Fishman challenges out-of-town Wasaga Sun editors’ endorsements

Letter to the Wasaga Sun – October 19 2010
In the world of politics, endorsements from special interest groups, local media outlets, and the average voter are common place. However in the case of the Wasaga Sun which is the only newspaper based in town, an endorsement of a candidate, or group of candidates could result in having an influence on the outcome of an election. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have an issue with endorsements, but I do have an issue when you are the only newspaper in town making such endorsements. Last week this newspaper saw fit to endorse a slate of candidates based on the status quo. They reasoned that experience trumps all else.
If having council experience is all that matters then I have a few questions for the editor and staff of the Wasaga Sun. Why do we have out of control water bills? Why did the town not act sooner in regards to Blue Beach?, they were behind on all their bills to the town, and the excuse I hear is that you can be behind up to 3 years on your taxes, and before the third year hits, if you pay that year then the clock resets, and you are given another year to catch up. Why is the town still owed close to $ 600,000 from the receiver in unpaid bills? Why does the town have the highest accounts receivables at over 16% or close to 5 million dollars from unpaid tax and water bills?  Why are the Residents of Woods of Wasaga living on a Island whenever it rains? Why did this council approve a 9 story condo against the wishes of existing residents? Why does this council want to expand River Road to 4 lanes, when the residents are against this type of expansion. Where is our by-law department when you have people operating construction companies in a residential area, and they only seem to act when it’s election time. Why did council approve the speed limit on the Nottawasaga River to be 50kph?. Out of 11 council meetings certain members of council have had to excuse themselves 8 times because of a conflict of interest, this past year alone. We are nearing the end of 2010, why then are the last posted financial statements on the official website from 2008? Why is our business community so upset with this supposedly pro-business council?. Why do we spend $165,000 moving doctors from one end of town to the other, while spending only $ 50,000 per year advertising Wasaga Beach?
This is just the tip of the iceberg, and when you go to the polls and vote on October 25th, I hope you will take a look back at the last 4 years, and look at all of the candidates running this election, and vote on who you think are the best people to lead this council for the next 4 years.
The Wasaga Sun seems to like the status quo but then the managing editor, and the general manager are based in Alliston and don’t have to live with the results of their endorsements.
Steven Fishman
Candidate for Mayor
Wasaga Beach