Can I pick 'em or what?

And now for the autopsy.
I especially like the day after an election. Yes, it’s all over but the crying.
During the past two months, all but one or two of the 120-plus candidates across York Region reacted well to my criticism, teasing and silliness.   
I suggested some candidates struggled with both the truth and reality while hinting others were in an electoral race for all the wrong reasons.
And, when I  lined all the mayoral candidates up on a stage and stuck ferrets down their pants, nobody contacted a lawyer.
In fact, the ferret-fighting candidates were good sports.
In keeping with tradition, the first thing I do after an election is to check my predictions. My Election 2006 predictions were made in early September.   
This time out, I called eight of the nine York Region mayor races.
My crystal ball was wrong in Aurora.
I predicted incumbent Tim Jones to hold on despite challenges from Phyllis Morris and Nigel Kean, two veteran councillors.
I did, however, notice that 10 days before the vote, the tired wheels came off Mr. Kean’s campaign, giving Ms Morris the edge.
Here’s another prediction: Ms Morris will be a very good mayor.
Unlike other York Region mayors, Mr. Jones was straddled with a dysfunctional council and simply lacked the necessary leadership skills to fix it.
Did the voters in of Aurora finally realize fighting between members of council was not only an embarrassment to democracy, but compromised the town’s business?
Did the blatant lack of teamwork on Aurora’s council fuel Mr. Jones’ downfall?
I assume the abnormal became the norm for Tim. He was not only unable to put a stop to it, he minimized its gravity. 
Still, Aurora has good reasons to thank Tim Jones. He did his best. I wish him well.
Re-electing Margaret Black in King Township and electing Tony Van Bynen in Newmarket, Linda Jackson in Vaughan and Wayne Emmerson in Whitchurch-Stouffville will prove to be the very best choices. Voters in all four municipalities should take a bow.
Of course, the only winner in Markham was Frank Scarpitti. He had it from the get-go, while Dave Barrow will not disappoint Richmond Hill.
In the north, voters stuck with who they know. All things considered, Rob Grossi in Georgina and Jamie Young in East Gwillimbury deserved their wins.
So ends the autopsy on Vote 2006.
P.S. I’ll stick with the blog if you do.

Comments

[Brian Johns]

Stick with it!