By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON.
January 23, 2014
Hopes ride high in the minds of many that the 20 year incumbent will take the hint and move on. Jack Dennison, who is as sly as the best of them has his game plan figured out and he will do what is best for him when the time comes. Dennison knows better than most how to handle a fluid situation.
There is a future Mayor waiting in the wings and a past Citizen of the year trying to determine when best to throw his hat in the ring. Brian Heagle, Burlington lawyer and past candidate who did rather well last time out doesn’t admit that he will run – but wowser – is he ever good at trashing any candidate that comes forward.
John Sweeny – Brian Heagle’s favourite nobody – filed his nomination papers for the ward 4 council seat. Heagle will be seen at the Clerk’s office very soon
John Sweeny filed his nomination papers earlier in the week – and before you could say Jack Spratt – Heagle was all over him like the basketball player he used to be.
Check out the dissing Heagle gave the guy.
While the incumbent, Jack Dennison, waits silently until June to announce if he’ll seek re-election – Mr. Sweeny is off and running as of yesterday.
Heagle tells his blog readers that Sweeny is in the race and then asks if Sweeny will he make any noise and be heard over the din of a likely Provincial election this spring?
While Heagle isn’t Sweeny’s campaign manager he is certainly telling his readers more than Sweeny is saying about himself.
1) PERSONAL. Mr. Sweeny has lived in Burlington his “entire life” and also has “a passion for the City“. Hockey and sailing are enthusiasms.
2) CAREER. He’s worked for employers in different places in the “High Technology” sector, primarily as an “Alliance and Channels” expert.
However, after more than 13 years, he no longer works in downtown Toronto with Deloitte. That job ended a few months ago.
3) REASONS / PLATFORM. In effect, this candidate is applying for a new job, and a career change. Why at City Hall?
A Councillor doesn’t commute to work. Knowing Mr. Sweeny worked in downtown Toronto, it’s understandable to want a lifestyle change! But what are his most substantive reasons? Is it due to recent circumstances, or a long-term desire to run for public office?
More importantly, what applicable skills and community experience would Mr. Sweeny bring to Council? How truly connected is he to our City, and Ward 4?
There’s nothing about supporting or volunteering for local groups (other than coaching hockey), nor anything about past leadership roles in the community.
I’m sure those essential details will follow in due course at the door, plus in a campaign website and pamphlets.
4) PROFILE. Do you know him? Ever heard of him before reading this blog post?
I’ve already exchanged emails/calls with Ward 4 residents about Mr. Sweeny. I don’t know him. I’ve never heard of him. That’s apparently true for everyone who’s contacted me so far, including several of his neighbours in Roseland.
Such anecdotes are not encouraging for name recognition, nor for someone looking to gain trust and get votes.
There was a time when the late John Boich truly believed that Brian Heagle was his dream come true – a candidate that could win the provincial seat for the Liberals. Boich sits on the right watching “his boy” work the small group. Heagle thought better things were out there for himself if he ran as a Tory – but the Tories didn’t want him
Wow – the gloves may not be off but you kind of know they are going to come off at some point soon. Heagle has always wanted the Ward 4 seat and isn’t at all pleased that someone else has decided to jump into the sandbox.
Stand by –this is going to get better.
Background links:
Horses are getting into the gate for municipal election race.
Heagle decides to contemplate.
2nd attempt – first post did not seem to make it to you?
You’ve done a nice job of selective editing. If you read all of it, Brian Heagle’s blog is informative and encouraging. There’s no “dissing”.
He provided background information provided by Sweeny in his own Linkedin profile – which you conveniently failed to mention! You wrote: “(Heagle) is certainly telling his readers more than Sweeny is saying about himself”. In truth, he told readers exactly what Sweeny said. No more, no less.
Heagle is encouraging people to get informed as voters, and get to know all candidates such as Sweeny. That’s “dissing”? In that regard, here are the final paragraphs in Heagle’s blog – which you also conveniently failed to include!
“Having said that, few people had heard of Councillor Paul Sharman in 2010 either (when he first registered to run for Mayor, and then for Ward 5). Ward 5 was an open seat (Rick Goldring vacated it to run for Mayor) and with no ‘high-profile’ candidates, voters had to learn about each of them, and get to know their names.
It’s uncertain if, after 20 years, Ward 4 will finally be an open seat in 2014.
Please take the time to learn more about Mr. Sweeny in the months ahead – and any other registered candidate’s motivations, commitment, skills and vision. Time flies, and October will be here soon enough!”
You’re entitled to express opinions and speculate. However, readers deserve a full and accurate picture. So they can make up their own minds, kindly post the above and the following link to Heagle’s entire blog: https://brianheagle.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/who/
Editor’s note: The comments did get to us. We sat on them until there was an opportunity to interview John Sweeny and let him tell his story rather than have others define who he is.
If a person chooses to comment they should ensure that they provide full disclosure on their position. Brian Heagle has run in ward 4 in the past and should explain that – he also has an obligation to say what he plans to do, if anything, in the 2014 election.
The problem is evident in that Heagle may have a flaw regarding full disclosure. This may have something to do with his natural instincts as a lawyer, but, when it comes to a political role as civil servant, one must always default to full disclosure ahead of anybody else having to remind one of such fundamental obligations.
You’ve done a nice job of selective editing. If you read all of it, Brian Heagle’s blog is informative and encouraging. There’s no “dissing”.
He provided background information provided by Sweeny in his own Linkedin profile – which you conveniently failed to mention! You wrote: “(Heagle) is certainly telling his readers more than Sweeny is saying about himself”. In truth, he told readers exactly what Sweeny said. No more, no less.
Heagle is encouraging people to get informed as voters, and get to know all candidates such as Sweeny. That’s “dissing”? In that regard, here are the final paragraphs in Heagle’s blog – which you also conveniently failed to include!
“Having said that, few people had heard of Councillor Paul Sharman in 2010 either (when he first registered to run for Mayor, and then for Ward 5). Ward 5 was an open seat (Rick Goldring vacated it to run for Mayor) and with no ‘high-profile’ candidates, voters had to learn about each of them, and get to know their names.
It’s uncertain if, after 20 years, Ward 4 will finally be an open seat in 2014.
Please take the time to learn more about Mr. Sweeny in the months ahead – and any other registered candidate’s motivations, commitment, skills and vision. Time flies, and October will be here soon enough!”
You’re entitled to express opinions and speculate. However, readers deserve a full and accurate picture. So they can make up their own minds, kindly post the above and the following link to Heagle’s entire blog: https://brianheagle.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/who/
Editor’s note: We have an interview scheduled with Mr. Sweeny for this afternoon. WE are looking forward t interviewing Mr. Heagle when he declares.
This “Nobody at the country club has ever heard of you” attitude is so very Burlington. It certainly doesn’t do much to encourage “unknowns” (especially younger ones, I would argue)to run for municipal office, and that’s a shame. Do you know who gets to decide if a candidate is qualified or not? Voters.
Shannon, I agree, “newbies”, “unknowns” and “youth” should be treated better and encouraged more. But how does that get done?
Like you, I was a “newbie” in the 2010 election. I also considered myself an “unknown”. If you’re both types, it can be very discouraging/tough to step forward – and get traction for your campaign!
It’s fortunate to receive support in terms of time, energy or dollars. Realistically, it’s rare for “newbies”, “unknowns” or “youth” to get much.
Contrary to Pepper’s cynical view of my post and intentions (quite a storyteller, and I love him for that), my 2010 experience showed me the simple act of giving attention to non-incumbents is hugely beneficial and appreciated (e.g. if you knew nothing about Mr. Sweeny before reading this or my post, well, now you know something!). Of course, it should be respectful and fair.
Social media and everyday conversations are great ways for everyone to help. And I mean anyone.
For example: if I was running (as Pepper keeps speculating) or was an incumbent (subject to a City policy which barely tries to help ‘level the playing field’ during elections), it’s probably not a good strategy to help raise the competition’s profile. However, why adopt a different strategy if you genuinely believe in the greater good? There’s a bigger win involved.
Well-informed, more engaged voters increase the chance for higher voter turnout. More of Burlington ends up being represented by Council.
As for a “country club” attitude? No place for that in Burlington. It’s something I’ve been aware of and always sought to eliminate (a hugely enlightening experience personally was my tenure as Vice-Chair on the City’s first Social Inclusivity Committee).
Unlike you, Shannon, I don’t feel that attitude remains “very Burlington”. I see our city changing/evolving in many ways, however slowly, to become more of a truly diverse, inclusive and welcoming community.
We need candidates and elected officials who represent that growing diversity. Let’s stop focusing on an old destructive attitude, holding it up as an excuse or quality that sidetracks progress.
Okay, I’ll climb off my soapbox now (Pepper, I said soapbox, not sandbox).
As for “youth”, there was an encouraging development in Ward 4 only yesterday:
https://brianheagle.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/whos-this/
Shannon, or anyone wanting to jump in, what else can be done to improve the local political environment for “newbies”, “unknowns” and “youth”?
Good luck to Sweeney; hope he takes the high road, unlike Heagle.
Heagle’s true colours will show more and more in the coming months. His ego craves the attention and need for self esteem and confidence re-assurance. Bullying a newbie is a bit on the amateur side of things, a bit cheap, and also a bit contradictory to Heagle’s global philosophy of politics and citizen engagement.
Give the newbies some space and encouragement; this city needs the infusion of fresh blood. Maybe Sweeney’s network can tap into void of economic development activity that Heagle’s circle has been unable to improve over the years.
Heagle is somebody that needs to be watched with caution; the whole flip-flop behaviour of Heagle’s Liberal/Conservative maneuvering for purely selfish political positioning, is not a trait that would fall under the trust category.
Heagle speaks of motivation; perhaps Heagle’s motivation is to generate more profile and business for his law firm? Why else would a lawyer take on a councillor position for less pay and more headaches?
Pat, I have no problem with anyone expressing opinions or making observations. For some reason, you feel entitled to attack my character and integrity. I do have a problem with that.
Clearly, you don’t know me. Bullying is not my style, nor was it my intention with the post. See the final paragraphs Pepper did not mention and chose to leave out:
https://brianheagle.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/who/
Lets’ have a respectful discussion in person, if you’re willing. Call me at 905 638 4390.
Mr. Heagle, in the political world, one would typically be expected to get used to many different kinds of attacks. Let’s see what you are made of. You can do better. Your reaching out to me simply reinforces my opinion.
I see no need for discussions in person; I am having too much fun in this forum. Obviously I don’t know you either; I only know what you write. I already have enough friends.
Remember also, this coming election is not all about you. Everybody else that goes public will be enjoying the same public exposure to the risks of public “attack”. Thick skin is mandatory for leadership, so start growing one.
If you wish to put on your legal hat, my comments were actually more characteristic of a response and not an “attack” as you assert.
Can’t wait to see what you write next.