The “All MAYOR candidates” panel discussion, held at the Chestnut Hill centre Wed, Oct 7 was very well attended. Over 500 people…which means there’s very serious interest in the Mayor position.
The discussion and outcome
It is not likely that many attendents could possibly have retained all the information thrown at the discussion. Most likely, attending voters were swayed by the presenter’s presentation more than their words themselves.
In that light, 3 candidates stood above the rest: Ashe, Frampton and Robinson. This is not a dismissal of the others, but an opinion as to who looked and sounded most engaging.
Likely vote outcome
Considering incumbents often are favoured to be elected and Ashe, the incumbent, has a powerful and formidable campaign team, Ashe will most likely win the Mayor race. This is not a foregone conclusion by far. Two candidates really stood out besides Ashe. Frampton and Robinson.
Janice Frampton
Frampton has been here before and again at the discussion, she showed that she was a force to be reckoned with. She addressed issues specifically with concrete declarations about what she stood for and what she would do. Her emphasis was on the “team” approach, that the municipal council was a team working toward one goal, improving life in Pickering and retaining its excellence. Perhaps an inadvertent compliment to the current muncipal council.
Lisa Robinson
The other candidate that presented herself as a formidable force was Lisa Robinson. Her emphasis was that council should be founded and managed on truth and ethical principles. Her statements repeatedly emphasized these values and management and continued development of Pickering on their basis.
Robinson will also cash in on the sympathy vote. She is a single mother who has been the center of very heated controversies in this past term of office. She has survived the controversies and continues to campaign passionately and determinately. Some voters will empathize with that.
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It is my steadfast belief that majority of voters vote by name familiarity. They hear the name, toss it around in conversation and remember it in the voting booth.
This is not to say voters do not think, consider and analyze candidates. Many do, many listen carefully to speeches, many review and examine campaign material, many listen for responses about particular issues with which they are concerned. Voters are thinkers too and listen for specific statements regarding issues they see as priorities: taxes, cost of living, community safety and security are prime examples. However, people tend to focus on what they have seen or heard last and most frequently. Say it often enough and emphatically enough and it will stick with most of the voters. In that light, Ashe, Frampton and Robinson will stay at the top (my bet Joe, Ashe). I do not dismiss Frampton or Robinson. Both stay on my consideration list until Oct. 26. All three should stay on your consideration list but don’t disregard the others.
