By Pepper Parr
October 13, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Cam Jackson used to have a phrase he used when he wasn’t buying something he was being told or asked to believe. “That’s a bit of a stretch” he would say.
An email Ward six Councillor Blair Lancaster sent out recently is not only a huge stretch but it just may be illegal. We will run this by the city clerk to see what she thinks.
Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster thinking through the answer to a question. Tends to be cautious.
Set out below is a copy of an email that we are told was sent to a number of voters in ward six by Blair Lancaster, the incumbent who is running against nine other candidates.
The email was sent from Lancaster to Lancaster and BCC (Blind carbon copy) to a number of other people. We are aware of a number of these other people.
From: Blair Lancaster <blair@blairlancaster.ca>
Date: 2 October 2014 08:45
Subject: Re Elect Blair Lancaster
To: blair@blairlancaster.ca
I am following up with you because as a resident I have assisted you on an issue and I am hoping I can count on your support in the fall election. Please review my information on my website which includes issues and accomplishments as well as other information important to residents. I will also be going door to door meeting as many people as possible. If you would like to speak with me directly do not hesitate to contact me. Please let me know if I can count on your support. Blair
Re Elect Blair Lancaster Ward Six
905 335 7068 blair@blairlancaster.ca www.blairlancaster.ca
In the email Lancaster asserts that as a “resident” she has in the past assisted the receiver of the email on an issue. Note that Lancaster does not say she assisted as the council member for the ward.
At least one of the people who got this email has never been assisted by Lancaster; has never communicated with Lancaster and has never met Lancaster.
The person who received the email did put her email address on a list asking for additional information.
Every member of Council maintains a list of the people who want to be kept informed of an issue.
However, members of Council are not permitted to use those lists in their election campaigns.
Lancaster appears to have looked for a way to skirt that rule. Given the communications technology available to people today – there isn’t much that can be hidden.
This latest attempt to flout the rules by a council member, who has in the past made a point of stepping away from the council table on matters where there was a possible perceived conflict of interest, seems to have decided that that approach won’t get you elected.
When you have nine people wanting to take your council seat away from you – I guess you do whatever you think you have to do to win.
As a new reader, I find this blogger to be totally biased (and without any convincing merit) towards Councilor Meed Ward, and an obscure unknown candidate (Gottlob) in Ward 4. Alas, bias is what bloggers do best. There is also a relentless obsession to cast negativity on Councilor Lancaster. Whether or not one supports any or all of these candidates is not the issue. The presentation of this material by a self acclaimed writer “with more than 40 years of editorial experience” is actually quite offensive to anyone seeking refreshing and factual journalism. Some readers have the capacity to form their own opinions and have the intellect to see through your manipulative presentations.
Opps I did it again by Brittany Spears is getting old with this councillors play list.
There have been issues since 2010. At the recent Ward 6 debate, she stated that this job requires ALOT of reading. I guess the rules memo missed her reading list….. it appears a great deal missed her reading list in the past 4 years. 100K a year for on the job training…… we wasted 400K.
It is one thing for a few qualifiied people to run against an incumbent. But for 8? Hello Blair,, HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM………. get it yet?
Councillor Lancastor: Ward 6 wants their money back!
Disclosure: I am not running in this election,,, I am a concerned citizen who has simply had enough of the past 4 years.
Why am I not surprised, especially after reading her campaign literature where she claims credit for thirty accomplishments for issues past by the whole council. She should make it clear where she was the “lead” on an issue. Certainly not on the “Airpark issue”.
Don’t post my reply – just fix minor typo in para 3:
– “number of voters in ward six by Blair Lancaster, the incumbent who is running against none other candidates”.
should say “running against nine other candidates”
cheers
I humbly suggest you ask a lawyer and not the clerk. The clerk may be well intended, but she has no legal background and is unqualified to answer this type of question.
Also, she DID break the law by campaigning on ELECT COUNCILLOR Lancaster.
Clerks know the election rules and regulations. They, I believe, are the arbitrators of what is and is not acceptable in municipal elections.
A lawyer can give an opinion, but has no ability to enforce election rules and regulations on candidates.