AWAKENING A GIANT By Joe Ingino

Logic
By Joe Ingino
Editor/Publisher
“I live a dream in a nightmare world”
  
AWAKENING A GIANT
  The City of Oshawa, Durham's crown jewel.   A GIANT among a cluster or smaller municipalities that has sat dormant for way to long.  A city that has enjoyed the success of General Motors and blinded it’s thinking that they had control over the region.  That the region was a tool to save from liability and a vehicle to cost effective produce services.   A city that has fallen victim to it’s own greed.  I say this with liberty as the region has slowly been chipping away Oshawa essentials services to the point that Oshawa has little or no control.
The regions power has grown to the point that today we are the minority.   Oshawa has lost it’s GIANT status and if anything become a weak voice.  So much so that when Oshawa needs something or requests something.  It goes to vote and in many cases.  Oshawa fails to attain anything beyond the negotiated as a member of the region.  This is not right.
Oshawa is so under the mercy of the region that  today Oshawa due to poor leadership and bad administration owes the region on or about $300 million dollars.  Putting the region at risk of loosing it’s AAA rating.
The question is how do we turn the table on the region?
The answer is simple.  Wake up the GIANT.   Bring it back to the days of greatness.  
How do we do this?  Simple.  Do what other municipalities are not doing.  Study their weak points and capitalize on them by introducing programs, services and or opportunities that for whatever reason they can’t attain.
Oshawa, enjoyed GM for many reasons.  Primarily, a geographical/historical root.  GM is no longer the anchor of success it was for Oshawa.  We the City need to look for a new vein of success.
Unfortunately for the people of Oshawa.   Oshawa has become dormant due to lack of leadership.  Lack of vision.
But it appears that I am not the only that sees the potential of the sleeping Giant.
The Conference Board of Canada’s latest Metropolitan Outlook. Notes Oshawa and Guelph are expected to boast the fastest growing economies among the 16 cities covered in the report, with growth of 2.6 per cent and 2.3 per cent respectively.
What the report fails to note is the fact that it is a projection based on potential and not actual growth.  (read pg. 3 article)
I agree with the Conference Board of Canada’s outlook.   I think with the right leadership, Oshawa has great potential.   With a 300 million debt to the region and no real plan to dig out of it.  I truly doubt the projections to even stand a chance.   The region could technically call the debt and put Oshawa into bankruptcy.  These are all truths that are not told to the public but are public record.
The question still remains... HOW DO WE AWAKEN THE GIANT?
Great question.  First we must restructure city hall management.  We must stream line and cut back all unnecessary expenditures.   We must create a vision for the city and I don’t mean a pie in the sky dream like they have for the past 30 years and nothing comes to be.
We need a series of goals that lead us to significant change.   I would use the expertise at city hall and put together a task force that sole responsibility would be to source out local, regional, national and international investors.  Investors that would want to bring their industry/trade to Oshawa.  Investors that would want to take part in major capital projects.   Project that would yield significant returns.  Jobs and prosperity.
You may think.. Impossible.  Really.  Why is it happening in other municipalities and not Oshawa?  Why is it that Oshawa does not host a building higher than 20 floors?
Why is it that the city harbor has be sitting in a deteriorating condition for years?   Why is it that our municipal airport not been properly developed?    IT CAN BE DONE.
Look at the great work that is being done at the Ontario Tank Museum at the south field Oshawa municipal airport.   These folks are a testament to success.   They are what Oshawa needs.  Visionaries that make things happen.  Just this saturday they opened their new indoor facility.
Did you know that the Museum is home to the largest working tanks in the world?
Did you know that today's opening of the storage facility is one of three steps to develop that attraction?
I want to be your new mayor so I can expand on their good work.  I want to work with them to make that venue a world class attraction.   IT CAN BE DONE.
Oshawa the sleeping giant can be awaken.  It must be awaken and with the right administration it will be awaken.
Together we can make it happen.   Voters must stop voting in the status quo.  It clearly does not work.  The same old does not cut it anymore.   If there is no real change in the upcoming municipal election, taxpayers are guaranteed another 3 - 6% property tax increase.
Some argued... well look at all the housing to the north... that is progress...  Look at all the plazas opening.... that is progress.   Really.  That is progress?   To me that is population growth and the mismanagement of lands.   The only ones benefiting are the developers that take up good farm land and erect cheap cookie cutter housing.  Housing that in 50 years will be a heaven for crime.   What we need in Oshawa is true development.  We need to  mix housing that suits everyone. From low income to mega mansions.   We need to bring the skyscrapers and get out of the 1920’s village mentality.  Unfortunately with the status quo.  They do not have the expertise, drive or vision.  Not to mention direction to implement such drastic plans.  This is why nothing happens except these petty growth spurs.   The Conference Board of Canada see the potential but fails to see the reality.   I see both.
I can’t do this alone. I request your assistance to win.  I may not have all the answer.  What I do have is the passion and understanding of the issues and what we need to do to awaken this sleeping giant into a giant opportunity for future generations to enjoy.  Thanking you in advance for considering allowing me the opportunity to give your children a future.              Joe Ingino