Backroom Briefing Q: Is It On Purpose That The Mayor Seems To Show Up At Every Event Where The Media Is?

Note: This is the 2nd column of David Goyette's "Backroom Briefing" for PTBOCanada. For more info on it, click here.

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Q. It may just be me, but the Mayor seems to show up at almost every event where the media is present. Is this on purpose? How does it work? –Steve, East City

Goyette:  Politicians trade in a different currency than the rest of us, and self promotion is a part of it. While everyone enjoys basking in the glow that comes from the acclaim of others, most people in political life view this as a job requirement. This has a great deal to do with the reasons that people get into politics in the first place, but that's a topic for another day. 

In the political trade, there are many opportunities for self-promotion by politicians as a result of relations with an individual constituent; the neighbourhood or community or group; the associations, advocates and lobbyists; the political party or leader; and the media. Although relations with these individuals and groups wears a legitimate face of public service, they will be supplemented by a desire to secure the personal recognition that translates into public acclaim, status within the political community of which the politician is a part and electoral votes. This should come as no surprise. It is the system we have created for politicians, and they respond and compete accordingly.

When it comes to political self promotion, the bigger the group the better the prospects. With its ability to reach an entire voting community, the media is the preferred target. It must also be said that the media is more than just a target for politicians; the media targets them as well in order to generate the news that translates into advertising and revenues. Practical politics is all about this kind of symbiosis.

Here are some of the mechanics of making this work in a political office. While there are far more opportunities for a parliamentary politician serving in government than in opposition, the principles are the same. We call the activity “scheduling” and there are two types of events to be considered: those that are invitations from others—by far the most common—and those that we create ourselves.

In the case of the former, the invitations to attend an event are collected and reviewed by staff at a weekly scheduling meeting. Recommendations are put to the politician on a weekly basis, typically a Thursday or Friday, in order to prepare for the following week.  The politician decides and staff work is assigned accordingly. That work might include the preparation of briefing notes, speeches, visual presentations, proclamations, certificates, letters, mementos or thank you cards; the securing of a lectern, a sound system, screens, lighting and backdrops or props; security; and transportation. 

The promotional events that we create for ourselves are fewer in number and might include a newsletter or “householder,” event sponsorship, paid advertising, or a major speech delivered to an audience on a day before an important debate or vote. Technology has played a big role in extending the reach of these events. In Peterborough, Councillors now have $1,000 to spend on these activities as they see fit.

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David Goyette is the Executive Assistant to Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett. For more on his Backroom Briefing column, click here. Email your burning questions for David about City Hall to feedback@ptbocanada.com.

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Backroom Briefing Q: Is It True City Hall Used To Serve As Home To Mayor Of Peterborough?

Note: This is the debut of David Goyette's "Backroom Briefing" for PTBOCanada. For more info on it, click here.

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Q: I think it would be cool if the Mayor lived in City Hall kind of like the White House. Are there still living conditions on the top level and is it true it was once used to house a Mayor of Peterborough? —Pete Dalliday

Goyette: It may be that you have your tongue firmly planted in your cheek, but the issue is a good one. When Peterborough City Hall opened in October of 1951, with Ottawa Mayor Charlotte Whitton and Peterborough (England) Mayor Chamberlain officiating, there was an apartment on the third floor for the building’s stationary engineer and his family, who also functioned as a caretaker and had a wonderful habit of keeping detailed weather reports. As it happens, he was a relative of local drummer boy and jazz aficionado Verne Hope. The apartment is now reused for other purposes, as are the former courts and the Justice of the Peace offices.

There is no Canadian tradition of cities providing housing for Mayors. MPs and MPPs receive housing allowances to pay for apartments when they are away from their constituencies, and there is a time honoured practice of the overnight “coucher” by senior politicians dealing with emergencies or deadlines. There have been a handful of occasions when I nodded off with a team of political types in an overnighter to get something important ready for the next morning.

Americans do it differently, and a good example is Gracie Mansion at East End Avenue and 88^th on the East River in Manhattan, which is the official residence of the Mayor of New York. I spent some cherished time there with former Mayor Ed Koch -- one of my favourite people -- who actually eschewed the Mansion as a residence in favour of a more comfortable and downscale apartment in Greenwich Village.

In the early 80s, we mulled over the idea with Toronto Mayor Eggleton of designating Spadina House as the Mayor’s residence -- a stately pile on the escarpment that was willed to the City and had become vacant, and whose big time neighbours included Casa Loma and “Arwold” -- the former Eaton estate. The potential downside turned out to be too large and it was dropped. The house reopened in 2010 as a City museum.

Would a taxpayer funded Mayor’s residence work here? Can’t see it. We are a community that wants to keep our politicians’ feet on the ground, and there is a very healthy cultural attitude that reminds all elected officials not to get too big for your britches. 

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David Goyette is the Executive Assistant to Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett. For more on his Backroom Briefing column, click here. Email your burning questions for David about City Hall to feedback@ptbocanada.com.

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PTBOCanada Introducing New Q & A City Hall Column "Backroom Briefing" By David Goyette

GOYETTE'S BACKROOM BRIEFINGPTBOCanada is excited to be introducing a new reader-driven Q & A column by David Goyette called "Goyette's Backroom Briefing", which will take you into the inner workings of City Hall.

Goyette is the Executive Assistant to Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett (see our Day In The Life Of Mayor Bennett, which includes pictures of the two of them together).

One of Canada's most experienced strategic communication and political consultants, Goyette has provided services to 12 municipalities; 17 Ontario Deputy Ministers; 32 Offices of the Government of Ontario; 90 Canadian politicians including Mayors, Cabinet Ministers and Premiers; and the leadership of all the major Canadian banks. He has received 11 political appointments and had management roles in 12 election campaigns.

Readers of PtboCanada are invited to put questions to David about the skinny at City Hall. Not rumour or gossip or when your local pothole is going to be fixed, but how things really work—how decisions get made or don’t get made, and the stories behind the stories. Consider it your backroom briefing.

Email your burning questions for David about City Hall to feedback@ptbocanada.com.

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Here's The Shiny Findings From A New Report On The Economic Impact Of The Shining Waters Railway

This morning in Peterborough, the Shining Waters Railway group revealed the results of an economic impact study commissioned to explore the local economic feasibility of restoring Peterborough-Toronto commuter rail service and upgrading the existing track. The line would run 120 kilometres with a total of eight stations between the Peterpatch and Toronto's Union Station.

Among the projected conservative estimates, according to the report:

• Nearly 2000 jobs to be created and $531 million in economic output ($433 million in Ontario) due to capital investment in upgrading track, constructing bridges, and refurbishing rolling stock. Most of the difference would occur in New Brunswick where rail cars will be refurbished.

• An additional 110 jobs and $13 million per year in economic output due to operation of the commuter rail line.

• More than $12 million in tax collections for the province and $4 million for the federal government.

• Nearly $13 million a year in travel time savings and travel cost savings, $0.6 million a year in environmental savings from new and diverted riders of the service and $11 million in 2031 in accident related costs.

• If full Phase 1 & 2 operation begins by mid 2015, the economic impact between now and 2020 is approximately $700 million – combination of construction and operation related impacts and ongoing travel savings.

According to the report, these estimates "do not consider the likely impact of increased rail freight service, non-commuter related travel (tourism, for example), development around the stations, and possible attraction of new business to the region. These estimates do not consider economic activity from alternative ways in which public funds might have been used."

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Here's A Totally Inspiring Peterborough Video Message Called "Hip Hop Awakening"

This YouTube video from a Peterborough man is apparently a response to a Rap Battle that took place at Pappas Billiards on the weekend. But its articulate, positive and inspiring message extends well beyond Hip Hop and speaks to a lot of stuff going on in this community—including safety, the environment, jobs, poverty, food issues, social justice, love and youth culture.

[YouTube]

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New Entrance Poll Conducted Locally Reveals Voter Preferences, Reasoning & Behaviour

Heading into the 2011 Provincial election tomorrow, my local polling company Preferences conducted an entrance poll ending October 1, 2011, selecting at random more than 200 respondents (margin of error 6.92%, 19 times out of 20) to not only understand local voter preferences, but also the reasons why people are not voting, why they are undecided, and why they are choosing a specific local candidate.

There have been a number of polls conducted by local media and political associations that have provided percentages on the potential outcome of the 2011 Provincial election, but this poll was conducted by interviewers via telephone as well as through an online survey as opposed to automated systems. We facilitated the collection of open-ended responses which, in our opinion, provides a deeper understanding of voter behaviour.

Several respondents openly stated their exhaustion with elections, but also mentioned that this election differs from the recent Federal election because the Provincial term expired, as opposed to a vote of non-confidence. This may explain why there are almost half the amount of "undecided" respondents compared to the 2011 Federal election entrance poll conducted by Preferences.

As for non-voters, the primary reasons for these respondents to not cast their ballot revolved around their perception of "mud-slinging" and "schoolyard bullying."

Aside from which local candidate is leading, our statistics demonstrate that Jeff Leal is more popular than Liberals/McGuinty (+4.3%); Conservatives/Hudak is more popular than Alan Wilson (+6%), especially among 45-year-old to 55-year-olds; and Dave Nickle is slightly more popular than his leader NDP/Horwath (+2.2%).

Greens maintained the same support for their leader as the local candidate Gary Beamish. The most revealing statistic is demonstrated by Conservative Party/Hudak supporters, who claimed they will be voting for Leal locally (3.9%).

Undecided voters for local candidates (13.5%) expressed that local platforms were "unclear" and "too vague" (even on mail-outs), and that they actually have to perform their own research. Another point of interest demonstrates that some undecided voters know clearly who they do not support as a local candidate, but are unsure of who they would like to support.

As for the reasons why respondents are supporting particular local candidates: Alan Wilson supporters expressed their dissatisfaction with McGuinty’s policies and Hudak's charismatic approach; Nickle supporters mentioned his "experience" in the community "as a teacher" and his recognizable name; and Jeff Leal supporters expressed he has "experience," is "dedicated" and claimed to "know of" or have met him personally.

Paul Teleki is owner of Preferences, a locally-based polling, research and strategic planning company. You can contact him at paul@preferences.ca.

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Mayor Bennett Asks City Council To Review KPR Decision To Close PCVS

In a media release that went out this afternoon after KPR's decision to approve the closure of PCVS, Mayor Daryl Bennett say he will seek City Council's approval to consider three actions:

• First, a review by City staff of the land use regulations affecting the PCVS site with a view to limiting its use to educational and community-based uses, and a review of its role in the implementation of the Central Area Master Plan.

• Second, an exploration of the merits of City support of an appeal to the Ontario Minister of Education of the Board decision by the Peterborough Collegiate Foundation, including the adequacy of the decision-making process.

• Third, consultation with MPP Jeff Leal to determine the provincial interest in the closure and its potential impact on the liveability of the downtown.

"The community has expressed substantial concern over the Board decision and the role of the City in protecting City-wide interests," says Bennett. "I would have recommended these actions had any of the four schools been proposed for closure."

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Okay Political Parties: Engage Me, Interest Me, Tell Me What You Got Baby!

I am still trying to stay positive about the provincial election here. The Federal Tories’ new archaic, colossally expensive "tough on crime" legislation is scaring me. All the more need for a simpatico MPP, I guess.

Last week, I looked at the local candidates. Today’s challenge: find something interesting about each party’s platform. Here we go, in no particular order:

The Tories’ proposed tax reforms are interesting: Reduce income taxes by 5 percent on the first $75,000. Populist. Popular. (And one helluva loss in government revenue). And double the caregiver tax credit. Those are good ideas. Hard to swallow that they could do this and meet their commitment of a balanced budget by 2017-2018, but…

The Green Party advocates reducing commuting costs by “supporting transit and affordable commuter benefits including incentives for ride-sharing, more high-occupancy vehicle lanes, and tax credits for public transit users.” By virtue of the appalling waste of human time and energy—not to mention toxic pollution—that comes from single occupancy cars in gridlock day in and day out, this is interesting.

Now here’s a good one: As part of the NDP Platform, cap government CEO salaries for $80 million in savings. That’s interesting. I don't believe in some people earning ten or 20 times what others do. That’s wrong. Glad someone’s saying this, publicly.

By-and-large, the Liberal platform highlights the POSITIVE. While this is more a communications approach as a platform plank, you take what you can get.

• Best Schools in the English-speaking world (MCKINSEY & CO, 2010)

• From the longest surgical wait times in Canada to shortest (CANADIAN INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH INFORMATION, 2011)

• So far this year Ontario has created more full-time jobs than the rest of Canada combined (STATISTICS CANADA, 2011)

"A Socialist Party of Ontario government will work to start to end poverty by implementing a guaranteed annual income of no less than $18,849, with annual adjustments for inflation, for each individual adult plus a child allowance." What? No bureaucracy to police every dime? Might just pay for itself. This is interesting.

Along with other libertarian policies, the Freedom Party affirms freedom, justice, and peace during international political meetings. Making political hay out of the scary embarrassment of police behaviour during the G8/G20 summit (and elsewhere)—well, that’s interesting. We welcome newcomer Alex Long to the Peterborough Riding. 

 
PtboCanada Politics Columnist Miriam Lyall (aka Miriam Stucky) is a former Green Party Candidate. She is a step-mom extraordinaire and communications maven. Check it out: MiriamStucky.ca.

[Related: Here's A Primer On The Five Local Candidates Vying To Be Your MPP (With Pictures!)]

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The Truth About Why Closing PCVS Would Be A Huge Blow To Our Community

THE PHILLIPS REPORTOnce again the public, and private, discussions about the closing of a Peterborough high school have sunk into anecdote and vitriol. Virtually all of the discussion surrounds loyalties—neighbourhood, school, alumni—or mythical nostalgia. As the final decision by the publically elected Board at the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) approaches, it is time to refocus the discussion on financial and economic realities.
 
Before addressing these issues, it is important consider the role of the Board and the role of its senior management. The Board is elected to see that the KPRDSB has the strategies, policies, facilities, finances, and administration are in place so that the organization—overseen by the senior managers it employs—can provide the best education possible given the resources. Importantly, the Board is responsible to its funders—property taxpayers (residential and business) in Peterborough and the taxpayers of Ontario. The Board’s senior administration must take these resources and deliver the required educational services. There is a clear distinction between the role of the publically elected Board and the role of the administrative staff it employs.
 
The Board now finds itself in a position where the facts show that there is declining enrolment in Peterborough high schools and more schools than are necessary to deliver its educational services. With very similar education services being delivered at the existing schools for several decades, it is difficult to argue that one fewer high school would put the Board in a position where it would be unable to fulfill its mandate.
 
In financial terms, declining high school enrolment and an abundance of property and facilities puts the Board in a position where it has the opportunity to consolidate its operations, sell some valuable property, and use the funds to deliver educational services, and, perhaps, provide taxpayers with some relief from ever-increasing educational property taxes.
 
After the contentious review process was completed, I was pleased to see that the Board added its offices to be part of the mix. With little commercial land available in the industrial parks in the City, the Board could sell its property (a value in the millions of dollars) in the industrial park and consolidate its operations in an existing high school. This is a creative response to a complex decision. However, after this creative financial option was offered by the Board, the pubic debate became increasingly entrenched in anything but the financial, economic, and administrative realities.
 
In economic terms, the issue centers on the future of PCVS. Beyond the issues of its property value (which is the lowest—according to Board’s own property evaluations—of all the properties being considered, and the least likely to lower education property taxes), the significance of the school in terms of its value to the community and its role in economic development were practically ignored. Many of the initiatives to renew and expand the infrastructures of the downtowns of Ontario communities are to increase, not decrease, the downtown’s population density. More importantly, a high school in the downtown represents a source of current and future creative talent.
 
Just over 100 kilometres from downtown Peterborough, at the University of Toronto, is an internationally recognized leader in economic development—Richard Florida. His research describes the significance of the "creative class" and its ability to interact at a social level in city cores as a key contributor to local economic growth. Even with him being an advisor on economic growth to the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, it seems as though his message is more readily heard further away, rather than closer to home.
 
There is little doubt that a downtown high school contributes in many ways to the economic development of a city. I have yet to come across any evidence, from Richard Florida’s point of view, or any other approach to economic development that would suggest that removing a downtown school would contribute to a community’s economic development in a positive way.
 
Basically, as much as there are compelling, anecdotal and nostalgic arguments to close PCVS, there is little substance—financial, economic, or administrative—to the arguments. This must be recognized as the Board’s takes its decision.
 
Earlier this year, I was given the opportunity to present this case in a ten minute presentation to the KPRDSB’s Accommodation Review Committee (ARC). After that presentation, I was given some feedback from a member of the committee that my presentation would have had more credibility if I had not been, "clearly," a PCVS alumnus and supporter.

On that point, I need to set the record straight. I did graduate from PCVS.  However, I disliked high school immensely. In hindsight, my five years of high school were insignificant given my subsequent academic pursuits. The fact that those five years were spent at PCVS has nothing to with the case I am making. My position comes from my community and professional perspective, not a nostalgic view.  I trust that the Board’s decision will be made in the same spirit.

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[Contributed by PtboCanada's Tom Phillips Ph. D. Phillips is Economist & Sustainability Director - Greater Ptbo Innovation Cluster.]

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