Bylaw department, candidates raise concerns as Richmond Hill election heats up
Richmond Hill municipal election
Yorkregion.com
Sept. 4, 2014
By Kim Zarzour
With less than two months to voting day - and one week left for any candidates wishing to put their names forward - election antics are heating up in Richmond Hill.
Municipal bylaws forbid elections signs from being posted before the nomination deadline of Sept. 12, but that hasn’t stopped some candidates from plastering their names on local mailboxes.
Morris Lucchetta, the town’s manager of inspections, says staff has removed illegally posted election signs on Canada Post mailboxes on Woodstone, Summitcrest and Devonsleigh, in Ward 2.
Candidates are made aware of the rules as part of their election package when they register, he said. “This includes where election signs are and are not permitted. Where a complaint is received, a bylaw officer will investigate and follow up with the candidate.”
Other candidates say they have faced intimidation over the location of their meet-and-greet events, and one candidate has even struggled with numerous mysteriously flat tires.
Stan Daneman, running for the Ward 2 councillor position, said he started getting flat tires, on a monthly basis, shortly after he registered his candidacy.
He has not been driving through construction sites, he said, and each of the six flats was caused by the same type of nail, according to his repair shop, and affected the same tire.
“I don’t believe it is any of my opponents,” he said. “But does that sound like coincidence?”
He has filed a complaint with York Regional Police.
“I have run a high watermark campaign and I don’t want to come across as sour grapes, but really, is this necessary?”
Singh hosts candidate barbecue
Ramona Singh, a councillor candidate in Ward 2, hosts a barbecue for ward residents at Big Boy Burger Sunday, Sept. 14 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Residents can meet the candidate and ask questions. Free burgers and unlimited drink refills will be available.
Singh says she believes in supporting local businesses and “as a new burger joint in the ward, it’s the ideal place”.
It is located at 10626 Bayview Ave. at Taylor Mills Drive North.
