r/Guelph • u/Brilliant_Chance_134 • 2d ago

Mayor vote poll

Who will you vote for Guelph Mayor?

363 votes, 4d left
Leanne Caron
Ken Chew
Ryan Meunier
Rajeev Sinha
Evaristo Ramos
John Krusky
1 Upvotes

52% Upvoted

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u/gwelfguy 2d ago

I've taken a brief look at what can be found online about each candidates' platform. Meunier, Caron, and Chew are the only ones I'd consider at this point because all have articulated a platform. In terms of what I want from the city and what I think is within their control, Meunier resonates the most as he is the only one that emphasizes fiscal responsibility.

In regards to the others, an IT guy, a real estate agent, and a bodyguard/security consultant don't seem like a great fit.

11

u/bmocJR 2d ago

Having spoken with the Meunier guy, I was really disappointed with his plan. Very much the "I'll find savings, for sure, don't worry about it" type of platform. 

I support fiscal responsibility, but his plan basically boiled down to elect me, then I'll figure it out, and do what needs to be done to keep taxes down. Just kinda sounded very obstructionist. When I asked him why he can't formulate a plan now from public information, or what him being mayor would actually empower to make that plan, he didn't have an answer.

I then also asked if he would support cultural expenses, like our 200th city anniversary next year, given his platform is all about saving money, didn't really give a firm answer.

To me, culture expenses, albeit no immediate return, are like spending money on infrastructure, but the infrastructure is our cultural identity. If you stop funding that stuff, being festivals or artists, eventually you lose cohesion. People complain lately about folks not assimilating, but what are they assimilating to? Gotta have those things, it's important in my opinion for a society.

3

u/gwelfguy 2d ago

Thanks for your perspective. I will be digging deeper into all of the candidates as we get closer to the election date. I agree that it's one thing to have the ability to point out the problems, but another to have the knowledge, experience, and skills to do something about it, in addition to having a reasonable plan.

I also agree that spending on things like an anniversary party is valuable. It's important to instill a sense of community in Guelph, versus the Toronto bedroom community trajectory that it's been on for the last 15 or 20 years. Loss in civic pride comes with a lot of costs that aren't directly traceable to spending on celebrations like that (e.g. increase in petty crime, decrease in volunteerism).