After the environmental debate I was disappointed and angered by the local media's portrayal of the event being about two candidates. I began drafting my own letter to the editor to express how I felt. Below is what I settled on. I doubt I will be called to ask for permission to publish it and as such I am publishing it here on Mos Publicus.
Enjoy.
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Wednesday 29/09/2010
To the Editors of
Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Sun
Metro News Ottawa
24 Hours Ottawa
Re: Race for mayor has more than two ponies
In today’s social media savvy world, I find it hard to believe that print media is still attempting to pull the wool over the eyes of the readership of the city. Having recently been able to follow the Kiwanis debate on Twitter and also tweeting the environmental debate myself, I can safely say that you and your papers are painting the local political landscape in two shades of Jim and Larry. The fact of the matter is that while Watson and O’Brien acting like children can make headlines, the real story is being lost: there is another viable candidate for mayor.
Let me preface this by saying former Nepean mayor and 21-years removed from politics, Andrew Haydon, is not the candidate in mind. He decided at the 11th hour to throw his hat into the ring and it is clear from the debates that he has no interest in taking his campaign seriously. He has, from the start, played the role of spoiler for Watson and O’Brien with his antics. Meanwhile, Clive Doucet has very quietly – at least if you read the papers – been slugging through the muck and mire.
It is true that most in Ottawa only see Doucet as a one trick pony. He is the guy who opposed Lansdowne Park redevelopment and was quite emotional over it. Much of the blame for his status can be attributed to the media. Not only is Doucet an outspoken environmentalist and author he has an outstanding political track record and one that has helped push the City of Ottawa toward more environmentally friendly and community based projects.
During the environmental debate, Doucet had more cheers from the audience than any other candidate. I sat directly behind the media and could hear it myself. However, the biggest story coming out of the debate was about Haydon crashing it or how Watson and O’Brien continued bad politics. Yet Doucet’s platform was glossed over. His land bank idea to help create a cosmopolitan capital, recreational fee increase freezes so all can enjoy the city’s facilities, the inclusion cycling as an alternative mode of transportation and safely as well his plan for light rail connecting the city in four years were given little recognition.
What was recognized? Watson and O’Brien going back and forth. However, Doucet had his moments at the debate and a turning point in his campaign was missed by the media. Sure, he was given a by-line, a mention if that, but when Watson spoke of his land bank and recreational fee freezes, Doucet immediately called him on it with “where have you been for the last nine months?” Watson was caught borrowing from his opponent, Clive Doucet, a candidate with drive, determination and dream for a better Ottawa. Is it that last noun what scares the local media; dream?
Ottawa used to be the home of our most famous dreamers in politics. Locally, however, our politic scene has lagged a little. Projects and plans take decades to enact rather than years; closed door deals are being pushed through; developers, if they have the money in the right coffers, are allowed to build the city; but all the while, a quiet dreamer with the right message is waiting in the wings to lead Ottawa to something unique in Canada. Something special. All he needs is a chance to be heard to win the public appeal. A chance to be seen in a neutral to positive light in the local Ottawa media.
W.
Great blog Will! :D I really like the name, and the article was interesting and thought provoking. If I still lived in Ottawa I'd certainly be more involved in the Mayoral election, but alas I'm in TO, and we have our own election to worry about.
ReplyDeleteIt's really too bad about mayors and transit though, every time I hear of someone wanting to expand the network with light rail (here or there) its always a decade away and it never gets done.
By the way what ever did happen with Landsdown Park?
Right on! The uneven, selective coverage of the debates and the main candidates' positions is nothing short of a scandal. Is it just laziness or part of an editorial strategy not to upset the applecart of business-as-usual in Ottawa city politics?? On blogs and web comments, voters make it clear that they want more info on the main candidates. They are dissatisfied with both the supposed "front" runners and they aren't getting straight and full accounts on what either Haydon or Doucet are saying on the issues. Never mind that Doucet's points usually have the most substance.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robert. Lansdowne Park is a mess. Developers were given closed door priority to plan out how the city's largest public space will be redone. So, what started off as green space with exhibition grounds and sports fields will turn into a mess of shopping venues, an arena by which the local streets cannot accommodate huge traffic flow and disrespect to heritage of the site. That is, if Doucet isn't elected.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ute! I do believe it goes beyond laziness to out-and-out advertisement cajoling. I know it sounds like a conspiracy theory, but editors need to maintain the ad dollars and campaign contributers for Watson and O'Brien are said ad purchasers too.
Will, this is beautifully written and so compelling. I wish it was published in one of those papers. There should really be a progressive (or at least intelligent) venue for publication in this town.
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen!
ReplyDeleteBest I can do is keep the blog in the twitter-verse. I know there are alternative media venues in Ottawa, or at least I am hopeful there are, but the readership likely has a slightly smaller impact. :/