Thank you for your support

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of you who supported my campaign. Running for City Council was something I have talked about doing for a very long time. Thank you for taking the time to vote for me, take a sign, volunteer, wish me well, visit, and donate. Every bit made a difference.I am very proud of our results and touched by the dedication of my campaign team. Together we gave ran a campaign that we can be proud of. You are all amazing.To my husband, children, brother and the entire family; none of this would have been possible without you. Thank you for believing in me and for being my biggest fans.Your love and support motivated me to sign up to start this journey and kept me moving through its challenges. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.I would like to congratulate Bill Saundercook on his win. Bill, I have learned a lot from watching your campaign. I wish you the best over the next 4 years. I would also like to congratulate David Garrick on a great campaign. David, you are truly an amazing man. I am glad you were in the race. Alexander Oniszczak, you have great ideas! Congrats on bringing them to light. It has been a pleasure. Linda Coltman, great work my friend! I am sure our paths will cross again soon. Finally Greg Hamara, congrats on a good run. Your volunteers are top notch. You are lucky to have them.Thank you again everyone. I will be retiring the website in a short while but can still be reached at frances.wdowczyk@gmail.com .See you around the neighbourhood!Frances

Response to some questions from Bloor West Village Residents Assocation

At the last all candidates meeting from the Bloor west Village Association there were some questions that didn't get asked, in an attempt to make sure that all questions have answers, all of the candidates are submitting the written results. Below are my answers, if you would like to see the other candidates responses please feel free to visit the website http://www.bwvra.ca/Question From Peter: What do you consider to be the two top priority problems facing the Swansea community (Keele - Humber River - Gardiner - Bloor) which require immediate action to resolve, and what are your solutions to these problems?Peter; I feel that the two top priorities are #1 traffic- too many cars and driving too fast. We need to work with Police to make our community safer in the area of traffic. We need to return to Community Policing. More Police on the streets working WITH neighbours to change the behaviour around speed and distracted driving will make a big difference. I have a history of working as a partner with Police Services across the country. I will bring this experience to the table when working with our Police to reduce traffic and slow cars down.#2 We need to hold the line on taxes in our community. The City of Toronto has been granted new powers, with some of those powers in the area of implementing new taxes. I believe that we need to find new and innovative ways to do business in the city without increasing our taxes.Question From Stan: The riding of bicycles on sidewalks is a danger to pedestrians. They are a menace and could (do) cause injury (or theft of purses) from unsuspectingl walkers. Why not decal (paint) "no riding on sidewalks" signs at all intersections?Stan; I agree that this is a big problem in the area. First off we need to follow through on the City Plan to create and support more bicycle lanes in the ward. This will address the root of the problem by giving the cyclists a dedicated lane to ride in. Council has been slow in following through on their promise for more bike lanes. The next step is enforcement of the traffic laws. While signs bring awareness to the issue we need to step up enforcement or the presence of enforcement. A return to Community Policing would support this level of enforcement and we need to look at other options. What about the parking enforcement officers supporting the enforcement of no bikes on sidewalks? I think it is an idea to look at and would look into it right away.Question From Brenda: During the week, could High Park be opened up to allow access from the Queensway to Bloor Street? With the paving of the Queensway taking so long, it often has not been possible to turn north on Ellis, Windermere and the South Kingsway.Brenda; I agree the work on the Queensway is taking a long time. Unfortunately opening access to the park is not the solution.The park was a gift to the city from John G. Howard and in terms the city agreed to leave the grounds and estate (Colborne Lodge) in as natural a state as possible. The addition of traffic through the park would negatively impact the delicate balance of nature found in the Park.Question From Mark: In light of city council's approval of the condominium building now planned for the site of the old Humber Odeon cinema, it strikes me that so long as a developer has, in Bill Saundercook's words, "cooperative and continuous dialogue with residents," the developer is guaranteed, in the end, to get what they want, or at least a fair portion of it. What would you do, if elected, to ensure that developers are never again able to circumvent the official plan, and to make them settle in such cases with the simple answer "No"?Mark; The official city plan needs to be promoted loud and clear to developers and residents alike and it needs to be enforced. This is true in the case of small individual homes and in large condo developments. The unique flavour of our neighbourhoods depend on growth that reflect the positive elements of the community and builds on it. We also need to have consequences for developers who do not follow the rules. This may be more an issue for smaller developments in our communities (single homes etc) but it is equally important to our neighbourhoods. If developers are not going to follow the rules of the plan or the rules of council then why should they be allowed to develop in the city? From Christie: If elected, will you move a motion to rescind the Palais Royale parking lot which is threatening to blight our precious greenspace on the Lakeshore?Hi Christie: I would work with the Councillor and Community in Ward 14 to be sure that the waterfront was protected. Our waterfront needs to be protected here on the west end of the city and it needs to start with this issue.Question From Anonymous: How are you going to ensure that you are representing us?The best way to represent you is to hear you and take that voice forward to city hall. This will be done through community consultation. I am committed to hearing you (surveys, door to door, town hall meetings or telephone conversations) prior to any major decisions being made. My job (if elected) is to seek your input and feedback, not wait for you to find me.Question From David: As of November 6, 2006, 328 mayors in the United States have accepted Seattle Mayor Nickels' challenge to join Seattle in taking local action to reduce global warming pollution. The challenge is to meet or exceed the Kyoto Protocol targets, and to urge higher levels of government to enact policies or programs to meet or exceed the Kyoto Protocol. Would candidates for mayor be willing to initiate and endorse a comparable Canadian initiative? What specific actions would be taken to realize the Kyoto Protocol targets within the City of Toronto and to encourage the federal and provincial governments -- and other municipalities -- to take concerted action on climate change? Would Ward 13 council candidates support the mayor in such initiatives, and what specific actions would they encourage for Ward 13?David; I have publicly pledged TO green and will support the implementation of the cities environmental plan. I will also support the mayor in the creation of any initiatives that meet or exceed the Kyoto Protocol. If elected, the specific actions that I will encourage ward 13 to participate in include; increase recycling and composting in apartment buildings, increase public transit and access to public transit and support sustainable communities that allow and encourage people to walk or ride bikes to their local shops. I will encourage the city of Toronto as a corporation, to take the lead on reducing packaging by only purchasing products from companies who use minimal packaging, therefore leading by example.Inclosing, remember to VOTE TOMORROW!! Monday Novemember 13! If you need to see where to vote, please check out the city of Toronto's website at this link

The City of Toronto Act and electing our next leaders.

Elect Frances to City Council on November 13thHere are some points from The City of Toronto Act that I feel are important to consider when you are looking to elect the next leader of our ward and our city.1.The City of Toronto is now the 6th largest government in Canada.2. The City of Toronto has new powers under the New City Of Toronto Act. (link here for the entire act)3. The Mayor of Toronto has new powers to appoint the Deputy Mayor and Committee Chairs.4.There will now be an Executive Committee of Council made up of the The Mayor (as Chair) the Deputy Mayor (as Vice Chair) Standing Committee Chairs, and four other Councillors.5.The Budget Committee (formerly the Budget Advisory Committee) will report directly to the Executive Committee.6. There will be an elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Council.7. The City has expanded powers in the area of licensing.8. The City now has the power to impose sales taxes on Entertainment, alcoholic beverages sold for consumption in licensed establishments and tobacco products.9. The number of Community Councils will increase from 4 councils to 8 councils.There is no doubt in my mind that the City of Toronto needed a new act to make the city workable. I am very excited to see that the City Council will have more power to make decisions and therefore should be able to get many issues resolved in a timely manner. I congratulate Mayor Miller on all his work with the Provincial Government to get the Act to this level, and there is still more work to be done.Who will you elect to make sure that the New City Of Toronto Act is working for the residents of the City of Toronto?I believe in doing my homework, consulting with the community and then making the best decision possible for ward 13 and the City of Toronto for today while not compromising future generations.I believe that new taxes are not the answer to our financial problems as a city.I believe in moving the agenda forward and will work with the Mayor and fellow Councillors in partnership to get issues addressed in a timely fashionI believe in treating people with dignity and respect and will bring decorum and civility back to City Hall.I believe in communication as a tool to find solutions to our issues. I will get your input and feedback on issues before decisions are made.I believe in communities that are engaged in, and proud of, the decision that are made at City Hall.I believe that Ward 13 can be the leader in developing sustainable neighbourhoods.I believe in Toronto.Remember to Vote on November 13th. It is a new time in history for the City of TorontoHere are a few other links to look at regarding the City of Toronto act:Candidates mum on Toronto ActDavid Miller Op Ed in The Toronto StarThe ApprovalTowards a New City of Toronto ActMinistry of Municipal Affairs and HousingCanadian Federation of Independent Business

Bloor West Village Residents Association Host a Meet the Candidates Event November 8th

Tomorrow is the last scheduled all candidates meeting for the area. I hope to see you there!This announcement was taken from the Bloor West Village Residents Association web site. For more details on the association click here
Meet the Candidates
The Bloor West Village Residents Association is hosting a special Municipal Election public meeting on Wednesday, November 8th - the week before voting day.
You’re invited to quiz the three top contenders for the Mayor’s seat and the Ward 13 candidates for City Council.
Confirmed guests include Mayor David Miller, Councillor Jane Pitfield and Stephen LeDrew. For Ward 13, incumbent Councillor Bill Saundercook, Greg Hamara, David Garrick, Aleksander Oniszczak, and Frances Wdowczyk are confirmed.
To avoid long line ups at the microphone, the BWVRA is trying a “lottery” system. People wanting to ask a question will get a numbered ticket. Those drawn will be called to the mike. To save time, you can submit your question in writing before the meeting and it will be placed in the draw barrel. If you prefer, submit your question in advance by e-mail: info@bwvra.ca - please provide your name and street.
We intend to begin with a few set questions from the chair involving the major issues affecting our area, including development, the waterfront and the Bloor Street West commercial strip.
Since time with the candidates is limited, the doors will open early at 6:30pm at which time you can speak directly with the Ward 13 Council candidates. The formal session will begin at 7:00 sharp.
See you there!
Location:Runnymede United Church, 432 Runnymede Rd.Wednesday, November 8thDoors open to talk to the Ward 13 Candidates 6:30.Meeting starts 7:00pm SHARP.

One Week to go

Where did the time go? They say that time flies when you are having fun. Never have truer words been spoken.On June 30th I went to down to City Hall put down my $100.00, filled out the forms and declared my intention to be the next City Councillor for Ward 13 Parkdale-High Park. Today my fabulous campaign team and I stepped into the last and most exciting 7 days of the campaign.Now is the time to really look to see what type of leadership you want at city hall; hat voice will best represent the vision of Toronto that you embrace.Here are some of the issues that I feel are important and worth looking at before voting for Mayor and Councillor on November 13th:1. LeadershipWhat style of leadership will get the job done at City Hall and in ward 13? Who will work with all Council Members and the Mayor for the good of the City and getting things done in the ward?2. AccountabilityWho will be accountable for your money? Your voice at City Hall? Your concerns?3. CommunicationWho will listen to your concerns and have you feel that your voice is heard? Who will treat you and your concerns with the respect they deserve? Who will consult with you before decisions are made?4. ResultsWho will be the person who will move the agenda for the ward and the City forward? Who will find the creative ways to solve the problems that keep hanging on. Who has the ability to form partnerships that will get items off the agenda and into action?5. RepresentationWho represents your voice as members of the community of Ward13? Who can support your voice and is not tied to a party agenda?6. The sixth largest government in the countryWho has the courage, integrity and passion to demand that council act like the powerful leadership body it is? Who will lead by example in treating fellow council members, the Mayor, constituents and staff with respect and support and empower the entire council to move items forward for the good of the city and the ward?I can clearly and with pride say that I will stand for you. I will be the voice of the ward. I will act with integrity and always move the agenda forward. I will make decisions based on what is best for today and what will support the ward in the future. I am accountable to you and will keep you informed on decisions and discussions. I will ask your opinion on the future of the ward. I will move things forward in the ward and in City Hall. I have a vision of a city of Toronto that is a leader in environmental issues, that supports healthy neighbourhoods where people don't want to take their cars but would rather walk or bike. A city that is proud of its accomplishments and the courage of the leaders that made sure things happened. A city where your the voice of the community is heard, honoured and respected.

The Meatloaf Concert and other things I love about living in Toronto

Elect Frances on November 13There are many things in ward 13 and the city that I would like to change or improve. On the other side of this coin you will find the things I love about Toronto and would not change a bit.One of the things that I love is that I am able to see great theatre and music in the city. Last month I was lucky enough to get tickets to see Barbara Streisand and last night I had a great night with friends at the Meatloaf concert. Both of these concerts were held in unique venues. Both attracted a great cross section of people and both were shows that were in limited runs in North America . How amazing that I could jump on the subway to attend these shows that were being held in very few places in North America ! That is one of the unique and exciting things about living in Toronto .When looking at the music scene in Toronto we have it all. Large popular shows that let me relive the good times on Wednesday night at the "Bomb Shelter" Pub (Meatloaf) and the intimate music scene the feeds my creative soul EMILIE-CLAIRE BARLOW, MELANIE DOANE & KATHRYN ROSE "A WINTER'S EVE" at Hugh’s Room( http://www.hughsroom.com/).Move to the Theatre in the city and find the same everything from WICKED to THE DECIDE SHOW (better hurry this one only a few shows left!) (http://www.decideshow.com/) and finally what about the great art in the city. We have the AGO and Gallery One (http://www.galleryone.ca/).These are just some of the things I love about living in Toronto. What are the things you love about living in Toronto ? I want to know. It is important to celebrate what we love as well as address the issues that concern us.So, in the spirit of celebration and having fun here is a link to my favorite Meatloaf song.(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq31BBgYX) . I hope you enjoy it as much as I did last night!

Advanced Polls are open! Do you know where to cast your vote?

Vote for Frances on November 13The advanced polls are now open. As a member of ward 13 you can cast your vote in an advanced poll or on Election Day. To find out where you cast your vote got to: http://app.toronto.ca/vote2006/whereToVote.do?cp=5What are the issues on your mind heading into the last week of the election campaign?Today while out in the ward I heard you tell us about the speeders on your streets. It did not take long for Vinitha and me to experience them first hand.Are the people who speed in our neighbourhoods our neighbours or visitors?Why do people speed in our community? Is it because they can get away with it? Is it because we do not notice how fast we are going? What is so important that people are willing speed in residential areas?
What are you willing to do as a resident in this community to stop the speeding?
I will work with the residents to create a community-driven plan for traffic safety. Together will make our streets safer.

Advanced Polls are open! Do you know where to cast your vote?

Vote for Frances on November 13The advanced polls are now open. As a member of ward 13 you can cast your vote in an advanced poll or on Election Day. To find out where you cast your vote got to: http://app.toronto.ca/vote2006/whereToVote.do?cp=5What are the issues on your mind heading into the last week of the election campaign?Today while out in the ward I heard you tell us about the speeders on your streets. It did not take long for Vinitha and me to experience them first hand.Are the people who speed in our neighbourhoods our neighbours or visitors?Why do people speed in our community? Is it because they can get away with it? Is it because we do not notice how fast we are going? What is so important that people are willing speed in residential areas?
What are you willing to do as a resident in this community to stop the speeding?
I will work with the residents to create a community-driven plan for traffic safety. Together will make our streets safer.

Out and About in the ward

Running for City Councillor is an amazing experience. You get to push yourself in ways you never thought possible and you get talk to people about the things that matter. I know I have mentioned this several times in my blog and I mention it again because it really is an amazing part of the election. One that I did not know was going to be so fun and rewarding.Today most of my conversations with you were about traffic and the roads in the area. As you know this is one of my concerns in the community and one that I am committed to finding a solution to.Last night I invited a group of citizens to come to the campaign office to work with a facilitator to see what solutions we could find for the traffic concerns in our ward. It was a great night.In 2 short hours seven people came up with over 90 ideas to address the traffic issues. I am just writing out the notes from the events so cannot give you a full review but I personally saw options, solutions and ideas that would have never crossed my mind without this group. It was empowering and exciting.I look forward to sharing the outcomes with you in a few days.
The point of the gathering was to find solutions and next steps. I got much more than that, I got a chance to work with community for the community not just one street or area. It was one step. One step of many more to come.If seven people can come up with 90 ideas that then spark six solid and workable actions then imagine what the entire ward can create? Now that is exciting....So, what is your beef about traffic today? One issue that came up several times today was the running of stop signs on our side streets. Tell me your experience with our side streets. Do you see people running the stop signs? Is it because people can't see them? Are people driving too fast? Are they in the right locations? Let me know.

Thank you Warren Park Ratepayers Association

I want to thank everyone at the Warren Park Ratepayers Association for organizing last nights All Candidates Meeting. The media claims that most residents are not aware that there is an election happening on November 13th. Clearly the media forgot to inform Warren Park residents as they came out to meet the City Council Candidates and armed with questions that they needed answers for. I was pleased to share my vision and my answers to their questions.As election day gets closer it is important for all members of the ward 13 community to ask the tough questions and not rest until they get they answers they need.In the spirit of asking question there is one more all candidates meeting scheduled on November 8th at Runnymede United Church (432 Runnymede Rd) starting at 7 pm hosted Bloor West Village Residents Association. It is the perfect opportunity to come out and ask your questions. Details on the event can be found by going to the BWRA website link .Other places to look for information on the election and who is running:who runs this town
cbc.ca
Rogers televisionWalking the talk
Tonight I am hosting a facilitated discussion on the traffic issues in the ward. I am excited to bring community member together with a facilitator to find creative ways to address the traffic issues. It is time for me to put elements of my platform to the test and see what happens. The exciting part for me is not only working with the community for a solution but also working with graduate students trained in the area of creative facilitation. These students are excited to use their training and are looking for ways to give back to their community! I have no idea what ideas and plans will come from tonight, I am pleased to have the chance to walk my talk and take this traffic discussion to another level. Look for an update on what was created in tomorrow’s blog.

updates and various issues that are on my mind

I have several things on my mind this morning.NO blog last nightFirst of all due to technical problem I was not able to blog last night. I apologize. Thank goodness my husband is a brilliant computer guy and was able to fix it this morning. Thanks John!HalloweenOur Halloween event was great fun last night. It was lovely meeting so many of you in the area. Thanks for taking the time to say hello at the office and on the street near the office.All Candidates meeting tonight in Warren ParkTonight there is an all candidates meeting in Warren ParkWe start at 7:00 pm at Lambton House, 4066 Old Dundas Street (link). I hope to see you there.Bicycle Lanes used as turning lanesOk this issue makes me crazy. Daily I wonder how we can stop people from using the bike lanes across the city as turning lanes. It is beyond me how a person can think that the 2 -3 foot lane with a bicycle marked on it can be mistaken for a turning lane but in my experience it happens often. This morning was no exception. Driving my normal routine at 8:30am a car tried to squeeze next to me to make a right hand turn where there is not turning lane , just a bike lane. The hurried driver behind me honked to have me move up. No problem I was pleased to move up as much as I possible so he could turn. When I looked in my rear view mirror he was not behind me but beside me in the bike lane trying to squeeze past to turn. Fortunately the light turned and we all moved along letting the driver turn on his way.I want to be honest here, I don't ride my bike on the main streets . I am not comfortable enough to do so and as I ride only for recreation I tend to stay on the Humber River Trail system. I do not have personal experience as a cyclist in this city. That being said as a driver I can only imagine the danger and frustration cyclists must feel as they fight with cars in using the bike lanes.So here is my question... Why does it happen? As a driver or a cyclist what are your thought on it? I am curious and as someone who is concerned about the volume and speed of the traffic in ward 13 and the city I would like to hear from you.Is it lack of education? Manners? Are the streets so poorly designed that we have no choice? Are the lanes so poorly marked that people don't know?Since writing this blog I have never come out and asked for your comments (but welcomed all responses) and now is the time. If you do not want to comment here on the blog feel free to email me at frances@electfrances.orgIf you have specific traffic issues please let me know. I am committed to a community wide traffic solution and would like to work with you on the solution.Call me at 416-604-9060 or email me at frances@electfrances.org for information on how to get involved in finding a solution.

Halloween fun at the campaign office

I love Halloween.Actually, truth be told I love most holidays and celebrations.There are some things that even an election can't get in the way of and one of those things is watching children have fun on Halloween and perhaps participating in the fun as well.So, in the spirit of the season we will have the campaign office at 153B Jane Street open from5pm - 8pm for the ghosts and gobblins in the the neighbourhood to stop by for treats.Please come by and say hello to me and my most amazing campaign team.

stories from the campaign trail

Today some of my fantastic campaign team were out dropping flyers when they met a person who made their day. As you can guess they meet a wide variety of people with varying levels of interest in the election and the material they are leaving behind. In this case an elderly gentleman stopped to chat with them. After hearing what they were doing and how they were involved, he thanked them for taking time on their Saturday to make a difference in the political process. He thanked them for being young people who wanted to be involved in their community. He thanked them for looking after the future of the community. It warmed his heart and left him with hope for the future.
I was very pleased to hear this story from my volunteers. I take the time to thank them often and try to help them see the difference they are making not only for my campaign but for our community and city. They listen to me - but hearing similar remarks from a total stranger always seems to have a stronger impact.
I am so pleased that a member of our community took the time to thank and acknowledge these young women for their time, effort and dedication. I am so touched that a stranger would take the time on a busy Saturday afternoon to make a difference, but at the same time I am not surprised. The people of ward 13 have been very open and welcoming all through this campaign. This really is a community that is engaged in its future. It really is a community of neighbourhoods. It really is a community that I am proud to call my home.

A week of celebration and support

It has been a week full of networking, campaigning and celebrating! I have been inspired by meeting people who want to make a difference in Toronto and around the world. These people reminded me why it was that I originally wanted to enter the municipal race.Running for City Council has me out and about like never before. If you have met me, you know that I was not exactly a quiet stay at home not get involved kind of person before the election, but now I am even more engaged in meeting people and hearing about their lives then I was before! I feel a connection to the community like never before. What a wonderful experience and gift to me.
I am really excited about making a difference in my community and my city. The best way to do this is from within, with integrity and the courage to find a way to move our city forward today – not someday.
Tonight my wonderful campaign team hosted a lovely fundraising event for the campaign. The night was full of friends and supports enjoying good food and conversation. Thank you to all of you who attended and for donating so generously. Your ongoing support and belief in me keeps me moving forward.My special thanks go to Ann, Rosa, Michelle, Stephen and Billi Jo for coordinating this great night. You are the best campaign team a person could ask for. Thanks so much for all you do to support me.Tomorrow we are out in the community knocking on doors and meeting you where you live. I look forward to seeing you.

Women's History month

Did you know that October is Women's History Month?
Tonight I had the absolute privilege of attending the Women's Celebration Salon presented by Homemakers (link) & YWCA Canada (link)WOW - what a wonderful, inspiring and simply fabulous evening. Four women reflected on 40 years of the women's movement and spoke about their visions and hopes for the future. As you can see from the ad below all the speakers were leaders and extraordinary women in their own right.Listening to these women speak tonight helped me appreciate the last 40 years of women’s history in a new way. Their reflections and stories remind me of all the great women who have come before me and how grateful I am for all they did so that I can have the life, rights and opportunities that I do today. It also reminds me of all the work that still has to be done. There are still too many women and children that live in poverty in our city. There are still too many women and children that are victims of violence in our city. There are still too many issues that need to be reviewed with the impact on women and children in mind.I have always wanted to inspire and support young women and I will continue to find ways to do this. After my experience this evening I am reminded that I also have an opportunity to use my voice, passion and commitment to give a voice to those women and children who are still not heard.

wednesdays blog met technical difficulties

There was no blog on Wednesday due to technical diffculties.Come back later today to hear about IdeaNation. They had a great launch last night! Be prepared to be inspired and to have the tools to move forward on your own ideas! Go to link to find out more.

You are invited to our Fundraising Event and Social this Friday night

We are having a Fundraising Event and Social this FridayHere are the detailsI look forward to seeing you there.Frances Wdowczyk Campaign Team Invite you to a Fundraising Evening and SocialLocation: Joe Badali's156 Front St W, Toronto, ONWhen: Friday, October 27, 7:00pmSuggested Donation is $ 50.00Frances would love your support during her campaign for City Councillor, Ward 13 Parkdale - High Park. Come out to offer your words of encouragement, to enjoy appetizers and lots of great conversation with fantastic people. This fundraiser and social is just one more important step in getting Frances into city hall. Imagine what she will do for Toronto!The suggested donation is $50 for this event. Ticket purchasers will receive a receipt for the donation and will receive $37.50 back from the city once the election is over. (in the end this event will cost you $12.50 and the team has the funds to run the campaign). Payable by cheque made out to Frances Wdowczyk Campaign. Pay at the event or send in the mail to:Frances Wdowczyk Campaign153B Jane StreetToronto ON M6S 3Y8We'd love to hear from you and see you at the event. If you have any questions call Michelle Verbrugghe at 647 999 8795.

Watch and Listen for me Tuesday Morning on CHTV

Tomorrow morning from 6:00 am to 9:00 am I will be on CH TV channel 11 live from Niagara Falls as we launch National Students Against Impaired Driving Day. This is the signature program for the high school division of the charity I run , The Student Life Education Company (www.studentlifeeducation.com).This is a wonderful event. Please tune in to see us in action.We are scheduled to be on about 20 minutes after the hour and 50 minutes after the hour. I promise you will enjoy seeing these great students make a difference. Also, this event is being covered by FLOW93.5 FM so tune in on your way to work tomorrow!My life is really full as a wife, mother, sibling, daughter, friend, executive director and candidate for City Council. That being said, working with students and empowering them as the make a difference in our world adds and depth to my already wonderful life that cannot be put into words. I hope you can tune in to hear it or see it for yourself.

Candidate for Councillor and Mom

When I sit down to write this blog I usually have 2 or 3 thoughts or issues that I would like to bring forward. I pick one and then start writing. It is usually later in the evening and often John is busy getting the kids lunches ready and I am just about ready to call it a night as well.Tonight I was ready to start writing and then our son decided to put his Halloween fake eye onto his eye with kid’s silly putty. I have no idea why this sounded like a good idea to him (he is 11 years old) but it did. He came to John and I after he had put his scary fake eyeball in place and was now trying to remove it. Well they eyeball came out but not the silly putty, not right away anyway.... It is about an hour or so since we started the task of getting the goop off of our son’s eye lid, lashes and brow. Poor little guy he was scared but put on a brave face for me as I painstakingly and gently rubbed of the goop from his eye with my pinky finger.All is well now. We got it all off, got him showered and to bed. Once again John is getting the lunches together for tomorrow and I am sitting down to write. The funny thing is that for the life of me all I can think about it that crazy silly putty in our son's eye. While I was confident I could get it all out and it would all be ok, I did have a few moments of thinking how fragile our little guy is, how I would do anything to protect him, and how we all have to take chance to learn and grow ...that is life and that is what there is to do.I am glad my children have the chance to make their mistakes with us in a city like Toronto where there are hospitals, emergency service, police service, schools and support services that are second to none. These are things I am proud of and that I am committed to supporting and enhancing as our city grows and changes.

Pledge TO Green

Today I signed my name to a pledge for our future.Today I proudly signed my name to the following promise:"I pledge to implement Toronto's Environmental Plan and attend and accountability session within 12 months".This report is a great example of a vision for our future created through consultation. While this plan is far from perfect is it is a plan that is workable and one that has already successfully accomplished several goals. There is still much work to be done on the issues covered in this report and I am committed to moving the issues forward starting with implementing this plan.Let's get to work!To view the Report got to http://www.toronto.ca/council/etfepfin.pdfHere is a bit of background on the report. I encourage you to go to the city of Toronto website to read more about the areas that interest you and to review the Status Report.What the Report ContainsClean, Green and Healthy is a shared vision for how to get to a cleaner, greener, healthier and more sustainable future. It is a strategic document that contains recommendations about goals, targets, policies, strategies, structures and processes that will lead us in the direction of environmental sustainability. It sets direction in many (but not all) key areas and builds on the environmental protection and enhancement efforts being carried out by the City, other agencies, and hundreds of individuals and organizations in all sectors of society.The Mandate of the Environmental Task ForceThe City of Toronto Environmental Task Force (the ETF) was created by City Council in March 1998 in the belief that governments, in partnership with citizens and stakeholders, should set the agenda for protecting and enhancing the natural environment. The ETF was made up of City Councillors, City staff, representatives from environmental agencies and citizens representing business, labour and environmental groups, school boards, universities and schools across Toronto. The fundamental objective of the ETF was to prepare a comprehensive Environmental Plan for the City.Clean, Green and Healthy: A Plan for an Environmentally Sustainable Toronto (the Environmental Plan) is the result of 22 months of work by the ETF and many other people. It contains a Vision for an environmentally sustainable future, a Sustainability Goal, a set of Environmental Principles to guide decision-making, and a series of recommendations aimed at improving the health of the natural environment. It also contains a list of interim indicators for monitoring environmental performance, and recommendations on governance structures and processes that will help build environmental considerations into decision-making processes.How the Environmental Plan was DevelopedThe development of the Environmental Plan began with a series of workshops that were hosted by the ETF in September 1998. These workshops, attended by 100 participants, identified priority issues for the ETF to address, and over 200 potential "Quick Start" actions to improve the health of the environment. Thirty-four of these Quick Start actions were later forwarded by the ETF to City Council and appropriate City departments, and many were subsequently approved by City Council .Also in September 1998, the ETF hosted a Vision and Priority Setting Workshop. The outcome of this workshop was a Sustainability Goal, a Vision for a sustainable future, and a set of Environmental Principles to guide decision-making (see section 3.0).In developing the Environmental Plan, the ETF chose four areas to work in that it believed would help move the City towards sustainability. These areas were:* transportation;* energy use;* economic development; and* education and awareness.These areas were selected because they echoed many of the key themes that were raised in the early workshops and include issues that City Council had asked the ETF to work on. They also represented issues in which work is not currently being carried out in a comprehensive way and in which the ETF felt it could play an important role in bringing players together.To address the above issues, the ETF created the Sustainable Transportation, Sustainable Energy, Green Economy and Education and Awareness Work Groups. The Work Groups were charged with identifying gaps in the coverage of sustainability issues, developing objectives and targets, and identifying policies, strategies and actions to move towards environmental sustainability. The Work Group Reports are published under separate cover (see Appendix E), and their findings are included in the Environmental Plan in the sections 6.0 (Moving Towards Sustainability) and 7.0 (Education and Awareness). The Work Groups also prepared Directories that list local businesses and organizations working or providing goods and services in these areas. The Directories are posted on the ETF website.Part of the ETF's mandate was to recommend a governance structure that would incorporate advanced environmental decision-making into the political and administrative structure of the City. After ten months of discussion, the ETF released a consultation document, "Towards Advanced Decision-Making in the City of Toronto", which outlined the Task Force's ideas on sustainability and governance. The document was widely distributed and feedback was solicited on it. Over 200 people commented on the document in writing or at workshops, and the ETF subsequently developed a recommended governance model, which was adopted by City Council in December 1999. The recommendations are included in the section 8.0 (Planning, Management and Governance).The ETF also set up an Indicator Work Group to look at environmental and sustainability monitoring, evaluation and reporting. Its findings are included in the section 9.0 of this Plan (Measuring and Reporting Progress).Involvement of the broad community was a fundamental part of the development of the Environmental Plan. To inform people about the ETF's work, a newsletter was developed and four issues of it were prepared and widely distributed. The newsletter was a major tool to inform people about ETF activities and progress. All sectors of the community - citizens, business, agencies and environmental organizations - were encouraged to take part in workshops, governance meetings, monthly ETF meetings, or in the Work Groups. In total, about 1,300 people participated in Environmental Task Force activities.Review the Status Report: Implementation of the Environmental Plan Initiatives which provides the first comprehensive analysis of the initiatives resulting from the Environmental Plan.

one month to go

One month from now we will all be asked to go to the polls to cast a vote for Mayor, Councillor and School Board Trustee.I would like to be the person that you send to Toronto City Hall as your City Councillor for Ward 13.While this is my first time running for City Council, I feel that I have the passion and experience to represent Ward 13 at City Hall and deal with the issues, questions and concerns that impact us every day.My experience as Director of Housing at the University of Toronto and in Student Affairs/Housing at Wilfrid Laurier and the University of Waterloo provided me with the opportunity to support and empower students while working with various departments that seemed to have competing goals. I was held accountable to both sides in the university and needed to find ways to make sure that all needs were heard and addressed.In the last 7 years I have been the Executive Director and Fundraiser of a The Student Life Education Company, a national not for profit that works with high schools to empower youth to stop impaired driving and also works with College and University students to support them in healthy choices around alcohol and other health issues. In this position I have learned that partnerships make anything possible and that a shortage of money does not mean a shortage of great work and progress.I think my experience makes me the best candidate to represent you in ward 13 - and on November 13th I hope you will agree - and vote Frances Wdowczyk for city council.

quiet night with the family

Elect Frances

I am spending a quiet night with family tonight.I will be back blogging tomorrow!

Swansea Area All Candidates Meeting

Thank you to all of you who attended the Swansea Area All Candidates Meeting held earlier this evening.It was a pleasure to meet you and to answer your questions.Thank you also to the Swansea Area Ratepayers Association for organizing and promoting the event.The next all candidates meeting that I am aware of is hosted by the Bloor West Village Residence Association on Wednesday November 8th, 7:30 pm (doors open at 7:15) at Runnymede United Church (Basement).

sustainable communities

My vision of sustainable communities is inspired by the Sustainability Goal in the Final Report of the Environmental Task Force 2000.The Sustainability Goal reads as follows:"The City of Toronto's environment, community and economy should be healthy and vibrant and should meet the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs." (page 18, http://www.toronto.ca/council/etfepfin.pdf)This is inspiring to me because I feel that when our city is healthy and happy then the ripple effect carries into the rest of the province, and even to Canada as a whole.
Equally important and inspiring is that the sustainability goal challenges each of us to move away from the expensive and quick-fix approach - to find solutions that come from innovative thinking, vision and courage.More on this in my next blog.

what you can count on me for

I entered this race because I want to make a difference in ward 13 and in Toronto.Here are a few things you can count on if you elect me.1. I believe in community consultation and communication. I will ask you for your opinions at meetings, in surveys, electronically and on paper. My job is to be available and hear from you.2. I am accountable to you. I will report to you, be available to you and represent you. You will be invited to comment on my work and our issues.3. When I need to make a decision or vote I will look at it from a place of sustaining the community. I will ask if this decision will serve and empower the community in the short term AND will the decision positively impact the community in the long term.4. I am committed to ward 13 growing, developing and the community being proud of and involved in its growth. I have the same commitment to the City of Toronto. You can count on me to work with city staff, fellow City Councillors, and the Mayor to get the job done in a timely fashion with all parties being respected. I can be counted on to work with parliamentary rules to move the issue forward not to hold it back.5. You can count on me to be at Council Meetings and actively voting and debating to resolve issues or move them forward.6. Toronto is now the 6th largest government in Canada. I take the new powers and responsibilities attached to this seriously and will not support using these powers for quick fixes and fast tax grabs.7. I will work with Police and City Staff to create a community driven plan for traffic safety.8. I support Toronto's Environmental Plan9. I support Youth involvement and consultation on issues.10. I will give you all I have to give.

thanksgiving in brantford

I have just returned from a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner and visit with my family in Brantford and I am stuffed and very happy to have spent quality time with my family. At the dinner table today was my immediate family. My younger sister Kathy and her husband Matt, my younger brother Stephen and my parents and John and I. As usual we had fabulous food.
We had cabbage rolls (Kathy makes the best ever), Patyczki (from the Polish Hall), turkey, stuffing (my specialty) potatoes and gravy and 3 vegetables! Every bite was great and made with love. Food, family and celebration go hand in hand in my family ( I have over 50 aunts, uncles and cousins within an hours drive of Toronto and there is always great food when we get together). It was great to see my family and have the time to share my experiences of running for city council with them. As you may imagine my family is very excited and proud that I am running for council.
Both of my parents immigrated to Canada from Poland in the early 1950's. They are hard working and proud people who believe and have demonstrated that everyone has a duty to contribute in a positive way their community. Clearly the apple does not fall far from the tree. I have taken this value to heart and been an active and contributing member to every community I have lived in. I am pleased to make a difference in ward 13 and look forward to having the opportunity as a city councillor.

what a great day

What a great day I had today.I had the chance to go door to door on this sunny Saturday afternoon and hear what is important to you as members of the Ward 13 community.First off - a sunny Saturday on a long weekend is a great time to talk about the ward. Many of you shared the things you love about the area. The great parks, the wonderful shops and shop keepers, our tree lined streets, our caring neighbours and the indescribable "positive feeling” in the ward. Perhaps at election time we Torontonians focus a on the problems - and miss the opportunity to celebrate and really enjoy the things we love about our city.So, as I prepare for our family Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow night I will simply say what I love about ward 13 - and why my husband , children and I live here - is because we love walking to the shops and services we need and being able to say hello to people on our way. There is a warmth in our community that is unique to the area. This warmth is difficult to sum up in one phrase or even a paragraph AND it is worth protecting, nurturing and growing. What if the entire city of Toronto was bubbling with this warmth? How proud, safe, and optimistic would we all feel?Now that is something to work on.Enjoy your long weekend....

The first Ward 13 All Candidates Meeting has been announced!Here are the details:

SWANSEA AREA RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATIONALL-CANDIDATES’ MEETINGFor TheMunicipal ElectionWEDNESDAY, OCT 11, 7:30pmatSWANSEA TOWN HALL95 Lavinia Avenue

This is an excellent time to come meet the Candidates for Ward 13 and find out where we stand on the issues that are important to you. This is an exciting part of the election process. Thank you to the Swansea Area Ratepayers Association for organizing this opportunity.If you would like to speak to me this weekend here is my scheduleSaturday October 7th - 10:30 to 2:30 in the ward meeting you at your front door!- 2:30 to 4:00 enjoying a cup of coffee at Java Joes (Jane and Annette) come by to say hello or with your questions.Sunday October 8th - Family day. Off to see my parents and family for Thanksgiving in my home town of Brantford Ontario.Monday October 9th - 11:00 to 1:00 in my elections office 153 B Jane Street. Come by and say hello and share your concerns!I hope that each of you have a wonderful long weekend.Happy Thanksgiving!

why am i running?

All too often we find ourselves being talked at or talked to, but rarely are we encouraged to participate in an effective dialogue with our representatives. Eleanor Roosevelt said "....if we are to live together we have to talk". It is my belief that in order to affect change one must first listen. It is my intent to encourage dialogue in order to accurately and effectively represent the constituents of Ward 13.I moved to Toronto ten years ago in order to work at the University of Toronto and chose to make Parkdale-High Park my home. I find myself stimulated by the diversity and beauty of the area, spending many happy days with my husband and our two children, roaming the craft shows and street festivals or hiking the trails of the Humber River and High Park.I have spent the last fifteen years working with post secondary students across the country supporting healthy choices regarding alcohol and drug usage. I was also co-owner of a company that educated students in the areas of sexual assault (prevention and support), sexual harassment (prevention and support), and I also developed programs in cooperation with students that encourage empowerment and the accurate reporting of social behaviour within community/campus so that students have a true reflection of their peers in order to feel more inclusive. For the past six years I have been the Executive Director and Fundraiser for the Student Life Education Company and have been a member of its board for the past ten years. I have worked for a number of years in cooperation with the Metro Toronto Police, and have been a sponsor and participant in the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police “Drive Safe Campaign”.I am passionate about our community and I believe its leadership must reflect the flavor of the neighborhood. I will encourage the partnership of government and community. I will listen to your concerns and together we will work to find a solution. Speeding, pedestrian and bicycle safety, increased traffic are all of concern. As is urban development and abuse of power. I intend to create a forum working with the community and local police to develop solutions to local traffic concerns. Further I intend to press for accountability within council especially in light of the new City of Toronto Act and will ensure that your tax dollars are spent wisely.On November 13th lets raise our voices collectively and demand to be heard

The importance of Youth in our community

The Toronto Youth Cabinet recently sent out a survey regarding youth engagement and youth related issues.Supporting and empowering youth has been my passion and my career for over 16 years. I appreciated the opportunity to respond to their questions . Here are some of my answers.Question:a) It is said that we are no longer debating “why” youth should be involved, but how. What is your workplace plan for engaging young people in your ward?Response:Youth are our future and an important part of our community in ward 13 and Toronto as a whole.I will engage youth through ward- wide youth only forums and meeting/brainstorming sessions.I will further engage youth by working in partnership with ward and city community groups, businesses, schools, sports and interest groups to be sure that youth are empowered to put their ideas forward and be heard. Not every idea can be acted on immediately and not every idea is workable but every idea must be heard and discussed so that new issues, ideas and solutions can be brought forward. The experts for youth issues are the youth in the city that are experiencing the issues. My job is to encourage and support the youth voice so that progress is made and owned by youth. Change happens from within, youth will own the change they impact. I am committed to that.I run a not for profit organization that empowers youth to work together to educate other youth, their peers, on making healthy choices about alcohol, drinking and driving and other health issues. I bring this experience, listening, commitment and passion with me in my bid to be the City Councillor for ward 13. You are our future.Question:b) We tend to speak about deficiencies in our communities and what is lacking rather than about what is positive and how we can build on it. What assets do young people in your ward possess, and what specifically will you do to ensure that these assets are mobilized and used as building blocks for community building in your constituency?Response:I could not agree more! Deficiencies are only one part of the puzzle. There are things that are working and should be celebrated, showcased, and built on.Young people in ward 13 have an enthusiasm and freedom that is sometimes lost by the time we become adults. They are willing to look way outside the box and take the risk associated with what they see outside the box. That ability, coupled with the passion and desire to make a change in their lifetime is a gift and should be utilized when looking for solutions. Finally, Youth are the experts about youth. Peer based education works and has been shown to be effective worldwide. Peers speaking with peers about the issues and solutions will bring about change at a rapid rate and change that is significant as it is owned and created by youth.So, what would I do? Have an open door policy for youth to see me and work with me on community solutions. Have a community wide youth meeting or symposium. Have youth work with me on committees, in the office and on special events (youth related or not).Every committee should have a youthful voice.

time to stop and say thank you

Today I am keenly aware of all the people who are supporting me in my bid for City Councillor. If it takes a village to raise a child then it really does take a city to raise a city councillor.So why is this on my mind today? Well, today I watched my brother work long and hard on getting my printed material done and then went to the office with our friend Lance to make a few much needed adjustments. Everything looks great Stephen, Thank you. My campaign logistics guru called to make sure all was running well followed by an uplifting email from my volunteer coordinator. This they did in between busy meetings and on their lunch hours. Then, my husband went over to the election office to work on phone and computer issues ... now things are perfect. Later today I received personal donations from good friends and family with notes of encouragement that could only make you smile. And finally my very best friend Carmi featured me on her blog (http://carmi.ca) with a write up that touched me more than I can say.So, time to take a minute and be grateful.All of you believe I can make a difference in ward 13 and in the City of Toronto. Thanks for your trust.To all of my volunteers who are leading busy lives and still working long and hard to support me I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. We still have 6 weeks to go together and I look forward to having you by my side the entire time. Thank youTo my husband , children and extended family and friends … thanks for being there from the beginning and supporting my longtime dream to run for public office. It is great to be finally moving this dream forward.And finally thank you to the community of ward 13. I have already learned so much from you and about you. Thanks for your issues, your discussions, your invitations, your concerns and your suggestions. I heard them all! I am pleased to be your neighbour and to work with you to make ward 13 a safer community with a very loud voice that is heard at City Hall

elect frances

The overall issue of traffic and the impact it has on our community is one issue that is I am concerned about - actually I am frustrated by it.Speeding cars and increasing volume of traffic make pedestrians and cyclist that feel that they are ignored as they try to cross the street. These are just the starting points of my frustration. How we are managing these traffic issues - that is the real question.I have had the privilege of attending 2 community meetings regarding the traffic calming measures being put in place on Runnymede Rd and the concerns that these calming measures may shift the traffic flow to neighbouring streets, specifically Beresford, Lavinia and Durie streets.What has become very clear at these meetings is that people are unhappy and frustrated with the fact they were not notified or consulted in anyway about the change on Runnymede and its possible impact on their streets.To their credit the residents on Runnymede had an issue with the speed and volume on their street and worked for a reported 2 year period to get it corrected. Good for them.They put their frustration to work and got results.Traffic calming will be put in and the speed on the street will be reduced.The questions that I am left asking is what will the impact be on the rest of the ward, how was the potential impact assessed, and why were no residents from streets other than Runnymede consulted or advised?We all want to be safe and have traffic appropriate for the families and businesses who make up our neighbourhood. The big question is how do we get that for all of ward 13?We need a global approach to managing traffic in our ward not "hit and run" solutions on certain streets.

elect frances

Thursday September 21st I officially launched my election campaign.It was an exciting and empowering evening!Thank you to everyone who organized, donated and attended. Your support made the world of difference!Special thanks to the Dark Horse for their support!I want to epecially want t thank you, the members of the Ward 13 community for coming to meet me and discuss your issues. Your passion for the issues of Ward 13 and Toronto as a whole are inspiring.I am now taking my campaign to your neighbourhoods. I am ready to listen to you, talk with you and turn these conversations into partnerships that make a difference in Ward 13 and the City of Toronto.I look forward to seeing you in your neighbourhood....Frances Wdowczyk

elect frances

Eleanor Roosevelt said"......if we are to live together we have to talk"Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. This is one of many ways that I have to talk and listen to the people of Ward 13.I am very excited to be running for City Council in Ward 13, Parkdale-High Park. I have always been interested and involved in politics in some way,shape or form and now I feel that it is time to step up and put my name, passion and ideas forward in the municipal arena.I will be using this blog as an informal tool to keep you updated on my issues, events and experiences as a candidate for Ward 13 . As communication is a two-way street, I invite you to tell me about your issues, concerns and experiences in Ward 13 and the City of Toronto as a whole.I look forward to talking with you ....Frances Wdowczyk