It Is Official

It Is Official By Joe Ingino Well, it is official. The 2026 candidate registration deadline has come and gone. The names registered are your 2026 candidates and choices. Now let’s look at the very important word, “choice.” As perception leads us to all kinds of interesting interpretations. Choice — Core Meanings of Choice (As a Noun) The act of picking: Making a decision between different paths or items. An option: A specific thing available to be picked. Freedom: The right or power to decide for yourself. Interesting definitions... Now let’s look at the roster of candidates across the region. Do we really have a choice? Or is our choice dictated by the limited information candidates put out in such a short time? Or are we to believe that our choice, as per the definition — the right or power to decide for yourself — will be determined by the number of signs we see on roadways in the upcoming month? How are we going to choose? If history has taught us anything, it is that most citizens, when they go to the polls, tend to vote based on name recognition. This, in part, is why we have such a low number of new candidates winning elections. Part of the problem is the electoral process itself. There are too many names to choose from, and it becomes overwhelming. When people become confused, they often turn to names they recognize — names that at times may not be worthy of representing you. Names that, in many cases, have not worked in your best interest. For example: taxation. Why do taxes continue to increase with no real accountability other than excuses as to why they need to go up? Looking at Oshawa, for example, we have three elected council members running for the open mayor’s position. Are Tito-Dante, Derek Giberson, and Jim Lee worthy of the position? The answer is obvious... NO. I say this with such certainty because they all allowed property taxes to increase every year they sat in office. Has the quality of life improved for the citizens of the City? NO. Have they done anything to fix the problems associated with the poor condition of the city core? NO. Then, if there are so many NO’s, should your consideration be based on the same record of their efforts? NO, NO, NO to any one of the above, as they have failed us on the most important core values we cherish. Then, if they are not the choice... who is? Well, let’s look at what is left. We have six candidates to choose from. Two of them are too young to run for the mayor’s office. Two should not be running because they don’t even return phone calls. And two of them have potential but need a lot of work. Running for mayor is not just another job. It is not like running a business. The mayor’s position is much like a giant Rubik’s cube that is constantly changing. The pieces never match, and the pressure from staff, fellow council members, and the general public requires a special set of skills. Look at the current mayor.He does not return calls, he has given up on working with the community, and he pretty much leaves the city to survive on the crumbs we receive from the feds and the Province. That is not leadership. I have always questioned how our current mayor and the three councillors who now sit as mayoral candidates can sleep at night knowing people are living on the streets and some are passing away. No moral integrity, in my opinion. Now they want a pay raise to do more of nothing. Not on my watch. Remember to ask the questions. New candidates should, at the very least, know the basics. Do not fall for empty promises or words like resilience, working together, cooperation, and the likes. When you talk to a candidate, ask the HOW’s. How are you going to freeze my taxes, if not lowering them? If they start with, “Well, we can’t lower them,” say NO to them. If they go on a speech about re-evaluating budgets and cutting expenditures, say NO to them. Now you have the choice to say NO. Don’t vote for an incumbent, then wait to have your taxes go up. The candidate you select should give you solid plans for action. They should be telling you that under their administration, a tax freeze will be the first thing to pass. That all department heads will have to adjust to zero budget increases. That all expenses will be frozen until fully audited. That all outstanding legal matters, to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, will be settled and all outstanding contracts reviewed. A candidate should not promise — but deliver — a course of action that benefits you. The candidate you should consider should bring to the table real solutions to problems that have been lingering for decades. Now is the time to vote for real leaders. Keep reading your community newspaper, as soon we will be releasing a list of our endorsed candidates. Now is the time to make your voice heard.