By Pepper Parr
May 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
When the popularity, the general public support for a politician begins to slide; when the people who were ardent supporters walk away – it is time to reconsider the strategy to bring those supporters back into the fold.
Victory was sweet – it always is on election day. The challenge is to solidify the support and grow it.
Marianne Meed Ward was elected she was representing the very serious concerns that people had about the kind of development that was taking place in the downtown core. Her election also represented a change from a City Council that made her life extremely difficult. At the time Councillors Craven and Sharman actually colluded to prevent her from insisting that Council be transparent and accountable.
Today Councillor Sharman is the strongest supporter Meed Ward has on a council that is seriously fractured.
Based on information from people involved in her campaigns the followers fall into three categories:
-
-
- completely disillusioned and in vocal opposition
- still supportive, or
- have not disclosed
-
These are people who contributed a great deal of time and effort, some contributing financially as well.
The list we were given had 30 names, we were advised that there were at least another 25 names.
Of those in the Continue to be in Support category six – (20%).
Undisclosed: 2 of 30 or 7%
Disillusioned and Opposed 22 of 30 or 73%
Inner Team Disposition
Still Support – 3 of 10 or 30%
Opposed – 7 of 10 or 70%
A rather shocking result,.
Names, not even initials are being shown. There are those who have experienced the backlash when you cross Meed Ward.
Marianne Meed Ward being sworn in as Mayor the first time
What is it that is behind this shift in support from a group of people who worked hard to elect Marianne as Mayor? One reader said: “… she alienates all supporters every time. Look at her own council of former allies! She always needs a new team, new staff, had nobody after two terms of council on side to come to city hall with her – hadn’t done any networking?
It’s like she’s a professional campaigner and that’s still all she is. Can’t lead and can’t work with anyone. Those of us who believed in her and her message turned when we saw it wasn’t true and when she turned nasty on Shawna (Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte) after complaining of being a victim of nasty behaviour by her former colleagues. That was really it for me. And the litany of broken promises. Totally opposite of what she always used to say she stood for. “ That 14 minute rant was stunning – that a Mayor would make time while attending the graduation of her daughter to make the comments she made was more than many could take.
If they are Trudeau acolytes they usually double down. Until the electorate finally are fed up and run them out if town. Unfortunately they only get their shot every four years.
Well, I’m not quite so optimistic as Anne and Dave. I agree that the new CAO brings impeccable credentials, but his new field of battle is actually more complex (and dangerous) than his previous role and I really don’t think that he can afford to sit back and ponder/evaluate for several months. But that is another issue entirely.
I am neither a psychologist, psychiatrist, nor political scientist so the following views are simply my own and shouldn’t carry the weight of professional opinion. I believe that there is a story to be written, probably in some obscure journal of political or behavioural science, about Marianne Meed Ward and her reverse midas touch – her ability to turn committed advocates into vocal and engaged adversaries. Arguably, it is a case study in political self-destruction through an almost obsessive self-absorption. Meed Ward really doesn’t recognize anyone but herself. Of course, this is my opinion only but it is based on some experience and a great deal of observation.
I imagine that if one took stock of not only her past campaign workers (2018 and prior) but the people she has touched over 6 years in the mayoral chair, there would be almost the same result. She simply does not work well with people. I don’t think that she understands them or values them apart from necessary functionaries. Recent City staff turnovers are a case in point. People do not exit respectful, rewarding, safe work environments; they flee those that are not. To be sure this is not totally the fault of Meed Ward but the tone and tenor of an organization is set at the top – always.
Wherever Meed Ward goes, I believe that her achievements will likely be as limited as apparently is her capacity to work with subordinates and colleagues. She has name recognition and this may take her further with an ill-informed and generally apathetic electorate. At some point, however, the tide will turn and that will be the end.
Our Mayor’s true colours are shining thru. Everything she does is about her!
Not a day goes by without numerous pictures of her on her Social Media sites gallivanting around here there and everywhere.
Always campaigning for her next endeavour!
When does she actually sit in her office at City Hall and do actual City Hall work? This is what Burlington residents are paying her to do!
Our audits from before MMW was elected Mayor told a different story to what her now disillusioned campaigners believed was the real person who they wanted to wear the Mayor’s chain. The evidence of who that real person was, is clearly documented in webcasts , her social media and pages of the Gazette beginning September 2014. We believe that with the ever increasing demand for truth and democratic principles and a brand new to Burlington CAO with an impeccable reputation along with support for best interests of our city,that those audits will at last be given the light of day and the continuous negative impact on our businesses and families will finally be ended and a new and better era will begin. Unless, of course, another very believable similar character wrestles the scepter of power from her hand.