Unusual Candidates Vie For Mayor’s Chair

It only costs $200 to register. And it only happens once every couple of years.

That may explain why there’s always an eclectic group of people who have a vision of being Toronto’s next mayor.

While most expect high profile candidates like David Miller, Jane Pitfield or Stephen LeDrew will be sitting comfortably at City Hall after the vote on November 13th, there are what the media likes to call the fringe candidates – people who take a run at the office to make a point, knowing they have almost no chance of getting elected.

And they’re out in force in this race. No less than 38 people ponied up the 200 bucks to get their name on the list. They’ve been out stumping in their own determined style ever since.

Take Diana-De-Maxted, a woman who wore a tiara and a fairy dress to the first mayor’s debate earlier this month. You may not cast your ballot for her, but you certainly won’t forget her.

Each one seems to have their own political axe to grind in the civic race.

“I’m running because I have a plan and strategy to shift the economics of our city,” relates Mitch Gold.
 
Rod Muir is dedicated to solving Toronto’s garbage dilemma. “That’s the issue upon which I am running for mayor,” he avers. “Waste diversion.”

Then there’s Joel Rubinovich. “Transit, taxes, citizen parings. Garbage … Security, why are there so many issues if we have such good government?” he asks.

Scott Yee not only wants to win Miller’s job. He has his sights set on becoming President of the World.  “Well, is there anything wrong? What’s wrong with world government?” he demands. “What is wrong with working together?”

And some are convinced they’ll win it all. “David is going to withdraw and I will be the next mayor,” predicts Gold.

Who’s to say he won’t?

Well, actually you will. You’ll get the chance to pick your favorite for the post when the big vote finally gets cast on November 13th.

There are 38 candidates in all going for the big prize. Here’s a brief look at a few of the ones who claim they never get much coverage.

Michael Alexander

The Toronto filmmaker got involved in the race because he couldn’t get any answers from Mayor Miller about the new film studios that are supposed to be built downtown. He calls himself ‘the anklebiter’. “This just is much too important for politicians,” his website warns.

Kevin Mark Clarke

If he were to somehow make it to City Hall, Clarke would have a new address. Because for a long time, he didn’t have one.

He was homeless for years, after his automobile business failed in 1998, raising money singing and preaching on the streets, wearing his signature long flowing white robes. He’s back on his feet now working as an actor, but hasn’t forgotten what it’s like to be on the outside looking in.

When he ran for mayor of East York in 1994 he promised to resign three months after being elected to form a new party. He never got the chance to keep that vow.

Glenn Coles

The York University, Guelph University and Seneca College graduate describes himself as a ‘holistic healer’  who practices everything from Tai Chi to therapeutic touch and a “wide range of spiritual philosophies.”

Hazel Jackson

Her website shows a picture of the 51-year-old playing an accordion onboard a TTC bus. Among her hopes for Toronto:

“[I] imagine all the rooftops covered in green – maybe some windmills – certainly lots more community gardens. I think it would be nice to see a community oven in every local park so that we could bake our bread and socialize in a beautiful setting.”

Adam Sit & Shaun Bruce

Their claims to fame are their ages. Sit is just 21 and the university student wants to make Toronto a more youth-oriented place.

He’s just a year younger than another fresh face in the race. Shaun Bruce is a 22-year-old University of Guelph student who entered the race at the urging of his public affairs classmates.

Like Sit, almost all of his issues surround youth and the plight of younger people.

David Vallance

Click on his name and you’ll be transported to a website that suggests the city should become “The Province of Toronto”.

The founder of the Bloor-Annex Business Improvement Association hates the idea that taxpayers are forced to subsidize higher costs across Ontario while paying a lot of the freight. And he thinks the city could do a lot more than it is.

“He believes that potential will never be realized so long as Toronto remains a powerless, impoverished child of the province,” his bio states. “His solution is to turn Toronto into a province.”

Gerald Derome

He goes by the nickname “epqannaman” and he lists his occupation as a “Global Social Eng. Terraformer”. His location is written as “Earth”. 

He also claims “I am being ignored by the media just like in 2003. I am gaining confidence with every so called “debate”, or “presentation.”

One of Derome’s blog gives away some of his philosophy with the following sentence. “If ignorance is bliss, then knowledge must be painfull.” (sic)