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Stories on the Mayoral Race:
Tooker Gomberg, Greenspiration Candidate for Mayor of Toronto
As an Edmonton City Councillor, my proven commitment to the City's arts
and
culture got an A-grade from the local arts community (Arts Vote) and
I
vigorously defended a 1% policy for art in new city buildings.
The arts are the ultimate value-added economic activity. They use the
raw
material of human creativity and energy to transform no-cost renewable
resources into dance, song, theatre and other globally marketable
resources. Plastic and visual arts transform low-cost materials into
high
value finished products. Toronto's 200,000 artists and cultural
professionals have an economic impact in the hundreds of millions of
dollars. They are the lifeblood of community development, cohesion
and
diversity, celebrating tolerance and respect.
But the City of Toronto has not reflected, in spending or planning,
the
arts community's contribution. The City spends less per citizen on
culture
than such cities as Vancouver and Montreal (as well as New York, Paris,
London, Berlin, Tokyo and San Francisco) and has undertaken little
cultural
planning since amalgamation.
The City should acknowledge the essential role of culture in all its
development strategies. While the draft Official Plan includes public
art,
design and preservation of historic buildings as a major thrust, little
action has been taken. Painted moose are not enough, especially
when
historic buildings continue to be torn down.
As Mayor of Toronto I would ensure the following:
· The importance of the arts to Toronto - economically, socially
and
culturally - must be reinforced by acknowledgement in the City's Official
Plan and integrated into the other City plans and strategies, including
the
Strategic Plan, Economic Development Plan and the Social Development
Strategy.
· The City of Toronto Culture Office should be empowered to provide
leadership in the aforementioned area, a function it could not perform
without a managing director for the last two years. Alongside the city's
arts communities, the Culture Office must immediately spearhead this
comprehensive action plan and implementation strategy for culture in
the
city. Our Culture Plan should include enriched programs for the arts,
heritage and cultural industries, and should be reflected in the City's
new
Official Plan and other strategic planning documents. It must be developed
quickly to dovetail with such city priority initiatives as Waterfront
Regeneration.
· In terms of infrastructure, the amalgamated City inherited
ownership or
responsibility for numerous valuable community assets, many of them
in need
of repair, as well as an extensive wish-list for new facilities. But
it has
no cultural facilities policy. A clear priority is to finalize a Cultural
Facilities Master Plan during the next year to avoid the history of
facility crisis management and to ensure adequate cultural infrastructures
in neighbourhoods throughout the City. Toronto must quickly respond
to the
opportunities presented by recently announced federal and provincial
government shared-cost infrastructure programs.
· The plan must tackle the challenges posed by Toronto's overheated
downtown real estate market, which is promoting re-development of
properties traditionally used as low-cost rental space for artists
and
not-for-profit arts organizations. Artists need affordable places to
live
and work; I will support Arts Habitats projects and ensure buildings
are
converted into lofts and studios for the arts community.
· As Mayor, I will direct the introduction of new programs to
enhance
neighbourhood cultural development throughout the city. Programming
in
public places and proactive policies to support cultural industries
(especially film) and cultural tourism should be commonplace.
· Grants must be accessible to organizations of all sizes and
types in
every part of Toronto and to artists across the entire city. Public
art
policies, with secure funding, and special events are an important
part of
this. So is spending on promoting the arts to other levels of government,
businesses and citizens.
· I commit to doubling per capita cultural spending by 2010.
I will work
to find ways to weave the arts, cultural celebrations and symbols into
our
daily lives, and develop Toronto as an arts-incubating city, hosting
exchanges between artist of diverse perspectives and cultures to spark
new
and creative insights into our future. I will establish "art parks"
where
artists can create, interact and exhibit their work on a permanent
basis. I
will highlight cultural heros of the week to recognize excellence and
innovation, using the internet and media to be used as a tool to celebrate
achievements.
· All citizens must have access to cultural expression. I will
ensure
subsidies are available for low-income families to ensure fair access
to
these opportunities.
Music, dance, film, theatre, painting, sculpture and other arts and
cultural activities do more than enhance creativity; they develop
confidence, leadership, intelligence, concentration, communication
and
expression. I look forward to exploring these and other ideas for enhancing
the cultural and creative wealth of all Torontonians.
------------------------------------------
Tooker Gomberg on Transportation: Where are We Going?
Toronto's transportation network is vital to the quality of our lives
and
to the strength of our economy. Unfortunately, short-sighted urban
planning, trendy marketing, automobile subsidization and provincial
downloading has left almost 75% of Torontonians feeling that they cannot
live without a car. This is reflected in the fact that 9 million car
trips
are now made each day in the Greater Toronto Area, a number which is
expected to increase to 14 million car trips by 2019. As a result,
our
transportation network has become more unsafe, more congested, increasingly
polluted, and, with urban sprawl, much more costly for the public purse
to
maintain. If we continue on this road of automobile dependence, Toronto's
economy, environment and quality of life will get much worse while
our
property taxes will multiply.
Crashes, Safety & Health
Car and truck crashes kill almost one hundred Torontonians each year,
more
than half of which are pe-destrians and bicyclists. These fatalities
outnumber murders by a three to one ratio which clearly indicates that
car
deaths are just as serious a social issue as crime in this city. No
less
important are the injuries that 30,000 citizens endure annually. According
to the Toronto Board of Health, a further 1,000 deaths and 7,600 hospital
admissions result annually from poor air quality largely attributable
to
automobiles.
As Mayor, I will help save lives and decrease car related injuries by:
· reducing speed limits to 20 km/hr in school zones and residential
streets, 30 km/hour on arterials and 60 km/hr on highways
· fast-tracking the installation of red-light cameras at all
major
intersections
· supporting innovative efforts of neighbourhoods to calm traffic
on
residential streets
· implementing the Regional Coroner's 1998 recommendations on
cycling
fatalities
Land Use Planning & Congestion
After almost 50 years of catering to automotive and developer
interests,
politicians and land use planners have left many of us unable to access
the
things we want and need unless we own a car. Over 40% of The City of
Toronto is now paved with more than 5,300 kilometers of roads dedicated
to
the private automo-bile leaving those without a car (26% of Toronto
households) at a major disadvantage.
By making simple transportation policy and infrastructure changes,
the
City can influence driver behaviour, diminish traffic congestion, reduce
car dependence, minimize impacts on public and private property, create
jobs, improve air and water quality, reduce economic and social impacts,
and prevent urban sprawl.
As Mayor, I will help create a much more livable city by:
· introducing alternate-day driving restrictions
· spearheading a road building and road widening moratorium
· setting aside one lane for high occupancy vehicles where appropriate
· commencing a long term urban development plan which emphasizes
brownfield
and mixed-use de-velopment, multi-use town centres and high density
along
connecting corridors where transit has funding and operating priority
Sustainable Transportation
Sustainable transportation refers to moving people and goods in
cleaner,
greener, healthier, safer, more equitable ways, and, where appropriate,
not
moving people and goods. Transit, walking, cycling, efficient goods
movement systems, telecommunications, car sharing and car pooling are
the
major components of a sustainable transportation network. A recent
study by
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reported
that the wealthiest cities in the world consistently have the best
sustainable transportation networks. To ensure that Toronto is at the
top
of this list, transportation investments must be reallocated to sustainable
transportation facilities so that citizens of all ages and abilities
can
utilize them.
As Mayor, I will:
· create a new City Sustainable Transportation Department to
oversee
Transportation Services, Urban Planning and be linked directly to the
departments of Health, Finance, and Parks and Recreation
· implement priority bus lanes and streetcar signals
· increase funding for the TTC by $15 million a year, so that
service and
fares can be restored to 1990 levels
· expand transit coverage into all areas of the City
· planning, designating and building light rail transit (as
opposed to
subways) on several existing thoroughfares (e.g. Lawrence, Eglinton,
Lakeshore)
· fund GO Transit in fair proportion to population and travel
requirements
in conjunction with the regions
· install sidewalks and, in appropriate places, cross walks,
where there
are currently none
· create pedestrian-only spaces for shopping and entertainment
· giving political support to the comprehensive cycling master
plan so that
on-street bike lanes, off-street bike paths and safe bicycle parking
facilities are expanded
· provide generous incentives to businesses to create sustainable
transportation partnerships so that they play a strong role through
employee programs (e.g. bicycle user groups, bicycle parking and showers,
green fleets initiatives, human powered delivery, integrated mobility
systems, car pooling) and general corporate responsibility related
to
transportation
· work with school trustees to implement a sustainable transportation
education for primary and secondary schools students along with their
parents
Paying for Safe and Sustainable Transportation
The cost of the car to society is far too high. While many citizens
demand
lower taxes, it is unfair that public dollars subsidize each car driver
to
the tune of $3,000 annually. Much of this subsidy is due to the $3
billion
in social costs (for health and medical care, police, emergency services,
environmental and property damage) that must be paid by the public
purse
when car crash fatalities and injuries occur. Lost time resulting from
crashes is a serious blow to our city's productivity.
By tipping the balance in favour of sustainable transportation,
people
will reduce their dependence on their vehicles thus saving hundreds
of
lives and millions of tax dollars annually.
As Mayor, I will provide economic incentives and disincentives
to driving
by:
· lowering transit fares
· establishing toll systems on all city-owned highways
· implementing user pay fees through roadway congestion
pricing, revenue
based parking fees
· dedicating revenues generated from automotive fees to transit
and other
sustainable transportation projects, as well as basic road improvements.
Conclusion
The cause of traffic-related deaths and injuries, traffic gridlock,
lost
productivity and decreasing quality of urban life is simple: too many
cars.
All of these problems would disappear within twenty years by phasing
in
measures to reduce the number of cars over the next five to ten years.
By
making the above policy and infrastructure changes, Toronto will be
a much
safer and richer place in which to live during this new millennium.
For further information, contact:
Tooker Gomberg 532-3939 or tooker@web.ca
Marty Collier at (416) 604-9791 or collierdavis@idirect.com
*****************************************
Gomberg for Mayor Police
Platform - Tue, 31 Oct 2000
From: Gomberg for Mayor <tooker@web.ca>
Police Trick or Treat
Platform
Oct. 31, 2000
Since amalgamation in 1998, City Council has increased the police budget substantially every year ($39 million increase in total, or 7.8%) despite falling crime rates. At the same time, funding to other city departments, including public health, TTC and social services has been cut.
A special summer program, "Community Action Policing" (CAP), was created in 1999 and funded again for the summer of 2000. Homeless people, youth, people who squeegee or panhandle, queer people, people of colour, Aboriginal peoples, new immigrants, and psychiatric survivors are those most at risk of police intimidation, harassment and violence under programs such as CAP.
Recent provincial moves to force police to force people to take medication, to evict people in winter to the streets, to suppress activists, etc., have simultaneously endangered the citizens and the police who enforce these laws.
This is "law versus order": the ideology of majority rule of law is used as an excuse to direct police to deny fundamental rights long guaranteed in Charter and UN treaties. Brute force is chosen as if it were a "solution" to economic and social issues.
But there are many practical and effective alternatives to a "law and order" response to safety issues. Building affordable housing, providing opportunities for employment, and adequate income are other choices that are much more likely to go beyond cosmetic changes to really improve the safety and the health of all communities and reduce the confrontation.
Public space in cities, the civil commons, should be accessible for all members of the community for all non-violent purposes. Bylaws cannot over-rule basic rights.
Community safety must be defined in terms of social, health and economic factors. Most importantly, lives likely lost must be calculated for all civic decisions, including those where people and police are forced into confrontations. Should we wait for preventable deaths? I think not.
If elected Mayor, I would do the following to make the City of Toronto safe for all its residents:
1. Eliminate targeted policing programs such as Community Action Policing.
2. End discriminatory police practices that target people who are already marginalized by social and economic forces. Offer them specific non-judgemental help instead, as police did when they distributed sleeping bags to the homeless who chose to remain outside.
3. Support a change in budget priorities that will mean more funding to services for people, including housing, recreation, childcare, and public transit, and less emphasis on policing. Train police to quickly refer people to social services and charitable help on the spot where appropriate and welcome -- cut the bureaucracy involved.
4. Work toward a strong, public oversight over policing in Toronto. Find the "5% of cops that should not be wearing a badge" according to former Chief David Boothby, and remove them from the force immediately.
5. Deny posts on any council committee to Councillors who accept Police Union Funds.
6. End the police helicopter program and spend the money on playgrounds.
7. City council must provide leadership in opposing provincial hegemony,
especially over police matters. The management and supervision of police
services must be under the city's sole control.
For more info:
Copwatch Hotline: (416) 531-2411, ext. 263.
http://www.GombergForMayor.org
---------
Campaign News Releases Tooker Gomberg for Mayor
Robin
Hood Launches Debate at the Stock Exchange
*************************************************
>From 10:30 am to 12:30 pm today, Robin Hood,
in the guise of Mayoralty
Candidate Tooker Gomberg, will engage in debate
with citizens outside the
Toronto Stock Exchange at
130 King St. W.
"Robin Hood took from the rich and gave to the
poor. This enduring legend
is as relevant today as aver. We have a growing
homelessness crisis;
shouldn't the wealthy help find the solutions?
We'll be talking with
Torontonians about the issues: smog, garbage,
a healthy future for children
and for people seven generations hence."
Jane Jacobs Endorses Gomberg Campaign
**************************************
With recent endorsements from David Suzuki and
Naomi Klein, the Gomberg
Campaign continues to pick up significant momentum
and support heading into
the final two weeks. We received this very special
endorsement from Jane
Jacobs, world-renowned thinker and writer about
healthy, liveable cities.
"Tooker Gomberg has his eye on the right issues.
A vote for Tooker is an
affirmation of democracy, and of wisdom in the
grassroots."
We are touching a nerve among people excited about
building a healthy,
ecological city.
For further information (egalement disponible
en francais):
Tooker Gomberg 532-3939
FUN for the whole family
Let's Danz...
As we head into the last 2 week home stretch, we invite you to celebrate
with us our collective accomplishments to date. Mark your calendars
now for
one or all of the following campaign events:
1. Sunday Oct. 28, 7 - 8 p.m.
-- World Premier Video Screening -- Democracy In Motion -- Clips from
the
Gomberg for Mayor Campaign. Catch the campaign news and views from
our
perspective.
If you can't view the video up on our website, come out to view the
mini
videos in the comfort of a church.
At the Church of the Holy Trinity, in the car-free square just west
of
Eaton's Centre, south of Dundas, east of Bay
Admission: pass the hat.
2. Thursday Nov. 2, doors 7:30 p.m. show starts at 8:00 p.m.
-- Grassroots -- An Election Cabaret with entertainment to amuse and
inspire the right brain in us all
At the NOW Lounge, 189 Church St.
Admission: $10 (sliding scale)
3. Sat. Nov. 4, 2 - 3 p.m.
Chris McKhool Kids' Concert - for the whole family, but especially
for the
kids
Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick (just south of Bloor)
Refreshments, door prizes, auction
Admission: $5 per person or $15 per family
4. Sun. Nov. 5, 11 a.m.
Streetcar Party and Veggie Brunch. Join us in style as we release the
Gomberg for Mayor Green Book.
Must pre-register. Tickets: $20 per person or $50 per family
5. Tues. Nov. 7, doors 7:30 p.m. show starts at 8:00 p.m.
-- Grassroots -- An Election Cabaret with entertainment to amuse and
inspire even the most ardent left brains in the bunch.
At the NOW Lounge, 189 Church St.
Admission: $10 (sliding scale)
Frankenfoods Party At Loblaws
On Saturday, Oct. 28th, 12 noon to 2 p.m., at the Loblaws on Broadview
and
Danforth, the Gomberg or Mayor campaign will join members of Gene Action
to
protest Franken Foods, or Genetically Mutated Food (GMO) products sold
in
our supermarkets.
"We're outraged that not only are up to 70% of food products in Loblaws
contaminated with GMO's, but Loblaws is actively discouraging labelling
of
all products by refusing to carry products that are voluntarily labeled
as
GMO-free" says Larch Juckes Maxey from Gene Action.
"Consumers should have a choice. They shouldn't have genetically mutated
foods unknowingly shoved down their throats. Toronto should join the
cities
of Minneapolis, Boston and San Francisco in calling for the labeling
of all
genetically mutated foods" says Gomberg.
For further information (egalement disponible en francais):
Tooker Gomberg (cell) (416) 834-2453
Larch Juckes Maxey, Gene Action 438-1254
Don't miss out on the fun. Mark your calendars today.
For more info
email: tooker@web.ca
http://www.TookerForMayor.org
Gomberg for Mayor Campaign Headquarters
244 Gerrard St. East, (east of Ontario) Toronto, M5A 2G2
---------
Gomberg Burns $200 Cheque, and Promises to Freeze Taxes
*********************************************************
At 10:30 a.m. today, at the front doors of Queens Park, Mayoralty Candidate
Tooker Gomberg will burn his $200 cheque from Ernie Eves, Minister
of
Finance of the Province of Ontario.
"Keep my $200, Mr. Eves. I don't want it. Toronto is suffering from
the
most serious financial crisis in its history thanks to your policies.
Every
Torontonian needs to know: thanks to Mr. Eves, Mr. Harris, and the
government in Queens Park. Toronto is getting burned."
"The city is facing drastic increases in operating and capital costs
as the
province offloads expenses onto the city. Progressive taxation is the
only
fair way to raise money for society to operate. Giving taxpayers a
$200
cheque while cutting out all support for the TTC, and while forcing
thousands of Torontonians into life threatening desperation is not
my idea
of common sense. It's nonsense."
"As Mayor I will fight for all Torontonians, especially those most in
need
of an advocate. Mr. Harris has shown himself to be an enemy of Toronto.
Torontonians are saying to me that they want a mayor who will speak
truth
to power."
"They can keep their $200 cheque. Put it to good use. Bring back what
all
Ontarians want -- clean water, a healthy health care system, investment
in
transit, affordable housing, and quality education. If I can get all
that
for $200 then that's the best $200 I ever spent."
Suzuki and Naomi Klein Endorse Gomberg Campaign
************************************************
Oct. 24, 2000 The campaign is pleased to announce that David Suzuki
and
Naomi Klein have endorsed our campaign. "Tooker Gomberg is one of the
few
politicians I have met who has a deep understanding of the environmental
and social justice issues that confront us today and he has built a
platform based on resolving them. It's time we made these issues the
top
priority in every election at all levels of government." - David
Suzuki.
"It's time to tell Mel that you don't want a to live in a city of shiny
facades that drives homeless people off the streets and exports its
garbage." Naomi Klein, Globe and Mail Columnist
Other prominent endorsements include:
"Tooker Gomberg is a visionary -- an activist who puts principle into
practice!" Elizabeth May, Executive Director, Sierra Club of Canada
"I'm voting for Tooker Gomberg for mayor because, right now, garbage
is the
defining issue, and he's on the side of a clean future." Michele Landsberg,
Toronto Star Columnist
The Truth about Edmonton's Composter
**************************************
"Congratulations to Mr. Lastman for visiting the giant Edmonton
co-composting facility" said Tooker Gomberg, Mayoralty candidate. "And
good
for the media for giving the visit such extensive coverage. But missing
from the story is my role as City Councillor in getting Edmonton onto
the
composting track. I pushed hard against the building of a new landfill,
and
spearheaded the drive for Edmonton's administration to investigate
composting as an ecological and realistic option."
"Our campaign team is becoming frustrated at how some media are tripping
over themselves to cover Lastman, but unwilling or afraid to cover
what
we're doing. This at the same time as they are saying that only Lastman
can
win. If they virtually ignore us while only covering him, their prophesy
becomes self-fulfilling."
Democracy Withers as Collenette, Lastman and Ootes Avoid Debate
****************************************************************
In a stunning show of cowardice, at the last minute David Collenette,
federal minister of Transportation, and minister responsible for the
GTA in
cabinet, dropped out of a forum scheduled tonight at the St. Lawrence
Centre. The event, billed as Election Fever, was to have featured Mel
Lastman as well, until he too indicated that he would not attend.
Additionally, Case Ootes pulled out of a scheduled forum on Oct. 23.
"Politicians these days prefer carefully planned photo ops and quick
sound
bites to actually facing the electorate and discussing their views.
That's
what works for them. But why have the media been so complicit, letting
the
candidates off the hook from partaking in the most fundamental tenet
of our
democratic system?"
"Without debate democracy withers. The media should do better and push
for
public debate of the issues during elections."
Gomberg Campaign Urges Media to Be Fair to Citizens
****************************************************
The Gomberg for Mayor Campaign is calling for fair treatment of our
campaign by the media. Today's Star contains the following phrases:
"…virtually no one to challenge him (Mr. Lastman) as mayor" and "With
no
viable opponent in the municipal election, Lastman…"
Says Gomberg: "These are words that snuff out any possibility of choice
for
the voters. I trust the voters to make a choice, if they are given
one. The
media is tilting the game so nobody has a chance to be considered viable."
"The scorecard so far? Our website: 307,000 hits. Lastman's: 0 (he has
no
web site). Leaflet distribution? Gomberg: 150,000, Lastman: 0.
Participation in Debates: Gomberg: 3, Lastman 0. We have over 600
volunteers helping us out on a lively, grassroots campaign on the issues.
Lastman is hiding behind journalists who say there is no contest."
A Home for All -
The Gomberg for Mayor platform plank on Housing and the Homeless is now
on the web at
www.gombergformayor.org/platforms/home.htm
---------
Tent City Established at City Hall
Mayoral Candidate Tooker Gomberg - News Release
Oct. 22, 2000
At 12:01 a.m. Sun. Oct. 22, a dozen Torontonians established a Tent City in Nathan Phillips Square, City Hall, to protest the lack of action on the homelessness crisis.
"We're here in solidarity with the 60,000 homeless Torontonians. The temperature could reach freezing tonight. Do more people that sleep on the streets and in ravines have to die before the city takes this crisis seriously?" asks Gomberg.
"There's so much the city should be doing, like creating new emergency hostel beds, building social housing, and forcing the arm of Mike Harris to restore a rent freeze and repeal the Tenant Protection Act.
"But more specifically we're calling upon the city to open an armoury to the homeless of our city. Since the city has already declared homelessness an emergency, then the opening of the armoury is the minimum acceptable to counter the crisis.
The Tent City group has put out a call for others
to join them for an hour or a night. "Bring warm food, extra hats and long
johns, cause it's mighty cold out here after sundown."
-------
Gomberg for Mayor Campaign Dispatch
Tue, 26 Sep 2000
Just 48 days days until the Election!
From: Gomberg for Mayor <tooker@web.ca>
Phone Campaign HQ: 968-7626
*************************************************
Tues. Sept. 26, 2000
Welcome to the daily campaign update. It's Tooker the candidate typing
this, busy on the campaign trail.
I'd like to ask you a favour. Would you circulate this bulletin to any
friends that might be interested? We want to let every Torontonian
know
about our campaign, and you can help with the click of a button.
Yesterday was a fun day, a rally after noon at City Hall being the
highlight. Northerners made a special moose and filled it with garbage.
They also threw some garbage bags in the fountain at City Hall to
symbolize what Mayor Lastman and Council seem prepared to do -- ship
our garbage
by train 600 km. north and dump it in the Adams Mine lake near Kirkland
Lake.
Ride the Rocket with Us on Thurs.
**********************************
On Thursday Sept. 28 we will be touring the city and getting this
campaign on track. The beautifully restored, 1940's vintage PCC Streetcar
will be
travelling around the city (on steel wheel, on the tracks) from 8-11
p.m.
We'll have live music, refreshments, political discourse, and fun. We
hope that you'll join us for this very special event.
We only have seating for 100, so call campaign headquarters and book
you
and your friends for a one hour tour (968-7626). Price: donation to
the
campaign.
We'll be on the road from 8-11 p.m. Book an hour time slot, and get
on
board.
Take the Campaign Home with You
*******************************
Would you like to be a Campaign Distribution Point? People from all
over
the city are contacting us asking for leaflets and lawn signs. We would
like to have a point of contact for the campaign in each of the city's
44 wards.
Are you interested? At minimum it would mean having leaflets so that
local people could drop by to pick them up.
Please let us know. As a grassroots campaign we want to be out in the
neighbourhoods throughout Toronto. Thanks.
The Campaign Newspaper
***********************
Yes folks, we're thinking big. Why not?
We'd love to be putting a newspaper on the street about the election
issues
on a regular basis. It would be great outreach, and would reach lots
of
people.
If we had writers, layout people, and distributers --- we could do it.
Interested? Email me at: tooker@web.ca
************************************************
The Tooker Gomberg for Mayor campaign is raising
issues of sustainability, social justice and democracy.
Hundreds of volunteers are working together,
campaigning, and having fun, in the days leading up to
Toronto's Nov. 13, 2000 elections.
Join us! Pick up leaflets
Mon, Tues, Fri, Noon - 8
Wed, Th, Sat, Noon - 5
Sun 2 - 6
Volunteer training and drop-in Tues 6-8 p.m., Sat Noon-5
Gomberg for Mayor
Campaign Headquarters
244 Gerrard St. East, (east of Ontario)
Toronto, M5A 2G2
Phone: (416) 968-7626 (as easy to remember as: YOUR MAN)
Email us: tooker@web.ca.
Check out our rockin' new web site:
http://www.GombergForMayor.org
On Tues. Oct. 3 Toronto City Council will vote on the crazy scheme to
ship
our garbage 600 km. north and dump it in the Adams Mine in Kirkland
Lake.
Let's fill Council Chambers and push for ecological alternatives like
composting, methane gas, and recycling.
find out more at: http://www.adamsmine.com
Gomberg Will Join Northerners in Garbage Protest
On Monday, Sept. 25, at 12:30 p.m.
mayoralty candidate Tooker Gomberg will join Northerners who will be protesting
against City Council's mad scheme to ship its garbage up north. They will
be protesting in front of the fountain at Toronto City Hall.
"Why ship our garbage 600 km. by train and dump it on communities that don't want it? If council proceeds with that mad scheme next week, it will be a declaration of war against Northerners, and they have told us that they will then fight our city tooth and nail."
"As City Councillor in Edmonton I urged the administration and council to consider a better alternative to a new landfill -- composting. The city then invested in one of the North America's largest composting facilities, and the residential garbage 'problem' has virtually disappeared. It's not rocket science. It's obvious: why not choose solutions that are cost-effective, good for the environment, responsible, and forward thinking?"
"Mayor Lastman and the majority of council seem to be stuck in the dark ages when it comes to garbage," concludes Gomberg.
For further information (egalement disponible en francais): Tooker Gomberg (416) 968-7626
--------
Car-Free Day
***********
Come join us for some fun on Thursday! Throughout Europe, and in many
other cities around the world, the first World Car-Free Day is happening.
Our city is moving a bit slowly in joining the movement, so some local
groups are organizing a community event -- a party on College St!
We'll be claiming the north side "parking lane" on College, from Manning to Clinton, from 6-8 p.m. on Thurs. Sept. 21. We'll park our bikes, and strollers, and set up some furniture, games, and music. We'll plug the meters with change, so we'll be entitled to be there. Hope to see you!
Help!
*********
The more we can "get out" into the community, the more our campaign
will succeed. We'll be in Jane/Finch, we'll go to Scarborough, even N.
York. If you have a few hours, a passion, an idea, or a concern, email
or call us. With the energy and enthusiasm of lots of people we can accomplish
great things over the next eight weeks.
We look forward to working -- and having fun -- together. See you soon!
- Angela Bischoff, Campaign Manager
- Tooker Gomberg, Candidate
Join us! Pick up leaflets
Weekdays 10-5 at Gomberg for Mayor Campaign Headquarters,244
Gerrard St. East, (east of Ontario) Toronto, M5A 2G2
Phone: (416) 968-7626 (as easy to remember as: YOUR MAN)
Email us: tooker@web.ca.
Check out our rockin' new web site:
http://www.GombergForMayor.org
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Mel Lastman's Dead Election
- Oct.18th.2000
(And the Fat Federal Fringe)
Municipal and Federal Election fever has hit Toronto. This fever is best described as one that has put people to sleep and in the end it will likely kill us all with bad democracy.
Mayor Mel Lastman and the Media have ruled the other mayoral candidates fringe candidates. The Star felt it would be a waste of time to hold a mayoral debate, and in general candidates like Tooker Gomberg have to push hard for coverage.
It is clear that the Lastman strategy is a Dead Election. Debate no one, keep the issues hidden, blind the public with a big waterfront dream and roll slowly to victory on the wheels of the garbage train.
Lastman's pollster has assured us that no one will vote in this dead election, and this low turnout is a good thing for Mel. Lastman's advisors don't want more people to vote, because that would mean they have come back to life to vote for an opposing candidate.
Incumbent councillors also managed to tune into Mel's pollster, and if there is a key reason as to why they supported the terrible Adams Mine Garbage Train deal, it is that they are sure the public will never come to the polls to punish them. They believe the low turnout will mean the re-election of a full slate of incumbents.
This is an amazing form of democracy. Our mayor or perhaps (media-anointed King) and his minions have become like vampires, wanting to win through sucking the life out of us. The media has agreed to help. On Election Day we will fail to march to the polls and because of it their Utopia will arrive. Representative Democracy has become Repressive Democracy. The new council will ignore the public, and it will put through more secret deals and clauses on behalf of the higher ups in society.
We really need inspiration and a grassroots movement of the people. And the only way to object to this flogging of a dead horse is to jump on a live one and ride.
Aside from the municipal election we have the federal election. Yesterday the latest polls from CTV/Ipsos-Reid noted that the Liberals are at 52 per cent and all of the other parties are low enough to be labeled fringe groups.
In this race the media will give coverage to the federal fringe because parties like the Tories and the Alliance are the fattest big-money fringe groups you could imagine. No one is inspired by their dead policies, yet the rich want to give them money.
Being at the bottom is probably a good thing for them because they now know how we feel. We the people have been marginalized and out on the fringe for years. No one really wants to listen to us. No one cares about us.
It's the dead election, repressive democracy and we've got more fat politicians tossed into the garbage and the fringe with us. Soon they'll all be out here and justice will begin.
By Gary Morton
……………
Police Threaten Charges
over Mayoral Candidate's Shirt - Oct.4.2000
Mayoral candidate Enza "Supermodel" Anderson is the candidate
in drag wearing blue mini-skirts, heels and vintage police shirts.
The police shirts weren't a problem till last Wednesday
when Enza was approached by a Toronto police officer that threatened to
charge him with impersonating an officer. The officer decided Enza could
go if he handed over the shirt. Enza was escorted to his apartment where
he changed and gave the police officer the shirt.
Enza said the shirt is his property and he paid for it.
Staff-Sergeant Jim Muscat made this silly comment on the
issue. "If you wear a shirt and you're going around appearing to
be a police officer, technically it's possible you could be committing
an offence."
Since Enza has been in the media a lot impersonating an
officer would not be possible. The dress is obviously a fashion statement.
---------
Toronto Mayoral Vote an
Exercise in Fake Democracy - Sept.26.2000
(Subtitled - Mel Gets the Big Blow)
Here are some items from recent media articles on Mayor Mel Lastman
- Mel Lastman has raised more than $1 million, only four of his 73 listed fundraisers are women.
- Lastman's millionaire supporters include developers Angelo Del Zotto, Jim DeGasperis and Albert Reichmann. They worked their corporate contacts to raise money.
- Lastman's backers are from the rich old boys' club. People like lobbyist Jeffrey Lyons, Jim Ginou: A bagman for Premier Mike Harris, Sam Wakim: Brian Mulroney's best friend, J.J. Barnicke, the owner of the giant real estate firm and former Sun Boss and Blue Jay Chief Paul Godfrey.
- Massive phone banks will be used to blitz the city with love-in messages from the mayor. Alliance drag queen Tom Long will aid him in that.
- Lastman's yes men on council are in danger. Councillors like Deputy Mayor Case Ootes, Bill Saundercook and Rob Davis need a boost from the mayor.
- Lastman's old boys club is spending to build a big political machine to control Toronto politics for the next quarter century.
- Lastman has the Toronto Star and most TV media in his pocket. His endless talk on a $12 billion waterfront revitalization project and the bid for the 2008 Olympics is strongly pushed by the Star as a Vision for Toronto. Being in Lastman's pocket, the media does not want to give any real coverage to key mayoral challenger Tooker Gomberg.
- Jeff Harder in his gossip column in the Toronto Sun this weekend reports on how one-time prospective mayoral candidate John Nunziata has been sucking up to Lastman like a five-year-old boy on a barber-shop lollipop. Nunziata has joined our absentee mayor at the Sydney Summer Olympic Games. Will Nunziata be the old boys' candidate next time?
- In June, when Nunziata was planning a run at the mayor's office, he admonished the press for coddling Lastman. "If all you guys want to do is give him a collective blow---, then go ahead," he said.
So if you hear a big sucking noise, don't turn around, 'cause it's gonna be pretty gross to see all of those Star reporters and old boys on their knees for Mel.
It's a sad state of affairs. When only one candidate has the financial resources, political machinery and support from the major media outlets needed to run for mayor, we are not living in a democracy. The vote itself has become an exercise in fakery. Democratic reform is needed.
By Gary Morton
for more on democracy & amalgamation - read
a Citizen-Based Democracy
Study.
--------
| Tooker Gomberg, Greenspiration Candidate for Mayor |
|---|
| * info from Tooker's Campaign Flyer
* Photo of Tooker from his flyer. 
* Web site: http://www.TookerForMayor.org -------- "Tooker Gomberg is a visionary ... an activist who puts principle into practice!" - Elizabeth May, Executive Director, Sierra Club of Canada Tooker Gomberg -- One of Toronto's Top Ten Activists.
CAN YOU IMAGINE a city where:
------
JOIN OUR GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN
Call 532-3939, or email us at: tooker@web.ca
Join Us for Election Campaigning and Fun!
The Tooker Gomberg for Mayor campaign is raising issues
of sustainability, social justice and democracy.
Activist Support May Grow for Mayoral Candidate
- Sep.4.2000 - People representing various citizens groups at the Labour
Day parade say they have already signed up to help Greenspiration mayoral
candidate Tooker Gomberg. A large number of activists in various groups
are talking about joining his campaign, meaning that if he gains all of
this support he could end up in the election with a larger team of ground
supporters than Mayor Mel.
|
Brief Report - Tooker Gomberg for Mayor of
Toronto, Opening and Launch Party - Sept 14
by Gary Morton
In spite of gloom and heavy rain supporters packed Tooker Gomberg's campaign headquarters on Gerrard Street. The mood at this launch party was quite lighthearted and upbeat.
Standing on top of a desk, Tooker outlined the campaign. It is and will continue to be a grassroots effort that focuses on many issues. Many campaign events are to be set up on the fly and Tooker will address the issues as they break in the daily news.
His vision is very much an alternative to Mel's Big Bucks campaign. Tooker says there has been a lot of good work done by the non-profit sector and citizens organizations. The solutions to many city problems like housing and homelessness, a clean lake, transit, recycling and so on are there. He wants to make the public aware of these solutions through a campaign that is both busy and fun. A number of fun events will be staged along with general flyer handouts and campaigning.
The Internet is working for Tooker in this campaign in a way it has never worked before. He has a state of the art web site constructed at http://www.TookerForMayor.org. Along with that is an e-mail group that has 500 supporters signed onto it and every day ten to fifteen new people e-mail in to the campaign headquarters, asking how they can help.
Fundraising has begun, and the key here is to raise enough money to take the fight to Mel, yet not get into debt. His campaign manager said they were looking for 100,000 dollars, then someone shouted 200,000 thousand and another person 300,000. This is mostly through small donations, with stronger supporters giving 300 dollars - and under Toronto election laws I believe 225 of this sum gets returned to each contributor.
So this is very much a grassroots campaign. It is surprising that it is happening in the megacity and that is the main reason the campaign will get attention.
For more info
email: tooker@web.ca
http://www.TookerForMayor.org
Gomberg for Mayor Campaign Headquarters
244 Gerrard St. East, (east of Ontario) Toronto, M5A 2G2
---------
Fringe Mayoral Candidates Join Protesters
at Toronto Court House Rally - July.22.2000
A crowd of protesters with signs
and banners gathered at Old City Hall this morning for the bail hearing
on arrested leaders of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty.
Sarah Vance denounced police tactics
from the steps of Old City Hall and at one point lost her cool. She started
swearing at Detective Steve Irwin over police tactics of arresting people
at strange times and places long after the June 15th protest. John Clarke
was arrested on the Bloor Viaduct - an intimidating place to make an arrest
if ever there was one. Irwin was also looking the people over and at one
point he was near me looking me up and down.
One man was arrested outside (I
forget his name, but he is the black fellow from the Street Guerilla group).
He shouted a statement of strong support for OCAP from the steps, and as
he walked away the police jumped him, rushed him into a cruiser and raced
him away.
The court was full and a crowd remained
outside. I saw reporters present and heard two lawyers saying it would
be a straightforward release. Meaning they should all be out today. Two
fringe mayor candidates were present - Kevin Clarke, a very loud homeless
candidate, shouted things against the arrests at the rally. Inside the
courthouse John Steele, a mayoral candidate for the communist league, denouced
the arrests.
--------
Mayor
Mel's Moral Majority - Lastman and
friends have created a new sort of Moral Majority that gets kind coverage
from corporate media.
- Full article on the opinion
page
--------
Big Surprise - Mel to Run Again
- July.2000
Toronto mayor Mel Lastman is in the running
for re-election, and corporate media reporters all but kissed his feet
at yesterday's announcement.
His re-election bid will concentrate on his vision for
the city's future, including the proposed $12-billion revitalization of
the waterfront and the quest for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Lastman's early promotional material reads more like the
resume of a corporate chief than of a mayor of the people. Lastman is credited
with pushing through many mega-deals, creating a construction boom and
dramatically reducing vacancy rates in downtown office towers.
Lastman will push for charter status for Toronto, which
would increase municipal powers.
Critics have already questioned Lastman's policies. The
waterfront revitalization plan will put incredible power into the hands
of a tiny corporation the city creates. Is this government of the people?
Charter status would give municipal politicians greater
power, yet the people of Toronto will still remain on the outside of city
politics. It remains a city run by big mega-dealers and media outfits.
Lastman wants credit on homeless issues. Facts are that
shelters are full, people are sleeping in the streets, there isn't nearly
enough housing, tenants are being evicted in record numbers, and Lastman
supports expensive Target Policing that works to harass those unfortunates
who live on the street.
We need a mayor of the people. We need social justice.
Mel Lastman has no plans on delivering either.
--------
Drag Queen Runs for Mega Mayor - 
-
March 2000 - Supermodel Enza Anderson, a drag queen, has officially
entered the fight against Mel Lastman. Enza's sign says "A Supercity Deserves
A Supermodel."
Enza is especially interested in
policing issues and would like to see cops wearing pink shirts in Canada's
first red-light district.
In other news John Nunziata is still
hot under the collar after Jeff Lyons visited him on behalf of supporters
of Mayor Mel. Seems they want John to just give up and hand the crown to
Lastman.
--------
List of Mayoral Candidates:
Aitkens, Mike
Anderson, Enza
Campbell, Douglas
Carras, Daniel
Clarke, Kevin
Dowar, George
DuMoulin, Dave
Duncan, Tim
Fischer, Brian
Fraser, Victor
Gomberg, Tooker
Househ, Mowafa
Jackson, Hazel
Kerr, Ben
Klinghoffer, Marnie
Knopman, Kevin
Lam, Steven
Lastman, Mel
Maxted, Diana-De
McFarlane, Frenchie
Naimji, Duri
Predovich, David
Richardson, Kevin
Shipley, Thomas
Siu, King
Solorzano, Marcos
Steele, John
Van Wyk, Abel
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