Drinking and Driving is a Newmarket Election Issue

3 years have passed since Chris Emanuel plead guilty to driving while impaired.  Here is the Toronto Star reporting on this crime:  http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2011/08/16/councillor_fined_for_driving_drunk.html

This story, in the context of a municipal election, is more relevant than ever.

Voters in Ward 7 won't be able to vote Emanuel out of office.  He isn't running for re-election.

But the Mayor, who downplayed Emanuel's crime as the folly of youth, can certainly be held to account.  The Mayor's antagonistic attitude towards community members who were appalled by the crime showed a man who was out of touch with ethical standards.

So should Regional Councillor Taylor be held to account.  It was Taylor who pleaded against demanding Emanuel's council resignation.  Taylor promised us that Emanuel was essential in blocking the Glenway development.  It turns out that Emanuel's involvement in this dispute only increased the number of homes to be built through an ill-advised 'all or nothing' OMB hearing.

Councillor Kerwin called Emanuel a friend and spoke about the work that Emanuel did on council.  Voters should challenge Kerwin to name a successful council initiative led by Emanuel in the past three years.  There aren't any.

And finally, council hopeful Kelly Broome Plumley needs to answer for her decision to name Emanuel a community hero via a New Roads Kia blog.  The corporate headquarters of Kia Canada had to formally denounce that move in light of Kia's support of MADD Canada.  It was a serious lapse in judgement and a slap in the face of all victims of drunk drivers.

While voters may not be able to punish Councillor Emanuel's misdeeds, there are others on the ballot who should face voters' wrath.  When the candidate knocks on your door, please tell them where you stand on the issue of drinking and driving.