By Staff
September 4th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Shawna Stolte, a candidate for the ward 4 city council seat said today that she was “So disappointed in Jacks decision to not participate in the Ward 4 Municipal Debate.”
Jack Dennison the day he announced thee sale of his health club.
Dennison did not advise ECoB that he would participate within the very reasonable deadline they had given him (five days)
Stolte added in her prepared statement that: “Is it from a fear of being faced with questions he can’t answer? Or a fear of a strong challenger who may demonstrate the skills and experience to be a better option for voters in Ward 4?
Ward 4 candidate Shawna Stolte at the Farmer’s Market.
“If Jack believes he has done a good job for the voters over the last 24 years then he should have no trouble attending a public forum and defending himself. I believe he is well aware of the mounting frustration that Ward 4 residents feel about all of the time and money he has cost the city pursuing his own best interests while ignoring his constituents concerns…and he is now taking the easy route to avoid having to explain himself publicly.
“One would like to think that a career politician such as Jack would have more respect for his constituents and the democratic process, and understand that it is his obligation to allow voters to express their questions and receive the information they need to make an informed decision on Election Day.
Jack Dennison wants to get re-elected – he just doesn’t want to debate and tell voters what he has done to deserve their vote.
“Jack knows full well that the fewer people who are introduced to his strong challenger, the better it is for him…so once again he is choosing what is in his own best interest above what is best for the constituents of Ward 4.
“The question is…will the voters of Ward 4 allow him to get away with this for the seventh time?
The contrast between the enthusiasm of Shawna Stolte and the entitlement of Jack Dennison says everything we need to know about the two candidates. Kudos to ECoB for going ahead with the only cadidate prepared to meet the electorate.
A question to candidates, Lancaster, Sharman, Dennison, will you participate in the debates if ECoB removes itself as a sponsor,leaving UCFW as the sole sponsor?
“Jack knows full well that the fewer people who are introduced to his strong challenger, the better it is for him…”
Actually, I see it the other way. If an incumbent is not willing to debate the merits of their prior tenure’s record and any pertinent current city issues, then that individual should not be placed back into power.
Ward 4 Residents will have the opportunity to meet and have their questions answered. The format will be ” An evening with Shawna Stolte”. The date for this event is Monday, September 24th at Nelson High School, 4181 New Street. The doors will open at 6:30pm with moderated questions starting at 7:00pm. All resident questions need to be in written format. The questions can be presented to volunteers at the venue on the evening of the debate or can be emailed to info@engagedburlington.ca
Master Manipulator. Why not give Shawna the opportunity to answer questions in any event?
I think I remember an old song “Hit the Road Jack and Don’t Look Back …”
Actually, it’s “Hit the Road Jack and Don’t Come Back No More, No More”. That said Jack Dennison is a living example of why term limits should be implemented in Burlington – along with Rick Craven (beaten to the punch by retirement), John Taylor (IBID), Paul Sharman and Blair Lancaster (two and outs both). Our current Mayor would also benefit from a change of scenery – or the people of Burlington would benefit more exactly. Never, in my humble opinion, has a group of lower tier politicians made such a mess of their charge. Congrats group – here are your hats, what’s your hurry. Marianne Meed Ward – please stay and put some light, focus, energy and integrity into City Hall.
Your thoughts on term limits are spot on Mike! Term limits would ensure new talent and fresh ideas in municipal politics, and likely promote greater voter interest. Until recently incumbents had a huge advantage every election, although this year the public’s appetite for substantive change is very noticeable.
As for ducking out of a debate, well, not entirely surprising I suppose. A debate requires an incumbent to defend their policies or past actions in a public forum. If a candidate hasn’t got the guts to withstand the scrutiny of public questioning its hard to imagine that, once elected, they will heed constituents’ views, challenge the status quo, speak truth to power, or effectively articulate the needs and concerns of their constituents. Much easier to just go along and get along…which, come to think of it, pretty much characterizes the state of Burlington municipal politics over the last eight years.