Gordon Prentice at Large - Politics in Newmarket
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- Written by: Gordon Prentice
The votes are in and counted and we bow the knee before the will of the people.
Tom Vegh is re-elected by 9,396 votes to my 5,455 on a turnout of 24.8%.
It's not even close. 63% to 37%.
I want to say a big public thank you to everyone who supported my campaign with their money and their time. And, occasionally, trenchant advice. The campaign was run on a shoe-string.
It probably cost about $7,000 with me contributing about half. The full details will be in the Financial Statement which I must file with the Town.
It was a huge learning experience for me. I enjoyed talking to people on the doorstep and came away with many memorable insights.
But, for me, the campaign never caught fire.
The candidates' debate
The most disappointing aspect was the absence of a candidates’ debate which I believe would have been a game changer. It would have been captured on video and posted and shared on social media. It would have changed the trajectory of the election and got people talking.
But, looking back, I am happy with my campaign and its central theme.
Although he won the election Tom Vegh will in future be known as the man who was bankrolled and bailed out by people in the development industry.
I also exposed him as a serial liar, someone who cannot be believed. Most people would find that tough to take but for Tom Vegh it’s water off a duck’s back. For Vegh winning is everything, not doing things.
Eight years ago, Newmarket’s Mayor, John Taylor, ran for Chair of York Regional Council. When he was called to speak from the podium his first words were:
“I am not going to win this vote.”
And he didn’t. But it was the right thing to do.
No regrets
In the same way I have no regrets about running and losing.
I did not want Tom Vegh to be acclaimed after all the damage he had done to our environment. The voters had to be given a choice.
I told people on the doorstep I didn’t need the job.
Clearly, a majority of the voters agreed.
Gordon Prentice 24 October 2022
- Details
- Written by: Gordon Prentice
The weather this weekend is perfect for meeting people on their doorsteps. 
Blue skies and warm for this time of year.
I've just heard that turnout Town-wide has crept up to 15.18%. So I'm hoping for a surge in voting today and tomorrow when voting ends.
Turnout in 2018 was a less than impressive 34.7%.
I meet people who freely admit they vote in Federal and Provincial elections but pass on municipal because they figure it is less important.
I remind them that York Region's population is bigger than five Canadian Provinces and the Region delivers key services we all rely on.
A Ribbon of Red and Black
I am out with my little band of volunteers and we make a mark. A ribbon of red and black lawn signs now runs along Patterson and Elgin too.
There’s no hostility. People are happy to talk.
I hear quite a few British accents from people who’ve been here for decades.
Even when people tell me they’ve voted, I linger to ask about their concerns.
On Elgin I meet one woman who is prepared to put me through the wringer.
She leaves the house and sits on a bench on her porch, peppering me with detailed questions.
I like that.
What would you do?
She tells me she knows all about Tom Vegh and the developers but what would you do about development in Town?
I mention the developers’ strike. I say we must get apartments built on the Davis/Yonge corridors. And we must protect stable residential neighbourhoods from inappropriate developments.
I cite the so-called monster home at 1011 Elgin Street which triggered a review of the Town’s policies on compatibility. (Photo: 1011 Elgin under construction with its Lilliput neighbour alongside)
After ten minutes of back and forth she says she voted for me. She says her husband has yet to vote.
Work on him, I say.
Gordon Prentice 23 October 2022