One door at a time

2006-09-17T00:29:00.000-04:00

Just a few weeks into the hardcore canvassing and I am on a good roll. So many wonderful people I have met on previous rounds through the community. Many new faces I am coming across; all of them are generating a positive energy that carries me from house to house, one door at a time.

Today I planned out a long route that left me far from food and water for a long time. There were many people that wanted to talk about issues and what I had been up to, that it was taking longer than expected. I could have waited another hour to get to my car and go eat at my parents' place, but then I came across Mr. and Mrs. Percibali. I quickly realized that there was no way I was getting past this house without a full belly, and what is probably best described as a full pit stop.

I found il signore in the garden - he had just eaten. When he saw me poke my head around the back, his eyes lit up, he held out his arm and smiled. "Hey, Di Iorio", he announced. "I've been waiting for you to pass by again. Come on in".

From there, we were at the table and food was on it within 5 minutes. The sweetest, juiciest, fat-sliced tomatoes from his garden with olive oil and a little salt. Two kinds of southern italian style bread, with a thin-sliced, home-cut plate of prosciutto. A bowl of fruit from his small orchard, and tumbler of his vintage 2004 red wine from Guizzetti Bros. grapes.

For a half hour, he told me about how he had been and what he and his wife had been up to. It made me think of a conversation I might have had with my nonno had he been around. It also made me think that I haven't been to the cemetary for a while to see him. I used to go often, in my highschool years. In some ways, going there was like having a conversation with him. I think it's time I did again.

After the lovely meal that la signora brought, we shared a small, italian style pot of espresso. I started to gather my things as he hurried off to fetch a bottle of wine from the cantina which he put together with some fruit, and set on the front porch for me to come back and collect when I had finished the next leg of the day's canvass. I mentioned to him about the upcoming election being in November. All he said was that he would be waiting for me to come back.

What do you say to that?

The next street started with a bit of a delicate situation, but it was not hard to convince a couple of neighbours who had been supportive in the past that they need to call me when they want to talk about things. They can't just sit at home and wait for me to show up. It wasn't hard for them to accept that. The next couple of hours was a series of predominantly very happy residents, some because of particular issues that I was dealing with, and others because we had had good coversations in the past and liked what I was doing. Some were indifferent or busy but not many.

I tell people that there are some 30 thousand people from Ward 5 that could be calling me at any time, and that many do. There is a certain respect for the position and appreciation for my efforts that I can feel. Not from everyone, but from far more than 25% which represents the rate at which they will turn out to vote.

I can feel myself powering up, and powering out. Kids on the street recognize me. They tell their parents I am coming. Neighbours tell each other. It's awesome.

I remember some of those who gave me a bit of a hard time last election, and are now offering their vote, and asking for a sign - sometimes for multiple signs and literature, and sometimes to volunteer. I feel like I've won hearts.

Let's hope they aren't complacent on voting day.

Dalton's Nuclear Madness

2006-06-18T11:26:00.000-04:00

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has predictably and irresponsibly chosen to proceed with construction of new nuclear plants. In response, Greenpeace occupied the office of the Minister of Energy. Good for them.

I'm not going to even get into breaking down the danger and stupidity of nuclear and centralized power distribution, or the costs, or the health and environmental problems.

This government has no vision, weak leadership, and relies heavily on the advice of paid lobbyists.

These nukes will be Dalton's legacy. And I'm going to make sure that our youth, the ones already paying for past nuclear madness, and the ones who will be expected to pay for this round of greed and insanity, know about this, and make him painfully accountable.

sustainable richmond hill

One door at a time

Dalton's Nuclear Madness