From: Anastasios Baxevanidis
Mayoral Candidate for Richmond Hill
To:
CUPE Local 905
My explanatory responses to your inquiries
Truth is the most difficult part in a conversation. (Aithrios)
Question 1: What kind
of issues / campaigns have you participated in your local
community?
A1) Fairness
and strengthening of democratic principles.
Question 2: If
successful, what would be your priorities after the elections?
A2) Affordable,
transparent, fair and democratic.
Question 3: What
measures do you think that your municipality should be taking to ensure it is a
leader in climate change adaptation and environmental projects?
A3) Do it, not
say it.
Question 4: How do you
view the role of public services in your municipality? What value do you place
on the people who provide these public services?
A4) We have to
pull all together for a fair and democratic municipality.
Question 5: Where do
you stand on alternative financing, contracting out, or privatization of public
services? What services are currently
being privatized in your municipality?
A5) When a
community adopts the “price mentality” and marginalizes the value system, we
have a price tag for human dignity instead of a priceless value of a community
of friends. However, it is not what you are teaching, but what you are preaching
with your life. Unionism was in essence the new social contract between the
“haves” and the people. It was a social adjustment period that was compromised
by the interpreters of the ideals; later believed to be the only social power
for the “middle class” to survive and prosper.
The slogan “divide and conquer” is still valid where the “united we
stand” is only a reflection of a poetic metaphor, and that is because, to be a
hero, you must be a good person…
Economics is the faculty
of executing the best possible utilization of resources benefiting the welfare
of the people.
In economics, the
strategic industries, what I call “essential economic sectors”, are the
protocol of the government’s executive profile.
Question 6: Please give
us your views on taxes and the cost of delivering public services.
A6) Taxes are
the tool for the government to correct the externalities of the economic
system. Taxes must be fair and equitable.
Question 7: What is
your view on the sale of public assets?
A7) The
following is true when “public assets” are outsourced: the government is lazy,
incapable and sold to the highest bidder unless the opportunity cost dictates
otherwise.
Question 8: What is
your view of transit expansion, privatization, and the role of Metrolinx?
A8) See “Step
Six” in my blog.
Question 9: What work
have you done on equity and human rights?
How would you promote the equity agenda?
A9) A
democratic system where power is distributed equally, is fair, responsible and
effective.
Question 10: If
elected, what would you do to improve the lives of seniors in your
municipality?
A10) The
civilization (humanism, ethics, etc) of any society is measured by the degree
of caring for the disabled, sick, elderly and disadvantaged members of its
society.
Question 11: What are
your thoughts on Long Term Care? Do you
support the “Time to Care” campaign of 4 hours of care, per resident, per day?
A11) I said that, the institution of Nossocomic
Needs became “Health Industry” with heavy duplication of professional services,
tremendous drug and capital waste, and unacceptable labor productivity, due to
shift arrangements and training restrictions. Just tailor the protocols for
verifications.
Question 12: If
elected, what would you do to improve the lives of individuals living below the
poverty line, and/or homelessness in your ward/municipality?
A12) See #10.
Question 13: What role do you think public
libraries play in your community? Are you an advocate for the public library
system?
A13) Libraries
should be more than storage for books and reading halls. They should be places
for public education through lectures, presentations on politics, on partisan
planning, defining partisan philosophies, public speaking, etc... It is very
sad that, Universities became technical and agricultural training Colleges.
Question 14: Do you
think that all boards of the municipality should consist of elected officials
and members of the community? Or do you
think they should all be appointed? Why?
A14) Either you
have a “democratic system” or oligarchy
(tyranny).
Question 15: Do you
feel the head of regional council should be an elected position? Why?
A15) See #14
Question 16: Do you
feel the system used in your municipality should be “Strong Mayor” or “Powerful
Executive Committee”? Why?
A16) Strong
people involvement. Restructure the whole system which became dangerously
undemocratic.
Question 17: What role
do you see for the municipality and Municipal Councilors around economic
development and protecting or creating good jobs? How would you support
pro-active measures to assist workers to achieve unionization?
A17) In any
social issue, the problem is lack of communication. The parties have an
isolationist attitude and many reasons of suspicion, mistrust, and fear.
Paradoxically, many "Academics" support
the antagonistic spirit (war for growth) of our system and not the synagonistic
spirit of (peace and prosperity). I do not believe that a mayor’s job is to fix
the holes on the road pavement, attend
tea parties and photo sessions.
The council of the Town is the first line of
defense on any wrong doing against the people.
The value of the Council is: the non-partisan
fundamentals , the definition of social political spirit and the accessibility
factor of the council and the people.
The Council should be more energetic in resolving
or influencing solutions for social and economic issues. Otherwise, the
structure should be overhauled.
Question 18: What role
do you think unions have in your community?
A18) Unions
should be the example of social cooperation, achieving desirable and possible
levels of social happiness.
Question 19: If you are
endorsed how will you be accountable on key issues? Would you be willing to
meet on a regular basis?
A19) Synergy implies total, continuous, honest
interaction of the
social groups aiming for equitable, fair
maximization of social
With
great respect and expectations
Have a hopeful day
Anastasios Baxevanidis
(BA, MA) Economist
E-mail:
anastasiosbaxevanidis@gmail.com
E-mail: aithrios@gmail.com
Blog:http:anastasiosbaxevanidis.blogspot.ca