Ward 12 Surveys

Name:
Harold Usher
Occupation:
Engineer, Inspirational Speaker, Human Resources Development Trainer, Author, City
Councillor – Ward 12
Family information:
Married, three grown daughters
Community work:
Past:
City of London Planning Committee (PC) 2004-5,City of London Environmental and
Transportation Committee (ETC) 2005-7, City of London Long-Term Transit
Development Committee 2007-8, London Diversity and Race Relations Advisory
Committee (LDRRAC) (Past Chair) 1998-2000, London Public Library Board of
Trustees 1991 – 1994, Toastmasters International Board of Directors 1992 – 1994,
Fanshawe College Board of Governors 1994 – 2000, London Multi-Cultural Youth
Association Board of Directors, London and District Distress Centre Board of Directors,
Bell Canada’s Employment Equity Committee, London Talbot Toastmasters Club –
Originator 1987 – 2006, Canada Pageant Corporation Advisory Committee, London
Chamber of Commerce (via Bell Canada) 1984-96, The Journeys of the Black People of
the United Church of Canada, Planning Committee, UWO First Year Telecommunication
Course (Part of Bell Tutorial Team) 1992-4, City of London Creative City Committee
(2007), AFROFESTA - Originator - Chair General and Implementation Committees -
2008
Current:
London City Council, City of London Community and Protective Services Committee
(CPSC) (Vice-Chair), City of London Council’s Housing Leadership Committee,
Licensing Appeal Committee (Chair), FCM Standing Committee for Increasing Women’s
Participation in Municipal Government, FCM Standing Committee on Social-Economic
Development, FCM Standing Committee on Municipal Infrastructure and transportation
Policy, London Transit Commission (Past Chair), Lake Huron Primary Water Supply
System Joint Board of Management (Past Chair), Western Fair Association – Fair
Director, Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board,
Goodwill Industries Ontario Great Lakes, Board of Directors, Ontario Society of
Professional Engineers (OSPE) – Member, Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) –
Member, Black Community Leadership Congress (BCLC) – London Branch, London
Black History Coordinating Committee – Coordinator Closing GALA, White Oaks
United Church of London , The Journeys of the Black People of the United Church of
Canada, Garrison Community Council of London
Other (Own Businesses):

Founder and president of “Adventures in…” SEMINARS & SPEECHES, a company
offering Inspirational Messages (Speaking) and Human Resources Development training,
to individuals and organizations for inspiration, learning, leading and performing in the
workplace.
Founder and President “Impact Resumes,” a company offering resources to create or re-
develop your resume into one that is more attractive, appealing, and inviting to the eyes,
to want to read and more precise and inviting to the mind, to want to read, in order to
WIN an interview with a potential employer for a position of employment.
Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?

I would, if it would not affect service to our residents; however, in order to continue to
provide a quality lifestyle and sustain economic growth and population growth, it would
be virtually impossible to freeze taxes for four continuous years, unless we are going to
impose some other type of charges or fees – still tax. We should not make promises we
cannot keep.
Why or why not?

Any intelligent person – and Londoners are intelligent – will recognize the financial
outlay required in order to sustain growth, service and quality of life and infrastructure –
at the municipal level, we only have property tax and some user fees. I would never make
those wild remarks and I would never believe anyone who makes them.
Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall? :

In order to continue responding respectfully to my constituents needs and concerns and
make responsible cost-effective contributions toward keeping our city safe, healthy,
progressive and working (with jobs that pay well), thereby sustaining and enhancing the
high quality of life we have come to enjoy, making it a preferred place to live, work,
socialize and bring up our children. London needs good, responsible, reliable decision
makers who have the interest of the diverse residents – young, adult and seniors – at
heart. I am one of those decision makers.
What do you consider

a) the most important issue for London?
There are several important issues and many of them depend on the others, among them
are:
Economic growth (including creating jobs that pay well), reliable and effective transit,
housing, traffic slowing, looking after our more vulnerable residents, as well as health
and safety.
b) the most important issue for the ward in which you’re running?
Economic growth – sustaining jobs, reliable transit, traffic safety (roads and speeding),
access to services and resources (shopping, recreation, family needs, library, schools,
etc.), retention of agricultural lands (respect for the Official Plan), Environmental - Use
of land fill and waste disposal, Garbage collection without confusion, proper snow
removal (roads and walkways), fairness, integrity, safetg and a good quality of life.
_____________________________________________________________________
NAME:
Mike Yohnicki
OCCUPATION:
Railroad Safety Enforcement, company stores
Family Information: wife, Michelle and two sons Michael and Robert. I have lived in
London over 50 years.
COMMUNITY WORK:
Operation Lifesaver, Port Stanley Terminal Rail
WOULD YOU SUPPORT A FOUR YEAR TAX FREEZE?

No
WHY?
I would support a one year tax freeze, but we can’t at this time totally freeze taxes for 4
years. New funds could be looked at such as a bigger % from Western Fair Casino. The
citizens have been taxed to death, seniors and fixed income earners can’t bear more. It is
tax from industry to pick up it fair share.
Why do you want to represent Londoners?
I think I’ve made it pretty clear we need change and fresh thinking at City Hall. The call
was made for fresh blood and I’m asking Ward 12 voters to elect me as that voice.
I’ve seen in the last ten years the Mayor hand out money to city managers who simply
quit. Why would the Mayor submit a parking stub for $2.87. Why are our councilors
spending $400 on a camera for his office, 300 on a paper shredder, 1200 for home office
furniture when there is a perfectly good office at City Hall? We have to stop the madness
--- spending and expenses.
MOST IMPORTANT CITY ISSUE:

No one topic is more important. All issues are important for Ward 12 and London at this
time. Taxes, roads, police, fire, jobs law suits. London needs to move forward, need to
keep London clean. We need a working relationship with construction. We need to find
out why downtown isn’t working. Why Springbank Dam isn’t working.
Do we really need a new City Hall? Is our chief by-law officer taking things too far and
has his own agenda? We need to not just do our council business outside City Hall but we
need to review internally why some managers are paid more than the Mayor?
So as you can see, there isn’t just one single issue here. When I started asking other
councillors about certain issues, none returned my calls. Are these the same people you
want running City Hall, the same ones who don’t dare use the bus, not just that it is
inconvenient but because you the public use it. STOP THE MADNESS!!!
_____________________________________________________________________
Name:
Najam Naqvi
Occupation:
Court Interpreter
Family information:
wife with three children
Community work:
Trustee of Pakistani Canadian Association ,working with other communities on different
events
Would you support a four-year tax freeze?

I would not support four-years tax freeze but oppose hikes
Why not?
To keep the economy stable and moving upward
What’s the most important issue in London?

The most important issue for London is rail tracks creating problems for Londoners and
nobody took care of that.
What’s the most important issue in your ward?

The most important issue for ward 12 is less recreational opportunities for the people of
this ward.
Name:
Gordon Edward Saylor
Occupation:
Certified General Accountant - employed as Manager of Accounting at WOTCH
Community Mental Health Services (3 years)
Family information:
Married for 32 years to Denise Saylor - two sons Brent and Devon
Community work:
London & Middlesex Housing Corporation - board of directors 2006 - 2010 : chair
2010; Covent Garden Market - board of directors 2000 - 2006 : chair 2005-06; Thames
Talbot Land Trust - board of directors : 2009 – present; Old South Community
Organization - director; The Urban League of London - director; London Community
Players (Palace Theatre) - life member (treasurer for 10 years, director 2 years); Local
Advisory Committee - Sifton Bog ESA Conservation Master Plan 2009-2019
Would you support a four-year tax freeze?

Yes, if the citizens of London declared that their wish.
Why?
This decision could only be made after a fair and open declaration by the City of the
affect that a tax freeze would have on services and programs in the City. I have been
working with a funding freeze at WOTCH and the consequences are significant. There is
assessment growth factored into the budget but, realistically, that will only help keep
pace with the impact of inflation on current services and programs. A tax freeze will
mean cutbacks - informed rate payers can make that decision. Just as we can grow a
budget, and we have seen much evidence of that in the past, we can shrink a budget.
Why do you want to represent Londoners?

I want to represent Londoners at City Hall because of my ongoing dissatisfaction with
the fiscal management of this City. Taxes continue to rise in a seemingly uncontrolled
manner. Government is the one entity where there is any actual control over the amount
of revenue that is collected. That presents the opportunity to exercise control - not just
roll with the times. Debt servicing costs continue to rise and divert funds from services
and programs. The federal government, under Jean Chretien, demonstrated that there was
real value in reducing debt - not just controlling it and maintaining a AAA credit rating. I
want to represent Londoners at City Hall because I want to work towards a greater degree
of safety in London - for walkers, cyclists and drivers. I want to ensure that our natural
areas - parklands and ESAs - continue to be protected.
What is the biggest issue in London?

Businesses generate wealth - from which we derive tax revenue whether income, capital
or property. It is essential that we create a competitive environment that will not only
attract businesses but keep those that are here in London. It is unfortunate that subsidies,
incentives and inducements are a way of life. However, if city A offers something to
attract a business then London must do the same. It is not enough to say "what is good for
the region is good for London".
What is the biggest issue in your ward?

The residential/commercial area of Ward 12 is a mature area with little room for
development and/or change. I remember from the election of 2003 that, in the residential
areas, drive through traffic was a significant concern and I suspect that it still is. On the
distant horizon, yet worthy of discussion today, is the development of the Southwest Area
and that impact on Ward 12. The discussion concerning the future of W12A Landfill on
Manning Drive needs to intensify as the end of its useful life is closing in. And, in the
large "rural" area we need to be very aware and involved in the development of
commercial operations like Orgaworld and the likelihood of solar farms.
_____________________________________________________________________
Name:
Robert Hebblethwaite
Occupation:
I.T. Administrator
Family information:
Divorced Father of 2 boys. I have what they refer to as “Status-Quo” Visitation, which is
every other weekend.
Community work:
London Equal Parenting Council. Great Lakes Blues Society.
Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?

No
Why or why not?

Realistically, it’s just not possible. What’s needed is for organizations receiving funds
from the city, to stop requesting more than what the city sets their budget numbers at. If
the city states to come in, on or below 3%, then don’t come back looking for 5% and a 2
week barter session to argue about it. This in turn only costs the city more money having
the salaries at the horseshoe waste time, and time is money. If citizens are asked to
tighten their belts, then these organizations and the executive that run them need to set an
example. Eg: Police Services, LTC, etc…
Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall?

There seems to be a communication issue with our current Councillor(s) and their
constituents. This needs to change.
What do you consider a) the most important issue for London? And b) the most
important issue for the ward in which you’re running?
a) Honesty and Transparency with this City’s Administrators.

b) Ward 12. Just as any other Ward in the city has a Social issue. When I say social,
this to me includes both Crime and Poverty. If we can address the issue of
relieving the poverty, I believe we can reduce the crime.
_____________________________________________________________________

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Other (Own Businesses):

Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?

Why or why not?

Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall? :

What do you consider

WOULD YOU SUPPORT A FOUR YEAR TAX FREEZE?

MOST IMPORTANT CITY ISSUE:

Would you support a four-year tax freeze?

What’s the most important issue in London?

What’s the most important issue in your ward?

Would you support a four-year tax freeze?

Why do you want to represent Londoners?

What is the biggest issue in London?

What is the biggest issue in your ward?

Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?

Why or why not?

Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall?

a) Honesty and Transparency with this City’s Administrators.

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