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Help Me Run For Office!

Baz Auckland

14:36 / 05.02.03

Hey all,

I've had this idea for a couple of years, and if I can get the $100 this summer, I may just run for city council. The election period's started, and the vote is in November. My problem is that I have a basic idea I want to run on, but need a well-put way of communicating it.

My idea: If elected, I will not take my seat, and will dontate my salary to a charity of the ward's choice, or the residents of the ward can vote on what to do with it.

Sound possible? See any problems? Objections?

I'll probably register this June after I move, and start printing posters and going door to door, I guess. Anyone have any experience in this? I was thinking of using Snufkin as a mascot as a cute example of an anarchist:

rizla mission

14:46 / 05.02.03

Well that sounds like a fine idea!

8===>Q: alyn

15:57 / 05.02.03

What happens to your vote? You abstain from any vote put before the city council? Sounds like a great way to become irrelevant.

Our Lady of The Two Towers

16:05 / 05.02.03

You might want to check about rules for attendence and stuff, I presume the council has got to have at least some basic 'not fucking about' laws. I've always fancied changing my name by deed poll and trying to pull off Grant's 'Vote for Nobody' campaign from Doom Patrol.

Baz Auckland

16:44 / 05.02.03

If forced by council law to attend, I would, but wouldn't participate.

The point of the campaign would be to slowly, ward by ward, riding by riding, to remove government. Go without a councellor in your ward for 4 years, have $240,000 go to a local charity! It would be like having a "none of the above" box on the ballot.

grant

16:50 / 05.02.03

I'd be pretty cautious about voting for a guy who promised to do nothing for my neighborhood. Hmm.

Baz Auckland

17:20 / 05.02.03

But it makes sense if you don't think the city council does much for you anyways.
I'm looking at all the costs involved, and I don't know if I'll be able to afford it this year, but it's still something I'd like to do soon.

8===>Q: alyn

18:56 / 05.02.03

Bah, anarchy is done with bombs, not city council seats. Little round black bombs with sparkly fuses, that when they blow up destroy all the stuff in the room but leaves the people with just soot on their faces, and their eyes are all blinky.

Bah-dy Aukl-eh-ton, don' be reh-dee-kew-loss.

Cailín

15:48 / 07.02.03

Hell, if you run in my area I'll vote for you. It's not like Toronto City Council gives a rat's ass about my neighbourhood anyway.

Baz Auckland

02:28 / 08.02.03

Woo! With my vote, that makes 2! Yes! Only 10,000 or so more and
we've got a ward!

(Oh wait, which ward are you in? I hope it's the same one as me)

pointless and uncalled for

13:27 / 08.02.03

You'll probably have to try and blag the seat on the West Queen West area ward. It's the one with the most rampant activist socialism but you're contending against Chow and that's a tough angle.

The other option is to move for division of an existing ward to create unrepresentation at the eleventh hour and pursue options without the usual concience votes going to the Marxist-Leninist clones detracting from the final numbers. A platform for improving conditions (which your proposal essentially implies in context) and no money wasted on a crap tan should swing the politically unaware. There is a risk of interference from Hunter though.

Before you do run, you should investigate the legislation on respondency. I think that there may be regulations that mean inactivity could result in criminal charges and potentially a stretch in Don Mills.

dusty

04:52 / 09.02.03

Not to rain on the parade, but you probably won't get elected, so I suggest campaigning on the premise that you will sit on city council if you are elected. I think just being involved in a campaign rocks, and it's a great way to get your message out. Do your research and nail whomever you can in the all candidates meetings. The Dance Party Party did a sweet job in the 2002 Vancouver city elections! Throwing parties, making cool shirts and campaigning on a platform that's well put together is probably the best way to do this. Plus, if you have a couple of willing helpers, it can be done pretty much for the initial cost of $100.

Cailín

16:03 / 09.02.03

Ward 20 Trinity-Spadina, Olivia Chow currently holds the position. But hey, I may move to another ward before the election.

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

21:18 / 09.02.03

Fuck, Mr Auckland! I'd vote for anyone that had Snufkin as a mascot!

(Unless, of course, there was a rival Bagpuss candidate. Then I'd be faced with a harsh moral dilemma.)

Do it. Yes, the chances of actually getting elected are minimal. But do it anyway. Did Jello Biafra ever actually stand a chance of being mayor of San Francisco? No he didn't (unfortunately). But in the attempt, he a) set a shining example to the rest of us armchair anarchists, and b) got some cool TV exposure to highlight his issues.

Baz Auckland

12:45 / 10.02.03

Thanks to everyone for the input. I think I will run, starting in early June. Hee Hee. I'll check into the participation by-laws, but if I can get away with it, I will run on the 'vote for me and there'll be one less politician' platform.

Hey! If I won, maybe we could secede from the city! No, wait.. bad idea.

specofdust

16:39 / 10.02.03

I'm really sorry to go kinda of-topic but I have to ask, Where is your mascot from? It really seemed familiar and it's driving me crazy not knowing. Thanks loads. Spec

Baz Auckland

19:08 / 10.02.03

When in London last year, Chairman Maominstoat introduced me to the wonderful 'Moominvalley' books by Tove Jansson. There's "Finn Family Moomintroll", "Moominsummer Madness", "Moominpappa at sea", etc.

The books detail the adventures of Moominmama, Moominpapa, Moomintroll, Snufkin, and a whole bunch of other creatures. The chairman mentioned one day that Snufkin was a perfect example of an anarchist (or something to that effect.) He's also the coolest character in the books.

There's a Moomin art exhibit here with info about the books. And apparently The Moomins shop here

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