call not ending with placement counts as a person not getting shelter - even though it's one person. Or the same person calling dozens of times a year. So it is misleading, and does not let you know the real story of how many got placed. The winter shelters for women are never full - in fact mostly empty - while the men's is ALWAYS FULL- is all I do know so I'm not sure where they get their stats from. Maybe the Salvation Army which is now slated to run Belinda's Place - after all the hoopla about how BP's would have special programs for women while raising funds - no mention of S.A. then, and I can tell you they don't have a good rep with the street people for running them or distributing programs. But no one asked, and since no one of experience is on the board to help advise them on these things, we get what we get.

Newmarket, at 8%, is a full percentage point behind the national average for unemployment and paralyzed with construction that seems very poorly planned at best. And as we lose more and more control of our green areas and privacy, we have to wonder who is in charge? How can Newmarket get a better deal and have a bigger voice in Regional decisions - that Newmarket wants? You decide.

Long time Newmarket printing shop gone @ Timothy Street

At any rate, this whole rotten thing actually helped me make up my mind about the need for change even more. Pick people who have experience yes, but look for a candidate who truly cares about the people first, and the town, and not just personal interests, parties, or legacies if you can.

Vote! Do not assume anything. And make sure you are registered. No candidate is unbeatable, and, sometimes, if enough people dislike a candidate enough to vote against them, combined with supporters, can win the day...but only if they actually vote! Every vote counts in municipal elections and sometimes a complacent mayor or councilor are ripe for the pickings - before they get too fat.

Do it! Do it now!
pacc man out