Newmarket Election Notebook: What's an election without sign controversy?

From disappearing signs, and signs knocked over and trashed to unwanted signs appearing on local lawns, the signs, the signs, they’re on everyone’s minds.

Local reports of municipal election sign tomfoolery is largely chalked up to mischievous young people, but some candidates expressed a bit more suspicion about who or what is tampering with their signs.

The Town of Newmarket has received inquiries about the placement of election signs around the community, and bylaw officers have been dispatched to address those concerns. Some signs have been removed because they don’t comply with the Town’s election sign bylaw, a spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, mayoral candidate John Taylor posted a photo of one of his signs that appears to have been knocked over in the Facebook group Newmarket Votes. “Is it my imagination or did it get a lot windier right after election signs went up?”

The vandalism of four large corner signs that seem to be kicked over, and the destruction of 12 smaller lawn signs, proved too much for mayoral candidate Joe Wamback.

“It’s distressing as my sign crew comprises a friend, my wife and I. It’s difficult, time-consuming, and costly,” he wrote on Facebook. “Looks like someone doesn’t want my signs to be noticed?”

Ward 2 councillor candidate Bill Kukulewich, likewise, toured a neighbourhood to check on his election signs and found about eight missing from lawns where residents had requested one to show support.

Voters are none too pleased, either.

“That’s playground politics and there’s no room for that in our town!” resident John Walker said.

Resident Chris Campbell went a step further: “Cowards are probably doing it in the cover of darkness. If you see anyone doing this, call them out and try to identify them so they can be reported.”

Ward 3 councillor candidate Jane Twinney said election sign mischief happens to all candidates.

“All candidates have to abide by the sign bylaws, as well,” she said. “That is why my sign guy (aka my husband), uses a tape measure to ensure all signs are not too close to roads and sidewalks, or fire hydrants. Sometimes, though, grass is cut and homeowners move them to a spot that isn’t in compliance.”

So, there’s much ado about elections signs, but is there a return on investment?

”If you spent the same amount of time organizing volunteers for door-knocking as you do for yard signs, you will make a real difference in persuading and turning out voters,” political consultant Joe Fuld wrote on TheCampaignWorkshop.com.  “At best, with a sign program, you will increase name (recognition) without any persuasion.”

Fuld also calculates that one campaign sign takes about five minutes to get permission to place it, five minutes to assemble, and 10 minutes to place.

“So, 2,000 yard signs will take you 666 hours of volunteer time. If you multiply that by $15 an hour you come up with a value of $10,000.  Add that to the cost of a sign and you have a total of $18,000 for 2,000 yard signs,” he said, adding in his view, there’s a much higher return on investment for organizing volunteers for door-knocking.

Yes/no snappers, dream projects and top issues from challengers for Town's top political gig

Responses are still rolling in to NewmarketToday.ca’s all-candidates’ questionnaire. Each municipal election candidate in Newmarket was invited to submit responses, which have been published unedited and unaltered, to strict word count limits.

Today, the mayoral candidates' responses to a series of yes/no questions, dream project for the town, and top local issues are highlighted below, in alphabetical order. 

To read the answers of the participating candidates who took on our challenge, as well as election issue stories, and more, visit our election pages at https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/newmarketvotes

Mayoral candidate John Taylor

Yes or No? (1-word limit):

Should salaries be reduced for the mayor and councillors? No

Are taxes too high for the services provided to residents? No

Do you support tax increases to pay for the purchase of properties, such as Mulock Estates? Yes

Should opening a second branch of Newmarket Public Library be a top priority for the next term? No

Should the town continue to give incentives and loans to Main Street businesses as part of its revitalization strategy? Yes

Should the town provide additional incentives to developers to encourage more affordable rental units? Yes

Should councillors be required to provide more fully itemized and detailed expense reports, accessible online at no cost to the public? No

Should the mayor and councillors block followers on their town social media accounts? No

Should there be fixed terms for councillors? No

What are the two most important issues for your ward/constituents? (200-word limit):

Quality of Life:  Residents in the Town of Newmarket want and expect an exceptional quality of life. They want beautiful parks, trails, and facilities such as the Magna Centre.  We must continue to expand our trail network, build out the Mulock Farm Park and build a skate park and outdoor arena for our youth. The residents of Newmarket want a world class hospital, an award winning Main Street and a world class Mall. As Mayor I have to work with all stakeholders to ensure we continue to provide the best possible quality of life achievable.

Strong local Economy: A strong local economy provides local businesses and entrepreneurs with the basis for success. A strong local economy means residential property value will remain strong protecting the largest asset of many of our residents. A strong local economy supports social agencies and charities with the dollars they need to thrive. We must continue to attract world class companies like Celestica, we must build out our new broadband company to provide a competitive advantage and we must support our local small business base. Residents want a prosperous Town and Region and we must strategically deliver on this goal.

Describe your dream project that would result in a better quality of life in Newmarket. (100-word limit):

A dream project for the town of Newmarket should be of value to virtually every resident and it should be financially manageable. Building out the Mulock farm to be a destination for every resident in Newmarket with green space, activities, and entertainment is the most exciting project I have seen in decades.  This 11 acre site is a blank slate. In this next term of Council we must ‘get it right’ and ensure this park becomes something amazing not just something good.

Mayoral candidate Joe Wamback

Yes or No? (1-word limit):

Should salaries be reduced for the mayor and councillors? Yes

Are taxes too high for the services provided to residents? Yes

Do you support tax increases to pay for the purchase of properties, such as Mulock Estates? No

Should opening a second branch of Newmarket Public Library be a top priority for the next term? No

Should the town continue to give incentives and loans to Main Street businesses as part of its revitalization strategy? No

Should the town provide additional incentives to developers to encourage more affordable rental units? Yes

Should councillors be required to provide more fully itemized and detailed expense reports, accessible online at no cost to the public? Yes

Should the mayor and councillors block followers on their town social media accounts? No

Should there be fixed terms for councillors? Yes

Describe your dream project that would result in a better quality of life in Newmarket. (100-word limit):

I don’t have a dream project. My vision for Newmarket is for Accountability, Clarity and Transparency to be the rule of the day.  We must respect taxpayer’s dollars and I have no desire to create a legacy project named after me. We need a reliable connected transportation network that works, liveable affordable housing, functional libraries and predictable secure services and most importantly open communication between the Town and its residents. My full platform can be found at www.wamback.net The residents of Newmarket deserve a Mayor who will be fully committed to principles that will make this town even better...

What are the two most important issues for your ward/constituents? (200-word limit):

All of the items in my Platform are important to me and the residents of Newmarket. We must re-establish good working relations with the Province. Our current Council has failed to secure funding for a new sewage treatment plant to handle our future.

We cannot build any new projects as we cannot process the waste water. We need business investment to reduce the Towns dependence on Residential assessment for property taxes which includes cutting red tape and monitoring design criteria to benefit Newmarket.

I will maintain the uniqueness of Main Street and review Mulock farm purchase with long term goals to be consistent with the best interests of taxpayers that include quality housing integrated with trails and parks. I will make this property work for residents so it does not become a tax burden for our children and grandchildren. I will create parking north of Riverwalk commons with an elevated walkway to Main Street that will be free of charge for all Newmarket residents and encourage new business development on Main Street. I will create a fully ...