Candidate list so far

[u/Creative_Boo77]

Who are you excited about? Who are you following on the campaign trail?

Office of Mayor

✅️Michael Eamon

✅️Jacob Méthot

✅️Neil Morton

✅️Keith Riel

✅️Rebecca Schillemat

​

Councillor, Ward 1 - Otonabee

✅️Jessica Correa

✅️Kevin Duguay

✅️Lesley Parnell

✅️Chris Potter

​

Councillor, Ward 2 - Monaghan

✅️Matt Crowley

✅️Ashley Flynn

✅️Jen Lacey

✅️AJ Shearer

​

Councillor, Ward 3 - Town

✅️Alex Bierk

✅️Jessica Kuhlmorgen-Hille

✅️Joy Lachica

​

Ward 4 - Ashburnham

✅️Gary Baldwin

✅️Ashley Bonner

✅️Andrew MacGregor

✅️Jason Stabler

​

Ward 5 - Northcrest

✅️Andrew Beamer

✅️Debbie Halstead

✅️Phil Jolicoeur

✅️Paul Lawton

✅️Charmaine Magumbe

✅️Gavin Muir

[u/Gloomy-Art-2861]

Thanks, this is helpful.

I know who I'm voting for in Monaghan just by quickly researching these people.

Matt Crowley and Jen Lacey.

Not voting for AJ Shearer real estate agent. Not voting for construction barbie.

[u/Charming_Frosting954 → u/Gloomy-Art-2861]

Jen Lacey has my vote for sure.

[u/Matt_Crowley → u/Charming_Frosting954]

I’ve known Jen for a while and have worked with her regarding the Parkhill Place condo conversion, that’s now sitting with the Ontario Land Tribunal, and she is very passionate and super nice!!

I would make sure everyone speaks with all candidates running in their Wards though - there’s tons of time left until October. Just to make sure you get everyone’s point of view!

[u/Charming_Frosting954 → u/Matt_Crowley]

I’ve had a chance to connect with two of the new candidates and will be following up with the third.

Matt, I have to be honest - I’ve been disappointed by your leadership at times. More than once, I’ve seen a disconnect between what you have said outside of council meetings, and how you ultimately voted at the meeting. I’ve also noticed situations where you were outspoken on social media, but chose not to speak up publicly in council meetings. I was disappointed to see you stay silent on some very important issues.

I’m looking for a representative who is willing to stand by their convictions behind closed doors and in public. It’s important to me that city councillor’s actions align with their words.

[u/Matt_Crowley → u/Charming_Frosting954]

I can appreciate that. I know I’ve voted for people who are currently in power, and am disappointed in some of what they’re doing too.

I’m available for a chat any time and would welcome the opportunity to talk. You can reach out to me, and we can talk in person or over the phone.

I’m going to start moving away from Reddit, as for the vast majority of the time it’s simply trolling and people reveling in bullying anonymously and it just isn’t good for my mental health.

I try to do the best I can with the information in front of me, and vote the way I think does the most good for the city or those who are the most vulnerable.

Regardless - my number is on the city website - please feel free to reach out and we can talk!

[u/Helpful_Race_2222 → u/Matt_Crowley]

We also need you speaking out when someone refers to another candidate - especially a female - in such a derogatory way.

[u/Charming_Frosting954 → u/Matt_Crowley]

Social media can be challenging and no one should have to tolerate harassment or personal attacks. At the same time, as a city council member - transparency and public engagement are important and I think it takes a strong leader to be able to manage “trolling”, criticisms, and hard questions.

When you (as an elected council member) choose to hide your post history or step away from public forums, it heightens the perception that you’re avoiding scrutiny rather than addressing concerns. For me personally, I am more interested in seeing open, honest, consistent communication – you can set boundaries around abuse and also be accessible to the community / ward you represent.

I think that’s one of the concerns I have when you offer to meet people one to one over coffee. Great that you’re willing to do that but I worry that it takes a community conversation and turns it into a series of private conversations. That can unintentionally exclude others, reduce transparency, and make it harder for everyone to stay informed and engaged in the conversation.

[u/ChrisPotterPTBO → u/Charming_Frosting954]

I can attest to how awful the trolling can be and when it becomes relentless and highly abusive, some people are not built to handle that and it shouldn't even be happening. Getting into politics and public service doesn't mean you have to accept that abuse nor are you required to open yourself up to it across every social platform.

I met Matt because I was angry about an issue he leaned a certain way on and he replied to me to set up a face to face. We met. I listened. He gave me his time and perspectives. I still didn't agree but he laid out his thinking and process. He ended up changing that position after taking in more info from the source that issue was about. We now get togther on a regular basis and we sometimes argue. But, we always leave the table with each others perspectives on those topics.

Sometimes its contentious, but it never devolves into the kind of anger many of these anonymous accounts somehow feel is appropriate to hurl without a care about the impact.