the-journey-blog

It's been 9 days...

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:19:54 +0100

This last week has been insanely busy. Last night I participated in the PSSA UFV Debate via telephone because I've come down with a pretty nasty flu. Thank you again to the PSSA for making that possible.

We're 4 days away from Election Day now. I really want to thank you all for your support. It honestly means the world to me. It's nice to know that you truly believe me when I tell you all that I'm doing this because I genuinely care about all of us here in Abbotsford.

I really want to encourage everyone to vote. Vote with your heart and your values. There is no such thing as a wasted vote... a vote is a voice and each one is important and speaks volumes.

Thank you again!

Meghann

A Day Off

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:34:06 +0100

So, it's been a while...

We had the first All Candidates Debate. I was nervous, but I enjoyed it. We also had our debate on CIVL radio with Justin Goodrich. The energy was totally different for that one - and all of us had a good time. Mr. Peary even kindly offered Travis and I a ride home. (I declined, seeing as I had my car with me).

I posted some videos of my speeches during the first debate. The CIVL radio debate is available on podcast.

Last week was intensely busy for me. Today is my official day off. Just relaxing around the house, catching up on some tv and thinking about the things I need to do next week.

Thanks for the support! It means the world to me.

A Facebook Question

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:09:04 +0100

Someone asked me a question on Facebook and I thought I'd post my answer here, too, so none of you miss it.

Sheena Houston:
You state on your website "The cost of housing alone is frightening - but what about the taxes? And at the rate they are increasing how will you, I or our children be able to afford to pay them?" As a self described non-homeowner, where are you coming from in your worry about taxes when you don't currently (and never have) paid into our municipal tax pot?

Do you have any experience, besides being a mother of 4 and taking some college courses, that would lead me to believe that you can handle making decisions for all of Abbotsford? If elected, you have to be able to represent lots of different ideals.

Me:
Sheena, please don't kid yourself into thinking that property taxes don't affect renters. When property taxes rise, landlords are forced to increase rents. Often, tenants wind up paying more than the mortgage and taxes combined so that the landlord can make a profit. This alone makes it quite the task to save a 5 or 10% down payment while renting. Now, take into account that CMHC recommends not spending more than 30% of your household income on housing - which is difficult with Abbotsford's average income being below the Provincial average. 5 out of 7 of Abbotsford's most popular jobs median hourly rate is below the living wage, (Admin Ass't avg $14 hourly, MOA $16.32, CSR $10.48, & AR clerk $12.67).

Where I am coming from is that I intend to purchase property, but not while taxes are increasing far beyond the rate of inflation. It's a safer bet financially to secure a rental property where you know that your housing increase cannot be more than the rate of inflation + 2%.

And Sheena, keep in mind that Abbotsford needs renters. Renters are consumers. The idea that renters don't have as much say as home owners is part of the problem - it screams classism.

Aside from previously making decisions for all of Abbotsford, is there any other experience that would absolutely support anyone being able to make decisions for all of Abbotsford? I suppose this is where one would run on about experience running businessees, but a City isn't just about business - it's about the people in it. I'd be weary of any candidate who claims that they could walk in and accept the position of Mayor, without having done it before, and not face a serious learning curve.

What do I bring? I can budget. Raising 4 kids as a single parent is an excellent lesson in budgeting. The fact that I am getting this much exposure with a campaign of $79 speaks volumes to the fact that I can stretch a dollar & am able to use creativity and intelligence to find cost-effective alternatives to issues that others may be tempted to throw money at. My fiance & several friends are immigrants, and through them I've learned how difficult it can be to start a life in a new country - which lends to my compassion & respect for our multi-cultural community. I've known people with addictions and realise that there is a strong need in our community to assist rather than to judge and ignore. I've seen the struggles close family members have gone through while trying to run small businesses and keep up with inflation and taxes. I've known people who were absolutely working poor, keeping degrading jobs because it was their only option to support their family and ultimately, they still lost their homes.

I'm not running for Mayor because I think it will be a walk in the park and I am not one to set myself up for failure. I am running for Mayor because things need to change and I am confident that I have the abilities to clean up the mess the current council is leaving for us and our children.

I think I might need a nap soon

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 05:52:59 +0100

Tomorrow I am meeting with a reporter from The Cascade, (UFV's Student Paper). I'm really grateful for every chance to get my message out there. Grace, who is doing the interview, seems really great. Should be a good one.

In the evening I will be recording my 2 minute commercial with Shaw. It's a free service offered to all candidates and will air twice on the Shaw Channel. Not entirely sure which channel that equates to at the moment.... They will be running all of the videos back to back, so you might want to make a snack. I'm really nervous about this one - so if I look terrified it's because I am. The one benefit to looking terrified is that people will realize I'm sincere. haha.

I've finally managed to get some flyers and expect to be dropping them in mail boxes this weekend. I'm debating whether or not to knock on doors. I've had people knock on mine to talk politics and it always seemed to come across as obnoxious...

I updated a few tabs tonight. Support Me now shows my total donations. More Issues has some info on Seniors Housing as well as half a post on Affordable Housing. (I'll finish it up soon). Media, Links and the Best Posters Ever now has a few more media links as well as some posters I made this morning and a 10 second video.

Lastly, remember that you can comment on blog posts. You just need to click the title to open it fully, first.

If elected - my promise to be transparent

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 05:39:27 +0100

Answering questionnaires, media phone calls, meeting with people in the community. It takes time. I'm just grateful that I have that time to give... and I'm grateful that you all have come to my site to give me a chance to let you know what I'm about.

I'll be signing the Taxpayer Pledge Monday morning. I really love this idea and encourage all candidates to sign. Transparency is vital when it comes to public service. We all deserve to know exactly where our tax dollars are going. To take the pledge one step further, if elected I intend to keep a blog going - (although probably on another site with a more user-friendly comment system), where I would keep you all updated to what is happening at city hall. Additionally, I'd include a section where I would disclose all of my expenses - although, I hope to keep those down to a minimum. I do it in my day-to-day life with my own money... it's only right to extend that courtesy to your money.

I've added three new tabs: Media, Initiatives & Events. Media links you to interviews and questions I've answered in our local papers, Initiatives lists some of the ideas I'd like to implement and Events lets you know what's going on & where I'll be. I invite all of you to come to as many events as you can... meet the candidates, ask us questions, look us in the eye and judge our sincerity.

It's 9:30 pm. I'm going to head downstairs and watch a movie with my kids. They've been amazingly supportive of the amount of work I've been doing this week. I think we all need some down time. If you come to an event you just might be lucky enough to meet them, too. They're brilliant.

-Meghann

The Lesser of the Two Evils? - Monday, October 17

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:10:57 +0100

Today was definitely a busy day.

It started with several phone calls & emails from friends and colleagues who had some great advice. I feel grateful for knowing so many supportive people from all walks of life who can give me perspective from every angle.

Today the Chamber of Commerce sent out their official questionnaire/RSVP form for the All Candidates Meeting, (hosted by The Chamber in partnership with the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board and the Fraser Valley Indo-Canadian Business Association). The A.C.M., (for Mayoral Candidates), will be November 2nd at the Matsqui Central Auditorium.

So, between phone calls and questionnaires I haven't found the time to complete my platform and upload it. I promise you, it's coming.

I wanted to take a few minutes and touch upon some of the comments I've seen online. I find it disheartening to learn that people will cast their vote to "the lesser of the evils" because they feel if they go with their gut their vote will be wasted and they'll be stuck with the same old, same old. I completely understand the sentiment, but the reality is that if people truly want change sometimes they have to go out on a limb.

"The issue today is the same as it has been throughout history - whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite"
-- Thomas Jefferson

I know I'll have a lot to learn, but I'm intelligent, tenacious and I will prove that I am a serious candidate.

You can't teach an old dog new tricks, but you can show a young one exactly what you expect and accept nothing less.

Sunday, October 16th

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:10:45 +0100

This morning I had the pleasure of meeting with Melissa of Melodrama Photography at Mill Lake to have some head shots taken.

Yesterday I received an email from the Abbotsford Times containing the questionnaire they sent out to Mayoral Candidates. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to get some of my thoughts out to the public and look forward to getting in to more detail to give you all a better understanding of my platform.

- Meghann