Get Concerned Stratford

About those signs...

We were quite upset when we received a letter yesterday that the City of Stratford was threatening us with a maximum $25,000 fine for having put out our recycled Xinyi signs.

We don't know who made the complaint, and we're not sure why. You can see the letter here, and news coverage is here.

We did have to get legal advice, but it was probably worth it. We are confident that we have breached no election laws, and will continue to give out our signs to any friendly soul who wants to put them up.

If your sign goes missing, please let us know, and we will replace it. We'd appreciate knowing about any problems you have with the signs.

Now would be a good time to point out that we are neither endorsing nor opposing candidates. Some members of our group support candidates on their own, but we try to keep that separate from what we do at GCS.

And there's a good reason for this. We intend to continue as a group, and we want to work with Council. If GCS picks favourites, this will make our work more difficult and we won't be able to accomplish much.

There's still a great deal to do. Our research into what happened with Xinyi continues, and we are anxiously awaiting the results of our in-camera meeting investgation (read Mike Sullivan's report to understand why that has taken so long). We already know that some of the things that went on behind closed doors were not legal. When the investigation is complete, we will share what we learn with other activist groups, and we hope this will help improve municipal government province-wide.

If you'd like a sign, please let us know and we'll get one out to you. If you'd like to volunteer to get signs out, e-mail us here. You can donate by e-transfer to contact@getconcernedstratford.org, or just drop a cheque off at 164 Cobourg Street.

And a cheerful e-mail would probably go a long way about now.

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Open letter to members of Stratford City Council

Friday was a busy day. That was also the day we sent a letter to all members of City Council regarding the elimination of the right to confidentiality for people who make complaints against members of Council, local boards, and committees.

We feel that people who make complaints should be able to do so without fear of reprisal, and confidentiality should be retained. We're particularly concerned about suppressing the voices of victims of sexual harassment, or those facing discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, ability, or sexual orientation

We also think the recently amended bylaw now conflicts with the Municipal Act of Ontario, and may therefore be illegal. We have sent a letter asking Council for clarification.

It sems to us that removing the protection of confidentiality from complainants -- maybe even whistleblowers -- is the opposite of what we should expect from an open and transparent government.

You can read the open letter on our website, and all responses we receive from Council will be posted to that page.

Don't forget the pledge!

We have researched our election pledge quite carefully to see how it compares with policy in other municipalities. We think it offers a way to heal the mistrust that has grown up since the Xinyi protest. All candidates have been contacted and invited to sign, and we will be publishing the signatures next week.

We hope you will print the pledge and keep it by your door for discussions with candidates.

I will not support any future Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZO’s).

I will not agree to any non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that conceals important policy issues from the citizens of Stratford.

I will not agree to any in-camera meetings whose topics are inappropriately hidden from the public.

I will facilitate freedom of information requests wherever feasible.

I will request recorded votes on all contentious issues.

I will request that all staff and consultant reports be released at least seven days before any public meeting.

I will promote open communication with citizens by:

- Speaking clearly in public forums and council meetings in simple, easily understood language.
- Explaining how meetings work, and providing any background information needed.
- Asking pertinent questions during citizen deputations and presentations to be sure all points have been covered.
- Listening to my constituents before making decisions.

About those signs...

Open letter to members of Stratford City Council

I will not support any future Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZO’s).

I will not agree to any non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that conceals important policy issues from the citizens of Stratford.

I will not agree to any in-camera meetings whose topics are inappropriately hidden from the public.

I will facilitate freedom of information requests wherever feasible.

I will request recorded votes on all contentious issues.

I will request that all staff and consultant reports be released at least seven days before any public meeting.

I will promote open communication with citizens by:

Speaking clearly in public forums and council meetings in simple, easily understood language.

Explaining how meetings work, and providing any background information needed.

Asking pertinent questions during citizen deputations and presentations to be sure all points have been covered.

Listening to my constituents before making decisions.